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This article deals with the influence of both morphology and amount of Typha on hygrothermal behavior of a Typha-clay composite for building application. An agromaterial containing the fiber mix of Typha Australis and clay was made in three samples: three fiber mixtures were prepared with different amounts Typha and cut type (transversal or longitudinal). The physical properties of these materials were studied in terms of porosity, apparent and absolute density, thermal conductivity, and hygric properties. Results show a real impact of the Typha fraction type and its volume content on hygrothermal properties of the studied material due to the porosity. The transversal fraction of Typha (80% in volume weight) seems to be the optimal composition for a better hygrothermal behavior.

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This article describes the results of a research project carried out at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. The aim of this article is to develop a new insulating material produced by bonding hemp shives with wheat starch as a binder and to characterize its physical properties such as sorption isotherm, water vapour permeability, thermal conductivity, heat capacity and porosity. The equations of coupled heat and moisture transfer within the panels are introduced. These governing equations are applied on the room level in order to assess the hygrothermal behaviour of the panels and its impact on energy consumption and indoor comfort. Simulations are performed for Nancy (France) winter conditions with the simulation environment Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel (SPARK) suited for complex problems.

This article deals with the elaboration and the characterization of an innovative 100% plant-based green composite made solely of beet pulp (BP) and potato starch (S). Using this type of material in insulation applications seems a good solution to reduce the CO2 gas emissions in building. The influence of the starch amount on composite characteristics was studied. Four mixtures were considered with different S/BP mass ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4). The physical properties of these materials were studied in terms of porosity, apparent and absolute densities, thermal conductivity, and hygric properties. The influence of humidity content on acoustical properties was studied as a function of frequency. Test results show a real impact of both starch and humidity contents on the hygrothermal and acoustical properties of the studied material due to the porosity. The composite with the lowest amount of starch (S/BP = 0.1) seems to be the optimal composition in terms of the hygrothermal and acoustical behaviors.

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