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Mechanical and physical properties of the date palm stem (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Morocco

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterize the wood of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from the region of Marrakech (Morocco) with regard to its use in the construction of housing in the southern regions of Morocco. The physical properties (moisture content, infradensity, wet density, saturated density, shrinkages and anisotropies) and mechanical properties (longitudinal modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture) of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) stem were evaluated on samples at different radial and tangential positions according to French norms AFNOR. The results obtained are compared to those reported in the literature for coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), since these species belong to the same family. The average moisture content (MC) and infradensity of the date palm stem was 15% and 0.32 g/cm3, respectively.

The average wet density and saturated density were 0.46 and 0.69 g/cm3 respectively. Longitudinal, radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage values and transverse anisotropy were 0.38, 2.13, 2.43, 5.02 and 0.89% respectively. The results of the mechanical measurements showed that the mean values of MOE and MOR were 1472.27 MPa and 19.53 MPa, respectively. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that the variation of the radial position influences the physical and mechanical properties of the date palm stem; however, the variation of the tangential position does not change these properties. From a practical point of view, it is remarkable that the outer zone of the stem has a greater potential for structural application, while the wood of the inner zone is not likely to be used in construction.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Abderrahim Famiri, the Director of the wood technology and forest products valuation service at the Foresty Research Center (CRF), the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification (HCEFLCD) in Rabat (Morocco). All our gratitude also goes to Mr. A. Fidah, the Researcher at the Forestry Research Center (CRF), wood technology and forest products valuation service in Rabat for their valuable help throughout the testing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wood Science Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University in Rabat, PO Box 1014, Rabat, Morocco

    M. Elkhal & A. Hakam

  2. Laboratory of Condensed Matter and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University in Rabat, PO Box 1014, Rabat, Morocco

    M. Elkhal & H. Ez-Zahraouy

  3. LBGIM, Ecole Normale Supérieure, University of Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco

    A. Hader & M. Tanasehte

  4. National Institute of Archaeology and Patrimony Sciences, PO Box 6828, Rabat, Morocco

    M. Ziani

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  1. M. Elkhal
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  4. A. Hader
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Correspondence to M. Tanasehte.

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Elkhal, M., Hakam, A., Ez-Zahraouy, H. et al. Mechanical and physical properties of the date palm stem (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Morocco. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 80, 693–703 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01777-0

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