Properties of Phragmites australis for Insulating Concrete Application

The common reed, Phragmites australis , is a plant species quite similar to the currently used bio-based aggregates and available on most continents. The purpose of this work is to characterise this common reed and compare its properties to other plants already studied for building use. This study presents the different properties focussing on Phragmites australis chemical composition, hydrophobicity nature and how this character could be explained. To that end, wettability and also water adsorption measurements were carried out on plant flour and aggregates in comparison to miscanthus, wood and hemp shiv properties. Formulations based on reeds of different origins and using different binders (lime and earth) were tested in compression and with thermal conductivity measurements in order to evaluate the behaviour of the reed as a material for building use.