Durability of bio-based building materials

Abstract

This work aims to present the current status of the durability of two families of bio-concretes made with wood shavings and bamboo particles. The bio-concretes were produced with cement to biomass ratios ranging from 0.5 to 3, and presented ranges of densities from 0.7 to 1.2 g/cm³ and compressive strength from 0.5 to 9.5 MPa. Their durability was investigated through capillary absorption test, drying shrinkage and compressive strength after 15 wetting and drying cycles. The results indicated initial absorptivity varying from 0.142 to 0.463, and capillary absorption ranging from 2 to 3.35 g/cm². It was also observed drying shrinkage between 3000 and 6000 µε and mass loss ranging between 10% and 30% for the different mixes studied. After the aging test, the bio-concrete studied lost about 33% of their compressive strength.