Analysis of the thermal performance of elements made with totora using different production processes

Totora (Schoenplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Sojak) is a macrophyte that grows in lakes and ponds from California to Chile and some of the pacific islands. This plant has been used by traditional communities around the world for building a wide variety of objects, from handicrafts and mats, to boats and huts. Totora is a fast growing plant that can produce up to 50 t/ha/year, it can be harvested every 6 months, it has phytodepuration capabilities among other characteristics that make it an interesting material from a sustainable point of view. The internal structure of totora stems is made of the aerenchyma tissue, which is formed by thin cell walls that enclose air chambers. This tissue makes totora stems flexible and prevents the flood of internal organs of the plant. Because of this spongy tissue and the internal arrangement of air chambers, totora can be used as a natural thermal insulation material with low environmental impacts. In this study, the thermal performance of different elements made using totora stems with different production methods is analyzed. Thermal conductivity values vary from 0.05 W/(m.K) to 1.1 W/(m.K) depending on the density of the boards and the methods used to produce them. Totora boards made using crushed totora stems showed lower thermal conductivity than boards made with whole stems. Totora binderless boards showed higher thermal conductivity as their density increases.