Hemp-Lime Bio-Composites – Properties and Applications in Architectural Design

Michał Gołębiewski1 m.w.golebiewski [at] gmail.com
  1. Department of Construction, Building Design and Technical Infrastructure, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, Warsaw, Koszykowa street 55
Abstract 

This paper discusses physical properties and applications of hemp-lime bio-composites in architectural design. Hempcrete is a new, innovative construction material with significant ecological benefits, which gains popularity all over the world. Research on this topic is being conducted in many areas: material science, civil engineering, agriculture, ecology and architecture. The aim of this work was to review the worldwide publications and systemize the knowledge about the issue to provide information designated mainly for architects.

Keywords 
hempcrete
hemp-lime composite
sustainable construction materials
References 

[1] D. Gielen, " Building materials and CO2 – Western European emissions reduction strategies: Matter project”,1997.

[2] Instytut Włókien Naturalnych i Roślin Zielarskich, "Technologia uprawy i przetwórstwa konopi włóknistej'', IWNiRZ, Poznań, 2013.

[3] EEA (European Environment Agency), "Estimating the environmentally compatible bioenergy potential from agriculture",Technical Report No. 12.2007.

[4] S. Montford, E. Small, "Measuring harm and benefit: The friendliness of Cannabis sativa", Global biodiversty 8(4): 2-13, 1999.

[5] R. Bevan , T. Woolley, "Hemp Lime Construction: A Guide to Building with Hemp Lime Composites'', United Kingdom, Ihs Bre Press, 2010.

[6] www.bcb-tradical.com , Access: 05.06.2015r

[7] N. Miskin "The Carbon Sequestration Potential of Hemp – binder. A study of embodied carbon in hempbinder compared with dry lining solutions for insulating solid walls", Thesis Msc. Architecture: Centre for Aternative Tchnology, University of East London, London, 2010.

[8] R. Walker, S. Pavia, "Moisture transfer and thermal properties of hemp-lime concretes'': Construction and BuildingMaterials 64: 270 – 276, Elsevier Ltd, 2014.

[9] A. Evrard, A. de Herde, J. Minet, "Dynamical interactions between heat and mass flows in lime–hemp concrete” In: Research in building physics and building engineering, third international building physics conference, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, 2006.

[10] I. Ceyte, "Etat, acteurs privés et innovation dans le domaine des matériaux de construction écologiques: Le développement du béton de chanvre depuis 1986 (Master – Politiques publiques et gouvernements comparés thesis)'', Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Lyon, France, 2008.

[11] BRE Staff, T. Yates, "Final report on the construction of the hemp houses at Haverhill, Suffolk", UK: Building Research Establishment (BRE)" 2002.

[12] A. Shea, M. Lawrence, P. Walker, "Hygrothermal performance of an experimental hemp–lime building'', in: Construction and Building Materials 36: 270 – 275, Elsevier Ltd, 2012.

[13] A. Evrard, "Sorption behaviour of Lime-Hemp Concrete and its relation to indoor comfort and energy demand", PLEA 2006 – The 23rd Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Geneva, Switzerland, 2006.