Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers

Bengü İtmeç; Matthieu Joseph Pedergnana; Yenal Akgün

doi:10.30785/mbud.1753763

TR EN

Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers

Abstract

Light-clay materials have gained popularity in the sustainable construction sector for their capacity to use agricultural waste fibres (mainly straw and hempshives) as their main components and clay as a binder. However, despite an increasing number of studies on the thermal properties of light-clay materials based on different fibers, no studies have been made comparing hempshive-based and straw-based light-clay panels bound with the same amount of clay. The results of this study show that the amount of fibres used in the production of the panels has a significant impact on their density, with the usage of hemp shives providing a lower thermal conductivity than straw (respectively 0.05 W/mK and 0.11 W/mK) for a similar composition. Moreover, the low thermal conductivity measured (up to 0.02 kg/m³) for hempshive-based panels indicates that clay-based materials can be utilized efficiently as sustainable insulation.

Keywords

Thermal conductivity, hemp, straw, light clay materials, density

Supporting Institution

Yaşar University, Bioengineering Application and Research Center (CFB) at IZTECH Integrated Research Centers (IZTECH IRC)

Project Number

BAP 141

Ethical Statement

This paper is originated the MSc thesis of Bengü İtmeç from Yaşar University. In addition, this work formed part of the scientific research project “Usage of Agricultural Waste for Clay-Bonded Insulation”, which was accepted by the Project Evaluation Commission of Yaşar University under project number BAP141. The authors acknowledge the Geothermal Research and Application Center the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Application and Research Center (CFB) at IZTECH Integrated Research Centers (IZTECH IRC) for testing and analyses. The paper complies with national and international research and publication ethics. Ethics committee approval was not required for this manuscript.

References

Alassaad, F., Touati, K., Levacher, D., & Sebaibi, N. (2021, May 20–21). Influence of fiber crushing on light earth hygrothermal properties—paper presented at Geo-Environmental Engineering GEE2021, ESITC-UniCaen, Caen, France.
Azil, A., Le Guern, M., Rattier, R., Touati, K., Sebaibi, N., El Mendili, Y., ... & Louahlia, H. (2020). Réalisation d'un bâtiment pilote en terre-fibers. Academic Journal of Civil Engineering.
Ba, L., El Abbassi, I., Ngo, T. T., Pliya, P., Kane, C. S. E., Darcherif, A. M., & Ndongo, M. (2021). Experimental investigation of thermal and mechanical properties of clay reinforced with Typha australis: Influence of length and percentage of fibers. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 12(5), 2723–2737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649- 020-01193-0
Bayraktar, M., Binatlı, B., & Üzümoğlu, T. (2023). Türkiye Building Sector Decarbonization Roadmap Extended Summary. Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. https://wrisehirler.org/sites/default/files/Turkiye%20Building%20Sector%20Decarbonization%20Roadmap...pdf
Ben-Alon, L., & Rempel, A. W. (2023). Thermal comfort and passive survivability in earthen buildings. Building and Environment, 238, 110339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110339
Braiek, A., Briki, C., Karkri, M., Settar, A., & Jemni, A. (2023). Thermo-physical and mechanical performances of a new lightweight construction material made with clay and Posidonia oceanica fibers. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 19, e02599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02599
Brouard, Y., Belayachi, N., Hoxha, D., Méo, S., & Abdallah, W. (2016). Hygrothermal Behavior of Clay–Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Rape Straw (Brassica napus) Plaster Bio-composites for Building Insulation. In Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment (EBUILT-2016) (pp. 242–248). Iasi, Romania. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AEF.21.242
Brouard, Y., Belayachi, N., Hoxha, D., Ranganathan, N., & Méo, S. (2018). Mechanical and hygrothermal behavior of clay – Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and rape straw (Brassica napus) plaster bio-composites for building insulation. Construction and Building Materials, 161, 196–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.140
Busbridge, R., & Rhydwen, R. (2010). An investigation of the thermal properties of hemp and clay monolithic walls. In Proceedings of Advances in Computing and Technology (AC&T), The School of Computing and Technology 5th Annual Conference (pp. 163–170). University of East London. http://hdl.handle.net/10552/987
Colinart, T., Vinceslas, T., Lenormand, H., Hellouin De Menibus, A., Hamard, E., & Lecompte, T. (2020). Hygrothermal properties of light-earth building materials. Journal of Building Engineering, 29, 101134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101134

Collet, F., & Pretot, S. (2014). Thermal conductivity of hemp concretes: Variation with formulation, density, and water content. Construction and Building Materials, 65, 612–619.
De Luca, P., Carbone, I., & Nagy, J. B. (2017). Green building materials: A review of state of the art studies of innovative materials. Journal of Green Building, 12(4), 141-161.
El Mendili, Y., Bouasria, M., Benzaama, M.-H., Khadraoui, F., Le Guern, M., Chateigner, D., Gascoin, S., & Bardeau, J.- F. (2021). Mud-based construction material: Promising properties of French gravel wash mud mixed with byproducts, seashells, and fly ash as a binder. Materials, 14(20), 6216. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14206216
Forest Products Laboratory. (2004, March 12). Engineering report on light clay specimens: Thermal conductivities for design coalitions' straw/clay formulations extend Volhard’s K-value vs. density curve to the low conductivity end. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.
Frantz, D., Schug, F., Wiedenhofer, D., Baumgart, A., Virág, D., Cooper, S., & Haberl, H. (2023). Unveiling patterns in human-dominated landscapes through mapping the mass of US-built structures. Nature Communications, 14(1), 8014.
Gaia Architects. (2003). Light Earth Construction: Draft report for milestone 5. Gaia Architects.
Goodhew, S., Griffiths, R., & Woolley, T. (2004). An investigation of the moisture content in the walls of a straw- bale building. Building and Environment, 39(12), 1443–1451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.04.003
Goodhew, S., Boutouil, M., Streiff, F., Le Guern, M., Carfrae, J., & Fox, M. (2021). Improving the thermal performance of earthen walls to satisfy current building regulations. Energy and Buildings, 240, 110873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110873
Holzhueter, K., & Itonaga, K. (2017). The potential for light straw clay construction in Japan: An examination of the building method and thermal performance. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 16(1), 209– 213. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.16.209
İSTAÇ. (2022). Faaliyet Raporu 2022. İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi. https://www.istac.istanbul/assets/belgeler_ve_raporlar/2022-istac-rapor.pdf
Jové-Sandoval, P., Gallego, A., & Suárez, J. (2024). Thermal performance of lightweight earth panels using agricultural waste. Journal of Building Physics, 47(2), 321–340. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-023-00630-1
Labat, M., Magniont, C., Oudhof, N., & Aubert, J.-E. (2016). From the experimental characterization of the hygrothermal properties of straw-clay mixtures to the numerical assessment of their buffering potential. Building and Environment, 97, 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.12.004
Mazhoud, B., Collet, F., Prétot, S., & Lanos, C. (2021). Effect of hemp content and clay stabilization on hygric and thermal properties of hemp-clay composites. Construction and Building Materials, 300, 123878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123878
Minke, G. (2006). Building with earth: Design and technology of a sustainable architecture (2nd ed.). Birkhäuser.
Minke, G. (2012). Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture (3rd rev. ed.). Birkhäuser. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783034608725
Mounir, S., Maaloufa, Y., & Khabbazi, A. (2014). Thermal properties of the composite material, clay/granular cork. Construction and Building Materials, 70, 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.108
Niang, I., Maalouf, C., Moussa, T., Bliard, C., Samin, E., Thomachot-Schneider, C., Lachi, M., Pron, H., Mai, T. H., & Gaye, S. (2018). Hygrothermal performance of various Typha–clay composite. Journal of Building Physics, 42(3), 316–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744259118759677
Oiry, C., Kapetanaki, K., & Maravelaki, P. N. (2022). An insulation panel made from local plant-based lightweight concrete. In EURECA-PRO Conference on Responsible Consumption and Production (pp. 527–535). Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25840-4_61
Oudhof, N., Labat, M., Magniont, C., & Nicot, P. (2015, June 22–24). Measurement of the hygrothermal properties of straw-clay mixtures. First International Conference on Bio-based Building Materials (ICBBM), Clermont- Ferrand, France.
Ratsimbazafy, H. H., Laborel-Préneron, A., Magniont, C., & Evon, P. (2021). A Review of the Multi-Physical Characteristics of Plant Aggregates and Their Effects on the Properties of Plant-Based Concrete. Recent Progress in Materials, 03(02), 1–1. https://doi.org/10.21926/rpm.2102026
Ratsimbazafy, H. H., Laborel-Préneron, A., Magniont, C., & Evon, P. (2022). Comprehensive characterization of agricultural by-products for bio-aggregate-based concrete. Construction Technologies and Architecture, 1, 77–84. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/CTA.1.77
Soto-Paz, J., Arroyo, O., Torres-Guevara, L. E., Parra-Orobio, B. A., & Casallas-Ojeda, M. (2023). The circular economy in the construction and demolition waste management: A comparative analysis in emerging and developed countries. Journal of Building Engineering, 78, 107724.
Sözer, S. (2023). Agricultural Waste Potential of Türkiye. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 6(6), 604-609.
Thornton, J. (2004). Initial material characterization of straw light clay. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Turkish Statistical Institute. (2023). Crop production statistics, 2023. https://data.tuik.gov.tr
Röhlen, U., & Ziegert, C. (2011). Earth Building Practice: Planning · Design · Building. Bauwerk/Beuth Verlag.
Schroeder, H. (2016). Sustainable building with earth (Vol. 582). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Verron-Guillemot, L., Hamard, E., Cazacliu, B., Razakamanantsoa, A., Duc, M., & others. (2022). Estimating and mapping the availability of earth resource for light earth building using a soil geodatabase in Brittany (France). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 184, 106409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106409
Volhard, F. (2016). Light Earth Building: A Handbook for Building with Wood and Earth (8th ed.). Birkhäuser. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783035606454
WRI Türkiye. (2023). Türkiye building sector decarbonization roadmap [PDF]. WRI Cities. https://wrisehirler.org/sites/default/files/Turkiye%20Building%20Sector%20Decarbonization%20Roadmap...pdf
Xiao, J., Deng, Q., Hou, M., Shen, J., & Gencel, O. (2023). Where demolition wastes are going: reflection and analysis of Turkey's February 6, 2023, earthquake disaster. Low-carbon Materials and Green Construction, 1(1), 17.
Zeghari, K., Gounni, A., Louahlia, H., Marion, M., Boutouil, M., Goodhew, S., & Streif, F. (2021). Novel dual-walling cob building: Dynamic thermal performance. Energies, 14(22), 7663. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227663
Ziegert, C., & Ott, S. (2017). Building with Earth: Materials and Techniques for Sustainable Construction. Birkhäuser.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Materials and Technology in Architecture

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Bengü İtmeç ^*
0009-0000-4153-9430
Türkiye

Matthieu Joseph Pedergnana
0000-0001-7343-4166
Türkiye

Yenal Akgün
0000-0001-5595-9153
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 27, 2025

Submission Date

July 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1753763

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94UC69SL

APA

İtmeç, B., Pedergnana, M. J., & Akgün, Y. (2025). Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 10(2), 1049-1061. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1753763

AMA

1.İtmeç B, Pedergnana MJ, Akgün Y. Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers. JASA. 2025;10(2):1049-1061. doi:10.30785/mbud.1753763

Chicago

İtmeç, Bengü, Matthieu Joseph Pedergnana, and Yenal Akgün. 2025. “Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-Based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 10 (2): 1049-61. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1753763.

EndNote

İtmeç B, Pedergnana MJ, Akgün Y (December 1, 2025) Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 10 2 1049–1061.

IEEE

[1]B. İtmeç, M. J. Pedergnana, and Y. Akgün, “Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers”, JASA, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1049–1061, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.30785/mbud.1753763.

ISNAD

İtmeç, Bengü - Pedergnana, Matthieu Joseph - Akgün, Yenal. “Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-Based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 10/2 (December 1, 2025): 1049-1061. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1753763.

JAMA

1.İtmeç B, Pedergnana MJ, Akgün Y. Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers. JASA. 2025;10:1049–1061.

MLA

İtmeç, Bengü, et al. “Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-Based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, vol. 10, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 1049-61, doi:10.30785/mbud.1753763.

Vancouver

1.Bengü İtmeç, Matthieu Joseph Pedergnana, Yenal Akgün. Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers. JASA. 2025 Dec. 1;10(2):1049-61. doi:10.30785/mbud.1753763

Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers

Hafif Kil Malzemelerin Termal Performansı: Kenevir ve Saman Liflerinin Hacim Bazlı Karşılaştırması

Abstract

Keywords

Thermal Performance of Light Clay Materials: A Volume-based Comparison of Hemp and Straw Fibers

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Project Number

Ethical Statement

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite

JASA JOURNAL TAG / MBUD DERGİ KÜNYESİ