Hempcrete

Compared to Marijuana:
Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana, another
cannabis plant. The major difference is their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, the
ingredient that produces the high when smoked. Marijuana can contain as much as 20%
THC, compared to less than 1% for industrial hemp.
How is the material made?
Hempcrete or Hemplime is bio-composite material, generally made from Hemp Hurd +

Lime (or binder) + Water.
there are many different mix ratios and combinations for hempcrete, depending on who
is mixing it and where it is being used.
Usually companies add earth minerals that react chemically with calcium hydroxide in
the presence of water to form compounds with cementitious properties to the lime
binder, these minerals called “pozzolans”. These pozzolans adds an ability of making the
lime harder or dry faster.
How do you construct with it?
In general, there are 4 different ways being used for hempcrete construction.
1. Moulding (monolithic or casting in situ) “most popular”:
One of the most common methods for building hempcrete walls is a standard slip-form,
which is similar to building concrete walls.
First, the structural framing is constructed for the building with all conduits and pipes
for electrical, plumbing and other building mechanicals installed in the walls.
Then, wooden or plastic forms attached directly to, or spaced off, the structural framing
to define the outer and inner face of the wall surface. One side of the wall can be
formed completely from floor to ceiling, while the other side will be built up in sections
as hempcrete is poured into the voids between the formwork.
Once the forms are in place, the hempcrete is mixed on-site and either poured or hand-
placed in the forms to surround all the framing and mechanical fittings in the wall. It is
important to try and fill all the voids in the wall, but if anything is missed, it can easily be
patched up after the forms are removed. Also, there is an effort to tamp down the
hempcrete at the surfaces of the wall for better surface integrity, yet, leave the interior
hempcrete as loose as possible for better insulating value.
The hempcrete will require some time to set up (roughly 24 hours) before the forms can
be removed and placed higher on the wall for the next part of the pour. The hempcrete
in general will need at least a month to cure and dry out to attain most of its strength,
and then possibly more time (up to 3 months depending on exterior conditions) to dry
completely.
2. Hempcrete Bricks and Blocks
Hempcrete bricks and blocks are non-structural and mainly used as wall insulation for
residention constructions in particular for adding a second wall to existing walls on the
inside or from the outside, as well as industrial partitioning and for apartments.
 allows achieving low-energy and passive house standards.

 They are technically recognized and has all necessary certifications as per the
current European regulations.
Major hempcrete block features:
1. Thermal regulation
 cold in winter, keeping the heat inside the house

 hot in summer, avoiding overheating of the living space.
2. Humidity regulation
 Renovation and insulation of old buildings, old brick or damp
walls.
 Interior renovation to insulate walls that wooden floor boards
rest on; to prevent any condensation issues in the transition
areas between materials to guarantee the excellent
conservation of the building.
 Humidity regulation in commercial projects where variations in
humidity are critical: archive rooms, museums, sports halls,
swimming pools.
3. Acoustic Insulation
 In terms of sound insulation, hempcrete blocks acts as a

real sound barrier and can lessen the majority of acoustic
waves, thus protecting you from noise pollution. Therefore,
external and ambient noise will be significantly reduced.
4. Protection and fire resistance
 hempcrete blocks meet all current standards and provide a

simple and effective solution to your construction site.
 it offers up to more than 2h fire resistance depending on
the finish and the width of the block used.
5. Health and environmental qualities
 hempcrete block meets the strictest requirements of

sustainable development: it is manufactured using a very
energy-efficient process, using 100% natural materials
(limestone and hemp) that are sourced locally. Building or
renovating your home with hempcrete blocks can
sustainably save more than 2 tons of CO2. That's one way
of improving your carbon footprint
Once the framing for the building is done, then the bricks are either stacked and
mortared together inside the framing or abutting the framing to form the actual wall
assembly. This method saves on the drying time that is needed for the slip-poured
hempcrete wall, but it is less monolithic and cohesive than a wall that is poured all at
once to fill all cracks and crevices.
There is currently only one structural hempcrete block in the world and it is being
developed in Canada. Just BioFiber is based in Calgary and has patented an insulated
hempcrete block that very much similar to Lego blocks.
These blocks have the structural elements integrated into the matrix of the hempcrete
and the entire block is dried at the production facility. Once the blocks arrive on site,
they are constructed similar to standard concrete masonry units with mortar to achieve
a completely strong and solid wall system. The engineering that has gone into the design
of this block is quite substantial, and it is reported that the walls could go as high as 800
feet, which makes them a very exciting new prospect. With this block wall system, the
wall is essentially complete once built, saving huge amounts of time and labor. It is a
completely well-insulated at 11" thick.
3. Complete Structural Wall Panels
The complete structurally insulated panel are created in factories. These SIPs are
essentially custom wall sections that are built with the hempcrete and structure
combined and shipped to site complete.
Each panel is then assembled on site according to design drawings to quickly form a
finished building envelope, above a pre-built foundation.
4. Spraying Hempcrete
Substantial amounts of hempcrete are mixed in a cement mixer and then an industrial
sprayer is used to build out a hempcrete wall from interior formwork.
In terms of advantages, this method is much faster and have a better insulating value
than handpicked hempcrete.
For disadvantages terms, the equipment is quite expensive and takes far more know-
how.

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Compared to Marijuana:

How is the material made?

Hempcrete or Hemplime is bio-composite material, generally made from Hemp Hurd +

How do you construct with it?

1. Moulding (monolithic or casting in situ) “most popular”:

2. Hempcrete Bricks and Blocks

 allows achieving low-energy and passive house standards.

Major hempcrete block features:

 cold in winter, keeping the heat inside the house

 In terms of sound insulation, hempcrete blocks acts as a

4. Protection and fire resistance

 hempcrete blocks meet all current standards and provide a

5. Health and environmental qualities

 hempcrete block meets the strictest requirements of

3. Complete Structural Wall Panels

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