A research team at the University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Engineering has developed a plant-based mixture for concrete masonry blocks that is environmentally friendly and sustainable while helping meet the world’s construction demands.
Mark Maguire, associate professor at the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, said:
Not only does the new mixture have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry because it’s lighter than traditional Portland cement, Maguire says, it also meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for strength, water absorption, and C90 standards for heavy load-bearing masonry units. .
Additionally, tests of the material revealed that it removed the equivalent of 102 pounds of carbon dioxide per square meter, Maguire said. That’s about four times more than a standard concrete mix.
By mixing the fibrous interior of hemp plant stems with binders, new composites are sustainably sourced and have the potential to provide immediate benefits in the field.
“The weight of a cinder block can be both an advantage and a curse,” Maguire said. “Engineers want its weight in many construction applications, but it can have a physical impact on masonry who have to carry it around.
“We are probably saving about 25%[of weight]. That savings is probably enough to make the masons feel good while at the same time maintaining the necessary mass efficiency from an engineering and design standpoint. is also sufficient for
During Spring Break, Maguire’s team (whose research is supported by Global Fiber Processing and the Nebraska Economic Development Authority) used the Watkins Concrete Block facility in Omaha to build 500 CMUs, commonly known as cinder blocks. was manufactured.
The team used these hemp blocks to build a life-size wall in the Structural Laboratory at the Durham School at the Peter Kiwit Institute on the Scott campus, exploring areas such as resistance to weather conditions and the overall strength of the blocks. to test the performance of concrete. insulation performance.
When another manufacturer on the East Coast inquired about making another type of masonry block, Maguire said the team “can go there and do a trial run.”
“Anytime you do something new, you have to work through the kinks,” Maguire said. “We plan to have all the work done by the end of the summer, but well before then, maybe in about a month, we’ll know if we’re successful,” Maguire said.
The 2018 Federal Farm Bill legalized hemp production and removed hemp and its seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of controlled substances. As such, it has not established a consistent base in both agricultural production and consumer demand.
According to Maguire, the success of this new cement mix could offer Nebraska farmers an alternative crop that can meet the demands of the evolving construction industry. The cost will come down, making it even more competitive with the composites currently used in construction, Maguire said.
As news of his research spreads, Maguire is answering calls and screening emails from interested builders, manufacturers, and investors from all over the United States. Putting the brakes on interest…for now.
“Realistically, we won’t have blocks of our mixture available at Lowes or Menards any time soon. But we know there is demand for better.
“We want to give you something better.”
Original: Research team led by Maguire is developing hemp-based masonry blocks that could revolutionize construction
Than: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
