Numerical modelling of a hemp concrete wall

Abstract

In a global warming context associated to the abuse of energy consumption, actual researches focus more and more on reducing energy costs in the building sector. This target could be achieved by using innovative building materials, such as hemp concrete, due to its positive impacts on thermal and environmental levels. The aim of this work is to carry out a numerical study of a hemp concrete wall subjected to several indoor and outdoor conditions of temperature and relative humidity using the program object oriented SPARK. The hygrothermal behaviour of the wall is investigated taking into account heat and moisture transfer within the wall as well as hysteresis phenomenon between the sorption and desorption curves and their temperature dependency.