Mechanical performance of hemp fibre modified mortar

Abstract

In this research the mechanical performance of mortar reinforced with fibres of hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) were experimentally evaluated. Bast hemp fibres of 10 mm in length with six different dosages per volume, starting with 0.25 vol% up to 1.5 vol% increasing in steps of 0.25, were mixed in the matrix. The fibres were added to the matrix in two different conditions: wet and dry. The compression strength, flexural strength and flexural toughness of the composite were evaluated. The addition of hemp fibres was found to decrease the mortars compression and flexural strength but significantly improved the flexural toughness of plane mortar. The increase in fibre dosage resulted in increase of the flexural toughness. On the other hand the compression strength of mortar decreased with the addition of fibres. Both the compression strength and flexural toughness slightly decreased in case if wet fibres were mixed in the matrix.