Theoretical and experimental modeling of the energy and environmental behavior of biobased building materials

Many studies have been devoted to modelling hygrothermal transfers through plant concrete walls subjected to external variations in temperature and relative humidity. On the other hand, there is a lack of knowledge in research related to the impact of green concrete on the energy performance of the building, taking into account the comfort conditions in the living environment. This work focuses on a theoretical study of the HAM system (steam, liquid and air). A phenomenological model, which has already been developed by many researchers, describes the coupled transfer of heat, air and moisture through porous walls. One of the difficulties in using this model lies in identifying the many parameters characterizing the hygrothermal properties of the material. The purpose of this work is to reduce the number of these parameters and optimize the system through a dimensionless analysis. In addition, an improvement of the HAM model has been implemented. This approach is based on a sensitivity study, as well as the evaluation of the effect of gas pressure on coupled heat and mass transfers. A comparison between the numerical results and the literature was then carried out to validate the proposed analytical model.