Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites

This study aimed to reduce the environmental impact of rapeseed straw accumulation and explore its engineering potential by examining how straw affects the mechanical properties of cement–sand composites. Experiments were conducted using varying straw dosages and curing ages to assess water consumpt...

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Main Authors: Baohua Liu, Dongping Han, Fan Zhang, Junqi Zhang, Liang Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/767
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author Baohua Liu
Dongping Han
Fan Zhang
Junqi Zhang
Liang Fang
author_facet Baohua Liu
Dongping Han
Fan Zhang
Junqi Zhang
Liang Fang
author_sort Baohua Liu
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to reduce the environmental impact of rapeseed straw accumulation and explore its engineering potential by examining how straw affects the mechanical properties of cement–sand composites. Experiments were conducted using varying straw dosages and curing ages to assess water consumption, setting time, flexural and compressive strengths, pore characteristics (via mercury intrusion), hydration products, and microstructures (via thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction). Results showed that flexural and compressive strengths decreased with higher straw content, most notably up to 2%, but increased with age due to straw’s water absorption, which altered cement hydration and porosity. Over time, enhanced hydration and pore filling improved strength. This research supports straw’s use in civil engineering and advances eco-friendly concrete material development.
format Article
id doaj-art-0e6a66798c244e25b9db0cef64698b86
institution DOAJ
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-0e6a66798c244e25b9db0cef64698b862025-08-20T02:53:22ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-02-0115576710.3390/buildings15050767Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious CompositesBaohua Liu0Dongping Han1Fan Zhang2Junqi Zhang3Liang Fang4College of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaCollege of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaCollege of Accounting, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha 410215, ChinaCollege of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaCollege of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, ChinaThis study aimed to reduce the environmental impact of rapeseed straw accumulation and explore its engineering potential by examining how straw affects the mechanical properties of cement–sand composites. Experiments were conducted using varying straw dosages and curing ages to assess water consumption, setting time, flexural and compressive strengths, pore characteristics (via mercury intrusion), hydration products, and microstructures (via thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction). Results showed that flexural and compressive strengths decreased with higher straw content, most notably up to 2%, but increased with age due to straw’s water absorption, which altered cement hydration and porosity. Over time, enhanced hydration and pore filling improved strength. This research supports straw’s use in civil engineering and advances eco-friendly concrete material development.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/767strawcement mortarmechanical propertiesphysical propertyhydration characteristics
spellingShingle Baohua Liu
Dongping Han
Fan Zhang
Junqi Zhang
Liang Fang
Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
Buildings
straw
cement mortar
mechanical properties
physical property
hydration characteristics
title Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
title_full Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
title_fullStr Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
title_full_unstemmed Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
title_short Optimization and Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Straw-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
title_sort optimization and characterization of mechanical properties in straw reinforced cementitious composites
topic straw
cement mortar
mechanical properties
physical property
hydration characteristics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/767
work_keys_str_mv AT baohualiu optimizationandcharacterizationofmechanicalpropertiesinstrawreinforcedcementitiouscomposites
AT dongpinghan optimizationandcharacterizationofmechanicalpropertiesinstrawreinforcedcementitiouscomposites
AT fanzhang optimizationandcharacterizationofmechanicalpropertiesinstrawreinforcedcementitiouscomposites
AT junqizhang optimizationandcharacterizationofmechanicalpropertiesinstrawreinforcedcementitiouscomposites
AT liangfang optimizationandcharacterizationofmechanicalpropertiesinstrawreinforcedcementitiouscomposites