The purpose of this research was to discover in what ways we could use hemp to benefit our society and the environment, as well as to gather more information on the latest invention “hempcrete” in construction industry. It has numerous beneficial aspects that other building materials do not possess. Another topic, which has to be discussed when doing research on anything hemp-related, is the prohibition of all sorts of cannabis since the early 1900s after a whole decamillennial of civilizations using hemp in innumerable ways in their everyday lives.
The writer of the following thesis gathered information on the detailed history of hemp, as well as the prohibition of the plant that began in the United States and is still active in some parts of the world today. Furthermore, she analyzed the possibilities of the once highly acknowledged plant being brought back into society, while mainly focusing on hemp as a building material.
On the one hand, this research paper is based on literature, and on the other hand, it contains a conducted interview with the organizer of the "WORLD HEMP CONGRESS", WORLD HEMP CONGRESS CEO., German architect and founder of the company “Cannabric” also provided the writer of this thesis with essential information on green building, using hemp. Cannabric is a company that is engaged in projects of ecological and bioclimatic architecture, restoration of historic buildings, and rehabilitation of traditional cave dwellings.
Table of Contents
1. General information about Hemp and Cannabis
1.1 Definition
1.2 The Plant
2. History of the Plant
2.1 China
2.2 India and the Middle East
2.3 Africa
2.4 Europe
2.4.1 Napoleon
2.5 America and the Beginning of the Prohibition
2.5.1 George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
2.5.2 Henry Ford and the notorious Hemp car
3. Hemp as a Building Material
3.1 Industrial Hemp
3.2 Hempcrete
3.2.1 An introduction to lime
3.2.2 Hempcrete varieties
3.2.3 Examples of hempcrete homes
3.3 Performance of Hempcrete in a Building
3.3.1 Indoor Air Quality and Sick Building Syndrome
4. Legal and Political Issues
5. The Future of Hempcrete
Research Objectives and Core Topics
This thesis examines the historical significance, versatile applications, and current legal landscape of the hemp plant, with a primary focus on its potential as a sustainable building material known as "hempcrete." The central research question explores how hemp can benefit society and the environment, and whether hempcrete can be established as a viable, ecological alternative to conventional building materials in the future.
- Historical evolution of hemp usage across global civilizations.
- The properties and production processes of hempcrete.
- Environmental impact and benefits, including CO2 sequestration.
- Legal and political challenges hindering widespread adoption.
- Future prospects and strategies for normalizing hemp as a mainstream construction material.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Performance of Hempcrete in a Building
The performance of hempcrete is a growing subject of research around the globe. Nonetheless, hempcrete is still relatively new, and more research has to be done for a better understanding of how it behaves, and which factors may influence its performance. Buildings made from this matter generally have 1-2 floors, in some cases up to three. The material has environmental and health benefits, as well as beneficial thermal, hydrothermal, and acoustic properties. Hempcrete can be fully recycled since normally, only hemp hurds and lime binder are used, and both are natural materials. Most often, approximately 90-100 kilograms of hempcrete are used per constructed m².
Numerous experiments done with the material showed that hempcrete is completely fireproof. The particles of hemp in the mixture are coated with a layer of lime which is not combustible at normal house fire temperatures. Further testing has also shown that even extreme amounts of rainfall, meaning up to approximately 96 hours of continuous rainfall, do not affect the material what-so-ever, either. Furthermore, when compared with conventional building materials, hempcrete has a remarkably low thermal diffusivity. This gives it its high thermal inertia and means that it is a lot slower to change temperature. In other words, a hemp house will stay cool in the summertime and will release heat much slower during colder winter times. Lime is the preferred binder for this mixture since it has the correct porosity and absorbs much of the CO2 it emits during its manufacture. Hemp absorbs about 2 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of dry material harvested, making it CO2 negative, not just neutral. Further positive traits are high acoustic performance, breathable walls, mold prevention, and zero landfills, which make hempcrete a truly prosperous building material.
Summary of Chapters
1. General information about Hemp and Cannabis: Provides a foundational definition of hemp and describes the biological characteristics of the three main cannabis varieties.
2. History of the Plant: Outlines the historical domestication of hemp, its global spread across civilizations, and the origins of its political prohibition in the 20th century.
3. Hemp as a Building Material: Analyzes the composition of hempcrete, its structural benefits, and performance metrics, including its superior thermal and air quality properties.
4. Legal and Political Issues: Discusses the current legislative status of industrial hemp cultivation and the political barriers remaining in the United States and abroad.
5. The Future of Hempcrete: Evaluates the projected global growth of hemp-based construction and the necessity for further research and public awareness to overcome industry stigma.
Keywords
Hemp, Hempcrete, Cannabis sativa, Industrial hemp, Green building, Sustainability, Lime binder, CO2 sequestration, Construction industry, Prohibition, Indoor Air Quality, Sick Building Syndrome, Renewable resources, Ecological architecture, Material science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The work focuses on the historical, political, and practical aspects of the hemp plant, specifically investigating its application as an innovative, eco-friendly building material called hempcrete.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include the history of hemp cultivation, the technical properties of hempcrete, the environmental benefits of building with nature, and the socio-political challenges surrounding cannabis legalization.
What is the central research objective?
The main goal is to determine how hemp can be effectively utilized for the benefit of society and the environment, particularly within the construction industry, while addressing the stigma associated with the plant.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The research is based on a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative approach, featuring an expert interview with the CEO of the WORLD HEMP CONGRESS to gain real-world industry insights.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The body covers the biological nature of cannabis, historical global usage, technical details of hempcrete production and performance, comparative case studies of hemp homes, and the legislative hurdles to industry growth.
Which terms best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as sustainable development, industrial hemp, environmental impact, carbon-negative building, and legal advocacy for cannabis reform.
What makes hempcrete a superior material compared to traditional concrete?
Hempcrete is carbon-negative, fireproof, provides better thermal inertia, and is fully recyclable, whereas traditional concrete is resource-intensive and has a high carbon footprint.
How does the author address the "sick building syndrome"?
The thesis explains that hempcrete contributes to healthier indoor environments by regulating moisture and preventing mold growth, which are major factors in preventing the syndrome.
What role does the interview with Ms. Majda Robić play?
The interview provides expert validation for the research, offering firsthand perspectives on the challenges of organizing global movements and the future potential of the industrial hemp economy.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, Building with Nature. Hempcrete, the Revolutionary Building Material, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/961099
