INVESTIGATION OF CEMENT-BASED NATURAL FIBER–REINFORCED COMPOSITES AS ALTERNATIVE THERMAL INSULATION MATERIALS

Abstract

The construction industry is a major consumer of energy -particularly for heating and cooling- there is a growing emphasis on thermal insulation materials that are sustainable, low-impact, and safe for health. Numerous research and development studies have focused on alternative insulation materials, one of which involves reintroducing natural, locally sourced materials—proven effective in traditional architecture—into modern construction applications

This study aims to experimentally evaluate the thermal and mechanical performance of cement-based composites containing natural fiber reinforcements such as goat hair, hemp, and flax. The research also seeks to provide preliminary insights into the potential benefits of reusing natural fibers in architectural applications.

The experimental program consisted of four series of samples. In all mixtures, the water-to-binder ratio (w/b) was fixed at 0.5, and natural fibers were incorporated at 30% of the binder volume. The specimens underwent physical, mechanical, and thermal tests. The hemp composite exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity (0.193 W/mK). Although none of the fibers achieved full homogeneity within the matrix, goat hair displayed the best interfacial bonding. Flax and hemp performed similarly across all tested properties.

Overall, this study demonstrates that incorporating natural fibers into cementitious matrices can lead to the development of environmentally improved alternative materials, thereby increasing awareness among architects regarding sustainable material selection. Moreover, the results suggest that further research on cement-based mortars containing natural fibers for use as alternative thermal insulation materials is both relevant and promising.