Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.16.3.2
Published in: Holistic Approach Environ. 16(2026) 3, pp. 114 – 121
Paper reference number: HAE-2570
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CONVERTING BEECHWOOD BIOMASS INTO BUILDING MATERIALS: PROPERTIES OF MORTARS WITH BIOCHAR AS A SAND SUBSTITUTE
Milica Vlahović*, Anja Terzić**, Željko Arsić***, Aleksandar Savić***
* University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
** Institute for Testing of Materials, Belgrade, Serbia
*** University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia
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ABSTRACT
The construction sector is responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the extraction of natural aggregates is increasingly unsustainable. In this context, biochar, a porous carbon-rich material obtained by biomass pyrolysis, has attracted attention as an eco-friendly additive in cementitious composites. This study investigates the effects of beechwood biochar as a partial replacement for natural sand in mortars. Five mortar series were prepared with biochar contents ranging from 0 to 20 wt.%, while keeping a constant cement mass and adjusting the water content according to the mixture composition. Specimens were tested for density, compressive and flexural strength, pull-off adhesion strength, and capillary water absorption at different curing ages. The results revealed a systematic decrease in density and strength with increasing biochar content, reflecting the low density and high porosity of biochar particles. Nevertheless, mortars with up to 10 wt.% biochar exhibited acceptable mechanical performance for potential application in non-structural elements, while offering benefits in terms of lower density and valorisation of renewable biomass waste. The findings highlight the potential of beechwood biochar as a sustainable partial aggregate replacement, contributing to circular economy strategies in the construction industry.
Keywords: biochar, mortar, beechwood, mechanical properties, pull-off strength, sustainability
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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