Mechanical and Thermal Properties of an Innovative Bio Based Concrete

Generally, bio-based concrete is applied as non-load-bearing insulation. In this work, an innovative material, considered a load-bearing bio based concrete, was developed. Rapeseed concrete is primarily composed of rapeseed straw, with the addition of gravel, sand, and cement-based binders. The formulation of BIP requires the preparation of rapeseed straws, which is called the “inerting” of the straws. It consists of coating the straws with a layer of binders in order to protect the pores of the straws from the destruction of other, more rigid materials. Also protects the hydration of the binders, particularly cement, from the sugars and soluble matters that exist in the rapeseed straws and that are easily released upon contact with water. The mechanical and thermal performances of this novel material are characterized according to its density and by using two different sizes of rapeseed straw. According to the results, the thermal conductivity of these concretes ranges from 0.2 to 0.48 W.m−1.k−1. This concrete has compressive strengths ranging from 2 to 7 MPa and densities ranging from 1150 to 1500 kg/m3, proving that BIP can be used as an insulating, load-bearing bio-based concrete.