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Hygrothermal Performance of the Hemp Concrete Building Envelope

Authors :
Aguerata Kaboré
Wahid Maref
Claudiane M. Ouellet-Plamondon
Source :
Energies, Vol 17, Iss 7, p 1740 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The search for environmentally friendly and low-carbon-footprint construction materials continues progressively. Researchers are now interested in innovative materials that connect with the principles of sustainable construction, and materials such as hemp concrete prove to be promising. This article presents the results of a study that aimed to evaluate the hygrothermal performance of hemp concrete integrated into the building envelope using the hygrothermal tool WUFI Pro 6.2. The simulation model was compared and verified with existing models before its utilization for this study. The results of this verification were in good agreement, which gave us more confidence in its application for further parametric studies of building envelopes in hot climate zones. Three wall systems were simulated: (i) a wall system with hemp concrete, (ii) a compressed earth block wall, and (iii) a cement block wall. The most important variables used in the simulations were the hygrothermal properties of the materials or wall components and the incident solar radiation. The simulation results showed that hemp concrete has good thermal performance and temperature and humidity regulation capabilities of the building envelope. The interior surface temperatures of the hemp concrete walls were between 22.1 °C and 24.6 °C compared to the compressed earth block and cement block walls, where the surface temperatures were between 22.0 °C and 27 °C and between 21.2 °C and 28.7 °C, respectively, and between 23 °C and 45 °C for the exterior temperatures. These values remain the same with the increase in exterior temperatures for hemp concrete walls. In conclusion, hemp concrete could be a great alternative material for use in construction for hot climate zones.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19961073
Volume :
17
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Energies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8f4a778c14a943258fbbb5df75621946
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071740