Thermo-physical and mechanical performances of a new lightweight construction material made with clay and Posidonia-Oceanica fibers

This paper investigates a recently developed composite material composed of clay and Posidonia-Oceanica Natural Fibers (PONFs). The main objective of this work is to evaluate the thermal insulation characteristics and mechanical performance of the composite material developed for the purpose of thermal insulation in buildings. The investigation involves varying the concentration of Posidonia-Oceanica Natural Fibers (PONFs) within the composite, ranging from 0% to 20%. To achieve a thorough understanding of the material's behavior, a combination of experimental testing and theoretical analysis was carried out. Specifically, the periodical method (DICO) was utilized in tandem with an inverse technique featuring the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. This methodological approach enables a comprehensive exploration of the composite material's characteristics and performance, with implications for its use in enhancing the thermal insulation of buildings." Additionally, the mechanical properties of this composite material were systematically evaluated. The findings indicated that higher PONFs content significantly reduced thermal conductivity (by 63.5%), thermal diffusivity (by 26.9%), and density (by 49.5%). Consequently, the most favorable mechanical properties were observed when the PONFs content reached approximately 10% of the total mass. The outcomes of this study revealed that the incorporation of PONFs has a beneficial impact on the thermo-mechanical characteristics of the composite material. Specifically, PONFs enhanced the material's insulation capabilities, increased its ability to attenuate heat diffusion, and reduced its overall weight. This work conclusively showed that the inclusion of PONFs, up to a maximum of 10%, meets the structural requirements for lightweight clay and encourages its potential use as a novel insulating construction material.