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An experimental investigation on equilibrium moisture content of earth plaster with natural reinforcement fibres for straw bale buildings
Applied Thermal Engineering • 2010
Publication Information
Authors
Taha Ashour a,c,*, Heiko Georg b, WeiWuc
Keywords
Equilibrium moisture content
Earth plaster
Natural reinforcement fibres
Straw bale buildings
Temperature
Relative humidity
Journal
Applied Thermal Engineering
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
Not Available
Issue
Not Available
Pages
Not Available
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
This work focuses on the determination of equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of natural plaster
materials for straw bale buildings. Earth plasters of four different compositions of cohesive soil and sand
combined with reinforcement of three different natural fibre types, wheat straw, barley straw and wood
shavings, were investigated. The plaster materials were treated under different temperature (10e40 C)
and relative humidity (43e95%). The moisture content is in dynamic equilibrium with environmental
condition. The effect of relative humidity is more pronounced than temperature. The test results are
discussed with reference to the relevance of the earth plasters as rendering for straw bale buildings.
Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model is used to fit the experimental data.
materials for straw bale buildings. Earth plasters of four different compositions of cohesive soil and sand
combined with reinforcement of three different natural fibre types, wheat straw, barley straw and wood
shavings, were investigated. The plaster materials were treated under different temperature (10e40 C)
and relative humidity (43e95%). The moisture content is in dynamic equilibrium with environmental
condition. The effect of relative humidity is more pronounced than temperature. The test results are
discussed with reference to the relevance of the earth plasters as rendering for straw bale buildings.
Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model is used to fit the experimental data.