Eric Garcia-Diaz

Two Typical Plant Aggregates for Bio-Based Concretes

Many by-products of plant origin have been incorporated in mineral binders. However, it is important to distinguish plant fibers used as reinforcement in cement composite materials from plant-derived aggregates used for the manufacturing of lightweight insulating concretes (bio-based concretes).

Lime-Based Binders

Unlike Portland cement, the use of lime goes back much further in time. During the Greco-Roman period, walls were built of lime-based mortars blended with fine sand and pozzolanic additives (volcanic ash).

Conclusion and Outlooks

The results reported in this document first contribute to the development of an innovative plant-based concrete using raw rice husk. This crop residue is available throughout the year at low cost and its use to manufacture bio-based concretes for green building provides a new recovery sector for a local by-product coming from rice farming in France.

Lime and Hemp or Rice Husk Concretes for the Building Envelope: Applications and General Properties

Hemp concrete is obtained from the mix of hemp shiv, water and a mineral binder (which can be itself a mixture of different binders).