Sustainable Proposal for Plant-Based Cementitious Composites, Evaluation of Their Mechanical, Durability and Comfort Properties

Abstract

This research evaluates four sustainable cementitious composites with sustainable plant fibers and bio-aggregates: (1) cementitious matrix composite with lechuguilla fibers (LFC) and (2) with flax fibers (FFC); and (3) cementitious matrix composite with wood shavings (WSC) and (4) with hemp shavings (HSC). The fibers are for reinforcement and the shavings act as bio-aggregates as a total replacement for limestone aggregates. The lechuguilla (LF) and flax (FF) fibers were treated; wood (WS) and hemp (HS) bio-aggregates were also processed. Nineteen mixtures were manufactured, and five were used as controls, and the hygrothermal, mechanical, and durability properties were evaluated. The results for LFC and FFC showed that fiber treatment negatively affected flexural–compressive strength; untreated LFC with accelerated deterioration had better mechanical behavior, higher density, and lower porosity than FFC. Strength and density decreased, but porosity increased with increasing fiber volume (Vf). Regarding WSC and HSC, the microstructure of WS and HS had a significant effect on the physical and mechanical properties. The high porosity influenced the results obtained, since it decreased compressive strength and bulk density; however, thermal conductivity, hygroscopicity, and vapor resistance showed better behavior in most cases than the control specimens, i.e., without bio-aggregates.

Soil Stabilization Using Zein Biopolymer

“…Conventional binders, such as lime and Portland cement, have been extensively used to improve the mechanical properties of soil [3,4]. However, their contribution to environmental pollution and vegetation reduction has been a significant challenge [5][6][7]. Recently, environmentally friendly cementitious materials were introduced as potential soil stabilizers because of their sustainability and efficiency compared with conventional binders [8].…”

Scalable, Flexible, and Highly Transmission Sweet Sorghum Film

“…11−14 The comprehensive utilization of agricultural waste resources offers a sustainable solution to alleviate the strain on wood resources. 11,12,15 Various agricultural residues such as wheat straw, 16 rice straw, 17 cotton straw, 18 and flax shavings 19 successfully converted into valuable derivatives like pulp, synthetic boards, compost, and porous carbon. Another promising agricultural resource is sweet sorghum, a nonfood crop with great potential to produce value-added products.…”

“…The comprehensive utilization of agricultural waste resources offers a sustainable solution to alleviate the strain on wood resources. ,, Various agricultural residues such as wheat straw, rice straw, cotton straw, and flax shavings successfully converted into valuable derivatives like pulp, synthetic boards, compost, and porous carbon. Another promising agricultural resource is sweet sorghum, a nonfood crop with great potential to produce value-added products. − Sweet sorghum is a photosynthetically efficient crop with high biomass yield, adaptability, and tolerance to salt/alkaline conditions and drought. − The composition of sweet sorghum is similar to wood, mainly comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, , The stems of sweet sorghum consist of internodes, which encompass pith tissue and outer bark .…”

Pomace from Oil Plants as a New Type of Raw Material for the Production of Environmentally Friendly Biocomposites

“…Another possibility for the use of plant by-products is their development as new types of raw materials for biocomposites. Plant remains can be formed into composites as a reinforcing material with many types of matrix, such as cement [10], epoxy resins [11], or thermoplastics [12,13]. It is also possible to use plant materials for the production of films [14] or to use them as a filler for polymer-based membranes [15].…”