- Straw bale
used.
traw bale construction
When bales are used to build or insulate buildings, the straw bales are commonly finished with plaster. The plastered walls provide excellent
thermal mass , compressive and ductile structural strength, and excellent fire resistance as well as thermal resistance (insulation), far in excess of North Americanbuilding code . Straw is an abundant agricultural waste product, and requires little energy to bale and transport for construction. For these reasons, strawbale construction is gaining popularity as part ofpassive solar and otherrenewable energy projects.ediment control
Straw bales are sometimes used for
sediment control atconstruction sites. [ [http://www.casqa.org California Stormwater Quality Association.] Menlo Park, CA. [http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Documents/Construction/SE-9.pdf “California Stormwater BMP Handbook: Straw Bale Barrier.”] Best Management Practice (BMP) No. SE-9. January 2003.] However, bales are often ineffective in protectingwater quality and are maintenance-intensive. For these reasons theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various state agencies recommend use of alternative sediment control practices where possible, such assilt fence s,fiber roll s andgeotextiles . [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, DC. [http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=browse&Rbutton=detail&bmp=122 "National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices: Straw or Hay Bales."] June 1, 2006.]ee also
*
Baler
*Straw-bale construction References
External links
* [http://www.earthhealing.info/strawbale.pdf The Straw Bale House: Suitability for the Eastern U.S.]
* [http://www.strawsale.com/ StrawSale.com | The only online straw bale wholesalers in the US]
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