HEMPCRETE
HAS A CEMENT
ALTERNATIVE
BY;
Madhumitha.K
Renugashree.V.A
Aishwarya.K
Tharun kumar.S
Dharshan.S
Hempcrete is a fairly new natural building material whose usage has
increased throughout European countries in recent years and is
gaining traction within the United States. The Hemp Building
Foundation submitted paperwork to the International Residential
Codes (IRC) in February 2022 to certify the material as a national
building material, allowing the construction industry to gain more
familiarity with the material.
Hempcrete is a construction building material that uses hemp shives,
aggregate, water, and a type of binder to act as non-bearing walls,
insulators, finishing plasters, and blocks. The material has low
mechanical properties and low thermal conductivity, making it ideal
for insulation material. Hempcrete blocks have a low carbon footprint
and are effectively carbon sinks. Widespread codes and specifications
still need to be developed for the widespread usage of hempcrete, but it
shows promise to replace current non-bearing construction materials
that negatively impact the environment.
MIXTURE OF MATERIALS
Hempcrete is made of the inner woody core of the
hemp plant (hemp shives) mixed with a lime-based
binder and water. The lime-based binder typically
consists of either hydrated lime or natural hydraulic
lime. Hydrated lime is made from pure limestone and
sets through the absorption of CO2 during the
carbonation process. When dealing with time
constraints, hydraulic binders are used in combination
with regular hydrated lime because the set time for
hempcrete will be less than that of regular limes,
about two weeks to a month to gain adequate strength.
For example, a small fraction of cement and/or
pozzolanic binder is added to speed up the setting time
as well. The overall process creates a mixture that will
develop into a solid, but light and durable product.
Hempcrete: A Sustainable Alternative
History of Hempcrete:
Hempcrete’s roots trace back centuries, with hemp being used for various applications in ancient
civilizations. However, the modern formulation of hempcrete gained prominence in the 20th century as a
sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.
Components of Hempcrete:
Hempcrete comprises three primary ingredients: hemp fibers, lime, and water. Hemp fibers, derived from
the hemp plant, provide structural reinforcement. Lime binds the fibers together and contributes to fire
resistance and insulation. Water facilitates the mixing and binding of the components
Environmental Benefits of Hempcrete:
• Low Carbon Footprint: Hempcrete has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional
concrete. Hemp cultivation absorbs carbon dioxide, making it a carbon-negative material.
• Biodegradability: Hempcrete is biodegradable, naturally decomposing over time without leaving
harmful residues.
• Renewable Resource: Hemp is a rapidly renewable resource, with a short growth cycle, reducing
dependence on slower-renewing resources like trees.
Structural Advantages of Hempcrete:
• Lightweight: Hempcrete is lighter than traditional concrete, reducing
overall structure weight, which is advantageous in seismic-prone
regions.
• Thermal Insulation: Excellent thermal insulation properties reduce the
need for additional insulation materials, lowering energy consumption
for heating and cooling.
• Breathability: Hempcrete is breathable, preventing mold build-up and
enhancing indoor air quality.
• Flexibility: Hempcrete’s flexibility makes it less prone to cracking and
more resilient in the face of natural movements in the building
structure.
pros and cons of hempcrete
ADVANTAGES :
• Feel good factor
• Non toxin
• Thermal performances
• Acoustic performances
• Mechanical strength
• Sustainability
• Contributions to rural economy
DISADVANTAGES :
• Unfamiliarity
• Dry timing
• Safety
• maintenances
