Chemical and hygrothermal characterization of agroresources’ by-product as a possible raw building material

Abstract

The ISOBIO project proposes an innovative strategy to bring bio-based construction materials into the mainstream. A key innovation consists of the use of bio-based aggregates from a local culture, with green binders for the production of ecofriendly composites. This work aims to combine existing technologies in order to develop bio-based panels with high insulating properties, low embodied energy, low embodied carbon and hydrothermally efficient. This study aims to value the agro-resources by-products from flax, hemp, corn, rape and wheat, provided by one of the project partner, for find out new alternative materials that respond to sustainable development criteria. In the present work, the chemical characterization of agro-resources’s byproduct are studied by Van soest method and Phenol sulfuric method to determine the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and polysaccharides. Measurement of thermal conductivity and Moisture Buffer Value are also achieved in these raw materials to determine their hygrothermal properties at bulk density. Thermal Conductivity and MBV evolve according to the density whatever the agro- resources type. All these materials have different properties but they are all excellent hygric regulators. These results suggest that agro-resources’s by-product may be used as a raw building material but not for the same types of use. In fact, some raw materials would be more suitable for thermal insulating products and others would be better suited to indoor facing panels.