This work deals with the development of a new composite based on mortar reinforced with optimally sized alfa fiber (AF). Experimental investigations of physical and thermo-mechanical properties of the new AF mortar composite are performed for AF weight fraction varying from 0% to 5%. This simple material preparation process is described and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is undertaken to analyze the morphology of this composite. It shows a random dispersion of the AF into the mortar matrix. Physical properties such as open porosity, water absorption, and bulk density fluctuations with AF mass content are measured. Measured thermal conductivity is compared to the values generated by different prediction models. Good agreement, within 9.6%, is obtained with data predicted by Woodside–Messmer’s method. It is demonstrated that this simple blending of AF into mortar improves significantly the thermo-mechanical behavior of the new composite. An addition of 5% of AF weight content makes composite material lighter by about 15%, enhances its insulating thermal capabilities by about 57% and increases its heat diffusion damping rate by about 49%. Moreover, the composite mechanical (flexural and compressive) strength increases by up to 10% for an AF weight content of 1%.

The purpose of this research is to assess thermal performance and energy saving of a residential building in the hot semi-arid climate of Marrakech (Morocco). The studied house is built as usual in Marrakech without any thermal insulation except for its external walls, facing East and West, which are double walls with a 5 cm air gap in between (“cavity wall” technique). The cavity wall effective thermal conductivity was carefully calculated taking into account both radiation and convection heat transfers. Experimental results, obtained from winter and summer monitoring of the house, show well dampening of air temperature, thanks to its thermal inertia. However, this temperature remained outside the standard thermal comfort zone leading to large cooling/heating load. Simulation results indicate that the cavity wall contributes to an overall reduction of 13% and 5% of the house heating and cooling loads respectively. Moreover, the addition of XPS roof thermal insulation significantly enhances the heating and cooling energy savings to 26% and 40% respectively.

This paper aims at investigating the performance of some passive techniques integrated to a house in six climates ranging from Cold climate to Desert one. First of all, a case study of a house, located in Marrakech (Hot Semi-Arid climate), is monitored and a TRNSYS-based numerical model is constructed and calibrated using the resulting experimental measurements. Afterwards, thermal behavior as well as the heating and the cooling energy demand of the house were assessed by means of dynamic simulations in the studied climates. The impact of the house's envelope thermal insulation is assessed by a comparison with a reference case of the house where this insulation is lacking. The results showed that the thermal load of the house decreased by more than 70% in all climates except for the Cold one; where this reduction did not exceeded 57%. The application of the Passive House concept to the studied house enables to assess the technical requirements for its envelope thermal insulation to achieve this standard in each of the six considered climates. Furthermore, the corresponding extra cost was found to be in between 13,000 MAD and 280,000 MAD (around 1,300 to 28,900 USD) while the payback time ranges from 5 to 8 years.