Hempcrete

Construction block made from hempcrete
Illustration of hemp concrete carbon emissions and sequestration, with a net emissions balance indicating carbon negativity

Hempcrete or hemplime is biocomposite material, a mixture of hemp hurds (shives) and lime,[1] sand, or pozzolans, which is used as a material for construction and insulation.[2] It is marketed under names like Hempcrete, Canobiote, Canosmose, Isochanvre and IsoHemp.[3] Hempcrete is easier to work with than traditional lime mixes and acts as an insulator and moisture regulator. It lacks the brittleness of concrete and consequently does not need expansion joints.[3]

Typically, hempcrete has good thermal and acoustic insulation capabilities, but low mechanical performance, specifically compressive strength.[4] Hempcrete's mechanical properties, when used in prefabricated blocks specifically, act as a carbon sink throughout its lifetime.[5][6] The result is a lightweight insulating material, finishing plaster, or a non-load bearing wall, ideal for most climates as it combines insulation and thermal mass while providing a positive impact on the environment.

  1. ^ Allin, Steve (2005). Building with Hemp (1st ed.). Seed Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-9551109-0-0.
  2. ^ "NNFCC Renewable Building Materials Factsheet: An Introduction". National Non-Food Crops Centre. February 21, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  3. ^ a b Priesnitz, Rolf B. (March–April 2006). "Hemp For Houses". Natural Life Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  4. ^ Niyigena, César; Amziane, Sofiane; Chateauneuf, Alaa; Arnaud, Laurent; Bessette, Laetitia; Collet, Florence; Lanos, Christophe; Escadeillas, Gilles; Lawrence, Mike; Magniont, Camille; Marceau, Sandrine; Pavia, Sara; Peter, Ulrike; Picandet, Vincent; Sonebi, Mohammed (2016-06-01). "Variability of the mechanical properties of hemp concrete". Materials Today Communications. 7: 122–133. doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2016.03.003. ISSN 2352-4928. S2CID 54040137.
  5. ^ Jami, Tarun; Karade, S.R.; Singh, L.P. (2019). "A review of the properties of hemp concrete for green building applications". Journal of Cleaner Production. 239: 117852. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117852.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).