This study aims both to investigate the thermal properties of plaster reinforced with date palm fibers and local natural resources valorization to batter using materials construction. For that, studying the effect of addition date palm fibers on the plaster’s thermal properties is a significant point. In this work, we measured effective thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal effusivity of date palm fibers reinforced plaster has been studied by CT meter. Samples configurations with four lengths (10 mm - 40 mm) and four-weight ratios (0.5 % - 2 %) of palm fibers in plaster. The results obtained demonstrate that an increase in the fraction of date palm fiber engenders to a significant decrease in the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and effusivity, even an increase for the specific heat of different types of samples. Finally, this study is a contribution to the valorization of local materials in southern Algeria, and results encourage the use of plaster and date palm fibers in the field of construction and go to eco-friendly buildings.

The aim of this study is the use of local materials (plaster, sand dunes and date palm fi ber) for the region of southern Algeria. By expand areas of the use of these materials in the fi eld of construction. Despite the large ament of gypsum, its use is limited to some secondary operations like coatings and decorative elements. The sand dunes and palm fi ber, its use in the construction are very limited. In this study, the sand dunes and palm fi ber was added to plaster, to fi nd the mortar that has physical and mechanical properties that allow its use in construction. The results obtained showed that the addition of date palm fi bers improves the physical properties (density, water absorption, etc.) and mechanical properties (compression strength, fl exural strength, etc).

The negative impact of the production and use of building materials on the environment has become evident, so in recent decades, to find more sustainable, eco-friendly, and low-cost materials, the last research tends to reconsider the use of natural fibers and traditional building materials. This paper aims to develop a bio-composite based on the southern Algerian region's local materials consisting mainly of plaster and waste from date palm trees. Many properties were examined experimentally through previous research of our team (physical, mechanical, and microstructure characteristics) [1, 2] to characterize these materials. Several samples of bio-composite of plaster configurations with short length (20mm) and eight-weight ratios (0.5% - 4%) of palm fibers were prepared for mechanical, thermal, and physical characterizations. In addition, tested all previous properties on the specimens after 28 days of curing in normal conditions. The results show a clear improvement in the bio-composites mechanical performance (an increase in the bending strength with achieving compressive strength) and their thermal properties, which have been well developed (density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity). To enhance the resistance of palm fibers to chemical degradation in the plaster's alkaline environment and improve the adhesion between them, these fibers were treated with a NaOH solution of 1% concentration. The plaster's composites reinforced with date palm fibers can be qualified as eco-friendly and thermal insulation building materials.

Air lime as a retardant of setting time of the plaster was used, because it decreases the solubility of the latter and allows increasing the time of employment. In addition it does not affect these mechanical properties.

The aim of this study is the use of local materials (plaster, sand dunes and date palm fiber) for the region of southern Algeria. By expand areas of the use of these materials in the field of construction. Despite the large ament of gypsum, its use is limited to some secondary operations like coatings and decorative elements. The sand dunes and palm fiber, its use in the construction are very limited. In this study, the sand dunes and palm fiber was added to plaster, to find the mortar that has physical and mechanical properties that allow its use in construction. The results obtained showed that the addition of date palm fibers improves the physical properties (density, water absorption, etc.) and mechanical properties (compression strength, flexural strength, etc.).