Mechanical and physical properties of sand concretes reinforced with date palm fibers (Fibrillum and Leaflets)

In the construction sector, there is increasing interest in expanding the use of eco-friendly materials by leveraging natural resources and recycled materials. Among the most abundant natural fibers in several countries, including Algeria, are date palm (DP) fibers. This paper explores the use of date palm fibers as reinforcement in sand concrete (SC), aiming to develop a cost-effective and environmentally friendly material. Without any prior treatment, the study incorporates two types of (DP) fibers: leaflets (LF) and fibrillium (FB) into sand concrete. These fibers were incorporated at three different percentages of the total dry mix weight: 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%. For each percentage, tests were carried out to assessflow, density, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption by capillarity and immersion. The findings indicate that sand concrete (SC) reinforced with 0.5% fibrillium fibers exhibits sufficient mechanical properties for practical applications. Additionally, the paper suggests avenues for future research in this area.