The Role of Different Bio-additives in the Properties οf Cement Mortars

Nowadays, the research in the field of building materials revolves around the basic principles of sustainability, environmental protection, circular economy and proper management of natural and financial resources. In this context, the current study aimed to implement several biomaterials of diverse species and geometry into cement mortar mixtures and to evaluate their physical, mechanical and hydrothermal properties. Thus, black pine wood and bark powder, pellet crumb and agro-pasture and hemp fibers were incorporated at 1.5% v/v addition rate in cement mortars. After 28 hardening days, all bio-enhanced mortar samples presented advanced flexural strength and decreased specific gravity and thermal conductivity records in relation to the reference-unreinforced case. Furthermore, the powder-crumb like biomaterials seemed to perform as fillers reducing the porosity and capillary absorption values of the specimens compared to the reference composition. From the analysis it seems that biomaterials could provide low cost and eco-friendly reinforcement solutions in the construction sector.