Abstract
The use of natural fibers in cement composites is a widening research field as their application can enhance the mechanical and thermal behavior of cement mortars and limit their carbon footprint. In this paper, two different wild grasses, i.e., Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, also called diss, and Pennisetum setaceum, also known as crimson fountaingrass, are used as a source of natural aggregates for cement mortars. The main purpose is to assess the possibility of using the more invasive crimson fountaingrass in place of diss in cement-based vegetable concrete. The two plant fibers have been characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), helium picnometry and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of fiber panels has been measured. Mortars samples have been prepared using untreated, boiled and Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) treated fibers. The mechanical characterization has been performed by means of three point bending and compression tests. Thermal conductivity and porosity have been measured to characterize physical modification induced by fibers’ treatments. The results showed better thermal and mechanical properties of diss fiber composites than fountaingrass one and that fiber treatments lead to a reduction of the thermal insulation properties.
Highlights
In the last decades, a significant amount of relevant research has been carried out concerning the use of lignocellulosic materials in cementititous matrices for building applications
The Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) results confirmed those obtained by EDX since the amount of uncombusted was higher for the diss rather than the crimson fountaingrass fibers (Figure 9)
The boiling and subsequent Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) treatment led to a slight improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of the mortars additivated with Pennisetum setaceum aggregate, while it is pejorative for those additivated with Ampelodesmos mauritanicus aggregate due to the worse fiber-matrix interface
Summary
A significant amount of relevant research has been carried out concerning the use of lignocellulosic materials in cementititous matrices for building applications For their high sustainability and good physical and mechanical properties, natural fibers find practical applications in composite materials for automotive parts and building construction panels and furniture [1,2]. - After the drying process, part of the stems were subjected to a thermal treatment by boiling for 4 h with distilled water in order to remove the sugars and extractives and repeatedly washed with distilled water to clean their surface until the water became clean This treatment was performed because the dissolution of sugars from vegetable fibers during the setting of the cement can act as a retarding agent for the cement paste [13]. PPrroocceedduurree ffoorr tthhee pprreeppaarraattiioonn ooff tthhee fifibbeerrss ((eexxaammppllee ffoorr bbooiilleedd DDiissss fifibbeerrss)):: ((aa)) ddrryyiinngg;; ((bb)) bbooiilliinngg;; ((cc)) wwaasshhiinngg;; ((dd)) ddrryyiinngg;; ((ee)) ccuuttttiinngg;; ((ff)) wwaatteerr ssaattuurraattiioonn
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
