Assessment of the Hygrothermal Efficiency of Cob Wall Systems in Cold Climates

This study examines the hygrothermal performance of cob walls containing 6% fibre in cold climates, such as Montreal, Canada, and Rennes, France. The research aims to quantify the thermal properties of cob, including thermal conductivity (λ) and heat capacity (Cp), as well as hygroscopic properties such as water vapour permeability (δ) and porosity. These properties are essential for evaluating the contribution of cob walls to energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environments through numerical simulations. The results of the numerical simulation comparing three wall configurations: a glass wool wall compliant with French and Canadian standards as a reference, a dedicated cob wall, and a hybrid wall integrating both materials have been evaluated. These results reveal the potential of cob as a sustainable building material, offering significant thermal regulation and moisture management to prevent condensation within wall components.