Experimental investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of

Experimental investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of a new
biosourced insulation material
R. Belakroum1,*, A. Gherfi1, M. Kadja2, T. H. Mai3, C. Maalouf3, Y. Kerboua2, LéonBrice Mboumba-Mamboudou4, Michèle T’kint4
1
Univ. Ouargla, Fac. des Sciences Appliquées, Lab. Dynamique, Interaction et Réactivité des
Systèmes, Ouargla 30000, Algeria
2
Laboratoire d’énergétique appliquée et pollution, Université de Constantine I, Algeria
3
Groupe de Recherche en Sciences pour l’Ingénieur /Thermomécanique (EA 4694), Université de
Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France
4
UPJV/EPROAD 4-5, rue moulin neuf 80000 Amiens, France
(* Corresponding author: [email protected])
Abstract
This paper focuses on the mechanical and thermal properties of a new ecological material
designed to be used for building insulation. The investigated sustainable building material is a
palm fiber-lime composite. The main target of this study is to demonstrate the possibility of
using renewable resources available in the north-Africa and Middle-Est as insulating building
materials.
The abundance of date palms in some regions of the world presents an opportunity to develop
a low cost construction material, with a reduced environmental impact and offers occasion for
recycling the material at the end of its life. The confectioned material is a light concrete,
which can ensure both thermal and acoustic insulation. For preparing this material, we were
inspired by the techniques used for the production of hemp-concrete. The latter is widely used
especially in Europe for the thermal insulation of buildings.
The analysis carried out shows that this bio-composite: has a good thermal insulation
properties and acceptable mechanical resistance. The behavior of this material during the
compression test looks like wood. The thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are
sensitive to the variation of the composition ratio (fibers / lime) and the compaction of the
material during its manufacturing.
Mots clés: palm fiber, thermal insulation, mechanical properties, thermal properties,
biosourced composite.