Abstract—This research was carried out to improve the properties of masonry produced using hemp to acquire the strength according to the standard for non-load bearing concrete blocks, TIS 58/2533, and meet the standard for energy conservation of building materials according to the Ministerial Announcement by Thailand’s Ministry of Energy. This research used finely chopped hemp hurd with bast fibre as the material for interlocking block masonry. Sample products were produced using varying amount of hemp and 2 types of binders, lime and hydraulic cement. Property of hemp was improved with Al2(SO4)3. Tests were performed for compression strength, thermal conductivity coefficient and specific heat capacity. OTTV was calculated based on the specifications of the Ministerial Announcement. Research results found that the masonry produced using hemp stalk with bast fibre at the ratio by weight of hemp: hydraulic cement: sand at 0.5:1:2 where hemp properties were improved using 10% Al2(SO4)3 by weight of hemp had the compression strength of 2.64 MPa. This was the highest ratio of hemp for the mixture for the compression strength to meet the standard for non-load bearing blocks. In terms of heat properties of this sample, it found that the thermal conductivity coefficient was 0.164 W/m°C, specific heat was 1.18 kJ/kg°C, its density was 890 kg/m3 and the OTTV results where the highest calculations was for the Southeast side was 21.35 W/m, lower than the standard requirement for energy conserving building materials which specified OTTV to be no more than 50 W/m. Therefore, this masonry produced using hemp stalks with bast have the strength comparable to non-load bearing blocks and heat-related properties according to the standard criteria for energy efficient office buildings.

Keywords—hemp, hurd fibre, bast fibre, hemp stalk, energy efficient masonry, interlocking block

Cite: Nopphawit Itthithananchai, Komchai Thaiying, Roongarun Buntan, Sudniran Phetcharat and Theerawat Sinsiri, "Improving the Energy Saving and Mechanical Properties of Masonry Produced Using Hemp Hurd with Bast Fibre in Interlocking Blocks," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 66-71, 2024.