Sustainable High-Performance Transitory Structures using Biobased Materials

Start year: 2025

Summary: Construction and operations in the built environment produce vast quantities of greenhouse gasses, the sum of which is one of the greatest barriers to a net zero economy. Transitory structures, especially those that are not reused at end-of-life, present a special challenge. Biobased materials such as hempcrete are one of the few potential solutions for this as they have low embodied carbon, and reduce building energy use, along with leaving a partially biodegradable, non-hazardous waste stream, and have the great advantage that with basic expertise, they can be quickly, simply and cheaply produced on site with local materials. Additional advantages come from hempcrete’s excellent thermal insulation, sound absorption properties and its ability to regulate indoor humidity. Whilst hempcretes have found some use in domestic and residential buildings, they have not previously been considered for transitory structures, and have potential to make a large contribution to the cost efficiency and carbon balance of these critical structures. However, one problem remains in current hempcrete technology: the binder. Lime-based binders are currently used and are responsible for most of its embodied carbon, as the manufacture of lime is carbon and energy intensive, involving the thermal decarbonization of limestone at high temperature. The proposed project aims to address both of these pressing concerns: to develop a novel zero or carbon positive hempcrete technology by developing suitable bio-based binders using bagasse ash and waste wood biochar, and to test its worthiness for transitory structures by testing its strength and acoustic properties. In addition, if organic biochar can be used as a binder, the material will have the innate capacity to remove many hazardous air pollutants; giving it major advantages in applications associated with motor transport, a common feature of transitory structures. Air pollution removal will also be tested in this project.

Keywords: USD $148,800.00

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.