The thermo-physical and mechanical properties of cement-based concrete incorporating date pits

Abstract

The use of biomass waste in concrete has proven to be a promising ecological solution for reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in the construction sector. Various studies on the use of additives derived from biomass waste have reported improvements in thermal insulation, but these are accompanied by a decrease in mechanical strength. It is therefore necessary to find the best compromise between thermo-mechanical properties to develop new insulating materials. In this work, the effects of 3–9 wt% date pits (DPs) (as powder or aggregate) on concrete performance were investigated. Several analysis techniques were used, including hot disc analysis, mechanical compression testing and extended characterisation of the microstructure and phases using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to holistically evaluate the performance of the bio-composites. The results showed that an increase in DP content led to a significant decrease in thermal conductivity (≥ 56.86%), density (≥ 8.11%) and compressive strength (≥ 84.15%), irrespective of the DP form. The findings clearly demonstrate the feasibility and sustainability of incorporating DPs into concrete, supported by their abundant availability in Morocco and their potential as a valuable locally sourced material for the construction sector.