Wood-Clay Structures: Characterization, Fire Resistance, Hygrothermal Modeling, and Life Cycle Analysis
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Traditional wood-clay construction is attracting growing international interest, driven by the global consensus to reduce CO₂ emissions. Construction using wood-clay reinforced with vegetable fibers, commonly known as the cob technique, is particularly well-suited to warm climates, such as those found in Africa. With the high demand for housing on the continent, there is a pressing need for alternatives to cement, whose production accounts for 5–8% of global CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, wood-clay construction offers a promising avenue to expand the market for Quebec wood.
Research on material performance focuses on the interactions between chemicals used in wood and clay processing, as well as on fire resistance, thermal insulation, and environmental sustainability.
The project seeks to increase the export of Quebec wood and to open new markets in Africa, creating employment opportunities for companies such as American Structures and Boralife. Investigations into fire and thermal performance will support the promotion of wood in wood-clay and fiber-based construction. In the short term, the target cities for Quebec timber sales are Djibouti and Johannesburg.
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