Thermal conductivity of hemp concretes: Variation with formulation, density and water content

• Thermal conductivity of hemp concrete is investigated.
• This study focuses on the effect of density and water content.
• Several formulations are studied, in link with end-use.
• This study is based on experimental investigations and numerical modelling.

This study investigates the effect of formulation, density and water content on the thermal conductivity of hemp concretes. The investigations are based on experimental measurements and on self-consistent scheme modelling. The thermal conductivity of studied materials ranges from 90 to 160 mW/(m K) at (23 °C; 50%RH). The impact of density on thermal conductivity is much more important than the impact of moisture content. It is shown that the thermal conductivity increases by about 54% when the density increases by 2/3 while it increases by less than 15–20% from dry state to 90%RH.