Abstract
This study examines the improvements provided by the insertion of hemp fibres with different weight fractions and lengths in an earthen material. The structural response of the materials was investigated by means of static and impact bending tests carried out on notched samples. The main focus of the analyses was in the characterization of the structural properties of the materials in terms of fracture resistance, post-cracking performance and energy absorption capability. The results of the study show that hemp fibres improve significantly the mechanical and fracture properties of the earthen material under both static and dynamic bending. It was also found that the structural properties of unreinforced and reinforced earthen materials are highly sensitive to the stress-rate, with higher strength and fracture resistance under impact loading than under static loading.
Highlights
In the last decades earthen materials have attracted considerable interest and regained importance in many fields of the construction sector, especially in developing countries and in rural, protected and architectural heritage areas [1,2,3]
The improvements in the load bearing capacity and in the fracture resistance produced by the fibrous reinforcement may be attributed to the bridging restraint provided by fibres across cracked surfaces, and to the energy dissipation associated to frictional sliding during pullout of debonded fibres at increasing deflections
Notched earthen samples reinforced with hemp fibres were fabricated and tested under both static and dynamic bending
Summary
In the last decades earthen materials have attracted considerable interest and regained importance in many fields of the construction sector, especially in developing countries and in rural, protected and architectural heritage areas [1,2,3]. The reasons for the widespread adoption of unbaked earth-based construction materials are found in the abundance, low cost and recyclability of soil, and in the characteristics of the typical production processes, which are technologically simple and highly energy-efficient, besides having a very low carbon footprint, with little or no impact on the ecosystem and environment [2, 3] These materials provide excellent sound and thermal insulation [5, 6], together with good fire resistance and humidity control properties. Despite these advantages, the wider use of earth as primary building material has been hampered by some inherent limitations of the material, such as low tensile and flexural strength, poor fracture resistance and ductility, high propensity to drying shrinkage cracking, strong sensitivity to water erosion. These issues are especially critical in seismic areas or in the presence of critical climate conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
