Replacement of polymer fibers with hemp fibers in concrete

Abstract

In our experiment, we tried to replace polymer fibers with hemp fibers and verify whether the properties and advantages of polymer fibers in concrete will be retained even with this interchange. Polymer fibers are added to the mixer to produce fresh concrete or mortar, and we did the same in our case. Polymer fibers do not replace conventional structural reinforcement of concrete, but improve some properties, such as suppressing and controlling cracking in concrete, reducing plastic settling and cracking in concrete settling, improving concrete toughness, etc. Cannabis and its cultivation have a long tradition. The growing season lasts about four months and during that time at least 2.5 times more wood mass grows on one hectare than in the same forest area. The plant consists of root, leaves, seeds and stalk, which contains about a quarter of the fiber and the rest is a woody mass, the so-called shives. We used only hemp fiber in concrete. Hemp fiber excels in its strength, durability and natural protection against pests. Sets of beams according to EN 196-6 were produced for the proposed solution. Although the article deals with hempcrete, i.e. concrete, the tests were performed according to the cement testing standard. In total, three blends were produced with different hemp fiber ratios, three strips each. Compressive strength and flexural tensile strength were measured.