Effect of Low Content of Hemp Fibre on Flexural Behavior of Mortar

Abstract

While the most common fibre types used as fibre reinforcement in cement-based materials are steel, synthetic or glass fibres, hemp fibres are the most common among natural fibres. Industrial hemp is used in construction, textiles, food, automobiles, biofuels and many other fields. Herein, the change in bending behaviour of beam specimens was investigated when natural hemp fibres were used in cement-based mortars. In the case of using 0.5% hemp fibre additive by cement weight in mortar mixtures, there was no change in flexural strength, while an increase of approximately 48% in maximum deflection. Moreover, it increased the strain corresponding to maximum stress by 30%. Therefore, it could be said that the use of a low rate of hemp fibre increases the ductility of mortar beams without affecting the flexural strength.