This study investigates the impact of incorporating Juncus fibers (JF) into compressed earth blocks (CEBs) stabilized with varying Portland cement contents, aiming to enhance local construction materials’ performance and reduce housing costs. CEB composites were produced with soil stabilized using different cement contents (4%, 8%, and 12% by weight) and JF reinforcement (0 to 0.2% by weight), compressed at 10 MPa with a hydraulic press. After 28 days of drying, the CEBs underwent diverse experimental characterizations to assess their physical, mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. The results revealed that incorporating JF led to a reduction in unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity (up to 36%), and dry compressive strength (approximately 17%). Higher fiber content correlated with increased water absorption and an increased capillarity coefficient. Thermal conductivity analysis indicated improved thermal performance, decreasing from 0.4350 W/m·K (12% cement without fibers) to 0.2465 W/m·K (4% cement with 0.2% JF). Despite the decrease in mechanical strength, CEBs with lower cement (4%) and higher fiber content (0.2%) demonstrated satisfactory durability (abrasion and erosion) and thermal insulation properties. This research suggests the potential of this material as a promising composite for the building materials industry. The findings contribute valuable insights into sustainable construction materials and have implications for cost-effective housing solutions.

Considering the growing need for developing ecological materials, this study investigates the acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties of wood composites reinforced with beech or oak wood fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a complex network of interconnected pores within the composite materials, with varying pore sizes contributing to the material’s overall properties. Acoustic characterization was conducted using a two-microphone impedance tube. The results revealed that the fibre size significantly impacts the sound absorption coefficient, demonstrating that the highest sound absorption coefficient of 0.96 corresponds to the composites reinforced with oak wood fibres with a size of 2 mm in the low-frequency range of 1000–2500 Hz. Mechanical testing revealed a significant reduction in compressive strength as fibre size increased from 0.4 mm to 2 mm, correlating with the observed changes in sound absorption and thermal properties. Thermal analysis indicated thermal conductivity (λ) values ranging from 0.14 to 0.2 W/m·K, with a notable increase in conductivity as fibre size decreased. It was shown that composites reinforced with beech or oak wood fibres with a size of 2 mm are recommendable for insulation materials due to the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.14 W/(m·K). Oak wood composites with a fibre size of 0.4 mm recorded the highest heat capacity, which is 54.4% higher than the one corresponding to the composites reinforced with the largest fibres. The results regarding heat diffusion rates are also reported. The findings about the effects of fibre size and pores on thermal, acoustic and mechanical properties provide valuable insights for designing sustainable materials, offering potential applications in industries where balanced performance across multiple properties is required.

The creep behaviour at 1050 °C of oriented MC2 single crystals is analysed by means of SEM and TEM observations. The γ–γ′ rafting process occurs rapidly and appears to be correlated with the establishment of a pseudo-stationary creep stage. The regular and stable networks are seen in the (001) interfaces. A detailed analysis of dislocation networks in these (001) interfaces shows that they are constituted by an association of hexagonal and square cells of a/2 dislocations. The square part is unstable and gives rise to the systematic creation of a dislocations included in the misfit dislocation network.

This study focuses on the development, characterization, and numerical simulation of novel composite materials based on natural vegetable fibers for applications in civil engineering. Three different bio-based composites were formulated using Alfa plant fibers, wood waste, and an equal mixture of both (50% Alfa, 50% wood), with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), a non-polluting polymer matrix, as the binder. The performance of these composites is strongly influenced by the fiber morphology, structural characteristics, and the nature of the matrix. Thus, understanding and optimizing these parameters is crucial for tailoring materials to meet specific design requirements. The experimental approach began with the morphological and structural characterization of the raw and treated fibers, followed by the evaluation of the thermal a properties of the resulting composites. Furthermore, thermal conductivity simulations were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics to validate the experimental results and gain deeper insights into heat transfer behavior within the composites. A comparative analysis with conventional synthetic insulation materials revealed that the developed bio-composites offer competitive thermal performance while being more environmentally sustainable. These findings highlight the potential of Alfa and wood waste fibers as effective, eco-friendly alternatives for thermal insulation in building applications.