Physical and mechanical properties of composites based on hemp shives and lime

¹ Lublin University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Department of Construction, Nadbystrzycka Str. 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
² Lublin University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Department of Water Supply and Sewage Removal, Nadbystrzycka Str. 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland

^* Corresponding author: p.brzyski@pollub.pl

Abstract

One of the objectives of sustainable development in construction is the use of low-processed materials. They have a positive impact on the ecological balance of the building throughout the entire life cycle. Examples of such materials are materials of plant origin - straw, shives, cellulose fibers. They are used as thermal insulation or wall material. In recent years, hemp shives are increasingly used as a component of a lime-based composite, which performs the function of wall filling in timber frame constructions. The shives, due to the high porosity, determine the high thermal insulation properties of the composite. The physico-mechanical properties of the composite can be modified depending on various factors, including the ratio of hemp shives to the binder. The lime binder, in turn, can be modified by hydraulic and pozzolan additives. The paper presents mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) as well as physical properties (density, porosity, thermal conductivity coefficient, absorbability) of composites with various proportions of hemp shives of the Bialobrzeskie variety to the lime binder modified with Portland cement and metakaolinite.