Studies on Fiber-Reinforced Concrete using Industrial

Hemp Fibers
Elie Awwad1, Mounir Mabsout2, Bilal Hamad3, Mohamad Talal Farran4, and Helmi
Khatib5.
1
(Corresponding Author) Ph.D. Candidate – Sustainable Materials, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020,
Beirut, Lebanon, Tel: 961-3-890917, <eaa01@[Link]>
2
Professor of Structures, Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of
Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon, Tel: 961-1-
350000/3460, <mounir@[Link]>
3
Professor of Structures and Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, American
University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon, Tel: 961-
1-350000/3460, <bhamad@[Link]>
4
Professor of Poultry Nutrition and Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences,
American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut,
Lebanon, Tel: 961-1-350000/4450, <mf02@[Link]>
5
Laboratories Manager, Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of
Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon, Tel: 961-1-
350000/3462, <he00@[Link]>

ABSTRACT
The paper reports on tests performed to investigate a sustainable “green” concrete material
using natural industrial hemp fibers. The incorporation of such material in concrete would
save on natural resources and have a positive impact on the social life of the agricultural
community. The demand for the agricultural fibers for concrete production would be a major
incentive to farmers to benefit from the social impact on the habitat level of living. In the
experimental program reported in this paper, standard samples for flexure, compression, and
splitting tensile strengths are presented in addition to modulus of elasticity, thermal
conductivity, and slump test results. These results are to evaluate the physical and thermal
characteristics of concrete mixes prepared with different volumetric ratios of added fibers and
different proportions of aggregates. They indicate that the use of industrial hemp fibers
resulted in reducing the coarse aggregate quantity without affecting the flexural performance
of concrete, in addition to providing a significant enhancement in ductility.

Keywords: green concrete, sustainable materials, natural fibers, thermal conductivity, social
impact, construction industry.

INTRODUCTION
A sustainable way of living is a developed, satisfying, and durable life. Sustainable
construction materials are expected to be sought for and required along with the shortage in
natural resources. Sustainable materials and buildings are characterized by their long-term
quality and effectiveness, compared to traditional buildings where the initial cost is only of
concern. Using concrete for construction with aggregates is causing rapid material depletion
and leading to a drastic environmental impact on the nature and surroundings. This issue has
been of major concern worldwide and particularly in the local context of Lebanon.

1
Sustainable concrete material may be described as a concrete recycled from existing concrete
material, or a concrete produced by reducing the use of aggregates components which is the
focus in this research. In general, it is of interest to produce a new material with an
acceptable performance while saving on natural resources. The reduction of coarse
aggregates agrees well with some of the sustainable interests and actions such as “Reuse-
Reduce-Recycle”, while the use of agricultural fibers agrees with the development of
agricultural activities and farming prosperity.

The aim of this research is to extend a preliminary investigation on the performance of a new
fiber-reinforced concrete composite with natural fibers, and present an extensive study on the
use of industrial hemp fibers in reinforced concrete structural applications.

BACKGROUND
Substantial research work has been conducted on fiber-reinforced concrete which is a
concrete primarily made of a mix of hydraulic cement, aggregates, water, and reinforcing
fibers. Fibers used are typically produced from steel and synthetic materials such as
polypropylene, nylon, or fiberglass. Adding such materials to concrete should result in a
randomly, discrete, and discontinuous orientation of fibers which main function is to bridge
across cracks that develop in concrete, either as it is loaded or as it experiences
environmental changes. Thus, fiber-reinforced concrete is expected to satisfy the strength,
ductility, and durability requirements of a high performance concrete material. Moreover,
fiber-reinforced concrete including mainly steel, glass, or other synthetic fibers in addition to
natural fibers has been used in many applications such as slabs on grade, airports and
pavements, tunneling, rock stability, and shotcrete works [ACI 544.1R-1996].

The first use of fibers in reinforced concrete has been dated to 1870s. Since then, researchers
around the world have been interested in improving the tensile properties of concrete by
adding wood, iron, and other wastes [Naaman et al. 1990]. Local interest has been
demonstrated through research work performed by Harajli et al. [1997] and Hamad et al.
[2001 and 2003]. Research work covered the use of steel, glass, carbon, and polypropylene
fibers and their effect on the structural behavior on reinforced concrete elements. In addition
to industrial fibers, natural organic and mineral fibers have been also investigated in
reinforced concrete; wood, sisal, jute, bamboo, coconut, asbestos, and rockwool are examples
of such fibers researched and reported [Zhu et al. 1994, Al Rim et al. 1999, Bilba et al. 2007,
and Savastano Jr. et al. 2008].

Recently, several preliminary research efforts have been undergoing at the American
University of Beirut (AUB) on sustainable building systems. They focused primarily on
sustainable design, innovative construction materials, and energy efficiency considerations.
One research program tested the effect of using exchanged car motor oil on concrete mixes as
an air-entrained agent. Results indicated that the used engine oil acted as a plasticizer,
increased the air content, resulted in average losses in flexural strength, splitting tensile
strength, and modulus of elasticity, yet the concrete compressive strength was not affected.
The research findings were reported by Hamad et al. [2003a & 2003b]. Moreover,
preliminary studies on natural organic fibers were performed by Awwad et al. [2010, 2011a,
and 2011b] at AUB.

In one preliminary study, Awwad et al. [2010 and 2011b] investigated the behavior of hemp,
banana, and palm fibers as concrete composites. Mainly, the flexural and compressive
performances of the naturally fiber-reinforced concrete were tested. The results showed a

2
ductile behavior with the tested flexural beam samples. Based on these initial tests results,
the use of industrial hemp fibers in concrete mixes indicated promising compression and
flexural strength values; it also confirmed the potential of reduction in the consumption of
coarse aggregates when adding hemp fibers.

In another study by Awwad et al. [2011a], the industrial hemp was subjected to more
investigation, where cubes (70 mm), beams (50 x 50 x 200 mm), and standard cylinders (150
x 300 mm) were prepared and tested. Control and polypropylene fibers mixes were included
for comparison purposes and validation. It was shown that the addition of both synthetic and
natural fibers resulted in a decrease in the compressive strength for cylinder samples.
However, the presence of the hemp fibers associated with reducing the coarse aggregate
content resulted in a ductile flexural performance, instead of a brittle failure as in the case of
plain concrete. The results of the cylinder samples showed that the fiber content and the
coarse aggregate reduction are related; as such, when the coarse aggregate amount is reduced,
more space is allowed for the fibers to interact in the concrete matrix, provided the amount of
fibers is sufficient. The fiber-reinforced concrete flexural behavior depends on the matrix
and the fibers orientation, especially in the presence of coarse aggregates and small sample
sizes. For fiber-reinforced concrete, the deflections at maximum flexural loads are larger
than those of control samples, indicating a decrease in the stiffness of fiber-reinforced
concrete mixes.

OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the current research is to perform a large-scale study on the use of natural
hemp fibers as a composite in concrete mixes to improve performance of construction
components and reduce depletion in natural resources. The objective is therefore to
investigate the newly developed material that encapsulate sustainable elements while
satisfying strength and improving performance requirements such as durability and thermal
properties.

In this paper, the physical properties in addition to the thermal characteristics of the newly
defined mix are investigated and reported. The flexure, compression, and splitting properties
in addition to the modulus of elasticity, density, and thermal characteristics are determined.
Thus, the final output is expected to shed more light and reaffirm the viability of the new mix
encapsulating its major properties needed for design and construction purposes.

MEASURABLE INDICATORS
The effect of natural admixtures usage on concrete mixes can be interpreted mainly by the
reduction of aggregates quantities; consequently, producing similar or even better mixes with
less aggregate quantities results in a sustainable concrete. Moreover, the local harvesting of
hemp would be recommended as an advantageous substitute to its sister illegal drug plant.
Growing hemp requires no pesticides, replenishes the soil with nutrients and nitrogen,
controls erosion of the top soil, and produces a lot of oxygen. In the local context of Lebanon
and similar agricultural countries, the demand for the hemp fibers for concrete production
would be a major incentive to farmers to grow this plant and benefit from the social impact
on the habitat level of living.

As noted by Awwad et al. [2011a], a preliminary feasibility study on the cultivation of

industrial hemp conducted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the
Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) project in 2009, showed that the farming of this

3
crop is a beneficiary business, and would be strongly supported, if additionally, the use of
hemp fibers in concrete would prove to be satisfactory, resulting in demand increase and a
prospering agricultural crop.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
In the current experimental program, only hemp fibers mixes are considered in addition to
one polypropylene mix for comparison purpose. The concrete mixes selected for this study
are based on a unique mix reported in a previous work by Awwad et al. [2010, 2011a, and
2011b].

The batching weights per cubic meter of concrete are: 880 kg medium coarse aggregate, 810
kg sand, 400 kg cement, and 272 liters water (water to cement ratio w/c = 0.68). The coarse
aggregate used is medium size, with oven-dry density of 1,600 kg/m 3 and a maximum size
aggregate of 10 mm. The sand aggregate has a sand fineness modulus of 2.42, and a sand
equivalent of 76. The cement is a general use (GU) type, according to the American Society
for Testing and Materials [ASTM C150, 2009], with a specific surface area of 295 m 2/kg (Air
permeability Blaine Test). Harbourite ® 320 polypropylene fibers are used, with a density of
910 kg/m3 and with a Young’s modulus of 3.5 kN/mm 2. The hemp fibers have a density of
about 1,400 kg/m3.

The variables in the trial test program included the fiber type used, the volumetric percentage
ratio of the added fibers, and the reduction in the amount of coarse aggregates measured as a
percentage of the volume of concrete. As presented in Table 1, two types of fibers were
tested: polypropylene and hemp fibers in addition to the control samples without fibers. The
hemp fibers were treated and soaked in a sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) at 6% by
weight for 48 hours. After soaking, the fibers were washed with water and left to dry. The
hemp fibers were provided locally by the UNDP/MoA project, or were imported from
Stemergy Renewable Fibre Technologies, Canada, and from Hemptraders, LA, USA. As an
example on the volumetric ratio of the fibers, if a parameter of 1% is used, it implies that the
corresponding fibers volume is determined as 1% of the concrete volume. Then the fibers
weight is determined by multiplying the fibers volume by the fibers density. Similarly, for
the coarse reduction percentage, if a parameter of 10% is mentioned, it implies that the
corresponding reduced coarse aggregate amount is 10% of the concrete volume. The
aggregate weight is therefore determined by multiplying the aggregate volume by the
aggregate density.

Hemp fibers typical properties were supplied by Hemp Traders report [Serbin, 1993], i.e. the
ultimate tensile strength was reported as 524 MPa (76,000 psi). Also, according to Sedan
[2008], it was reported that the hemp fibers has a modulus of elasticity of 38 to 58 GPa and a
tensile strength of 591 to 857 MPa. Fibers length and diameter varied and were on average
30 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively.

Several tests were conducted using the twelve mixes prepared for the experimental program:
(i) flexure strength test using standard beams (150 x 150 x 530 mm); (ii) compressive
strength test, splitting tensile strength test, and modulus of elasticity test using standard
cylinders (150 x 300 mm); and (iii) thermal conductivity test using a block sample (50 x 300
x 300 mm). This is in addition to slump tests at the freshly concrete mixed state.

The twelve mixes are presented in Table 1. The compressive strength was determined at 3, 7,
and 28 days, the flexural strength was determined at 7 and 28 days, and all other tests were

4
performed at 28 days. The results reported represent the average of three tested samples,
except for the thermal block test since the thermal conductivity result is an average measured
value. In all, a total of 180 cylinders, 72 beams, and 12 blocks were tested and reported in
the current paper.

TEST RESULTS
The compressive strength results from the previous study by Awwad [2011a] are presented
for convenience in Table 2 [ASTM C39, 2010]. They indicate that the cylinder tests,
prepared with different fibers volumetric ratios and reductions in coarse aggregate, result in a
decrease in the compressive strength with the increase in coarse aggregate reduction. For the
mixes with no reduction in coarse aggregate, and compared to the control samples, the
compressive strength in the 0.5% polypropylene decreased by 3, 17, and 13%, at 3, 7 and 28
days, respectively. The compressive strength in the 0.5% hemp decreased by about 20% at 7
and 28 days, with an exception at 3 days. Comparing the 0.5% polypropylene mix with the
0.5% hemp mix, the compressive strength results were similar. For mixes with coarse
aggregate reduction, and compared with the control samples, the compressive strength
generally decreased as the coarse aggregate reduction increased. The 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%
hemp mixes decreased by about 20 to 40%, 15 to 40%, and 20 to 35% at different concrete
ages, respectively. As shown in Table 2, at 28 days concrete age specifically for the 0.5%,
0.75%, and 1% hemp mixes, with 10%, 20%, and 30% coarse aggregate reduction, the
strength varied between 17 to 20 MPa, respectively, compared to 23.4 MPa for the control
sample. For most hemp mixes with coarse aggregate reduction, the decrease of strength at 28
days was the same or close to that at 3 days. In general, the compressive strength of fiber-
reinforced concrete mixes tends to decrease in the presence of fibers.

In the current research, the flexural test results of beam samples (150 x 150 x 530 mm) are
shown in Figure 1, at 7 and 28 days [ASTM C78, 2008]. The use of the industrial hemp
fibers in concrete mixes has beneficial effects with respect to increasing the flexural strength
and providing a ductile post-cracking behavior of the fiber-reinforced concrete mix. It is
worth noting that the increase in the flexural strength has been evident in the 28 days tests
more than in the early 7 days tests, which could be attributed to the fact that the interfacial
bond between the fibers and the concrete matrix is more mature after 28 days. Moreover, the
use of industrial hemp fibers allowed the reduction of coarse aggregate quantity without
affecting the flexural load-deflection performance, thus reducing the natural resource
consumption and resulting in a sustainable concrete material. The load-deflection curves
results illustrate the ductile behavior of the fiber-reinforced concrete composite after the peak
load is reached. The ductile behavior is directly related to the toughness of the composite
material. The control sample results show the brittle failure of plain concrete after the peak
load is reached. For example, with 0.75% hemp and 20% coarse reduction and similarly with
1% hemp and 30% coarse reduction, the peak load is almost the same as that of the control
sample, while the toughness increases as simulated by a larger area or more energy
absorption under the load-deflection curves. This explains the ductility of the new composite
while keeping the same flexural strength as plain concrete. Note that other hemp and coarse
aggregate percentages show a ductile behavior but not to the same extent.

The modulus of rupture (MOR) results are presented in Table 3, at 7 and 28 days [ASTM
C78, 2008]. They are based on the maximum recorded load on the load-deflection curve.
Compared to the control sample at 7 and 28 days, it is clear that some hemp mixes results
yielded smaller moduli than the control mix by about 10% to 50%; however, the moduli in
the 0.75% hemp mix with 10% coarse reduction and the 1.0% hemp with 30% coarse

5
reduction were about the same than the control mix. The hemp fibers perform better in the
concrete matrix with larger quantities and in the presence of less coarse aggregate.

The splitting tensile strength test results are presented in Table 4, at 28 days [ASTM C496,
1996]. Due to the coarse reduction, the splitting tensile strength is reduced by about 15 to
30% for the 0.5% hemp mixes. However, when the hemp content was increased to 0.75%
and 1%, the splitting tensile strength increased and was almost the same as the control mix
result. The addition of hemp fibers therefore appears to have compensated the coarse
aggregate reduction. The results indicate that the 0.75% and 1% hemp volume fractions are
sufficient and adequate as an optimal substitute to the coarse reduction. Note that the
splitting tensile strength results agree with the ASTM specifications, i.e. they are generally
less than the MOR results. Further, and as would be expected, the splitting tensile strength
results are about 10% of the compressive strength results, for plain concrete. However, it is
not always the case for fiber-reinforced concrete.

The modulus of elasticity test results presented in Table 5 at 28 days [ASTM C469, 2002]
further emphasize the ductile behavior of the new hemp fiber-reinforced concrete. The new
composite is more ductile and thus with less stiffness (i.e. larger deflection at same load) as
was observed in Figure 1. As presented in Table 5, all measured hemp sample results were
less than the measured control samples, even with 0.5% hemp, which justifies the role of
fibers when added to plain concrete in reducing the stiffness and increasing the ductile
behavior.

The thermal conductivity results presented in Table 6, at 28 days [ASTM C518, 2004], show
that the addition of hemp fibers in the concrete mix results in reducing the thermal
conductivity of the new composite. The degree to which the presence of hemp fibers affects
the thermal conductivity is mainly related to the volumetric fraction of fibers. Clearly, the
0.75% and the 1% hemp mixes produced the lowest thermal conductivity, with up to 35 %
decrease recorded.

Based on the measured slump results presented in Table 7 [ASTM C143, 2008], and because
of the hemp fibers’ high water absorption, the addition of these fibers to concrete resulted in
reducing the slump of the composite mix. This is further confirmed by the fact that
polypropylene addition did not affect the slump result since it does not absorb water. It is
also evident that when the 1% hemp is added the workability of the mix decreased to a large
extent and therefore going beyond the 1% hemp fibers is not recommended.

In Table 8, the average density results are presented [ASTM C642, 2006]. Whenever coarse
reduction is applicable, the density was less compared to control sample, due to the reduction
in coarse aggregate which mainly affects the mass of the material more than the hemp fibers
which mass is negligible compared to that of the aggregates. However, the decrease in the
density results was not extensive and varied between 3 and 7%.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
In the current research, data were analyzed using the general linear models procedure for
one-way ANOVA , and means of all treatments were compared to the control by Dunnett’s T
tests at a significant level of 0.05 [SAS, 2008].
As presented in Table 9 and compared to the control mix results, the following is observed:

6
The compressive strength results of all fiber mixes are significantly less than control results ,
except for polypropylene mix at 3 days. For the flexure results, in terms of MOR, at 7 days
only the 0.5% hemp mixes are significantly less whereas, the 1.0% hemp-30% coarse mix is
significantly larger. At 28 days, most mixes are significantly less except 0.5% hemp-10%
coarse, 0.75% hemp-10% coarse, and 1.0% hemp-30% coarse mixes. Most of the splitting
tensile test results are not significantly different and can be considered the same as control
results, except for the polypropylene, for all 0.5% hemp with coarse reduction, and for 0.75%
hemp-10% coarse reduction. Finally, for the modulus of elasticity results, all mixes were
significantly less than the control results, except for the 0.5% hemp with no coarse aggregate
reduction.

Therefore, the statistical analysis with 95% confidence assures that the compressive strength
and the modulus of elasticity tests results are significantly less than the control results,
whereas the tensile strength results are generally not. This indicates that the hemp mixes may
have less compressive strength and be more flexible with lower modulus, while the tensile
strength is hardly affected; further it is a reconfirmation that their mode of failure is ductile
instead of brittle.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In this paper, the effect of adding industrial hemp fibers on plain concrete was reported based
on an extensive study that followed preliminary research conducted previously by the
authors. In order to assure a sustainable and green concrete, natural fibers were added to the
concrete mix to compensate for a reduction of the coarse aggregate quantity. The hemp
fibers were added in different volumetric percentiles 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% of the concrete
volume, with a coarse aggregate reduction 10%, 20%, and 30% of the concrete volume. A
wide variety of tests was performed on all mixes including compressive strength, tensile
strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, thermal conductivity, density, and
slump tests.

Based on the standard cylinders test results, the compressive strength tends to decrease in the
presence of hemp fibers. The flexure results showed that the presence of hemp fibers allows
coarse aggregate reduction and results in a ductile behavior. The splitting tensile results were
not affected in the presence of sufficient fibers. The modulus of elasticity results assured the
ductility of the hemp concrete mixes. The thermal conductivity results showed the effect of
hemp fibers in reducing the heat flow. The slump results were affected by the hemp fibers
water absorption. The density results were slightly decreased with the coarse aggregate
reduction.

It can be concluded from this research that by adding 0.75 to 1.0% hemp fibers to the
concrete with 20 to 30% coarse aggregate reduction, a new concrete mix can be produced.
Although the new concrete mix may have lower compressive strength by about 25%, a
ductile behavior is reached, the material is more flexible with 20 to 30% decrease in the
modulus of elasticity, the splitting tensile strength is not affected, and the thermal
conductivity is reduced 25 to 35%. In terms of workability, the 0.75% hemp mixes slump
was satisfactory ranging from 100 to 150 mm; whereas, with 1.0% hemp mixes, the slump
reached the minimum allowable about 70 mm and higher volumetric ratio is not
recommended.

The tests results were statistically analyzed with 95% confidence level. The statistical
analysis showed that while the compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity tests

7
results are significantly less than the control results, the tensile strength are close to the
control results. Thus, most of the new hemp mixes were characterized by lower compressive
strength and rigidity, but similar tensile strength.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank all who contributed to the accomplishment of this research,
especially the Civil Engineering Laboratory staff and undergraduate students. The authors
are thankful to the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (LNCSR) for the
financial support, without which this research would not have been possible.

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 No. 5, pp. 638–647.
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Table 1. Identification of the Concrete Mixes with Number of Cylinders (150 x 300
mm), Beams (150 x150 x 530 mm), and Blocks (50 x 300 x 300 mm)

Aggregate
Mix Fibers
Mix Type Reduction Cylinders Beams Blocks
No. (%Vol)
(%Vol)
1 Control - - 15 6 1
2 0.5%Polypropylene 0.5 - 15 6 1
3 0.5%Hemp 0.5 - 15 6 1
4 0.5%Hemp-10%coarse 0.5 10 15 6 1
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 0.5 20 15 6 1
6 0.5%Hemp-30%coarse 0.5 30 15 6 1
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 0.75 10 15 6 1
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 0.75 20 15 6 1
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 0.75 30 15 6 1
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 1 10 15 6 1
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 1 20 15 6 1
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 1 30 15 6 1

10
Table 2. Compressive Strength of Standard Cylinders (150 x 300 mm) at 3, 7 and 28
Days Age (Awwad et al. 2011a)

3 Days 7 Days 28 Days

Mix % % %
Mix Type
No. MPa Difference MPa Difference MPa Difference
to Control to Control to Control
1 Control 11.9 - 19.4 - 23.4 -
2 0.5%Polypropylene 11.5 -3% 16.1 -17% 20.4 -13%
3 0.5%Hemp 12.8 +8% 15.6 -20% 18.9 -19%
4 0.5%Hemp-10%coarse 9.8 -17% 14.3 -26% 17.5 -25%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 8.9 -25% 12.6 -35% 16.7 -29%
6 0.5%Hemp-30%coarse 8.3 -30% 11.4 -41% 17.8 -24%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 10.2 -14% 12.7 -34% 20.1 -14%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 8.7 -26% 12.2 -37% 17.1 -27%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 7.6 -36% 11.9 -39% 17.9 -23%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 9.1 -23% 12.6 -35% 18.9 -19%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 9.4 -21% 13.4 -31% 18.2 -22%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 9.6 -19% 14.0 -28% 16.8 -28%

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Table 3. Average Modulus of Rupture (MOR) from Flexural Load-Deflection Curves of
Beams Tested at 7 and 28 Days

7 days 28 days
% %
Mix MOR MOR
Mix Type Difference Difference
No. (MPa) (MPa)
to Control to Control
1 Control 2.6 0% 3.4 0%
2 0.5%Polypropylene 2.6 +1% 2.6 -24%
3 0.5%Hemp 2.3 -9% 2.3 -31%
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 2.2 -16% 2.9 -14%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 2.1 -18% 2.7 -19%
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 2.2 -13% 2.7 -21%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 2.6 +1% 3.1 -7%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 2.2 -12% 2.6 -24%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 2.4 -8% 2.5 -27%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 2.3 -12% 1.5 -57%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 2.3 -8% 1.9 -45%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 2.9 +14% 3.0 -11%

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Table 4. Splitting Tensile Test Results at 28 Days

28 days
%
Mix
Mix Type MPa Difference
No.
to Control
1 Control 2.3 0%
2 0.5%Polypropylene 1.8 -21%
3 0.5%Hemp 2.2 -1%
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 1.9 -14%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 1.6 -27%
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 1.6 -29%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 1.8 -20%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 2.2 -3%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 2.1 -5%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 2.2 -1%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 2.2 -4%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 2.3 +1%

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Table 5. Modulus of Elasticity Test Results at 28 Days

28 days
* % Difference
Mix E measured E calculated % Difference
Mix Type Emeasured to
No. MPa MPa to Control
Ecalculated
1 Control 23,754 22,335 +6% 0%
2 0.5%Polypropylene 21,818 20,416 +7% -8%
3 0.5%Hemp 22,004 19,923 +10% -7%
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 18,935 18,501 +2% -20%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 17,304 17,888 -3% -27%
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 21,543 17,812 +21% -9%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 14,920 19,847 -25% -37%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 20,679 17,982 +15% -13%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 16,134 18,397 -12% -32%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 18,966 19,035 0% -20%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 16,960 18,192 -7% -29%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 17,088 16,893 +1% -28%
*Ecalculated = 33.w3/[Link](f'c) ,where w = unit weight in (lb/[Link]) and f'c = compressive strength in (psi)

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Table 6. Thermal Conductivity Test Results at 28 Days, for Steady-State Thermal
Transmission

28 days
Mix λ (Watt/meter. % Difference
Mix Type
No. kelvin) to Control

1 Control 1.885 0%
2 0.5%Polypropylene 1.608 -15%
3 0.5%Hemp 1.866 -1%
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 1.504 -20%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 1.912 +1%
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 1.661 -12%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 1.746 -7%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 1.418 -25%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 1.221 -35%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 1.226 -35%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 1.232 -35%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 1.414 -25%

15
Table 7. Slump Test Results at Freshly State Mix

Mix Slump
Mix Type
No. (mm)
1 Control 250
2 0.5%Polypropylene 220
3 0.5%Hemp 70
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 110
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 140
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 175
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 65
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 110
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 140
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 70
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 70
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 70

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Table 8. Average Density Results

%
Mix Density
Mix Type Difference
No. (kg/m3)
to Control
1 Control 2,254 0%
2 0.5%Polypropylene 2,223 -1%
3 0.5%Hemp 2,243 0%
4 0.5%Hemp -10%coarse 2,191 -3%
5 0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 2,176 -3%
6 0.5% Hemp-30%coarse 2,125 -6%
7 0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 2,192 -3%
8 0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 2,166 -4%
9 0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 2,198 -2%
10 1%Hemp-10%coarse 2,176 -3%
11 1%Hemp-20%coarse 2,138 -5%
12 1%Hemp-30%coarse 2,090 -7%

17
Table 9. Statistical ANOVA Results

Compression MOR Splitting Modulus

Mix Type (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (Mpa)
3d 7d 28d 7d 28d 28d 28d
Control 11.9* 19.4* 23.4* 2.6* 3.4* 2.3* 23,754*
0.5%Polypropylene 11.5 16.1* 20.4* 2.6 2.6* 1.8* 21,818*
0.5%Hemp 12.9* 15.6* 18.9* 2.3 2.3* 2.2 22,004
0.5%Hemp-10%coarse 9.8* 14.3* 17.5* 2.2* 2.9 1.9* 18,935*
0.5%Hemp-20%coarse 8.9* 12.6* 16.7* 2.1* 2.7* 1.6* 17,304*
0.5%Hemp-30%coarse 8.3* 11.4* 17.8* 2.2* 2.7* 1.6* 21,543*
0.75%Hemp-10%coarse 10.2* 12.7* 20.1* 2.6 3.1 1.8* 14,920*
0.75%Hemp-20%coarse 8.7* 12.2* 17.1* 2.3 2.6* 2.2 20,679*
0.75%Hemp-30%coarse 7.6* 11.9* 17.9* 2.4 2.5* 2.1 16,134*
1%Hemp-10%coarse 9.1* 12.6* 18.9* 2.3 2.2* 2.2 18,966*
1%Hemp-20%coarse 9.4* 13.4* 18.2* 2.4 2.8* 2.2 16,960*
1%Hemp-30%coarse 9.6* 14.0* 16.8* 2.9* 3.0 2.3 17,088*
SEM** 0.21 0.45 0.66 0.08 0.13 0.035 457.47
* Significantly different to the Control result, and **SEM is the Standard Error of Mean.

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Fig. 1. Flexural Load-Deflection Results of Beams Tested at 7 and 28 Days

19