Abstract
An experimental investigation was conducted in order to study the water absorption, mechanical performance, thermal properties and durability of hybrid hemp-rapeseed composite materials. The hybrid composite material is made with 50% hemp shives and 50% rapeseed fibres. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the incorporation of viscosity modifying agent (VMA) on hybrid concrete. Four mixes were made for: shuttered walls and roof insulation with and without VMA. The water absorption of the hybrid composite fibres was, first, measured. The compressive strengths of these mixes at 7 and 28 d were then determined in order to compare the mechanical behaviour of the hybrid composite materials made with VMA. In addition, the capillary absorption and coefficient of thermal conductivity were also measured. The results revealed that VMA improved the performance of the hybrid concrete.
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