Hemp isn't just for hippies or for people looking to find a way to way to relax a bit. It was one of the first materials used a fiber in things like clothes. Hemp is also a fast growing plant material like bamboo. Researchers are regularly looking at ways to use industrial hemp in different ways. Researchers at a Canadian university are studying the use of hemp in concrete to reduce its carbon footprint. According to this article, a 1/2" thick slab of ultra-high-performance hemp concrete could have the same strength as a 6" slab of conventional concrete. If true this would likely result in a significant cost savings through reduced concrete material purchasing and forming, pouring and finishing requirements. Potential reduced dimensional requirements of hemp concrete could also lead to positive changes engineering and architectural design requirements. Check out the article above for full details on the research process and potential innovations and advantages of hemp in concrete.
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