Abstract
This paper evaluates the range of current information in relation to construction using strawbales in walls of buildings. The material can be shown to have a number of distinct advantages and benefits, which are described, but there are also several potential technological risks that must be addressed. These are structural strength; fire risk; attack by animal pests; and moisture and mould growth. Each of these is each critically reviewed to establish that for the first three of these, sufficient information already exists to indicate that risks can be minimised or avoided. There is however some lack of appropriate information on moisture transfer and condensation risk within bale walls, which necessitated further research. This involved the development of a new hygrothermal model that was subsequently used to demonstrate relatively low risk for mould growth in most situations. Summary findings from this work are included. The paper concludes that strawbale building has relatively few problems that cannot be overcome by good design and suitable construction practices, and that its use should therefore be encouraged in appropriate situations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 372-384 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Architectural Science Review |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Evaluation of Strawbale Building : Benefits and Risks. / Pritchard, Mark Bigland; Pitts, Adrian.
In: Architectural Science Review, Vol. 49, No. 4, 2006, p. 372-384.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of Strawbale Building
T2 - Benefits and Risks
AU - Pritchard, Mark Bigland
AU - Pitts, Adrian
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - This paper evaluates the range of current information in relation to construction using strawbales in walls of buildings. The material can be shown to have a number of distinct advantages and benefits, which are described, but there are also several potential technological risks that must be addressed. These are structural strength; fire risk; attack by animal pests; and moisture and mould growth. Each of these is each critically reviewed to establish that for the first three of these, sufficient information already exists to indicate that risks can be minimised or avoided. There is however some lack of appropriate information on moisture transfer and condensation risk within bale walls, which necessitated further research. This involved the development of a new hygrothermal model that was subsequently used to demonstrate relatively low risk for mould growth in most situations. Summary findings from this work are included. The paper concludes that strawbale building has relatively few problems that cannot be overcome by good design and suitable construction practices, and that its use should therefore be encouraged in appropriate situations.
AB - This paper evaluates the range of current information in relation to construction using strawbales in walls of buildings. The material can be shown to have a number of distinct advantages and benefits, which are described, but there are also several potential technological risks that must be addressed. These are structural strength; fire risk; attack by animal pests; and moisture and mould growth. Each of these is each critically reviewed to establish that for the first three of these, sufficient information already exists to indicate that risks can be minimised or avoided. There is however some lack of appropriate information on moisture transfer and condensation risk within bale walls, which necessitated further research. This involved the development of a new hygrothermal model that was subsequently used to demonstrate relatively low risk for mould growth in most situations. Summary findings from this work are included. The paper concludes that strawbale building has relatively few problems that cannot be overcome by good design and suitable construction practices, and that its use should therefore be encouraged in appropriate situations.
KW - Construction
KW - Ecological impacts
KW - Fire safety
KW - Moisture
KW - Mould growth
KW - Risks
KW - Strawbale building
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33845435008&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3763/asre.2006.4949
DO - 10.3763/asre.2006.4949
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33845435008
VL - 49
SP - 372
EP - 384
JO - Architectural Science Review
JF - Architectural Science Review
SN - 0003-8628
IS - 4
ER -