Accepted Manuscript

Title: The use of insulating materials based on natural fibers in

combination with plant facades in building constructions

Author: Azra Korjenic Jiřı́ Zach Jitka Hroudová

PII: S0378-7788(15)30472-2
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.12.037
Reference: ENB 6355

To appear in: ENB

Received date: 4-10-2015

Revised date: 18-12-2015
Accepted date: 21-12-2015

Please cite this article as: A. Korjenic, J. Zach, J. Hroudová, The use
of insulating materials based on natural fibers in combination with
plant facades in building constructions, Energy and Buildings (2016),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.12.037

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Research Highlights:

Possibility of use of plant facades with ecological construction is unknown

Connection plant facades with ecological construction, was detailed investigated
It was shown that use of insulation material based on natural fibers is possible
Hygrothermal behaviour of hemp insulation in exterior wall with plant facade shows lower
humidity content

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Title:
The use of insulating materials based on natural fibers in combination with
plant facades in building constructions

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Authors: Azra Korjenic1, Jiří Zach2, Jitka Hroudová2

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1
Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Building Construction and Technology,
Research Centre of Building Physics and Sound Protection,
2
Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Centre AdMaS, Veveří
331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic an
Abstract:
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Current trend in the field of civil engineering is building energy-saving and
environmentally friendly constructions. One of ways of achieving these trends is using new,
progressive construction materials, which are friendly to the environment, have good end-use
properties and which are also for reasonable price. Another way is building plant facades and
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roofs. Plants are capable of regulating temperature and humidity in such constructions. Their
advantage is positive influence on healthy living in large cities, where the beneficial
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properties of plants can be used, like capability of retaining fine dust particles, reducing the
level of noise and protecting the structure from weather effects. The paper describes possible
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connection of both above mentioned modern technologies and gives results of research and
development of insulation materials based on natural fibers; in particular technical hemp, flax
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and jute and their application into buildings with plant facades and roofs. The paper also
mentions hydrothermal behavior of the developed materials, including computational
simulation of behavior of the optimal hemp fiber based material after building into a structure
with plant facade.
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Key words: natural fibres, plant facades, insulation materials, technical hemp, flax, jute,
hygrothermal behaviour, thermal conductivity.

1. Annotation
Current modern times emphasize development of new, promising, environmentally
friendly materials applicable into existing and new, modern structures, materials available for
the wide public, with optimal properties and ecological. Appropriate application and good
function of these materials in building structures has a great influence on the condition of
environment, which has considerable impact on the quality of life of the human race on the
Earth. Another important trend of current times leading to improvement of conditions of

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living in large cities is application of plant facades or roofs, which have positive effect on
thermal protection of constructions from sunshine and other weather effects, and enhance
overall architectural appearance of buildings, which has considerable effect on psychical
comfort of inhabitants of larger cities. Plant facades and roofs also contribute to good balance
of CO2 and help solve problems of global warming. The efforts aim at non-disturbing natural
pattern of the environment and use natural resources for building as much as possible. If
natural fibers based insulation materials are applied into buildings with green roofs or green
facades, the buildings will be really worthwhile.

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Materials based on natural resources, like reed grass, straw, hay, linen, hemp or lichens

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have been used for thermally insulation purposes for ages. These materials were often located
on the building envelope; certain kinds of green facades and roofs can be seen with lichens.

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However, as the society developed and requirements for good make and high quality of
buildings increased, they were replaced by new synthetic materials, mostly polymeric, like
polystyrene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and inorganic synthetic materials

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like mineral or glass wool. [1]
Manufacture of currently used thermo-insulating materials is quite demanding as regards
consumption of energy, raw materials and cost. Therefore there are efforts for finding
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available alternative material resources, while local, easily renewable resources seem to be the
advantageous alternative not loading environment, on the condition of consequent processing
with low energetic demand. This is also in accordance with Climate and Energy package “20-
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20-20” agreed by European Parliament and the Council in 2008 and legalized in June 2009
[2]. Easily renewable material resources are very important also from the point of
sustainability of material resources. This problem belongs to the national priorities of many
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member countries of EU; for example, in the Czech Republic, RDI is one of the six priorities
until the year 2030 (in accordance with the government decree No. 552 from 19 July 2012).
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One of the ways of solution is using natural fibrous resources from agriculture. Another
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promising way is using industrial waste or industrial recycled materials. Effective utilization
of their properties makes it possible to build structures creating thermal comfort and good
humidity microclimate, which could be presented by the green roofs and facades.
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Use of high quality thermo-insulating materials, good energetic design of energy-saving

building structures and additional thermo-insulation of existing structures is of key
importance for reducing energetic demands of buildings. If such materials are used for
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structures, where plant facades and roofs are applied, further positive factors take place, like
thermal regulation of structures, protection from weather, protection from direct sunlight and
others, which is supported by many scientific studies and papers [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12]. In general, the construction of green facades is solved by means of 3 systems: the first
one is traditional system of plants climbing on the facade, which serves as a support (Figure
3); the second one is “double-shield” plant facade, where a grid is placed in front of the
building and the plants climb on the grid (Figure 2); the third one is a system of pots with
suitable plants (Figure 1). To use all advantages of these systems, it is necessary to consider
suitability of the construction, type of plants and their location as well as for example
questions of keeping the plants. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] This solution limits emissions
and absorbs gases (including greenhouse gasses), sooth and dust, which has direct effect on

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environment improvement. Currently, this topic is especially important because of negative
effects of global warming as well as from the point of view of the conditions of the Kyoto
protocol, the directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2010/31/EU and
requirements related national directions of individual member countries of the EU and the
above mentioned Climate and Energy package "20-20-20". [13]
The aim of the paper is presenting results of the research and development of insulation
materials based on natural fibers, study of their hydrothermal behavior, computational
verification of possible application into structures with green facades by means of the finite

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element method (with the software WUFI).

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Fig. 1 Building of MA48 Waste management, street cleaning and fleet – District 5.
Margareten, Vienna
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Fig. 2 Plant facade in Vienna – District 5. Fig. 3 Plant facade in Design Tower,
Margareten, Einsiedlergasse Vienna - District 2. Leopoldstadt

2. Development of insulations suitable for structures with plant facades and roofs

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 At the beginning of the research work, design and basic development of insulation
materials based on natural fibers suitable for application in new structures was carried out.
The advantage of these materials is particularly the way of their production, which is
environmentally friendly and uses easily renewable raw material resources (or secondary raw
materials), saves general materials resources and prevents consumption of non-renewable raw
materials. These materials also help ensuring suitable environment which is salubrious for
human organism and they are easily ecologically recyclable after the end of their life in the
building.

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2.1 Selection of appropriate raw material resources
Because the research was focused on the development of environmentally friendly

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insulation materials from alternative raw material resources with properties comparable with
commonly used insulation materials, an analysis of possible use of natural fibers (from easily
renewable resources) for manufacture of test specimens was carried out. First, the research in

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the area of already used natural resources based on the literary search of foreign technical
databases (Thomson Reuters, Scopus, etc.) was made, and then further potential alternative
raw material resources meeting the condition of easy availability of the materials for possible
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practical application were searched. [14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32]
The main selected raw material resource for natural based insulation materials was
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technical hemp (technical hemp produced in Austria, content of Tetrahydrocannabinol is
maximum of 0.3 %), which was compared with other selected natural fibers - cultivated flax
(from the Czech Republic) and jute (from Asia).
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Technical hemp and flax can be considered locally available and easily renewable raw
material resource in the countries of EU. Production of these plants depends on immediate
e

demand of the market and it can be effectively regulated within one year. For the reason of
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comparison, jute fiber was selected for the research; the jute fiber is imported into the Czech
Republic mainly from Asia. Jute fiber is important mainly because of its guaranteed quality
and long term availability on the world market. Imported jute fiber is an alternative for local
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hemp or flax fiber in case of a drop in production and availability on the Czech market.
Binders for these natural fibers were the classic ones; the most frequently used polyester
bi-component fibers for thermic binding. These are fibers formed by 2 components: the core
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is a layer of high-temperature polyester, which resists temperatures up to 140 °C; the coating
of the fiber is low-temperature polyester, which is capable of binding individual natural fibers
together at higher temperatures.
The samples of flax, hemp and jute fibers were subjected to microscopic analysis, while
average thickness was determined from a representative sample of 30 fibers. Three
measurements were taken on each of the fibers. Then, thermal conductivity was determined
on the layer of fibers under laboratory conditions (temperature 23 °C, relative humidity
50 %), the fibers were compacted to the volume weight 25 kg.m-3, while prevailing
orientation of fibers was perpendicular to the direction of heat flow (according to expected
arrangement of real insulation materials). Measurements were taken at steady state and mean
temperature +10 °C and thermal gradient 10 K. For measurement of thermal conductivity

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equipment based on plate method (heat flow meter according to ISO 8301) was used.
Measured values of thermal conductivity and average thickness of fibers are stated in Table 1
below.

Tab. 1 Average thickness and thermal conductivity of fibers

Type of fiber
Property
Hemp Flax Jute

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Thermal conductivity [W·m-1·K-1] 0.0620 0.0650 0.0580

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Average thickness [µm] 155.2 111.1 94.2

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The highest average thickness of fibers was measured on the technical hemp: 155.2 µm.
Average thickness of flax fibers was 111.1 µm. The lowest thickness,

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94.2 µm, was measured on jute fibers. As regards thermal insulation properties of natural
fibers, the best value of thermal conductivity achieved jute fibers: 0.0580
W·m-1·K-1, thermal conductivity of hemp fibers was 0.0620 W·m-1·K-1 and the value of flax
fibers was 0.0650 W·m-1·K-1.
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Table 2 below states prices on the market in the EU countries at the time when the research
was made (2 April 2013), the sources are the suppliers of the fibers.
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Tab. 2 Summary of the prices of natural fibers
Type of fibers The average prices for 1 kg of fibers [Euro]
Hemp fibres 0.36–0.60
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Flax fibres 1.60

Jute fibres 0.30
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Based on measured characteristics of fibers and current prices on the market in the EU
countries, the selection of the most suitable raw material resource for further development of
natural insulation materials was made.
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The price of jute fibers, the production volume of which is second to the production
volume of cotton fibers in the world, is not high; however, because these fibers are exported
from Asia, jute fibers were provided only in limited amount for test specimens for initial
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comparison of basic physical properties. Because the inquiries are complicated and with
respect to preferred use of local European raw material resources, further development of jute
fibers was not assumed. Hemp and flax fibers were selected as the key materials for research
and development of natural insulation materials in accordance with the results of the search of
prices, availability and determined characteristics.

2.2 Design of test mix-designs of insulation materials

Thermo-insulating properties of building materials are generally influenced by many
factors, which have to be taken into account when they are manufactured and applied in the
building structure. As regards the manufacture of thermo-insulating fibrous materials as such,

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the most important factors are in particular: type and thickness of fibers, volume weight and
amount of used binder (in case of thermal binding with bi-component fibers).
These parameters influence thermally-technical and mechanical properties of final product
as well as its price. When optimal composition of building materials is designed, the general
aim is maximization of end-use properties while the costs are kept acceptable.
Design of individual mixtures was carried out on the basis of information found through
literary search with respect to assumed use of insulation mats in building structure. Because of
this respect it was necessary to optimize not only composition of test specimens but also their

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volume weight, which is important for using these products in building structure.

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Nine compositions of insulation materials were design. Composition of individual mixtures
is given in Table 3 below- Fibers were from technical hemp and flax, jute fibers were used for

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reason of comparison. The thickness of the fibers was determined, which revealed, that the
average thickness of jute (technical) fibers is 94.2 µm, the average thickness of flax
(technical) fibers is 111.1 µm and the average thickness of hemp (technical) fibers is

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155.2 µm. Specimens no 1, 2 and 4 were designed with identical proportion of individual
components (natural fibers, binding fibers and boon). These 3 mixtures were designed for the
purpose of comparison of effectiveness of individual fibrous natural resources for
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development of ecological insulation materials. Since the resources of technical hemp fibers
are easily available and for low cost, a set of hemp fiber based test mixes differing by various
proportions of input components or various volume weight was designed. It is necessary to
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mention that this physical property depends on setting the production process (thickness of
created web and consequent pressing of mats in the kiln), which is described below.
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Tab. 3 Test sets and composition of individual input materials

Weight percentage of input components
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Mixture Type of fibre [%]

Natural Fibres Binder fibres (Bicomponent fibres) Shives
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1 Jute 68 20 12
2 Flax 68 20 12
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3 Hemp 48 20 32
4 Hemp 68 20 12
5 Hemp 48 20 32
6 Hemp 48 20 32
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7 Hemp 48 20 32
8 Hemp 64 20 16
9 Hemp 49 10 41

Test specimens from natural fibers (technical hemp, flax and jute) with shives (waste
material created at processing hemp fibers) were made during a pilot-run on a special
production line processing fibrous raw materials into the form of insulation mats with the
technology of thermic binding (Airlay method). Bicomponent polyester fibers were used as a
binder. This technology is waste-free, all produced waste residua go back into the production.
Production of insulation mats from selected natural fibers was as follows: Packs of
delivered natural fibers (technical hemp, flax and jute) were mechanically and then

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pneumatically tore into fibers, then additive against burning and biological pest was applied
(soda). Fibers after this treatment were partly dried (to the humidity ca 6% by weight). Packs
of bi-component polyester fibers were tore to fibers on the second part of the production line.
Then, natural and bicomponent fibers were pneumatically and mechanically mixed together.
At this stage of the production process, fibrous waste made during production was added to
the mix. After thorough homogenization of the mix of fibers and boon, boards of insulation
mats were made (with a web-forming machine). Prepared mix was heat bonded under higher
pressure and high temperature according to the requirements for thickness and volume weight

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of test specimens. After cooling down, the insulation mats were cut by a longitudinal saw and

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transversal cutter into required board shape 1200 mm x 600 mm. Test specimens prepared in
described manner were packed into foils and prepared for further research of physical,

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thermo-insulating, acoustic and mechanical properties, which was carried out at the Faculty of
Civil Engineering of the Technical University in Brno.

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Fig. 4 Principle of production of insulation mats based on natural materials

Test specimens were subjected to the study of macro-structure and pictures of surface
structure were taken – see Figures 5, 6 and 7 below – where the test specimens consist of 68
% of natural fibers, 20 % of bi-component fibers and 12 % of shives.

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Fig. 5 Detail of structure- jute Fig. 6 Detail of structure- flax

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Fig. 7 Detail of structure-hemp

In the next step the orientation of the fibers in the mats was observed, which revealed, that
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the orientation of fibers depends primarily on bulk density. In specimens with high density
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(7−9), the orientation of fibers was in the direction of the mat. In specimens with lower
density the fibers were put at an angle of aproximately 15−20° from the direction of the mat.
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2.3 Laboratory testing of test specimens made from individual mixes

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The next step in the research work was taking basic laboratory measurements of key
properties on prepared test specimens with standardized dimensions and their evaluation.
Following tests were carried out:
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• Determination of thickness and linear dimensions of samples (according to EN 822,

EN 823, EN 12085);
• Determination of bulk density (according to EN 1602);
• Determination of thermal conductivity (according to CSN 72 7012-3, EN 12667,
ISO 8301);
• Determination of vapor diffusion resistance factor, equivalent diffusion thickness
(according to EN 12086);
• Determination of stress at 10% deformation (according to EN 826);
• Determination of tensile strength perpendicular to faces (according to EN 1607);
• Determination of dynamic stiffness (according to ISO 9052-1);
• Determination of sound absorption coefficient (according to ISO 10534-1)

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 • Determination of short term water absorption by partial immersion (according to
DIN EN ISO 12571);
• Calculation of price (price of row fibers are in table 2 above, price 1.6 EUR.kg-1 of
bicomponent fibers was calculated and 10.7 EUR for 1m3 production of insulation
materials was calculated).

Results of experimental measurements are given in Table 4 below.

Tab. 4 Overview of results of average values of laboratory measurements

t
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Testing mixture 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

d [mm] 81.2 77.4 77.9 79.6 67.0 30.3 9.4 40.2 38.4
ρv [kg·m-3]

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26.1 32.1 30.2 29.6 56.8 33.1 111.6 82.1 95.5
λ [W·m-1·K-1] 0.0482 0.0442 0.0500 0.0488 0.0419 0.0441 0.0482 0.0405 0.0399
s´ [MPa·m-1] 3.1 3.6 3.0 3.1 4.0 7.2 20.8 7.4 8.5

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0.40 0.40 0.45 0.40 0.55 0.25 0.15 0.35 0.40
αw [-]
(M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M)
σmt [kPa] 6.25 7.75 15.56 16.23 21.75 23.47 25.00 15.00 18.80
σ10 [kPa]
sd [m]
µ [-]
1.0
0.17
2.1
0.4
0.22
2.9
0.6
0.22
2.8
0.8
0.18
2.2
6.7
0.25
3.8
an 0.5
0.12
3.8
36.9
0.05
5.3
11.2
0.17
4.2
21.0
0.15
3.9
-2
Wp [kg·m ] 2.203 0.795 1.831 1.394 1.294 1.160 0.926 1.255 1.325
M
-3
Price [EUR·m ] 25.2 61.9 32.3 31.9 51.3 34.4 90.4 69.4 68.7
Where: d … average thickness [mm], ρ … bulk density [kg· m-3], λ … thermal conductivity in
laboratory conditions [W·m-1·K-1], s´ … dynamic stiffness [MPa·m-1], αw … sound
d

absorption coefficient [-], σmt … tensile strength perpendicular to faces [kPa], σ10 … stress at
10% deformation [kPa], sd … equivalent diffusion thickness [m], µ … vapor diffusion
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resistance factor [-], Wp … short term water absorption by partial immersion [kg·m-2].
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Evaluation of the results confirmed the hypothesis that when the bulk density of test
specimens is higher, higher content of shives has positive effect on thermo-insulating
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properties. From the point of view of thermo-insulating properties, the range between 70 and
80 kg·m-3 seems to be the optimal bulk density, see Figure 8. It is possible to see degradation
of thermal insulating properties by radiation and particularly by convection in area of low
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density. In the area of higher density is it possible to see degradation of thermal insulating
properties by conduction through fibers.

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Fig. 8 The dependence of the thermal conductivity on the bulk density

This assumption was confirmed by the measurement results of test-mixes no. 5 and 9.
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Nevertheless, higher value of bulk density of the material is connected with higher production
cost because of higher consumption of raw materials needed for production of a unit volume
of insulating material.
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Almost all test mixes based on the fibers from technical hemp showed very good values of
thermal conductivity, which are very close to the values of currently used insulating materials
(thermo-insulating properties are comparable for example to those of mineral wool, the
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production of which is considerably more energetically demanding compared to production

from natural materials). Finding inter-dependence between thickness of fibers and thermal
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conductivity showed that the influence of bulk density is much more important than the
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influence of fiber thickness. Dependence between thickness of fibers and thermo insulating
properties was determined only with test specimens with comparable bulk density – general
assumption, that increasing thickness of organic fibers from farm crop degrades thermo-
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insulating properties, was confirmed.

Measurement of acoustic properties classed all test specimens into category I (in
accordance with CSN 73 0532) based on the results of dynamic stiffness – all test specimens
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have very good properties and they are dynamically soft materials. Based on the
determination of classes of acoustic absorptivity (in accordance with EN ISO 11645), all
mixes were classed D with the exception of test sets 6 and 7, which were classed E (however,
these values depend on the thickness of insulation material). In given case, the values are only
preliminary, because acoustic properties change with thickness of material, as regards
acoustic absorption.
Evaluation of mechanical properties implies that test specimens from technical hemp had
very good results of the tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of the board. It was verified
that test specimens with higher bulk density showed the highest values of tensile strength
perpendicular to the plane of the board. Determined values of stress at 10% deformation show
considerable influence of bulk density. Test specimens with higher bulk density showed

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sufficient value of stress at 10% deformation. However, it is necessary to mention that this
property is an advantage only for certain types of insulation, based on their location in the
structure.
Then, it was experimentally confirmed that these natural materials are vapor diffusion
open. Based on experimental measurements, low values of diffusion resistance were
determined; mix No. 1 showed the lowest value. The measurements of short term water
absorbing capacity at partial submersion; higher value of water absorbing capacity of natural
materials was confirmed.

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2.4 Study of hydrothermal behavior of test specimens
It is generally known that conditions of environment (temperature, relative humidity)

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considerably influence final properties of building materials (in particular thermo-insulating
properties). That is why further aim of the research was assessment of level of influence of
surrounding environment on thermo-insulating properties of developed material, in particular

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influence of temperature and humidity on thermal conductivity coefficient at real or extreme
conditions, i.e. increased humidity, increased temperature of surrounding environment. In
given case, sorption characteristics were determined and dependence on thermal conductivity
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coefficient on temperature, humidity of material and relative humidity of air were studied.

2.4.1 Determination of dependence of thermal conductivity on temperature

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Thermal conductivity was determined by stationary method of plate in accordance with
CSN 72 7012-3, ISO 8301 and EN 12667 with the machine Lambda 2300, Holometrix
Micromet Inc., USA. Determination of thermal conductivity coefficient of test specimens
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with dimension 300 mm x 300 mm was carried out at medium temperatures 0 °C, +10 °C,
+20 °C, +30 °C, +40 °C and thermal gradient 10 K. Test results are given in Figure 9.
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Graphical diagram, Figure 9, shows that the test set no. 9 showed the lowest thermal
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sensitivity – the value of thermal conductivity increased by 15.13%. On the other hand, test
set No.1 showed the highest percental increase of thermal conductivity coefficient: 33.48%. It
can be stated that test sets with higher bulk density showed lower percental change of thermal
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conductivity (at 0°C and 40°C) compared to test sets with lower bulk density.
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Fig. 9 The dependence of the thermal conductivity on temperature

2.4.2 Determination of balanced sorptive humidity

d

Knowledge of sorptive properties is crucial for determination of humidity content in

material after it is built into the structure under given border conditions. Test specimens were
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subjected to determination of balanced sorptive humidity at the temperature of 23 ± 0.5 °C for

relative humidity 0, 30, 50, 55, 70 and 80 % in accordance with EN ISO 12571. The
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measurement procedure was adjusted with respect to the size of test specimens. Test
specimens were placed in climatic chamber with required relative humidity and temperature
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+23 °C. The test specimens were regularly weighed at given relative humidity until their
weight stabilized. Then relative humidity was changed and measurement carried on in the
same way as before. Measure values were used for sorptive isothermal curves, which are
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below in Figure 10.

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Fig. 10 Curve of stabilized balanced sorptive humidity of individual test specimens at the
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temperature of 23 °C.
The results imply that thermo-insulating materials from natural resources are sensitive to
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humidity of the structure they are built in. However, compared to other natural material
(wood, sheep wool …) the humidity sensitivity of insulation from technical hemp is lower [1,
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36]. The set of specimen no. 2 and 1 showed the highest sensitivity to humidity of
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environment (test set from flax and jute), on the other hand, test set no. 5 showed the lowest
sensitivity.
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2.4.3 Determination of dependence of thermal conductivity coefficient on humidity

content
To determine dependence of the values of thermal conductivity coefficient of individual
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test specimens on humidity, measurement were carried out on test specimens with various
humidity contents within the range of determined sorptive humidity values. Test specimens
were placed in climatic chamber with required relative humidity and temperature +23°C.
These specimens were regularly weighed at given relative humidity until their weight
stabilized. Humidity of test specimens was calculated from increment of weight of test
specimen and dried weight of test specimen. Then, the test specimen was subjected to
measurement of thermal conductivity coefficient (the procedure is described above).
Measurement results are stated in the diagram below (Figure 11).

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Fig. 11 The dependence of the thermal conductivity on the material moisture
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Based on determined curves of sorptive humidity and dependence of thermal conductivity
coefficient on humidity of test specimens, dependencies of thermal conductivity coefficient
on relative humidity of environment at the temperature of +23 °C were determined. Diagram
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in Figure 12 shows that test specimens show lower sensitivity in the area of low and medium
relative humidity. Sensitivity gradually grows in the area of higher relative humidity (RH >
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60 %). Sets of specimens no. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were most sensitive.

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Fig. 12 The dependence of the thermal conductivity on relative humidity
As above stated development curves of dependency of thermal conductivity and humidity
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imply, test sets 9, 8 and 6 seem to have the lowest humidity sensitivity – the values of thermal
conductivity at 80 % relative humidity were lower than 1.050 W·m-1. ·K-1. Changes of
thermal conductivity in environment with relative humidity 50 % expressed in per cent were
d

in the range <2.55; 5.25> %. As for relative humidity 80 %, changes of thermal conductivity
coefficient compared to the value in dried state were in the interval <14.71; 24.59> %.
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The testing proved that thermo-insulating materials on natural base are sensitive to
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humidity of the structure they are built in. It was also proved that content of humidity has
crucial influence on the value of thermal conductivity coefficient λ. However, in the area of
normal humidity of environment, in which the materials will be built in (with the exception of
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the ETICS systems); it means that the sensitivity of materials is lower in the range 30-60% of
relative humidity.
Experimentally measured values of thermal conductivity depending on humidity and
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temperature were approximated by exponential functions in accordance with EN ISO 14056;

converted reduction factors for humidity fu and temperature fT are below in Table 4.

Tab. 4 Overview of converted reduction factors fT a fu

M. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
fT
0.0083 0.0075 0.0077 0.0068 0.0062 0.0057 0.0038 0.0045 0.0031
[1/K]
fT⃰
0.0040 0.0040 0.0040 0.0040 0.0035 0.0040 0.0035 0.0035 0.0035
[1/K]
fu [-] 0.964 1.471 1.376 1.565 2.148 1.567 1.221 1.196 1.218
fu⃰ [-] 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0,5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Page 15 of 29
 fT⃰ a fu⃰ … according to EN ISO 10456

In general it can be stated that developed materials are sensitive on humidity and
temperature more than classic commonly used insulation materials (EPS, mineral wool).
Therefore it would be advantageous to treat input fibers with hydrophobing agent.

3. Selection of optimal mix-design

Various physical, acoustic and mechanical parameters are crucial for selection of optimal
mix-design of natural insulation material from the point of view of its use in building structure

t
ip
(floors, partition walls, roofs). Following criteria (key properties) were selected: 1. Bulk
density, 2. Thermal conductivity coefficient, 3. Diffusion resistance factor, 4. Stress at 10%
deformation, 5. Tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of the board, 6. Dynamic stiffness,

cr
7. Factor of sound absorption.
Evaluation was based on the method of multi-criteria comparison. To evaluate weight of

us
individual criteria fi [-] the method of quantitative paired comparison was selected. After
selection of individual criteria, requirement of their optimal value was set (requirement of
maximal or minimal value), see table 5. For determination of optimal values, application in
building structures was considered, in particular: an
• insulation of floors (mechanically loaded structures),
• partition walls and roofs (without mechanical loading). In this case the needs of
M
structures with plant facade in terms of the requirements put on thermal insulation
were taken into account in the selection of optimal option and in the actual assesment
of the criterias.
d

Tab. 5 Overview of evaluation criteria and requirements of optimal values

e

Optimum
No. Title of criterion Optimum (floors) Unit
pt

(partition, roofs)
1 Density MAX MIN kg·m-3
2 Thermal conductivity MIN MIN W·m-1·K-1
ce

3 Vapor resistance MIN MIN -

4 Stress at 10% deformation MAX MAX kPa
5 Tensile strength MAX MAX kPa
Ac

6 Dynamic stiffness MIN - MPa·m-1

Sound absorption
7 MAX MAX -
coefficient

Based on above mentioned criteria, decision matrix Aij was set, see Table 6.

Tab. 6 Decision matrix Aij for the process of optimization

Mixture/
Property 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

ρv
26.1 32.1 30.2 29.6 56.8 33.1 111.6 82.1 95.5
[kg· m-3]

Page 16 of 29
 λ
0.0482 0.0442 0.0500 0.0488 0.0419 0.0441 0.0482 0.0405 0.0399
[W· m-1· K-1]
µ
2.1 2.9 2.8 2.2 3.8 3.8 5.3 4.2 3.9
[-]
σ10 1.0 0.4 0.6 0.5 6.7 0.5 36.9 11.2 21.0
[kPa]
σmt 6.3 7.8 15.6 16.23 21.8 23.5 25.0 15.0 18.8
[kPa]
s´
3.1 3.6 3.0 3.1 4.0 7.2 20.8 7.4 8.5
[MPa· m-1]

t
αw

ip
0.40 0.40 0.45 0.40 0.55 0.25 0.15 0.35 0.40
[-]

cr
The decision matrix was transformed with following formulas [30]:
MAX (aij ) − aij
To determine minimal value: bij = (1)
MAX (aij ) − MIN (aij )

us
aij − MIN (aij )
To determine maximal value: bij = ( 2)
MAX (aij ) − MIN (aij )
an
3.1 Process of optimization for insulation materials for application in floor insulation
First, the decision matrix was transformed from the point of view of use for floor
insulation, where the requirements for mechanical properties are higher (stress at 10%
M
deformation), dynamic stiffness etc. Transformed matrix Bij is in Table 7.

Tab. 7 Transformed matrix Bij for use for floor insulation

d

M. 1 M. 2 M. 3 M. 4 M. 5 M. 6 M. 7 M. 8 M. 9
e

1 0.0000 0.0702 0.0480 0.0409 0.3591 0.0819 1.0000 0.6550 0.8117

Property/Criterion

pt

2 0.1782 0.5743 0.0000 0.1188 0.8020 0.5842 0.1782 0.9406 1.0000

3 1.0000 0.7500 0.7813 0.9688 0.4688 0.4688 0.0000 0.3438 0.4375
4 0.0164 0.0000 0.0055 0.0027 0.1726 0.0027 1.0000 0.2959 0.5644
ce

5 0.0000 0.0800 0.4965 0.5323 0.8267 0.9184 1.0000 0.4667 0.6693

6 0.9944 0.9663 1.0000 0.9944 0.9438 0.7640 0.0000 0.7528 0.6910
7 0.6250 0.6250 0.7500 0.6250 1.0000 0.2500 0.0000 0.5000 0.6250
Ac

Next step was calculation of criteria with the method of quantitative paired comparison
with the scale 1 to 10, for mutual comparison of criteria preference. Criteria arranged in a
column are criteria i, criteria in rows are criteria j. Comments to numerical determination are
below in table 8.

Tab. 8 Comments to comparison of given criteria

Number Comparison of criteria
1 Equivalent criteria
3 i slightly preferred to j
5 i strongly preferred to j

Page 17 of 29
 7 i very strongly preferred to j
9 i absolutely preferred to j
2, 4, 6, 8 Intermediate steps

The method of quantitative paired comparison was used for calculation of weight of
individual criteria. For calculation, Saaty's matrix was used - see Table 9, where the weight of
i criteria fi [-] is determined from the values of point evaluation of individual criteria sij [-]
according to following formulas [33]:

t
ip
Rij
fi =
Rij = (s ij )
n
S ij = ∏ s ij n n
(3)
j =1 ∑R ij

cr
i =1

us
Tab. 9 Saaty’s matrix for the floor insulation
i/j 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Si Ri fi
1 1.00 0.33 3.00 0.20 3.00 0.14 3.00 0.2571 0.8236 0.0766
2
3
3.00
0.33
1.00
0.33
3.00
1.00
0.20
0.14
4.00
2.00
0.33
0.14
an
5.00 12.0000
2.00 0.0091
1.4262
0.5108
0.1327
0.0475
4 5.00 5.00 7.00 1.00 7.00 1.00 7.00 8575.0000 3.6466 0.3393
M
5 0.33 0.25 0.50 0.14 1.00 0.14 2.00 0.0017 0.4021 0.0374
6 7.00 3.00 7.00 1.00 7.00 1.00 8.00 8232.0000 3.6254 0.3373
7 0.33 0.20 0.50 0.14 0.50 0.13 1,00 0.0003 0.3135 0.0292
Σ 10.7483 1
e d

Above mentioned table implies that the highest weight was selected for the value of stress
at 10% deformation and dynamic stiffness. On the other hand, the lowest weight was
pt

attributed to sound absorption, tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of the board and
diffusion resistance.
Following procedure determines computational matrix Cij, see tab. 10, which result from
ce

the product of transformed matrix Bij with given weight of individual criteria fi.

Tab. 10 Computational matrix Cij for floor insulation

Ac

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 0.0000 0.0054 0.0037 0.0031 0.0275 0.0063 0.0766 0.0502 0.0622
2 0.0236 0.0762 0.0000 0.0158 0.1064 0.0775 0.0236 0.1248 0.1327
3 0.0475 0.0356 0.0371 0.0460 0.0223 0.0223 0.0000 0.0163 0.0208
Property/Criterion

4 0.0056 0.0000 0.0019 0.0009 0.0586 0.0009 0.3393 0.1004 0.1915

5 0.0000 0.0030 0.0186 0.0199 0.0309 0.0344 0.0374 0.0175 0.0250
6 0.3354 0.3259 0.3373 0.3354 0.3184 0.2577 0.0000 0.2539 0.2331
7 0.0182 0.0182 0.0219 0.0182 0.0292 0.0073 0.0000 0.0146 0.0182
Σ 0.4304 0.4644 0.4204 0.4394 0.5932 0.4064 0.4770 0.5777 0.6835
% 43.04 46.44 42.04 43.94 59.32 40.64 47.70 57.77 68.35

Page 18 of 29
 Based on computational matrix Cij, the test set 9 was evaluated as the optimal one – 49%
of hemp fibers, 41% of shives and 10% of binding bi-component fibers. This test mix was
selected because of its good mechanical properties (stress at 10% deformation), low value of
dynamic stiffness and low coefficient of thermal conductivity. Values of volume weight were
in required interval for given application of insulation material.

3.2 Process of optimization for insulation materials for insulation of partition walls
and roofs
The same optimization procedure was carried out for insulation used in partition walls and

t
roofs. First, from decision matrix Aij, the transformed matrix Bij was determined, see Table 11.

ip
cr
Tab. 11 Transformed matrix Bij for insulation of partition walls and roofs
M. 1 M. 2 M. 3 M. 4 M. 5 M. 6 M. 7 M. 8 M. 9
Property/Criterion

us
1 1.0000 0.9298 0.9520 0.9591 0.6409 0.9181 0.0000 0.3450 0.1883
2 0.1782 0.5743 0.0000 0.1188 0.8020 0.5842 0.1782 0.9406 1.0000
3 1.0000 0.7500 0.7813 0.9688 0.4688 0.4688 0.0000 0.3438 0.4375
4 0.0164 0.0000
5 0.0000 0.0800
0.0055
0.4965
0.0027
0.5323
an
0.1726
0.8267
0.0027
0.9184
1.0000
1.0000
0.2959
0.4667
0.5644
0.6693
7 0.6250 0.6250 0.7500 0.6250 1.0000 0.2500 0.0000 0.5000 0.6250
M
Then, Saaty’s matrix, Table 12, was evaluated for insulation applicable in partition walls
and roofs. From this matrix, weights fij of individual criteria were determined.
d

Tab. 12 Saaty’s matrix for insulation of partition walls and roofs

e

i/j 1 2 3 4 5 7 Si Ri fi
pt

1 1.00 0.25 0.33 1.00 2.00 0.33 0.0556 0.6617 0.0913

2 4.00 1.00 6.00 3.00 5.00 2.00 720.0000 2.5597 0.3530
3 3.00 0.17 1.00 0.33 0.50 0.17 0.0139 0.5428 0.0749
ce

4 1.00 0.33 3.00 1.00 2.00 0.33 0.6667 0.9437 0,1302

5 0.50 0.20 2.00 0.50 1.00 0.25 0.0250 0.5904 0.0814
7 3.00 0.50 6.00 3.00 4.00 1.00 108.0000 1.9520 0.2692
Ac

Σ 7.2504104 1

Above mentioned table implies that the highest weight was selected for the values of
thermal conductivity coefficient and factor of sound absorption. On the other hand, the lowest
weight was attributed to diffusion resistance and tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of
the board.
Consequently, computational matrix Cij, was determined, see Tab. 13.

Tab. 13 Computational matrix Cij for insulation of partition walls and roofs
Prop
erty/

M.1 M. 2 M.3 M. 4 M. 5 M. 6 M. 7 M. 8 M. 9
1 0.0913 0.0849 0.0869 0.0875 0.0585 0.0838 0.0000 0.0315 0.0172

Page 19 of 29
 2 0.0629 0.2027 0.0000 0.0419 0.2831 0.2062 0.0629 0.3321 0.3530
3 0.0749 0.0562 0.0585 0.0725 0.0351 0.0351 0.0000 0.0257 0.0328
4 0.0021 0.0000 0.0007 0.0004 0.0225 0.0004 0.1302 0.0385 0.0735
5 0.0000 0.0065 0.0404 0.0433 0.0673 0.0748 0.0814 0.0380 0.0545
7 0.1683 0.1683 0.2019 0.1683 0.2692 0.0673 0.0000 0.1346 0.1683
Σ 0.3995 0.5185 0.3885 0.4140 0.7357 0.4676 0.2745 0.6004 0.6992
% 39.95 51.85 38.85 41.40 73.57 46.76 27.45 60.04 69.92

Based on optimization of insulation material applicable as insulation of roofs and partition

t
walls, the test set 5 was evaluated as the optimal one, because it showed good thermo-

ip
insulating, mechanical and acoustic properties based on laboratory measurements. This set
consisted of 48% of hemp fibers, 32% of shives and 20% of bi-component fibers.

cr
4. Simulation of hydrothermal behavior of developed natural insulation in structures
with plant facade

us
Data from laboratory study of properties, which are crucial for selected group of natural
insulation materials, including evaluated sorptive curves, were used as a basis for
computational simulations of their hydrothermal behavior in real structure. Computational
an
software WUFI® 2D was used for the simulation. Hydrothermal behavior of natural fiber
based insulation material was simulated on a construction detail of an exterior wall of a timber
frame house with green façade; it means a building with maximal utilization of natural
material resources.
M
Boundary conditions and climatic data were taken from the database of the WUFI® 2D
software for the area of Vienna (Austria) with respect to the green façade construction. As
regards interior of the house, standard using and uninterrupted heating during heating season
were considered.
e d

4.1 Computational simulation of real behavior of insulating material based on

technical hemp
pt

Test mix-design no. 5 was selected for simulation of hydrothermal behavior in a light
weight exterior wall of a timber frame house; composition of the mix-design was 48% by
weight of technical hemp, 32% by weight of shives – waste created during processing of
ce

hemp stems, and 20% by weight of binding bi-component fibers. First, composition of
external wall of the timber frame house was designed with natural insulation material and
green façade; see the detail in the Figure 13 below and table 14. Because plant facades have
Ac

positive effect on the protection of building structures from weather effects, these factors were
taken into account for sunshine, wind and rain in computational simulation by setting
appropriate coefficients. (Short–Wave Radiation Absorptivity 0.4; Long–Wave Radiation
Emissivity 0.8; Rain Water Absorption Factor 0.9; Driving Rain Coefficients: R1 = 1 and R2 =
0.5 m.s-1; Heat transfer Coefficient – Interior 8 W·m-2·K-1; Heat transfer Coefficient –
Exterior 17 W·m-2·K-1). [34, 35] A typical detail of the building structure without bearing and
reinforcing elements was selected for the calculation.

Page 20 of 29
 t
ip
cr
us
Fig. 13 Detail of an external wall of a timber frame house from interior side (1) exterior side
an
(9); (1- oak bio-board; 2- OSB Eurostandard; 3- vapor seal Jutafol Al; 4- hemp insulation;
5- OSB Eurostandard; 6- foil Dorken Delta facade S; 7- air gap; 8- damp-proof membrane,
9- wooden plate grid; green layer - plants)
M
Individual layers of material of the external wall were designed with given thicknesses, see
Table 14.

Tab. 14 Composition of the detail from interior side

d

Marking Material Thickness [mm]

e

1 Oak bio-board 20
2 OSB Eurostandard 12
pt

3 Vapor seal Jutafol Al 0.3

4 Hemp insulation 160
5 OSB Eurostandard 12
ce

6 Foil Dorken Delta fasade S (hydroizolace) 1

7 Air gap 200
8 Damp-proof membrane 1
Ac

9 Wood plate gird 20

Table 15 below gives basic characteristics of individual material layers of the construction
of the external wall of the timber frame house.

Tab. 15 Properties of the individual layers

Thermal conductivity, Porosity
Density Vapor resistance
Marking design value
[kg·m-3] [-]
[W·m-1·K-1] [%]
1 685 0.180 140 72
2 595 0.130 50 90
3 170 0.390 938600 0.1

Page 21 of 29
 4 57 0.051 3.8 95
5 595 0.130 50 90
6 130 0.170 1000 0.1
7 1.3* 0.026 0.07 0.99
8 130 0.170 1000 0.1
9 685 0.180 67 72
* at the temperature of 10 °C
Individual properties were taken from design values of properties of construction materials
in CSN 73 0540-3 and from the material database of the software WUFI, which is based on

t
material data sheet of manufacturers.

ip
Then, input and climatic conditions for simulation of hydrothermal behavior of the
construction detail were entered in the software WUFI. Hydrothermal behavior was calculated

cr
for the area of Vienna (Austria). Hydrothermal calculation of behavior of the construction
detail took into account effect of wind and rain precipitation. Calculation from the interior
side was carried out in accordance with EN 13788, where the second humidity class was

us
designed.
Simulation of hydrothermal behavior was calculated for the newly developed hemp
insulation as well as for classic and widely used filamentary insulation – mineral wool in the
structure with plant facade. Hydrothermal behavior was studied in longer time period: from 1.
an
1. 2008 to 26. 5. 2014, so that periodicity of hydrothermal behavior of the construction detail
could be determined. Evaluation of humidity content of the hemp fiber based insulation
expressed in % by volume during the observed period, i.e. from 1. 1. 2008 to 26. 5. 2014, is
M
given in Fig. 14. Periodical behavior can be observed: value of humidity gradually decreases
and stabilizes at the average value 4.65% by weight. For comparison, simulation of
hydrothermal behavior of the most frequently used filamentary insulation – mineral wool -
was also calculated (ρ = 60 kg·m-3, λ = 0.040 W·m-1·K-1, µ = 1.3, P = 95 %). Here, periodical
d

behavior can be observed, too: average value of humidity content of mineral wool after
stabilization was 1.05 % by weight, see Fig. 15. Smaller fluctuations of humidity content are
e

observed compared to the values of hemp insulation.

Simulation of hydrothermal behavior of hemp insulation and mineral wool was calculated
pt

also for identical structure without plant facade. The purpose was determination of influence
of plant facade on hydrothermal behavior of insulation materials in the structure. General
assumption was that insulation materials should be less loaded compared to the structure
ce

without any protection to weather. Evaluation of humidity content of the hemp fiber based
insulation expressed in % by volume during the observed period, i.e. from 1. 1. 2008 to 26. 5.
2014, is given in Fig. 16. Periodical behavior can be observed: value of humidity gradually
Ac

decreases and stabilizes at the average value 4.6% by weight, however, with greater
fluctuation of humidity. Periodical behavior can be observed on mineral wool, too: average
value of humidity content of mineral wool after stabilization was 1.0 % by weight, see Fig.
17.

Page 22 of 29
 t
ip
cr
us
Fig. 14 Changes of humidity content in the Fig. 15 Changes of humidity content in
hemp insulation – plant facade [% by weight ] an
mineral wool – plant facade [% by weight ]
M
e d
pt
ce
Ac

Fig. 16 Changes of humidity content in the Fig. 17 Changes of humidity content in

hemp insulation[% by weight ] mineral wool[% by weight ]

Based on the simulations of hydrothermal behavior in real building structure with both
classis materials (mineral wool) and newly developed natural insulation materials from hemp
fibers, it can be stated that insulation material made from technical hemp shows greater
fluctuation of humidity content compared to mineral wool. However, the development of
humidity content in time shows periodicity and average humidity of material is relatively low
and out of the area of marked degradation of thermo-insulting properties (see Fig. 11).
Graphical demonstration of development of humidity in time shows that the lowest humidity

Page 23 of 29
content was determined at the end of winter time, which is caused by decrease of partial
pressure of water vapor caused by low temperature at this time of the year, on condition, that
no humidity condenses in the structure and diffusion flow is reduced. The diagram also shows
that humidity content does not grow. Moreover, average value of humidity contend stabilizes
after 3 or 4 years. If mineral wool is used in the structure, humidity content is stabilized
earlier, approximately after 2 years from building the structure.
The reason of faster stabilization of humidity content is the fact that considered value of
diffusion resistance of mineral wool was lower (µ = 1.3) compared to the coefficient of
diffusion resistance of newly developed insulation from hemp fibers (µ = 3.8). However,
stabilized values of humidity expressed in % by weight do not reduce thermo-insulting

t
properties of the construction detail at all. After comparison of influence of green façade on

ip
hydrothermal behavior of applied insulation materials it can be stated that external structure
with green facade shows lower hydrothermal fluctuation. Hence, green façade has positive

cr
impact on thermal and humidity condition of the building structure and reduces its load.
Possible degradation of material in the structure was assessed, see Figure 18 below. Base
on evaluation of this property with the computational simulation software WUFI® 2D it can

us
be stated that no degradation of the developed insulation will occur in the structure with the
result of degradation of insulation properties of the insulation material and consequently the
optimal function of the building structure.
an
M
e d
pt
ce
Ac

Fig. 18 Verification of material degradation [Average relative humidity over average

temperature in the selected grid elements. The lim curves indicate the minimum conditions for
mould growth on interior surfaces of building components (Lim 1: biodegradable materials,
Lim 2: non biodegradable materials). At the exterior surface frost, solar radiation and rain
influnce lead to inferior conditions for mould compared to the interior surface - here the
model is not validated]

Page 24 of 29
5. Conclusion
As a part of research works carried out in cooperation between Brno University of
Technology and Vienna University of Technology, environmentally friendly insulation
materials for application in building industry were developed and studied; in particular
materials intended for building structures with plant facades and roofs. In given case, the
works concerned the technology of energy saving and environmentally friendly building
structures with high potential in the area of civil engineering.
The aim was finding easily renewable natural raw material resources or secondary raw

t
materials from industrial wastes applicable for manufacture of insulation materials, which

ip
would be more favorable from the points of view of energy saving, ecology and economy
compared to manufacture of currently used insulation materials (mineral wool, EPS and

cr
PUR). The aim of the development was finding materials with good physical, mechanical,
acoustic and thermo-insulating properties, which would become a suitable alternative to
currently used insulation materials. These materials would then be applicable for insulation of

us
modern building structures, like Green Building Construction, Passive Houses, Low-energy
Houses.
Study of hydrothermal behavior of newly developed materials from natural fibers was an
important part of the research work. an
Three types of fibers were selected for initial research of the properties: fibers from jute,
flax and technical hemp. Fibers from technical hemp and cultivated flax were selected as the
M
most suitable material resources for development of insulation materials and possible use in
the Czech Republic. The reason was their availability, cost and thermo-insulting properties of
fibers.
d

As regards experiments determining physical characteristics of developed test sets of

insulation materials from jute, flax and technical hemp, several mixes with a wide range of
e

volume weights were prepared. This enables wider field of application in building structures,
pt

like insulation of inclined roofs, light-weight external walls, floors, partition walls or even
facades. As regards thermally technical properties, it was found that optimal bulk density is in
the range from 70 to 80 kg·m-3. From the point of view of achieved values of thermal
ce

conductivity coefficient measured at laboratory conditions, mix-design no. 9 was selected as

the optimal one; it was composed from 49 % of fibers from technical hemp, 10 % of bi-
component fibers and 41 % of shives. This material is fully comparable with thermal
Ac

insulation available on the market and also exhibit properties comparable with other
insulations based on natural fibers, both commonly produced and experimentally developed
[1, 15, 17, 24].
Research of acoustic properties revealed that dynamic stiffness of developed materials
makes them applicable for structures of floating floors (both light and heavy, depending on
the volume weight of the insulation material). All mix designs were classed into category I of
underlay in accordance with CSN 73 0532. By evaluation of weighed coefficient of sound
absorption, the insulation materials were classed D and E.
Evaluation of mechanical properties found that technical hemp has positive influence on
the value of strength perpendicular to the plane of the board, compared to test results of flax
and jute. Values of stress at 10% deformation are crucial in particular for the selected

Page 25 of 29
materials with higher requirements of compressive strength. This was also confirmed during
measurement of stress at 10% deformation. Because volume weight of mix-designed varied,
their values cannot be compared to one another, however, as mentioned above, this property is
important only for given applications of the insulation material in the building structure.
Evaluation of humidity and hydrothermal behavior of developed materials showed, that
they are open to diffusion, with low diffusion resistance. Test set no. 1 made from flax had the
lowest value, µ = 2.1. Test set 7 with the highest bulk density showed the highest value of
diffusion resistance, µ = 5.3, as expected.

t
It is generally known that thermal insulation properties of natural fibrous materials are

ip
sensitive to temperature and humidity, while increased humidity and temperature degrade
their thermo insulating properties. Therefore, behavior of developed insulation materials was

cr
studied at higher humidity and temperature. Experimental measurements found that insulation
materials made from technical hemp are less sensitive to humidity than other natural materials
(wood, sheep wool...) The lowest sensitivity to humidity was determined on test sets no. 1, 8,

us
9 and 7. If the developed materials are exposed to environment with relative humidity up to
60 %, no marked changes of thermo insulating properties are observed. Based on evaluation
of dependence of thermal conductivity on humidity of the material it can be stated, that no
an
considerable changes of thermal conductivity take place up to 6 % of humidity of the
material. Thermal sensitivity of test sets was examined; mix-design from jute fibers showed
the highest thermal sensitivity, test set no. 9 showed the lowest thermal sensitivity.
M
To conclude, it can be stated that if a building structure is designed appropriately, these
materials can be used in external cladding with green facades, which have positive influence
on hydrothermal conditions inside the building structure, reduce humidity load of the
d

insulation material and extend its lifetime in the structure. They also improve thermo
insulating properties of insulation material in critical periods, which enhances thermo
e

insulating properties of the building structure as a whole. These facts were proved on the basis
pt

of measurements and computational simulations. Test mix-designs no. 5 and 9 with technical
hemp seem to be the optimal ones from above mentioned viewpoints.
Based on evaluation of computational simulation of hygrothermal behaviour of mixture 5
ce

(48 % hemp fibers, 32 % shives, 20 % bicomponent fibers) in a lightweight exterior wall of a

timber frame house can be stated that progress of humidity in insulation (in structure) is
periodical and after 3−4 years average value of humidity content was stabilized. In the case
Ac

with plant facade can be observe lower humidity content in hemp insulation. Based on
verification of material degradation can be stated that no degradation of the developed
material (hemp insulation, mixture 5) will occur in the structure with the result of degradation
of insulation properties of the insulation material and consequently the optimal function of the
building structure.
As for ecological aspect, the materials have a great potential because of their low values of
PEI (primary energy input) of input fibers compared to classic fibers (for example glass
fibers). Based on the computational simulations it can be stated that these materials are a
suitable alternative to currently used materials. From the economical point of view price
determination of insulations was made. It was concluded that the price of insulations with
lower bulk density are fully comparable with the prices of commonly insulations on the

Page 26 of 29
market. Specimens no 5 of selected insulation which is useful for structures with plant facades
is more expensive compared with EPS, however fully comparable with the price of mineral
wool with the same bulk density [37]. For this reason it can be said that this material is
practically advantageous also economically.
Consequent research will focus on the questions of inflammability and water absorbing
capacity of natural insulation materials.

Acknowledgements

t
This paper was elaborated with the financial support of the projects GA 13-21791S “Study

ip
of heat and moisture transfer in the structure of insulating materials based on natural fibres”
and project No. LO1408 "AdMaS UP - Advanced Materials, Structures and Technologies",
supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports under the „National Sustainability

cr
Programme I".

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References
[1] Chybík, J. Natural Building Materials. 1. Issue. Prague: Grada Publishing, a.s., 2009.
272 p. ISBN978-80-247-2532-1. an
[2] Rostislav Drochytka, Jiří Zach, Azra Korjenic, Jitka Hroudová. Improving the energy
efficiency in buildings while reducing the waste using autoclaved aerated concrete made
from power industry waste. Energy and Buildings, Volume 58, 2013, P 319-323.
M
[3] Wong N. H.; Cheong D. K. W.; Yan H.; Soh J.; Ong C. L.; Sia A. The effects of roof top
garden on energy consumption of a commercial building in Singapore. Energy and
Buildings 35 (2003) p. 353−364.
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