Effect of the addition of date palm fibers on thermal properties of plaster concrete: experimental study and modeling

Simultaneous measurement of effective thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal effusivity of date palm fibers reinforced plaster concrete have been studied by CT meter device using a ring sensor technique. Samples of different weight percentages 1, 1.5, and 2% for different length fibers have been considered. It is found that the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and effusivity decrease as the fraction of fibers increases, even an increase for the specific heat is recorded. A modeling application reveals good correspondence with the experimental results. Moreover, a scanning microscopy study has shown a good interaction between the gypsum matrix and date palm fiber cells. Finally, it should be noted that date palm fibers and plaster are mutually compatible and many new building components can be made by incorporating these materials.