The Strength of Masonry Produced Using Hemp Hurd and Stalk with Bark of Hemp

Abstract

This article presents the results of the strength test of soil cement blocks using chopped hemp for production mixed with Portland cement Type I, soil and water. The strength of the soil cement blocks were compared between soil cement blocks produced using hemp hurd and stalk with bark of hemp. The sample of soil cement block produced used 0.3 kg hemp hurd mixed with Portland cement type I in 5 different quantities including 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 kg, and resulted with compressive strength of 0.48. 0.54 0.58 0.64 0.58 and 0.48 MPa respectively. The soil cement blocks produced used stalk with bark of hemp with different hemp contents in 4 conditions at 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 kg, their compressive strength were 2.88 2.53 1.02 and 0.58 MPa respectively. The result of the research concluded that soil cement blocks produced using stalk with bark of hemp was stronger than soil cement blocks produced using hemp hurd. In particular, the samples produced using stalk with bark of hemp for 0.3 and 0.4 kg had compressive strength which are within the non-load-bearing block standard. Therefore, it is suitable condition to improve strength of soil cement blocks by hemp pretreatment processed before using it as a material for the production of soil cement blocks and in further development of the material as energy efficient construction material.