Parametric Analysis of Rammed Earth Walls in the Context of the Thermal Protection of Environmentally Friendly Buildings
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Temperature Distribution and Relative Humidity
3.2. Heat Flux
3.3. Moisture Content in the Rammed Earth Layer
3.4. Accumulation of Moisture in the Interior Plaster
4. Discussion
- HS, as a by-product of the textile industry, has strong potential due to its ability to be safely composted or used as a biological substrate. If no biological degradation is observed, it may also be reused as insulation in a subsequent building. Additionally, it is a material that can be sourced locally.
- CF, derived from recycled paper, can be recycled again or, similarly to hemp shives, reused as insulation provided that there is no biological degradation.
- WW, as a finished product, can be reused in prefabrication or subjected to material recirculation.
- MW has the lowest potential in this regard due to the difficulty of material recovery. Moreover, its production process is more energy-intensive compared with the other materials.
5. Conclusions
- The type of insulation used has a significant impact on the hygrothermal behavior of RE walls.
- HS insulation demonstrates a distinct pattern—with peak moisture levels occurring in winter and drying taking place in summer. From a CE perspective, although HS insulation exhibits thermally unfavorable behavior in winter, its strong moisture buffering capacity and natural, biodegradable characteristics suggest high reuse or composting potential. This duality underscores the need to balance performance with end-of-life sustainability.
- The behavior of HS indicates a high potential for moisture regulation in RE walls and clay plasters. HS may be considered a climate-adaptive insulation material, particularly in the context of rising temperatures, due to its excellent performance in reducing overheating.
- Natural origin materials show a better moisture buffering capacity compared with MW. CF and HS have the highest compatibility with CE principles. Their renewable origin, local availability, and ease of reintegration into biological or technical cycles position them as promising candidates for sustainable insulation systems.
- The presence of a ventilated cavity does not significantly affect the temperature distribution across the wall assembly, but it significantly reduces moisture accumulation in the RE and plaster layers—particularly in systems using WW—and may help prevent the biological degradation of HS insulation.
- While MW performs well in stabilizing internal humidity, its low recyclability and high processing energy demand make it less compatible with CE goals. In contrast, CF, HS and WW, though showing higher moisture fluctuations, offer better prospects for reuse and material cycling within a sustainable construction framework.
- To verify the simulation results and better understand material performance over time, it is recommended to construct physical mock-ups of wall sections or demonstration buildings. This would allow for the assessment of insulation impact on structural stability, indoor microclimate, and material recovery potential after disassembly.
- In the context of the CE, HS and CF show the greatest potential. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and can be reused or reprocessed without a loss of functionality.
- The safety and durability of RE construction largely depend on effective moisture protection. Therefore, the choice of insulation is crucial not only for thermal performance but also for structural integrity.
- In the broader material context, rammed earth (RE) itself presents great potential from a CE perspective: it can often be sourced directly from a construction site, used with minimal processing, and reused as aggregate or infill at the end of its lifecycle. Similarly, clay plasters are not only vapor-permeable and regulate humidity well but can also be reapplied or safely returned to the environment. Lime plasters, while more energy-intensive to produce, offer a carbon capture benefit through carbonation and are recyclable as hydraulic binders. Timber components, if designed for disassembly, can be reused in future constructions—especially when connected using reversible joinery. Together, these elements enhance the regenerative character of the entire wall assembly.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
EU | European Union |
CE | Circular Economy |
RE | Rammed Earth |
HS | Hemp Shives |
CF | Cellulose Fiber |
WW | Wood Wool |
MW | Mineral Wool |
HF | Heat Flux |
RH | Relative Humidity |
CDW | Construction and Demolition Waste |
GHGs | Green House Gasses |
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Properties | Lime Plaster | RE | Light Clay Plaster | MW | CF | HS | WW |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thickness (m) | 0.010 | 0.300 | 0.020 | 0.150 | 0.180 | 0.188 | 0.150 |
Density (kg/m3) | 1498.4 | 2240.0 | 900.0 | 100.0 | 60.0 | 115.0 | 50.0 |
Porosity (m3/m3) | 0.43 | 0.33 | 0.47 | 0.92 | 0.78 | 0.79 | 0.82 |
Specific heat (J/(kg⋅K)) | 802.4 | 837 | 1000.0 | 840.0 | 2500 | 1600.0 | 1660 |
Thermal conductivity (W/(m⋅K)) | 0.41 | 0.551 | 0.23 | 0.040 | 0.0495 | 0.051 | 0.039 |
Diffusion resistance (-) | 9.3 | 4.5 | 30.0 | 1.00 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.2 |
Temperature (°C) | CF | HS | WW Vent | MW Vent | WW Plast | MW Plast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winter | ||||||
Internal surface | 19.41 | 19.12 | 19.35 | 19.41 | 19.31 | 19.40 |
RE/insulation joint | 16.16 | 14.49 | 15.77 | 16.18 | 16.36 | 16.03 |
Summer | ||||||
Internal surface | 20.00 | 19.94 | 19.98 | 20.02 | 19.99 | 20.01 |
RE/insulation joint | 20.14 | 19.86 | 20.03 | 20.25 | 20.01 | 20.26 |
Relative Humidity (%) | CF | HS | WW Vent | MW Vent | WW Plast | MW Plast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winter | ||||||
Min | 31.0 | 58.0 | 38.0 | 25.0 | 39.0 | 25.0 |
Max | 46.0 | 80.0 | 47.0 | 45.0 | 47.0 | 45.0 |
Summer | ||||||
Min | 51.0 | 56.0 | 52.0 | 52.0 | 52.0 | 52.0 |
Max | 64.0 | 74.0 | 66.0 | 72.0 | 65.0 | 72.0 |
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Kosiński, P.; Jabłoński, W.; Patyna, K. Parametric Analysis of Rammed Earth Walls in the Context of the Thermal Protection of Environmentally Friendly Buildings. Sustainability 2025, 17, 6886. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156886
Kosiński P, Jabłoński W, Patyna K. Parametric Analysis of Rammed Earth Walls in the Context of the Thermal Protection of Environmentally Friendly Buildings. Sustainability. 2025; 17(15):6886. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156886
Chicago/Turabian StyleKosiński, Piotr, Wojciech Jabłoński, and Krystian Patyna. 2025. "Parametric Analysis of Rammed Earth Walls in the Context of the Thermal Protection of Environmentally Friendly Buildings" Sustainability 17, no. 15: 6886. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156886
APA StyleKosiński, P., Jabłoński, W., & Patyna, K. (2025). Parametric Analysis of Rammed Earth Walls in the Context of the Thermal Protection of Environmentally Friendly Buildings. Sustainability, 17(15), 6886. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156886