Fabrication and Characterization of Jute Fiber-reinforced Zero-carbon Composite Blocks for Sustainable Construction Applications
Rajib Samadder, Hrithita Aftab, Mubarak Ahmad KhanIntroduction:
The construction industry is one of the major contributors to global CO2 emissions for conventional construction materials. Considering the increasing risks posed by climate change, the demand for climate-resilient housing has been on the rise. This has led to an investigation of low-carbon, renewable, sustainable building materials. This study seeks to explore jute fiber-reinforced composite blocks as a cement-free, climate-resilient construction material.
Method:
Jute composite blocks have been fabricated by utilizing jute fibers, lime, and a sustainable cross-linker. The process was conducted at room temperature. Mechanical properties were evaluated following ASTM standards, and FTIR analysis was conducted to study matrix-fiber interactions. A Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was performed to evaluate the net CO2 emissions.
results:
The developed blocks exhibited a compressive strength of approximately 14 MPa, tensile strength of 50 MPa, and flexural strength of 45 MPa, making them suitable for non-load-bearing walls and light-traffic flooring. Their porous fibrous structure resulted in low thermal conductivity (0.04 W•m⁻¹•K⁻¹) and effective sound absorption.
Results:
The Blocks showed compressive strength of 14±1.1 MPa, tensile strength of 50±3.2 MPa, and flexural strength of 45±2.8 MPa, suitable for use in non-load-bearing applications. The porous structure exhibited a low thermal conductivity of 0.04±0.003 W/m.K and effective sound absorption(reductions of 4.2-13.1 dB). Water absorption remained below 7%, and soil burial tests showed a weight loss of less than 6%, indicating good resistance to biological degradation. The LCA yielded -0.18 kg CO2/ft2, signifying a carbon-negative product.
Discussion:
The jute-fiber blocks have satisfactory mechanical properties, good thermal and acoustic insulation, significant reduction in environmental impact. The composition is cement-free and exhibits carbon-negative performance, supporting sustainable building applications.
Conclusion:
Jute fiber-reinforced composite blocks provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional non-load-bearing construction materials, contributing to the development of low-carbon, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient housing systems.