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<div>I would prefer for terminology to distinguish between compressing individual bales, and compacting strawbale walls. Compressing individual bales is only necessary if you can't obtain good construction bales with proper density and shape. On the other
hand, every strawbale wall can benefit from compaction, which decreases the empty spaces between bales, the connection betwen bales, and thereby increases both the insulation and structural properties of the wall, as Stefano mentions. Sadly, most discussions
don't distinguish between compressing bales and compacting walls. Instead, the same term is used for both different processes. </div>
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<div>Successful strawbale houses have been built without compression or compaction. Therefore, we can't claim that either is "necessary". However, compacting the walls can offer advantages of increased safety and consistency during the construction process,
and potentially, easier plastering and greater construction speed, as well. Compaction also improves the long-term advantages of the strawbale wall in strength, fire resistance, and insulation value. So while it isn't "necessary", compaction offers advantages
worthy of consideration by any designer or builder. </div>
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<div>Derek</div>
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<div>On Mar 11, 2014, at 6:54 AM, permacultura la boa wrote:</div>
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<div dir="ltr"><span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">From</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">my personal experience</span><span>, both</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">in load bearing</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">than</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">in
post</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">and beam</span><span>, compression (and well done!) is essential</span><span class="hps"></span><span class="hps"></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">for</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">static,</span><span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>structural
and</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="hps">insulation<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps"><span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">reasons</span><span></span></span>.</span></span><br>
Stefano<br>
<a href="http://www.laboa.org">www.laboa.org</a><br>
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Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:59:56 +0100<br>
From:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jure.pozar@gmail.com">jure.pozar@gmail.com</a><br>
To:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:strawbale@amper.ped.muni.cz">strawbale@amper.ped.muni.cz</a><br>
Subject: [Strawbale] compressing or not<br>
<br>
<font face="Calibri">Dear all,<br>
<br>
I have a fairly simple question? Is it necessarily to compress a wall of strawbales which is supporting only itself. It is basicaly an exterior strawbale wrapper of an existing brick wall. As far as I can remember Kuba didn`t compress strawbales on his workshop
on ESBG in 2011. Can the strawbales sit-down after some years due to its weight and make cracks to the exterior clay plaster? The height of the wall is less than 3 meters.<br>
<br>
Cheers<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
<br>
Jure<br>
</font><br>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-size: medium; ">Derek
Roff<br>
<a href="mailto:derek@unm.edu">derek@unm.edu</a><br>
<br>
</span></div>
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