The influence of the casting process on the internal structure and physical properties of hemp-lime

Bio-aggregate composites such as hemp-lime offer a more sustainable alternative to
traditional walling infill material. Hemp-lime, whether in-situ or prefabricated, is
generally either cast or sprayed, which results in a directionally dependent, typically
layered, physical structure. This paper considers the impact of compaction and
layering on the directional thermal conductivity, compressive strength and internal
structure of the material through use of a novel image analysis method. The results
presented indicate that production variables have a significant, and crucially,
directionally dependent impact on the thermal and mechanical properties of cast hemplime.