The Heat Conductivity Properties of Hemp–Lime Composite Material Used in Single-Family Buildings
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materials Article The Heat Conductivity Properties of Hemp–Lime Composite Material Used in Single-Family Buildings Sławomir Pochwała 1,*, Damian Makiola 1, Stanisław Anweiler 2 and Michał Böhm 3 1 Department of Thermal Engineering and Industrial Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, Ulica Prószkowska 76, 45-758 Opole, Poland; [email protected] 2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, Ulica Prószkowska 76, 45-758 Opole, Poland; [email protected] 3 Department of Mechanics and Machine Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, Ulica Prószkowska 76, 45-758 Opole, Poland; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-77-449-8456 Received: 27 January 2020; Accepted: 21 February 2020; Published: 24 February 2020 Abstract: The main goal of the paper is to calculate the heat conductivity for three experimental hemp–lime composites used for structural construction purposes with the use of the experimental stand inside two compartments. Due to current construction trends, we are constantly searching for eco-friendly materials that have a low carbon footprint. This is the case of the analyzed material, and additional thermographic heat distribution inside the material during a fire resistance test proves that it is also a perfect insulation material, which could be applied in addition of popular isolating materials. This paper presents the results of certain hemp–lime composite studies and the potential for using hemp–lime composite for the structural construction industry. Hemp–lime composite heat transfer coefficient, fire resistance, and bulk density properties are compared to those of other commonly used construction materials. The obtained results show that the material together with supporting beams made of other biodegradable materials can be the perfect alternative for other commonly used construction materials. Keywords: hemp–lime composite; thermal conductivity; low-energy buildings; specific energy absorption; natural fiber 1. Introduction The idea of sustainable development in construction, i.e., one that limits the negative impact of buildings on the environment and is user-friendly, is gaining in popularity [1]. Building in an eco-friendly way is becoming common not only among office space developers, who apply for global Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certificates, but also among individuals thinking about building a year-round or recreational house [2]. Hemp lime is a material that has a chance to revolutionize the world’s natural construction as it strongly fits into the trend of renewable resources. It has a negative carbon footprint because during its growth, hemp absorbs more carbon dioxide than is used later to make building materials [3,4]. Hemp lime has high thermal insulation, heat accumulation, vapour permeability, is non-flammable, can be used as a fertiliser after demolition and is 100% decomposable [5,6]. The objective of the work is the experimental identification of heat conductivity for three experimental mixtures of hemp–lime composite used for construction purposes analyzed for the use for construction of single-family buildings. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has a long history with human civilization and was often found near early nomadic settlements close to streams in Materials 2020, 13, 1011; doi:10.3390/ma13041011 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 15 multitude of uses covering a range of products derived from fiber or oilseed that have been known throughout history [8]. True hemp (industrial hemp) found common application during the 19th century. The sturdy fibers of the plant—well-known and valued for their strength—were used to make ropes for maritime shipping and other industry, as well as paper and textiles [9]. Hemp use has been suppressed in recent times, but due to its usefulness and the ecological advantages in harvesting hemp over cotton and trees, there has been a call for hemp use which is growing worldwide [10]. The hemp–lime composite (Figure 1) consists of water, hemp shiv, lime, and other additives to further improve its properties [5]. Mixing and compressing the components results in a light and appropriately strong material whose structure makes it possible to fill any space or—when applying special formwork—build a complete partition [11,12]. Hemp–lime composite may also be used to make floor tiles or roof and ceiling insulation. Hemp–lime composite shows very poor load-bearing strength and for that reason, it may only be used with specifically designed load-bearing structures or pillars, most typically made of softwood timber [13]. Hemp lime composite debuted in the Polish market just a few years ago and needs extensive testing.Materials 2020The, 13 material, 1011 meets all the requirements for an environmentally-friendly product,2 of 14a characteristic that plays an ever more significant role [1,14] Some older technologies seem to experience a strong comeback (such as thatched roofs and wooden or adobe homes) owing to their positivewell-manured impact areas on human [7]. Industrial health and hemp comfort or Cannabis and since sativa theyL. utilize is a quick-growing, natural raw materials annual herb [15]. with a multitudeHemp of lime uses composite covering aowes range its of excellent products thermal derived conductivity from fiber or properties oilseed that to have high been hemp known shiv porositythroughout [16]. history Its properties [8]. True attract hemp even (industrial more hemp)people foundboth in common this countr applicationy and abroad during to the launch 19th investigationscentury. The sturdy and fiberspromote of the hemp–lime plant—well-known composite and applications valued for theirin the strength—were construction used of new to make or improvingropes for maritime thermal shippinginsulation and performance other industry, of the as existing well as buildings paper and [17–20]. textiles [9]. Hemp use has been suppressedSuch composite in recent times,materials but duecan appear to its usefulness to have vari andations the ecological to their properties advantages due in harvesting to the existence hemp ofover structural cotton and changes trees, [21]. there The has properties been a call of for the hemp composite use which are isinfluenced growing worldwide by many factors [10]. such as the morphologyThe hemp–lime of the composite filers, the (Figure orientation1) consists of ofthe water, filers, hemp porosity, shiv, lime,degree and of other compaction, additives the to distributionfurther improve of the its filers, properties and [others5]. Mixing like gluing and compressing [22,23]. Also the, some components new information results in aregarding light and nanotubesappropriately and strong fibers materialin concrete whose and structurecementitious makes materials it possible are worth to fill anymentioning space or—when [24,25]. applying specialHemp formwork—build lime composite a completeleaves practically partition no [11 carbon,12]. Hemp–lime footprint as composite hemp shiv, may from also which be used it tois made,make floorabsorbs tiles more or roof CO and2 from ceiling the atmosphere insulation. Hemp–lime during its lifespan composite than shows the amount very poor of CO load-bearing2 released bystrength the manufacturing and for that reason, process. it mayResearch only beshowed used withthat one specifically ton of dry designed hemp sequesters load-bearing almost structures 325 kgs or ofpillars, CO2 [3]. most typically made of softwood timber [13]. Figure 1. Hemp–limeHemp–lime composite composite mixture mixture 1. Hemp lime composite debuted in the Polish market just a few years ago and needs extensive testing. The material meets all the requirements for an environmentally-friendly product, a characteristic that plays an ever more significant role [1,14] Some older technologies seem to experience a strong comeback (such as thatched roofs and wooden or adobe homes) owing to their positive impact on human health and comfort and since they utilize natural raw materials [15]. Hemp lime composite owes its excellent thermal conductivity properties to high hemp shiv porosity [16]. Its properties attract even more people both in this country and abroad to launch investigations and promote hemp–lime composite applications in the construction of new or improving thermal insulation performance of the existing buildings [17–20]. Such composite materials can appear to have variations to their properties due to the existence of structural changes [21]. The properties of the composite are influenced by many factors such as the morphology of the filers, the orientation of the filers, porosity, degree of compaction, the distribution of the filers, and others like gluing [22,23]. Also, some new information regarding nanotubes and fibers in concrete and cementitious materials are worth mentioning [24,25]. Materials 2020, 13, 1011 3 of 14 Hemp lime composite leaves practically no carbon footprint as hemp shiv, from which it is made, absorbs more CO2 from the atmosphere during its lifespan than the amount of CO2 released by the manufacturingMaterials 2020, 13, x process.FOR PEER ResearchREVIEW showed that one ton of dry hemp sequesters almost 325 kgs3 of of15 CO2 [3]. InIn hemp–limehemp–lime compositecomposite production,production, limelime isis usedused primarilyprimarily