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

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.