Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels

Valeria Cascione; Barrie Dams; Neal Holcroft; Andrew Shea; Andrea  Klinge; Natscha  Steiner; Dan Maskell; Ellie Marsh; Stephen Allen; Pete Walker; Stephen Emmitt

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35

Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels

Valeria Cascione, Barrie Dams, Neal Holcroft, Andrew Shea, Andrea Klinge, Natscha Steiner, Dan Maskell, Ellie Marsh, Stephen Allen, Pete Walker, Stephen Emmitt

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

Renewable bio-based materials are gaining traction as innovative solutions in the construction industry, aimed at minimizing material waste, reducing the extraction of non-renewable resources, and lowering the carbon footprint. This study showcases an innovative combination of bio-based insulation, structural components, and façade materials in three bio-based wall panels, highlighting the potential of integrating diverse bio-based materials to enhance sustainability and circularity in construction, whilst providing high hygrothermal performances. The first panel, a ‘circular bio-based’ wall, was designed following principles of circular economy, using sheep wool insulation, clay board, and bio-plastic cladding. The panel was tested at the Building Research Park (BRP) at the University of Bath to investigate the panel’s thermal and hygric properties in a dynamic environment. The second and third bio-based panel are circular reclaimed timber frames combined with innovative bio-based elements such as mycelium and cellulose-textile insulation. The two panels are currently under development. However, they were simulated using WUFI Pro to recreate the same environmental condition of the ‘circular bio-based’ panel. Results from the experimental testing indicated a U-value of 0.14 W/m2K or lower for the first panel. Some interstitial condensation occurred and limited moisture buffering properties were observed (35 g/m2). The second and third panel showed a U-value of 0.24 W/m2K and 0.22 W/m2K facing North, respectively. No condensation was found and some negligible moisture buffering properties were observed. The tests conducted offered a comprehensive understanding of the prototypes’ strengths and weaknesses, enabling significant design improvements that will accelerate their adoption within the construction sector.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Moisture in Buildings - Proceedings of ICMB25
Subtitle of host publication	ICMB 2025
Editors	Jorge M. Branco, Daniel F. Lima, Yina Moscoso, Sandra M. Silva
Place of Publication	Cham, Switzerland
Publisher	Springer
Pages	430-443
Number of pages	14
ISBN (Electronic)	9783032090546
ISBN (Print)	9783032090539
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35
Publication status	Published - 23 Oct 2025
Event	International Conference on Moisture in Buildings - University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal Duration: 23 Oct 2025 → 24 Oct 2025 https://icmb25.pt/

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume	776 LNCE
ISSN (Print)	2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)	2366-2565

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Moisture in Buildings
Country/Territory	Portugal
City	Guimarães
Period	23/10/25 → 24/10/25
Internet address	https://icmb25.pt/

Acknowledgements

Circular Bio-based Construction Industry (CBCI) is an Interreg 2 Seas 2014–2020 project. Interreg 2 Seas is a European Territorial Cooperation program. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) financially supported CBCI. This project grateful acknowledges the funding from the European Union’s Interreg 2 Seas 2014–2020 Programme under grant number 2S05-036 CBCI. https://www.interreg2seas.eu/en/CBCI www.CBCI.eu. Special thanks to Craig Brakes, Miles Chambers, Steve Handley, William Bazeley and Neil Price, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath for technical support.

INBUILT is a Horizon Europe funded project. This project grateful acknowledge the funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Innovation Action programme under grant number https://doi.org/10.3030/101123412. www.inbuilt-project.eu.

Funding

Circular Bio-based Construction Industry (CBCI) is an Interreg 2 Seas 2014– 2020 project. Interreg 2 Seas is a European Territorial Cooperation program. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) financially supported CBCI. This project grateful acknowledges the funding from the European Union’s Interreg 2 Seas 2014–2020 Programme under grant number 2S05-036 CBCI. https://www.interreg2seas.eu/en/CBCI www.CBCI.eu. Special thanks to Craig Brakes, Miles Chambers, Steve Handley, William Bazeley and Neil Price, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath for technical support. INBUILT is a Horizon Europe funded project. This project grateful acknowledge the funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Innovation Action programme under grant number https://doi.org/10.3030/101123412. www.inbuilt-project.eu.

Funders	Funder number
European Regional Development Fund
HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Interreg	2S05-036 CBCI

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

bio-based, hygrothermal performances
circular economy
full-scale

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Civil and Structural Engineering

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35

Cite this

Cascione, V., Dams, B., Holcroft, N., Shea, A., Klinge, A., Steiner, N., Maskell, D., Marsh, E., Allen, S., Walker, P., & Emmitt, S. (2025). Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels. In J. M. Branco, D. F. Lima, Y. Moscoso, & S. M. Silva (Eds.), Moisture in Buildings - Proceedings of ICMB25: ICMB 2025 (pp. 430-443). (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 776 LNCE). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35

Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels. / Cascione, Valeria ; Dams, Barrie ; Holcroft, Neal et al.
Moisture in Buildings - Proceedings of ICMB25: ICMB 2025. ed. / Jorge M. Branco; Daniel F. Lima; Yina Moscoso; Sandra M. Silva. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2025. p. 430-443 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 776 LNCE).

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Cascione, V , Dams, B , Holcroft, N , Shea, A, Klinge, A, Steiner, N, Maskell, D, Marsh, E, Allen, S , Walker, P & Emmitt, S 2025, Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels. in JM Branco, DF Lima, Y Moscoso & SM Silva (eds), Moisture in Buildings - Proceedings of ICMB25: ICMB 2025. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol. 776 LNCE, Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 430-443, International Conference on Moisture in Buildings, Guimarães, Portugal, 23/10/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35

Cascione V , Dams B , Holcroft N , Shea A, Klinge A, Steiner N et al. Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels. In Branco JM, Lima DF, Moscoso Y, Silva SM, editors, Moisture in Buildings - Proceedings of ICMB25: ICMB 2025. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 2025. p. 430-443. (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering). Epub 2025 Oct 23. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-09054-6_35

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Full Scale Hygrothermal Monitoring of Bio-Based Circular Wall Panels