Hemp-clay building materials - An investigation on acoustic, thermal and mechanical properties

Sustainable building materials are required in the construction industry due to the fact that in the last years the development was based on obtaining the maximum profit without thinking to the consequences on the environment and human life. Through the development and in-depth process of bio-based materials, the construction sector will contribute to enhancing the reduction of the pollution and the energy consumption, but also to increase the comfort conditions of the areas where people live. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of the hemp-clay materials in the construction sector. Hemp clay building materials are considered bio-based materials due to the fact that the hemp and the clay are natural raw materials with a low impact on the environment. The experimental study provides, in the first part, information about the composition of the hemp-clay materials and in the second part, information about the results obtained on the acoustic, thermal and mechanical coefficients of the specimens. Therefore, the research was based on the investigation of three different low-carbon composites with different ratios between the hemp and the binder. Further research will be made to develop this type of bio-based building materials, which can contribute to a positive impact on the environment. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.