Hygric properties and thermal conductivity of a new insulation material for building based on date palm concrete

•Porosity, water uptake and drying kinetics were investigated for date palm concrete.•Dry cup method for the measurement of water vapor permeability.•Sorption isotherm was determined for a wide range of relative humidity, and afterward moisture diffusivity evolution was obtained.•Thermal conductivity measurements for both dry and moist state at various levels of temperature were measured. Experimental investigations of hygric and thermal conductivity properties of a new biocomposite material dedicated for construction which contains cement, sand and water and reinforced with 15wt% of date palm fibers were carried out. The investigations were based on the measurement of water vapor permeability, of sorption isotherm, of moisture diffusivity and thermal conductivity. The results reveal that the presence of date palm fibers improves the performance and the efficiency of the composite material: lowering of water vapor diffusion resistance, enhancement of moisture transfer. The results were compared to other kind of biocomposite materials used for construction. Finally, we have shown the effect of temperature on thermal conductivity for both moist and dry states.