This is a continuation of earlier research [1,2] on hemp reinforced composite materials. This paper deals with preparation of hemp stem reinforced concrete specimens, analysis and testing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research with hemp stem reinforced concrete. There have been efforts of stem fiber reinforced composites but not hemp stem reinforced. To align the hemp stems in a specific direction, we have used a plastic u tube (Figure 1). Otherwise, while pouring concrete in the preform, the stems don’t stay in their desired locations and directions. Figure 2 below shows this arrangement for making a stem layer. A representative bunch of stems and their cross sections are given in Figure 3 and stalk in Figure 3a. Figures 4 and 5 show the representative constituents of different layers of the cross-section materials. Figure 5 is representative modeling element to calculate the effective properties of the stem.

We have developed a procedure to develop a hemp stem reinforcing layer. A frame is developed to pour the concrete and lay desired stem layers. A number of panels are made with Hemp stem reinforced concrete composite. Three cases of laminates, pure concrete, (0/90/0)_T ,two cases of (0)₂   laminates were prepared. A set of specimens with 2”x11” width and length are to be cut with different thickness dimensions. These specimens will be tested and analyzed. A comparison between the predicted and measured results will be done.

References:

1. Som R. Soni, Subramania I. Sritharan  & Craig Schluttenhofer, “Analysis of Hemp Reinforced Composite”, 8^th North American IEOM conference, June 12-15, 2023, University of Houston, Texas, USA.
2. Som R. Soni, Craig Schluttenhofer & Subramania I. Sritharan, “Interlaminar Stresses in Hemp Reinforced Composites”, 6^th European IEOM conference, Lisbon, Portugal, July 18-20, 2023.