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STRAW BALE

CONSTRUCTION

STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION


Straw-bale construction is a building method that
uses bales of straw (commonly wheat, rice, rye
and oats straw) as structural elements, building
insulation, or both.

HISTORY

First house in
Nebraska(US), 1936.

Andaman Earthship in
Andaman island

Auroville, Pondicherry

CURRENT BUILDING
SITUATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

High energy intensity required in the


manufacture of modern building materials

Reduction in pollution and green house


emission

Comparison of pollutant emissions


between SBB and CBB

Energy
required for
manufacture
r-value/ inch

Straw bale
Cement brick Clay brick
wall
.115Gj/tonne 6-8GJ/tonne 2-7 GJ/tonne

1.5

.2

.5

Why build with straw?


Eco- friendly
Energy Efficiency
Ease of Use
Safety

Straw bale

Size 100 x 45 x 40 cm
usually wrapped with two, sometimes three, or

more strands of knotted twine


Weight 20-27 kg

Straw bales should be

Dry

Dense

Well tied

Pure

Fresh

Consistent

Straw baler

Fire resistance

Bales are typically too dense (lacking in oxygen)


to support combustion

Dry density varies between 110-128kg/m3

High silica content (4-14%) impedes combustion

by charring

Insulative properties
High thermal efficiency reduces the energy

requirements for heating and cooling

R- value between 30-50

Sound insulation

Method

Straw bale buildings use the same foundation, flooring and


roofing technologies similar to any conventional type of building

Basements, slabs and pier foundations can all be easily adapted


to straw bale construction. Similarly, prefabricated trusses can
be used to provide the roof structure.

a moisture barrier or capillary break between the bales and their


supporting platform.

The straw bales in the walls are stacked in a manner similar to


bricks or concrete blocks, in running bond.

Window and door openings are created using wide, rough frame

wooden bucks inserted into the walls during construction.

straw bale wall

1.Post and beam type

Use timber, concrete or steel frames to support roof load

bales are either wrapped outside the framework or in filled


between the framing members

Straw bales are mainly used as insulation

2. Load bearing
wall

Bale walls themselves support

the roof load

Bales are precompressed

before placing to avoid settlement

A structural roof plate

is placed on top of the walls.

Wall coverings
Types of stucco

Cement stucco

Lime plaster
Earth plaster

Lath
Galvanized lath
should be provided
if the wall is to
hold stucco

Moisture concerns
Presence of moisture leads to growth of

molds
Moisture barriers and application of wall
covering prevent moisture penetration

LIMITATIONS

High Space Requirements For The Straw


Limited To Two Storeys
Lack Of Codes

Lack Of Qualified Professionals

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