A University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering research team has developed a plant-based mixture for concrete masonry blocks that are environmentally friendly and sustainable while helping to meet the world’s construction demands.
“There’s nothing else out there in the world like this — a load-bearing capable, hemp-based composite,” said Marc Maguire, assistant professor at the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction.
Maguire said the new mixture has the potential to radically change the construction industry because it’s lighter than traditional Portland cement but also meets the American Society for Testing and Materials’ standards for load-bearing masonry units for strength, water absorption and weight.
Additionally, Maguire said, testing of the material revealed it removed 102 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents per square, about four times more than standard concrete mixes.
By mixing the fibrous interior of the hemp plant stalk with a binding agent, the new composite is both sustainably sourced and could have immediate benefits on job sites.
“The weight of a cinder block can be a benefit and a curse,” Maguire said. “Engineers want that weight in a lot of construction applications, but it can have a physical impact on the masons who have to carry it around.
“We’re probably cutting 25% or so (of the weight), and that savings is probably enough to make the masons feel better but also keep the mass effect we need from the engineering and design standpoints.”
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Gary Fleisher is the Editor in Chief of Modular Home Source and Offsite Builder magazine. Email at [email protected]
Gary Fleisher, the Modcoach
