The construction sector all over the world is one of the great consumers of land and natural resources, which ultimately contribute to pollution globally. The conventional and traditional construction materials like fire clay bricks (7000 BC) and Ordinary Portland cement concrete are energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental. Nowadays, bio-based or agro-based construction materials have been introduced as comparable alternatives due to their renewable properties, lower embodied energy, and improved thermal efficiency. Hempcrete is basically a bio-composite material consisting of hemp shiv, mineral binders, and water; it is a sustainable and thermally efficient building construction material that is used in farm structures, poultry sheds, farm workshops and other agriculture-based buildings where low temperatures are required in summer. The main objective and theme of the proposed research is the development and evaluation of a thermally efficient sustainable hempcrete structure utilizing hemp, which is a wild herb or weed naturally occurring in Pakistan, especially in mid-Punjab areas, where there is moderate temperature and locally available agro-residues like rice crop residue, wheat residue, sugarcane residue, rice husk and waste fodder. The research will focus on optimizing material composition, evaluating thermal, physical, and mechanical properties, and assessing the environmental benefits of hempcrete for its practical application in Pakistan’s climatic conditions. Experimental and practical investigations of the research will be carried out to determine thermal conductivity, density, compressive strength, water absorption, and hygrothermal performance. The results are expected to demonstrate that hempcrete and agro-residues would offer exceptional thermal insulation and enhanced sustainability as compared to conventional masonry materials like clay bricks, etc. This research aims to contribute to sustainable construction practices and promote the utilization of agricultural waste in eco-friendly building systems to utilize the waste residues and hemp, resulting in decreased carbon footprints in the environment and reducing the contribution of the agriculture sector to indirect smog formation caused by stubble burning of different crop residues.
Previous Article in event
Previous Article in session
Next Article in event
Next Article in session
CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT SUSTAINABLE HEMPCRETE STRUCTURE UTILIZING AGRO-RESIDUES
Published:
07 May 2026
by MDPI
in The 3rd International Online Conference on Energies
session Energy and Environment. Sustainable Transition
Abstract:
Keywords: Hempcrete, Bio-composite materials, Sustainable construction, Thermal efficiency, Agricultural residues, Carbon footprint
