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Saccharum-spontaneum stem based lightweight load bearing composite structures

delete2026-05-04
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D
Deepak Kumar Maurya *
C
C.S. Upadhyay
DOI:10.1016/j.compstruct.2026.120410delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Saccharum spontaneum (cane grass) is an exciting structural material, because the full stem can be used effectively. The outer epidermis region consists of cellulose-rich long fibers - strips of which can be directly used as building-blocks for load-bearing facesheets and laminae of unidirectional composite laminates. Concurrently, the cellular parenchyma core is an excellent energy-absorber. The current study presents an array of natural structural composites made of cane-grass - for both load-bearing and energy-absorbing functions. In order to characterize the material rigorously, detailed mechanical testing of strips obtained from cane grass stem (processed using heating and pressure loading) is carried out. It is shown that heating to 120∘C improves the mechanical properties substantially. The specific modulus and specific strength of cane strip ranges from 45−72MPa/kg/m3 and 0.36−0.44MPa/kg/m3, respectively. This puts cane strips in the bracket of best natural fibers. The study also presents several potential applications, including high-strength cane-strip based laminates and facesheets for sandwich panels, which can be used as load-bearing natural bricks, logs, table tops and wall panels. Another exciting application is the use of the lightweight core to make highly-efficient energy absorbing panels. This is substantiated by low velocity impact (LVI) tests at 5J,10J and 15J, which reveal excellent energy dissipation and extremely localised damage. No delamination, matrix cracking or debonding of facesheet was observed. This makes cane grass a versatile candidate for varied structural applications.
Keywords:
Saccharum spontaneum
natural fiber composites
mechanical properties
lightweight structures
energy absorption

Journal

Composite Structures cover
Composite Structures
IF:
7.1
Papers:
1.8W
Citations:
8.0W

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