Toward sustainable lightweight durable bricks using alkali-activated hemp-based materials

Abstract

This paper presents high-strength, lightweight alkali-activated concrete using hemp powder and coarse hemp shiv. A parametric study determined the impacts of different alkali activator and hemp shiv contents on mechanical, durability, and sustainability properties. Reducing the alkali-activator content to 0.86 and 0.37 % by volume for sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide improved the mechanical and durability properties of the mixture. Mixtures with the least alkali activator content, 0.86 % and 0.37 %, had a density of 1.2 g/cm3 and compressive strength of 17 MPa. Reducing the alkali-activator content increased the carbon dioxide sequestration capacity to 180 kgCO2eq/m3 for the developed alkali-activated concrete.