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TOTORA USED AS THERMAL INSULATION: PROPERTIES AND POTENTIAL



Author(s): L. Aza, M. Palumbo, A. Lacasta
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference
on Bio-Based Building Materials
Editor(s): Sofiane AMZIANE, Mohammed SONEBI and Karine CHARLET
ISBN:
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-192-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 427-432
Total Pages: 6
Language : English


Abstract: An important part of the environmental impact generated by human activity is the extraction and
use of construction materials [Ad- hoc industrial advisory group 2009]; confronting this issue
creates the need to develop new alternatives and to experience change towards sustainable
construction. The use of natural resources gives significant opportunity to reduce the negative
effects of the material production, especially in petroleum derivate products. These effects being
the emission of greenhouse gasses (CO2), the consumption of energy and the emission of toxic
substances in the environment, among others. [CCEIM 2010]. A problem that occurs across the
Andean high zone in Peru (3,000 to 4,500 m.s.n.m) is the high mortality rate from respiratory
diseases due to extreme temperature variations every year; however the population does not die
precisely because of the direct impact of extreme weather conditions (snow, hail or frost), but
mainly because of the conditions of thermal comfort inside the houses. This project aims to
address the development of a new thermal insulator from Totora (Schoenoplectus tatora), an
aquatic plant present in the Titicaca Lake - Perú. This has been analysed for its thermal
behaviour and various tests have been made which revealed its characteristics and its potential
for the use in buildings. In this project two different kinds of panels have been elaborated, using
the entire reed and the crushed reed. The values obtained in the tests of thermic conductivity
resulted between (λ): 0,046 a 0,058 W/mK) which proof its insulating potential. Furthermore, the
material shows other advantages: the raw material used is renewable and the necessary
resources for its fabrication come from natural origin. All this indicates that this insulation can be
an efficient alternative and is of low environmental impact. This material could be used to
improve the conditions of thermal comfort inside the houses around the Andean high zone in
Peru, where they are faced with extreme variations of temperature.


Online publication :2017
Publication type :full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00


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