About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
2026 Technical Division Student Poster Contest
|
| Presentation Title |
SPU-46: Passive Dehumidification via Coupled Moisture Transport and Solar-Driven Convection in Hempcrete |
| Author(s) |
Pranavi Gudi, Lars Junghans, Steven Schenk |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Pranavi Gudi |
| Abstract Scope |
This work presents a passive, low-carbon humidity control system developed using hempcrete, a bio-based porous composite of hemp and lime. The system regulates indoor humidity through capillary condensation and solar-driven drying, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mechanical dehumidification. Moisture absorbed at the room-facing surface migrates through the hempcrete’s capillary network toward an exterior solar chimney. Solar heating of the chimney’s darkened surface generates an updraft, increasing air velocity and promoting continuous moisture transport and evaporation. The coupled effects of capillarity, airflow, and solar radiation enable sustained dehumidification under favorable environmental conditions. Material behavior and system performance were evaluated through full-scale test walls constructed in Belgium and Ann Arbor, Michigan. This study demonstrates how bio-based porous materials can be engineered for building-scale moisture management, offering a pathway toward reduced operational energy and lower embodied carbon in building systems. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |