Abstract
The study reported in this paper was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of lightweight construction materials, based on vegetable particles. The developed material consists of reference mortar containing different levels of hemp particles as partial replacement of sand in mixture by volume at: 0% (MR), 50%, and 100%. The binder nature has been selected based on the results obtained of chemical compatibility evaluation that highlight the reduction in inhibitory effect exerted by particles on cement hydration. The objective of this work is to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties, through the examination of materials lightning, mechanical strengths (compressive/flexural), and the elasticity behavior of the material at different volume rates of hemp particles. The influence of the direction after casting the material, according to the parallel (//) and perpendicular (?) orientations, with respect to the direction of the stress has been examined. Test-results have shown that despite a significant reduction in mechanical properties, the material exhibits higher residual stress that highlight a ductile behaviour, compared to the reference material. Results also indicated that the perpendicular (?) casting direction leads to exhibit higher mechanical properties, compared to the parallel state.
Highlights
The requirements of the new Building Regulations have obliged the engineers to develop alternative materials from renewable resources
In order to mitigate the inhibitory effect exerted by vegetable particles on cement hydration, amount of Tradical PF70 hydraulic binder has been used as partial replacement of Portland cement in the matrix
The inhibitory effect is due to the chemical constituents of vegetable particles, but the main inhibitors of cement hydration are sugars and lignin [6]
Summary
The requirements of the new Building Regulations have obliged the engineers to develop alternative materials from renewable resources. The degradation problem is associated with an increase in vegetable materials fracture due to a combination of their weakening by alkali attack, related to their both mineralization and high water absorption [3,4]. This causes the material to have a reduction in post- cracking strength and toughness. Their hydrophilic nature leads to a notable decrease in physical, mechanical and thermal properties and eventually rotting due to fungi attack. The effect of fresh materials casting direction, according to the parallel (//) and perpendicular ( ) orientation, with respect to the direction of the stress solicitation on the hardened mechanical properties has been examined
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 call
