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Hemp is a multi-functional plant that is widely utilized for making bags, clothes, hempcrete ( hemp concrete), hemp rebars, etc. In this article, we will discuss hemp rebars.
A group of researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), USA, has introduced hemp-based rebar as another option to traditional steel reinforcement for concrete construction.
✔ The research says that hemp rebars for concrete reinforcement reduce the issue of corrosion and decrease carbon emissions.
✔ There are various natural fibers like bamboo, sisal, etc, with a strength similar to steel. When mixed with a plant-based bioplastic, hemp fibers could be another option for steel rebars.
Hemp Rebars
✔ Industrial hemp is a species of Cannabis Sativa Plant whose fiber is the strongest in the plant kingdom. If we compare it with glass fiber it is as strong as glass fiber on a per weight basis.
Industrial hemp is legally allowed to use as a raw material because industrial hemp is not marijuana but is a species of Cannabis Sativa Plant. Only 0.3% of marijuana is present in industrial hemp.
The production of hemp is legalized in the US.
Even though this crop is highly climate-resilient, its cultivation is not fast and is not best for farmers because of the lack of high-value products it provides. This can be interchanged after the introduction of low-cost non-corroding rebars from hemp that could be an exceptional choice for steel rebars.
✔ As told by Cambridge University researcher Darshil Shah, Hemp plants have the capability to catch atmospheric carbon double more sufficiently than trees. Hence, it is a carbon-negative biomaterial, and it is good news for designers and architects.
Hemp-based rebars are prepared to utilize the hearty fibers of the hemp stalk. These fibers are mixed with a resin or bioplastic to make bars same as steel reinforcement.
✔ The preparation method contains the pultrusion process. In this process, the fibers are pulled together with thermoplastic into a heated dye, which is melted to prepare a solid bar. The machinery utilized to prepare hemp rebars was founded by Tsamis and Walczyk and their group.
The preliminary results given by the research group say that hemp rebar owns a slightly less amount of embodied energy than glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRB) rebars.
After various tests and analyses, the expert group expects to produce hemp rebars for buildings within a few years.
Advantages of Hemp Rebars
a. It is corrosion-free.
b. Low carbon emissions during production.
c. Cheaper as compared to traditional steel reinforcement.
d. Increases the life of the concrete ( where hemp rebars are used ).
| Read Also: Hempcrete ( Concrete made from Hemp ) |
