Non-conventional cement-based composites reinforced with vegetable fibers: A review of strategies to improve durability

Abstract

The present review shows the state-of-art on the approachs about improving the processing, physical-mechanical performance and durability of non-conventional fiber-cement composites. The objective of this review is to show some of these strategies to mitigate the degradation of the vegetable fibers used as reinforcement in cost-effective and non-conventional fiber-cement and, consequently, to improve their mechanical and durability properties for applications in the housing construction. Beyond the introduction about vegetable fibers, the content of this review is divided in the following sections: (i) surface modification of the fibers; (ii) improving fiber-to-cement interface; (iii) natural pozzolans; (iv) accelerated carbonation; (v) applications of nanoscience; and (vi) principles of functionally graded materials and extrusion process were briefly discussed with focus on future research needs. RESUMEN: Compuestos cementantes no convencionales reforzados con fibras vegetales: Una revisión de estrategias para mejorar la durabilidad.La presente revisión explora la actualidad en el campo de los compuestos de fibrocemento no convencionales en relación a mejoras en el proceso productivo, el rendimiento físico-mecánico y la durabilidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es exponer algunas estrategias para mitigar la degradación de las fibras vegetales utilizadas como refuerzo en fibrocementos no convencionales y rentables, obteniendo en consecuencia una mejoría en el rendimiento de sus propiedades mecánicas y durabilidad para su aplicación en el área de la construcción de viviendas. Además de la introducción en relación a las fibras vegetales, el contenido de esta revisión se divide en las siguientes secciones: (i) modificación de la superficie de las fibras; (ii) mejoramiento de la interfaz fibra-cemento; (iii) puzolanas naturales; (iv) carbonatación acelerada; (v) aplicaciones de la nanociencia; y (vi) principios de los materiales funcionalmente graduados y el proceso de extrusión fueron discutidos brevemente con un enfoque a investigaciones futuras.

Sustainable Bio-Aggregate-Based Composites Containing Hemp Hurds and Alternative Binder

“…Industrial hemp is becoming a major focus of the green housing segment because of its energy-efficient cultivation, and because hemp-based composites have no negative effects on human health [5]. The excellent physical and mechanical properties of hemp, including low density, high specific stiffness and strength, biodegradability, sound absorption, low processing costs and the ecological suitability of this fast-growing, carbon-negative and non-toxic plant, predispose it for use in building materials (bio-composites) based on inorganic matrices [6], mainly for their application in the housing construction [7]. Traditional building materials, such as concrete, are increasingly being replaced with advanced composite materials in accordance with the principles of sustainability in civil engineering.…”

High strength oil palm shell concrete beams reinforced with steel fibres

“…The additional fibre-matrix bond in the concrete increases the energy capacity of the concrete by the toughening mechanisms called fibre debonding and frictional sliding associated with fibre pullout (33,34). Furthermore, the steel fibres also arrest the crack opening; such an enhancement mechanism is generally known as the crack bridging effect (13,17,19,20,33,34). The steel fibres bridge across the cracks in the concrete and take part or even all of the stress when subjected to increased loading.…”

“…Meanwhile past studies on fibre-reinforced concrete reported significant enhancement of the mechanical properties, cracking resistance and durability compared to the conventional concrete (3,7,8,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). The other reported advantages of steel fibres in concrete include improving toughness (19), ductility (20), flexural behaviours (21) and impact and blast resistance (5).…”

Optimization of the MgO SiO2 binding system for fiber-cement production with cellulosic reinforcing elements

“…The better understanding of this new fiber-cement product is crucial for the manufacture of more sustainable building materials, since cellulosic fibers are biodegradable, renewable, demand low processing energy, and are available around the world at low cost, with a diversity of morphologies and dimensions [24]. In addition, MgO-SiO 2 cements, in contrast to Portland cement which requires high temperatures (about 1450C) during production, demand less energy (750C to obtain reactive MgO from magnesium carbonate [25]) and also allows the reuse of agro-industrial residues to obtain amorphous silica [26], thus becoming a more efficient cement from an environmental point of view.…”