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Civil Engineering, Engineering, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Canada
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Civil Engineering, Engineering, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Canada
Civil Engineering, Engineering, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Hemp–lime composites are sustainable bio‑based materials with excellent hygrothermal performance and carbon sequestration potential, but their high porosity limits mechanical strength and broader use. This study examines the influence of fiberglass mesh reinforcement on the compressive behavior of hemp–lime composites with different particle sizes and densities. Test specimens were produced with a slag–hydrated lime binder (50:50 by mass), a binder-to-hemp ratio of 1.0, two hemp particle sizes (mean lengths 1.20 mm and 2.88 mm), and two density ranges. Four layers of fiberglass mesh were embedded at regular intervals, and compressive tests were conducted. The results showed that reinforcement efficiency depended strongly on particle size and density: it increased compressive strength by up to 118.7% in fine-particle composites, changing quasi-brittle to quasi-ductile behavior, but had only minor effects in coarse-particle composites.
hemp-lime composites, fiberglass mesh reinforcement, compressive strength, failure behavior, sustainable construction
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) under the Discovery Grant program (Grant No. RGPIN-2026-06505).
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