Influence of production on hemp concrete hygrothermal properties: sorption, water vapour permeability and water absorption

Abstract

Hemp concrete is considered to be a carbon negative material. Hemp absorbs CO2 during the growth and lime needs CO2 for carbonation. The material, which has good thermal insulation properties, is used as a non-bearing wall material or plaster. For such use the hygrothermal properties of a material must be well known especially when indoor insulation is in focus. In the current study hemp concrete produced in two different ways was in focus and following the hygrothermal properties of hemp concrete as a building material were studied: water absorption (EN 1015-18), water vapour sorption (EN 12571), water vapour permeability (EN 12572) and thermal conductivity (EN 12667). The results of the study can be used in hygrotheramal calculations and modelling.