Presented By: Alaa Mohamed Sami

Mohamed Mahmoud Fouad

Rasha Mostafa ElShiaty

Presented To: Iman Ossama Abd Elgawad

Straw bale building has at its heart the humble bale of straw.
Straw is the baled up dead plant stems of a grain crop,
(including wheat, oats, barley, rye, rice and hemp), once the
seed head has been harvested from the plant. It has virtually all
its seed heads removed, and contains no leaves or flowers.
It is a fairly inert material, with a similar chemical make-up to
wood. It is quite difficult to make it decompose. Straw is
composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and silica. It
breaks down in soil and 'waste' straw can be used as mulch.
Different grasses have slightly different qualities, for instance
rice straw has a significant amount of silica, which adds density
and resistance to decomposition.

 Why straw bale building?

building?
Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty
more good reasons to choose straw bales as your favorite building
material. The benefits of building with bales include:
1. Energy Efficiency
One of the main reasons to choose straw bales over other building
materials is their high level of energy-efficiency. This is due to the
exceptional insulating properties of the bales.
N.B: Combined with a well-designed passive solar system straw bale houses require
very little energy to keep warm in winter and cool in summer.

2. Healthy Choice
Straw bales are a healthy choice. They do not contain the paints,
chemicals, glues and toxins Combined with clay and lime renders and
natural paints or oxides to finish the structure, straw bale walls can
breathe and provide a natural, fresh and healthy living environment. The
thick walls seal out noise.

 Why

straw bale building?

building?

3. Cost Advantage
Straw bale is a low cost material. The bale walls can reduce the overall
budget by 5 to 10 %. And heating costs can be reduced by up to 75%
annually compared with modern style housing.

4. Structural capabilities
Research has shown that structural load
bearing straw bale walls can withstand
loads of more than 48,826 kg/m2. In the
load-bearing straw bale method, walls of
up to 3 stories have been constructed,
with infill walls, in post and beam type
structures; the straw does not take weight
anyway.

Straw bale wall can withstand great

loads. Wall up to 3 stories can be
constructed.

 Why straw bale building?

building?
5. Comfort, Creativity & Aesthetics
The thickness of the walls provides a feel of calm, safety and comfort. Deep
window seats, alcoves, niches, and subtle curves are creative features.
6. Resistance against termites and pests
Walls built with tightly pressed straw bales provide fewer spaces for pests to live
in than conventional timber frame houses do. Also, because clean and dry straw
has very little nutritional substance, it is unable to support a pest population for
long in itself if the render is well applied, contains no or only very fine cracks
and is well maintained, the risk of any pest infestation into walls is very low.
7. Fire resistance
Straw bales are tightly packed and covered with a skin of cement render. Fire
cant burn without oxygen, and the dense walls provide a nearly airless
environment, so the fire resistance of compacted straw is very good. A test of a
plastered wall panel showed a two-hour fire resistance, and an unplaster bale
wall had a 30-minute resistance.

Has been used in construction ever since

humans have created shelter.
Used for centuries in Asia and Europe, began as
a plaster mixture.
First used in the United States in the Great Plains
due to the lack of timber.
Making a comeback because of high amount of
benefits.

The most direct way to use straw in building is through strawbale construction. During grain harvest, a baler compresses
straw into rectangular bales tied with either two or three wires
or poly propylene strings.

Construction
Methods

Structural Bale
(Nebraskastyle)

Light-weight
Frame

Non-Structural
Bale (In-Fill
Method)

Typical two- and three-string bale

dimensions.

Typical two- and three-string bale

dimensions.

Examples of the constructions methods: Structural Bale

Bales are placed together like giant building blocks, pinned to the
foundations and to each other with coppiced hazel, and have a
wooden roof plate on top which is fastened to the foundations and the
bales with coppiced hazel and strapping, and the roof is constructed
in the usual manner on top of the roof plate.

The bales themselves take

the weight of the roof there is no other structural
framework.

Section through a load

bearing wall Nebraska style

Building with Nebraska-style

 Examples

of the constructions methods: Light

Light--weight

Frame
Frame

It uses a timber framework that is so light-weight that it cannot stand

up alone, it requires temporary bracing and/or the use of a crow
props to give it stability until the straw is in place.
Building up to three floors can be made.

The straw is an essential

part of the structural
integrity of the building,
more so than the timber,
and it works together with
the timber to carry the load
of floors and roof.
Light - weight frame wall

Examples of the constructions methods: Non

Non--Structural Bale
(In--Fill Method)
(In
Method)

Posts and beams are constructed of timber or steel to form the

structural frame work the roof is then added and finally straw bales infill the frame work.
Any number of floors can be constructed since the weight is
supported in the
frame.
In conjunction with a steel frame, can create large warehouse space
(and gives an even temperature throughout the year).
The weight of the roof is
carried by a wood, steel, or
concrete framework, and
the bales are simply infill
insulation blocks between
the posts.

Trench and re-barring for the footer which

is filled with concrete, the poured footer is
two feet wide

The finished foundation walls

to build up a floor

Compacting the fill dirt with a

gasoline powered tamper .

Raising the door onto the

foundation.

A bale raising tripod makes lifting the

Wall and roof plate are finished and
bales up into position and lowering them ready to receive the pre-manufactured
metal trusses.

Window frames were

constructed to fit used
windows already purchased

Section of box frame for

window

Coating the roof

The rough plumbing of the

drains for sinks, toilets, and
tub/shower.

Radiant foil barrier installed underneath Recycled natural cotton fiber insulation
the metal roof sheets
was installed in the attic space

A pure lime stucco (stabilized

with cement) was shot on all
interior wall surfaces

clay slip is sprayed on the

bales in preparation for the
first coat of earthen plaster.

Floor finishing; pre-manufactured adobe

blocks to make the floor

BaleHaus by Architect Craig White

The aim of this project is to

demonstrate that straw is an
appropriate form of insulation
and structure for current mass
housing.
It represents a 44% reduction of
energy used and CO2 emissions
when compared to current
building regulations.

The BaleHaus is constructed from ModCell panels which are

prefabricated from locally sourced materials; the panels have a
timber frame and are filled with straw. This is then covered with a
lime render. The timber frame takes the vertical loads and the
rendered straw infill takes in-plane or racking loads. This structural
principle was tested at the University of Bath.

BaleHaus by Architect Craig White

The ModCell straw panels are

490mm thick, achieving a U-value
of 0.19 W/m2K. ModCell was
invented by White Design and
Integral Structural Design.
Construction that provides good
thermal resistance is bringing back
depth into contemporary
architecture, which can be
appreciated at window and door
openings. The panel-based
prefabrication of the BaleHaus
means it can be readily relocated or
its components reused.
The panels are timber-framed
with straw infill.

BaleHaus by Architect Craig White

The wind load was simulated using hydraulic jacks which pushed
horizontally against the walls with a total force exceeding four tones,
equivalent to the dynamic force of a hurricane. During the tests, the
walls moved no more than four millimeters under peak loads, well
within design requirements and as predicted.
The unique combination of high energy efficiency, use of renewable
materials, and the ability to capture and store carbon in the structure,
that Balehaus offers are a very exciting prospect for the market.
Thats why the Technology Strategy Board has supported the
development of both Modcell and Balehaus as products with
significant potential to reduce the environmental footprint of
buildings'.

Hayesfield Schools Nucleus building

The Nucleus building uses

ModCell's latest innovation
- ModCell straw bale roof
cassettes. This is the first
building ever to use this
innovative building
material. The roof, in
conjunction with
the ModCell straw bale wall
panels, means that the
total envelope of the
building as now made using
straw. The thermal
properties are up there with
the best the construction
industry can offer, whilst
also offering an extremely
sustainable solution.

Hayesfield Schools Nucleus building

Sustainability is a key driver for

the new building which will
visibly demonstrate low energy
design, construction, materials
and use to all users and act as a
learning resource,
demonstration model and
catalyst for sustainable thinking
and initiatives for the whole
school. The building will be built
from a versatile and efficient
straw bale cladding system
eliminating the need for a
separate structural frame and
increasing speed of build on site
through pre-fabrication.

Hayesfield Schools Nucleus building

Levels of Construction:

Presentation Center, CA by Dan Smith Associates Architects

The project centered on the Welcome Center and dining facility,

which incorporates three dining rooms and a bookstore in a 12,000
sf building. The facility has straw-bale walls with lime plaster, postand-beam framing with combined wood-and-steel members, steelbraced frames, and plywood shear walls.
Additional structural features include exposed FSC-certified wood
trusses; exposed structural framing; support for the living green roof
including a vaulted roof; solar thermal collectors integrated into the
truss; monitors for the natural day lighting; and reclaimed lumber
from the site.

Presentation Center, CA by Dan Smith Associates Architects

The straw bales at the Presentation Center were installed by two

Tibetan mena Buddhist monk and a laymanwho spoke no English
and lived in a trailer by the pond for 3 to 4 months in late 2004. They
placed the straw bales by hand, cutting and shaping them with
machete-like tools and filling in the gaps with loose straw, creating
thick, highly compacted walls of straw.
This LEED Gold certified project, with its impressive array of
sustainable features, won the 2007 AIA San Francisco Design Award
for Energy and Sustainability.

Presentation Center, CA by Dan Smith Associates Architects

Modern House

Straw bale provides a renewable material as a main component in a

home, while providing a super high r-value for thermal insulation
about R35-50 compared to a standard R-13, and provide a great
amount of sound installation.
Straw bale is a byproduct of agriculture, is an abundant resource in
rural areas and is therefore inexpensive.

Modern House

Installation is fairly easy and can be installed without the use of

skilled labor.
Straw bale walls are, contrary to popular belief, fire resistant. The
combination of dense straw bales and plaster coverage make it very
difficult for straw bales to go up in flame they will instead smolder
and burn very slowly. Straw bale construction has been tested and
approved by several agencies..

Modern House

http://allabouthealth.co.za/starflower/?p=362
http://www.mortarsprayer.com/straw-bale/
http://constructioninformer.com/2009/08/07/ukuniversity-tests-strawbale-construction/
http://www.modcell.com/news/balehaus-withstandshurricanes/
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/technical/house-ofstraw-brings-a-sustainable-harvest/3155274.article
http://www.modcell.com/news/hayesfield-nucleusbuilding-now-complete/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/at-on-straw-baleconstruction-83638
http://files.eesi.org/Bartels_062008.pdf
http://www.tippingmar.com/projects/project_details/42

Additional Research

Bahrain World Trade Center

It is a 240-metre-high, 50-floor, twin tower

complex located in Manama, Bahrain. It is
the first skyscraper in the world to
integrate wind turbines into its design.
The two towers are linked via three sky
bridges. Each of these turbines measure
29 m in diameter, and is aligned north.
The sail-shaped buildings on either side
are designed to funnel wind through the
gap to provide accelerated wind passing
through the turbines. This was confirmed
by wind tunnel tests, which showed that
the buildings create an S-shaped flow,
ensuring that any wind coming within a
45 angle to either side of the central axis
will create a wind stream that remains
perpendicular to the turbines. This
significantly increases their potential to
generate electricity.

Bahrain World Trade Center

It is a 240-metre-high, 50-floor, twin tower complex located in Manama,

Bahrain. It is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into
its design.
The two towers are linked via three sky bridges. Each of these turbines
measure 29 m in diameter, and is aligned north. The sail-shaped buildings
on either side are designed to funnel wind through the gap to provide
accelerated wind passing through the turbines. This was confirmed by wind
tunnel tests, which showed that the buildings create an S-shaped flow,
ensuring that any wind coming within a 45 angle to either side of the
central axis will create a wind stream that remains perpendicular to the
turbines. This significantly increases their potential to generate electricity.

Dynamic Architecture building in Dubai

The worlds first moving building, Dynamic Tower, a

skyscraper with 80 independently rotating floors
which rotates on a central axis, each floor rotates
separately giving a new view of the building.
Each floor, made up of 12 individual units,
complete with plumbing, electric connections, air
conditioning, etc., will be fabricated in a factory.
These modular units will be fitted on the concrete
core or spine of the building at the central tower.
Dr. David Fisher the architect claims that the
building will generate 10 times more energy than
required to power it, thus making it a positive
energy building. Solar panels will be fitted on the
roof and a total of 48 wind turbines will be
sandwiched between the rotating floors, placed so
that they are practically invisible. Each wind turbine
could produce up to megawatt of electricity, and it
is estimated that 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of
energy would be generated every year.

Dynamic Architecture building in Dubai

Construction

of the building:

The individual units will

be manufactured offsite in a dedicated
factory, thus reducing
the costs by about 10%
and increasing the
efficiency of the
construction by
30%. Prefabrication has
the added benefit of
allowing for a cleaner
construction site, with a
simpler and shorter
process of assembly,
less use of resources
and energy, and
minimal site
disturbance.

Dynamic Architecture building in Dubai

Construction

of the building:

Dynamic Architecture building in Dubai

Wind Power: The power for the building will be supplied by horizontal wind
turbines installed between the floors, thus avoiding the visual impact, one of
the major drawbacks of the familiar propellor turbine. The blades are
designed and constructed of materials to allow for quiet operation a
necessary feature, since they are only meters away from the residents. The
architect, Dr. David Fisher, explained wind is a problem for most skyscrapers,
and he decided to make use of it instead.

Dynamic Architecture building in Dubai

 http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/1

757.
http://www.dubai-architecture.info/GALL/DUB-DT.htm.
http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/1
757.
http://www.greenprophet.com/2008/09/windpowered-building-in-motion/
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/twintowers-bahrain-world-trade-center-with-three-windturbines.html