Hempcrete

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Construction block made with hemp

Hempcrete is a mixture of hemp hurds and lime (possibly including sand, pozzolans or cement) used as a material for construction and insulation. It is marketed under names like Hemcrete, Canobiote, Canosmose, and Isochanvre. Hempcrete is easier to work than traditional lime mixes and acts as an insulator and moisture regulator. It lacks the brittleness of cement and consequently does not need expansion joints.

However, the typical compressive strength is around 1 MPa, over 20× lower than low grade concrete. This means that Hempcrete walls should be used together with a frame of another material that supports the vertical load in building construction. Hempcrete's density is 15% of traditional concrete, as well as carbon negative. The strength and flexibility means that hemp foundations are resistant to stress-induced cracking and breaking, even in earthquake-prone areas. The building material also is self-insulating; resistant to rotting, rodents and insects; and fireproof, waterproof and weather resistant.

Hempcrete can also absorb CO₂ gas. 165kg of CO₂ can be theoretically absorbed and locked up by 1m³ of hempcrete wall over many decades.

Pipes can be made out of hempcrete, and they too have greater flexibility and greater elasticity than those made from conventional materials, and they are resistant to cracking. Stones can also be made out of hemp by wetting the stalk's cellulose, and forming it into a hard black rock, which can be cut, drilled, cast, carved or formed into any shape.

External links

• Hemcrete application data from Limetechnology
• Hemp as a building material
• The Renewable House with Hemcrete wallsru:Костробетон

"Renewable Building Materials Factsheet". National Non-Food Crops Centre. February 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-26. 

"Tradical Hemcrete 2008 Information Pack" (PDF). American Lime Technology. Retrieved 2009-08-25. 

Flahiff, Daniel (August 24, 2009). "Carbon Negative Hemp Walls are 7x Stronger than Concrete". Inhabitat. 

Rolf B. Priesnitz. "Hemp Building Materials - Hempcrete". 

"Tradical Hemcrete 2008 Information Pack" (PDF). American Lime Technology. Retrieved 2010-05-15.