On the hygrothermal performance of straw bale wall elements in Belgium

On the hygrothermal performance of straw bale wall elements in Belgium
Written by esba

The present article investigates the hygrothermal performance of straw bale walls in Belgian climate conditions. The first part presents measured Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) properties of the corresponding construction materials (loam, straw and tras-lime mortar). The second part of the study verifies the hygric performance of these construction elements based on transient numerical HAM-simulations on yearly basis. The simulation results demonstrate that the application of straw bale walls in Belgian climate conditions is vulnerable to high moisture contents and may result in mould growth during winter conditions.

Authors: Langmans, Jelle; Versele, Alexis; Roels, Staf

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About the author

esba

The European Straw Building Association is an independent European association, devoid of any profit making motive. The object of the Association is to promote and develop the use of straw, as a sustainable way of building in all the senses of the term “sustainable”: renewable, ecological, healthy, energy and climate efficient, social and economic.
The Association is a federation composed of organisations and people particularly concerned with the use of straw in buildings.