Development of a new hempcrete 'wall' formulation with advanced hygrothermal properties

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Buildings alone are responsible for around 40% of all human greenhouse emissions. New bio-composite materials offer the potential to significantly reduce the embodied energy related to the construction of buildings as during their lifetime they absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and can often be recycled or composted reducing their waste impact after demolition. Hemp-lime concrete, generically called "Hempcrete", is a particularly promising bio-composite material which can have many distinct advantages including: excellent thermal and heat storage properties; high acoustic performance; achievable building code standard; excellent level of airtightness; low thermal bridging; high moisture buffering; good fire resistance; pest resistant; high durability; high carbon sequestration; simplification and reduction in the number of layers and processes involved in timber-frame construction. However, hempcrete properties and performance greatly depend on specification of the ingredient amounts and the type of binder. The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop a new hempcrete "wall" formulation that will have excellent hygrothermal properties, and which is particularly suitable for applications in First Nations and remote Northern communities. The specific steps that will be undertaken to achieve this goal include: (a) characterize physical and thermal properties of hemp hurd and binders; (b) develop hemp pretreatment process; (c) identify the best option for the binder considering availability, price and embodied energy, (d) determine exact quantities of hemp hurd, binder and water within develop mixes; and (e) characterize physical, thermal and mechanical properties of developed hempcrete mixes.The potential social, economic and benefits of the proposed research project are numerous and the most important include: (1) contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions related to the production of building materials; (2) develop affordable, local material that provides excellent indoor air quality and thus has a positive effect on peoples' health; and (3) promote sustainable development in construction field and material production.