Analysis of the thermal behaviour of traditional clay brick masonry in sustainable cultural heritage buildings of Marrakech

Cadi Ayyad University, UCA, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, LMFE Unit Affiliated to CNRST (URL-CNRTST N° 16), Morocco

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 22 May 2026

Abstract

Improving the thermal efficiency of historic buildings depends on analyzing the physical properties of the original materials. This study focuses on the Zaouia Derkaouia, a religious monument damaged by the Al Haouz earthquake on September 8, 2023. Restoration work requires precise knowledge of the in situ properties of the materials to ensure the compatibility of the interventions. This study presents an experimental characterization of handmade fired clay bricks collected in situ. Three bricks were measured for thermal conductivity λ, thermal diffusivity α, and thermal resistance R over a temperature range of 5 to 50°C using the hot-wire method. The analysis took into account various parameters, such as temperature and the origin of the samples. The results show that λ ranges from 0.262 to 0.324 W.m⁻¹.K⁻¹, α from 0.275 to 0.381 mm²·s⁻¹, and the thermal resistance (for a thickness of 3 cm) between 0.092 and 0.114 m²·K·W⁻¹. Taken together, these experimental data constitute a benchmark for evaluating the compatibility criteria of restoration materials for built heritage made of terracotta.