Mechanical and thermal properties of hemp bricks manufactured with different binders

Today, thanks to developing technologies, alternative products to traditional building materials are obtained. In addition to the search for economical and higher quality materials in the construction sector, the interest in the use of sustainable and environmental products is increasing day by day. Within the scope of this thesis, hemp bricks, which are a natural and innovative product for the construction sector and produced with different binding materials, were investigated by using materials obtained from different parts of the biomass of the industrial hemp plant. An experimental study was carried out and the mechanical and thermal properties of hemp bricks produced using different binders were examined within the scope of the research. In order to determine the binder mixtures, mortars were produced and mini-slump, unit weight, compressive strength and flexural strength tests were carried out on the produced mortars. After this stage, hemp bricks were produced by using lime, hydraulic lime, blast furnace slag and fly ash as binding material. In addition, the effects of different lengths of hemp hurds obtained from roots, stems and tips of hemp biomass in mixtures on hemp brick properties were also investigated. While the effects of binder type, hemp tow length and hemp part used on mechanical properties were observed in experimental studies, no significant effect of binder type was observed on thermal properties. As a result of the study, it has been revealed that hemp bricks with high mechanical properties and better thermal properties can be obtained by using other binding materials than lime and longer hemp hurds.