Analysis of biowaste-based materials in the construction sector: evaluation of thermal behaviour and life cycle assessment (LCA)

Abstract

The objective of the work is to evaluate the thermal behaviour and the environmental impact of selected building biowaste-based materials, mainly biomass from agrowaste. An evaluation of the state of the art of the materials used from waste or biomass in the construction of buildings is carried out. The selected building materials are based on data availability: hemp concrete, isotex, bricks with olive core flour (OCF), bricks with wheat straw (WS). Subsequently, thermal behaviour is evaluated as a function of decrement factor, time lag and as an application in the thermal envelope of a building. Finally, a life cycle assessment of each material is carried out, including the calculation of the following indicators: non-renewable energy, cumulative energy demand and global warming potential. Hemp concrete and isotex are the materials with better thermal behaviour (lower decrement factor and greater time lag) like conventional materials, but with lower environmental impact. Regarding bricks, mixtures of 8% OCF and 7%WS generate more stable indoor temperatures than 4% OCF and 3%WS. Compared with conventional materials, building materials with incorporated biomass have better thermal behaviour and allow the construction of buildings with lower life cycle impact