Improving insulation and energy efficiency in arid climate buildings with palm fiber-reinforced adobe: impact on thermal and mechanical properties
1Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory LaGCEMS, at Ahmed Draia University, Adrar, 01000, Algeria
2Laboratory of Materials, Soils and Thermic, University of Science and Technology Mohamed Boudiaf, Oran, 31000, Algeria
J Ther Eng 2026; 12(2): 427-440 DOI: 10.14744/thermal.0001034
Full Text PDF

Abstract

Improving the thermal insulation of contemporary cement buildings is a significant challenge, particularly in desert environments subject to high temperatures. Adobe, a raw earth-based material, represents a practical solution due to its natural thermal properties. However, its low mechanical strength, particularly in bending, limits its integration into modern construction. This study demonstrates that a 13 cm layer of adobe reinforced with palm fibers, used as ceiling insulation, improves the thermal insulation of the building by approximately 133%, while reducing annual energy consumption by up to 53%. Furthermore, the impact of the length and dosage of palm fibers on the mechanical and thermal properties of adobe was examined through a series of tests. Four dosages (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1% by weight) and four fiber lengths (25 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm and 100 mm) were tested. The results reveal that concentrations between 0.5% and 1% offer the best performance. In particular, the 50 mm fibers at 0.5% increased the compressive strength by about 20%, while the 75 mm fibers at 1% improved the flexural strength by up to 45%, reaching 1.70 MPa.