[GSBN] Jumbo Bale Question

[Ben]

Hi All

I'm writing because I have a few questions to ask. First a little background

There is the possibility that Fort Hood (US Army Base near Killeen TX - 
climatic data below) will build a 4 story 120000 LEED Platinum straw 
bale facility with a living roof and a helipad.

The person who is trying to get the funding is sold on jumbo bales. I 
feel it's my obligation to recommend the best overall system for the 
project.

Because of our extremely moderate winters here (there are many years 
where the total yearly amount of time we have temp below freezing is 
measured in hours-often under 24 hours of actual below freezing temp per 
year) I'm not certain if the Army is getting the best bang for their 
buck with the extra cost. I think they probably will but the question is 
how long will it take.

Also, the concept is a non-conditioned space. In this climate the heat 
load generated by 1200 people (120,000 divided by 1:100 occupant load), 
plus the interior humidity level would (I believe) require an HVAC 
system regardless of the wall's insulation factor. Does anyone have any 
experience in this-again for a similar climate?

Finally there is a structural question. When I heard 4-story, 120,000.00 
s.f. w/ a living roof and heli-pad I immediately assumed a recycled 
steel structure. The funding agent is proposing testing to see if the 
jumbo bales can support the roof. Frankly I seriously doubt that the 
Army would go along w/ load bearing straw supporting a heli-pad but who 
knows.

So..  does anyone out there have any performance data based on a climate 
that is similar to this one for jumbo bales that they are willing to share?

The same goes for structural data on what a 4'(w) x 3'(h) x 8'(l) bale 
can hold up.

Here are the heating and cooling degree day averages for the last 5 
years plus a brief summary of the historical averages. Any advice would 
be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Ben Obregon
Austin TX



Temperatures range from an average high of 96° in July to an average low 
of 36° in January. Rainfall averages thirty-four inches a year; the 
average relative humidity is 82 percent at 6 a.m. and 52 percent at 6 
p.m., and the growing season averages 258 days annually

Description: 	Farenheit-based 5-year-average (2004 to 2008) cooling 
degree days for a base temperature of 65F
Source: 	www.degreedays.net (using temperature data from 
www.wunderground.com)
Accuracy: 	No problems detected
Station: 	Airport: Fort Hood, TX, US (97.83W,31.07N)
Station ID: 	KGRK

	

	CDD
Jan 	25
Feb 	29
Mar 	81
Apr 	150
May 	306
Jun 	469
Jul 	544
Aug 	574
Sep 	407
Oct 	231
Nov 	77
Dec 	30
Total 	2923



Description: 	Farenheit-based 5-year-average (2004 to 2008) heating 
degree days for a base temperature of 65F
Source: 	www.degreedays.net (using temperature data from 
www.wunderground.com)
Accuracy: 	No problems detected
Station: 	Airport: Fort Hood, TX, US (97.83W,31.07N)
Station ID: 	KGRK

	

	HDD
Jan 	498
Feb 	407
Mar 	205
Apr 	109
May 	27
Jun 	0
Jul 	0
Aug 	0
Sep 	8
Oct 	76
Nov 	236
Dec 	480
Total 	2046


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