Architectural potential of wheat straw processed by thermo-compression: From the perspective of hygrothermal behavior

Abstract

Amid rising crop production, the sustainable management of substantial straw has emerged as a critical opportunity for development across various sectors. This research presents a novel wheat straw fiberboard, produced through a thermo-compression process, and conducts an in-depth evaluation of its architectural viability, particularly concerning hygrothermal performance. Comprehensive laboratory experiments and numerical simulations reveal that the hot-pressed wheat straw fiberboard (HpWSF) demonstrates superior density, specific heat capacity, and enhanced thermal and vapor resistance compared to conventionally processed straw bales. Its hygrothermal properties are comparable to those of autoclaved lightweight concrete, with the additional benefit of increased moisture storage capacity, thereby improving indoor humidity regulation. A case study of a building constructed with this material indicated a 42.29 % reduction in annual energy demand compared to a traditional red brick building. The study further assesses the regional adaptability of the HpWSF across three distinct climatic regions in China, confirming its superior hygrothermal properties relative to red brick and autoclaved lightweight concrete. However, the findings suggest that specific climate-adapted measures are necessary to address the elevated risk of mold in certain environments.