Thermophysical characterization of a new clay-based construction material from the Atlas region

Abstract

Abstract As part of the valorization of local materials and the search for energy efficiency in the building sector, a thermophysical study was carried out on a new clay-based composite material from the Atlas region reinforced by peanut shells, which constitute an abundant ecological and untapped waste. In this study, a series of samples (100×100×26 mm3) of this composite are elaborated at different mass fractions of peanut shells. The thermal parameters are estimated by metrological methods such as the steady-state hot plane method and the flash method. The results showed, in addition to the lightness offered by peanut shells to these composites, that the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity vary respectively from values 0.623 W.m−1.K−1 and 4.8 m2.s−1 for raw clay to the values 0.323 W.m−1.K−1 and 3.5 m2.s−1 for the mass fraction of peanut shells to ϖ = 9%, which give this material the quality of the insulating walls.