Abstract

For a self-cooling building, alternative sources of roofing and ceiling materials in building design was investigated. The thermal property of Rattan palms (Calamus deërratus), Raffia palms (Raphia hookeri) and synthetic Nigerite asbestos sheets were determined using the Lees’ disc apparatus. Results showed that Rattan palms sheet had the lower thermal conductivity (k = 0.046 Wm^-1 K^-1) and a higher resistivity (r = 21.930 W^-1mK) compared with Raffia palms sheet. While both palms showed lower thermal conductivity (k = 0.046 to 0.056 Wm^-1K) and higher resistivity (r = 17.73 to 21.930 W^-1mK) than asbestos sheet (k = 0.084 Wm^-1K, r = 11.919 W^-1mK). The results indicated that Rattan palms have a higher potential for heat resistivity than many other wood based heat-insulating materials and are recommended for ceiling in modern building design.

Key words: Self-cooling building, insulators, heat, Lees’ disk, Rattan, Raffia.