[Strawbale] compressing or not

[Derek Stearns Roff]

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.

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.

Derek

On Mar 11, 2014, at 6:54 AM, permacultura la boa wrote:

>From my personal experience, both in load bearing than in post and beam, compression (and well done!) is essential for static, structural and insulation reasons.
Stefano
www.laboa.org<http://www.laboa.org>

________________________________
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:59:56 +0100
From: jure.pozar at gmail.com<mailto:jure.pozar at gmail.com>
To: strawbale at amper.ped.muni.cz<mailto:strawbale at amper.ped.muni.cz>
Subject: [Strawbale] compressing or not

Dear all,

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.

Cheers

Jure

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Derek Roff
derek at unm.edu<mailto:derek at unm.edu>


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