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Hempcrete

Curious if folks know of any resources on hempcrete, specific to durability.  We have a one-story carbon-neutral operational energy project where the design team and client have bought into the aesthetics and carbon-sequestering potential of hempcrete, and amazingly it is looking to be no more expensive than a more typical concrete wall alternative.  But there are legitimate concerns about its long-term durability, given its lack of use in North America.  Is anyone aware of resources related to this - whether case studies, people, or what have you?

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Roderick Bates
Principal
KieranTimberlake
LEEDuser Basic Member
3 thumbs up

Thu, 11/07/2019 - 13:38

Chris, We are planning on adding hempcrete to Tally and for background data have been refereed to several contacts with extensive hempcrete experience that is supposedly relevant to the types of projects our customers typically engage. While this wont be of immediate use for you, I will reach out once we have some info. 

Wed, 06/09/2021 - 21:07

Just following up on this query. Does anyone have resources on durability, considerations of hempcrete? I am working with our internal team on strategies for low carbon concrete and wanted to explore hempcrete. 
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Tate Walker
Architect
OPN Architects
LEEDuser Basic Member
7 thumbs up

Wed, 06/09/2021 - 21:30

Good podcast on the topic with some contacts in TX: https://positiveenergy.pro/building-science-podcast/2021/5/3/to-grow-a-home Tate Walker AIA | LEED Fellow | WELL AP Director of Sustainability OPN Architects o: (608) 819-0260 | c: (608) 286-9397 | d: (608) 819-0844 | twalker@opnarchitects.com 301 N. Broom St., Suite 100, Madison, WI, 53703 www.opnarchitects.com
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Jon Hall
Principal
GGLO
LEEDuser Basic Member
5 thumbs up

Wed, 06/09/2021 - 21:34

Despite the "crete" in hempcrete, I have come to understand it as an alternative to insulation rather than an alterative to concrete. I am definitely a novice in this area, but have had some good conversations with Chris Magwood, chris@endeavourcentre.org  Director of Programs, Research & Policy Endeavour Centre https://endeavourcentre.org/ Builders for Climate Action https://www.buildersforclimateaction.org/

Wed, 06/09/2021 - 22:19

Agree, hempcrete isn’t structural, and I may have confused the issue by comparing it as an alternative to a (non-structural) concrete wall. Tommy Gibbons at hempitecture.com helped me when I was sussing out this material for a project. Unfortunately, we could not find good regional precedents for durability, though I understand with the right detailing and maintenance, you can have a lasting wall. Chris Flint Chatto AIA, LEED AP BD+C Principal ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP T 503.863.2324 E chris.chatto@zgf.com 1223 SW Washington Street, Suite 200 Portland, OR 97205 F
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Eric Corey Freed
Principal, Director of Sustainability
CannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
0 thumbs up

Thu, 06/10/2021 - 00:33

One of my BAC grad students did her thesis on Hempcrete, and did a TED talk on it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf--qYYG-Wo Hempitecture has a crowdfunding campaign going right now:  https://wefunder.com/hempitecture
(I'm not part of it, just following it) Aimee Christensen (formerly at Google) is one of the advisors and you might know her.  I can make an intro too, if needed.
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Eric Corey Freed
Principal, Director of Sustainability
CannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
0 thumbs up

Thu, 06/10/2021 - 00:37

The compressive strength of hempcrete is 1/20th that of concrete, but it reminds me of strawbale in durability. More reading: https://www.builderspace.com/is-hempcrete-stronger-than-concrete and: https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/building-with-hempcrete
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Eric Corey Freed
Principal, Director of Sustainability
CannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
0 thumbs up

Thu, 06/10/2021 - 00:37

The compressive strength of hempcrete is 1/20th that of concrete, but it reminds me of strawbale in durability. More reading: https://www.builderspace.com/is-hempcrete-stronger-than-concrete and: https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/building-with-hempcrete

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