[GSBN] Reference projects for big scale traffic noise barriers.

[Martin Hammer]

Hi Lars,

Rick Green, a California farmer and builder (including straw bale) was
involved in a SB sound barrier highway wall about 15 years ago. Rick did
exceptional work over the years and was a good friend of the California
straw bale community. He passed away last year at too young an age.

I¹ve attached a photo Rick sent me in 2013 of the SB highway wall, though
there is a dearth of information about it, and I don¹t know if it even still
exists. See my email exchanges with Rick below.

It seems, from my last email below, someone from the GSBN inquired about
this in 2013.

By the way, a 5 meter high free-standing SB wall has me concerned. I wonder
how/if it will be braced for out-of-plane wind loads (and seismic if in a
moderate to high seismic location).

Martin

Martin Hammer, Architect
1348 Hopkins St
Berkeley, CA  94702

510-684-4488 (mobile)


On 3/20/2013 2:35 AM, martin hammer wrote:
 
Hi Rick -

Did you participate in the construction of a straw bale highway wall in
Nevada some years ago, or know anything about it?

I found this on your website:

LAS VEGAS VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
Las Vegas, NV

4,000 foot long - 10,000 rice straw bales ­ sound wall for Hwy. 95. Expected
completion 2002.

Thanks.
Martin Hammer

> On 3/20/13 7:59 AM, "Rick Green" <greenstraw at hughes.net
> <applewebdata://3016B570-DDF9-4C20-9BF3-53CCCFEA653D/greenstraw@hughes.net> >
> wrote:
> Martin,
>  The project is located at the north end of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve at
> the junction of Hwy 95 and Valley View.  We did a total of seven buildings
> within the Desert Living Center made from straw bale, rammed earth, or a
> combination of the two.  A web search for the Desert Living Center should give
> you a lot of information.  I will locate some pictures and get them down to
> you.
>  The wall was built before the buildings and was completed I believe in 2004.
> The sections were ten feet wide and varied in height, so we made 1/2 bales
> here and shipped them as full blocks, to the installers only had to cut the
> outside added strings, and could then just stack the bales.  There were 10,000
> bales total, and I think we made up 4,000 half bales.  The wall is functioning
> well, and from the Hwy 95 side is very attractive, as it displays colorful
> precast concrete panels with customizable insets, which advertise coming
> attractions at the Preserve.
>  The rough surface on the south side of the wall was intentional, to absorb
> the intense heat, rather than reflect it back on the plants close to it.  As
> far as sound attenuation, the wall performs very well, as you might expect.
>  I have a lot of first hand information on the Desert Living Center if that is
> of interest to you.
>  Take care,
>  Rick
> From: Martin Hammer <mfhammer at pacbell.net>
> Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 3:33 PM
> To: Rick Green <greenstraw at hughes.net>
> Subject: Re: SB highway wall in Nevada
> 
> Rick -
> 
> I really appreciate this. Amazing wall. I saw drawings of the Desert Living
> Center on the internet, but no photos. I¹m sure I could find photos if I
> looked. Both the wall and the Desert Living Center are great projects.
> 
> As far as you know, the bales have not rotted?  Assuming it has been a success
> (performance and relative cost) I wonder why it hasn¹t been replicated
> elsewhere. Do you have a cross-section drawing of the wall that you¹re able to
> share?
> 
> My inquiry came from a colleague in Australia who asked about the highway
> wall, and is on the Global Straw Building Network (about 120 straw bale
> building experts from around the world).  Do you have interest in being a
> member of this group? (with informed, interesting e-mail discussion that ebbs
> and flows, that you can participate in or not)
> 
> Thanks again.
> 
> Martin

From:  Gsbn <gsbn-bounces at sustainablesources.com> on behalf of Lars Keller
<larskeller at gmail.com>
Date:  Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 5:41 AM
To:  GSBN <GSBN at SustainableSources.com>
Subject:  [GSBN] Reference projects for big scale traffic noise barriers.

Hi all,
I have been contacted by an architect who is researching whether to use
straw in a 900m long and 5meter tall noice barrier next to a road.
Provided there is a dry foundation and a healthy roof i think great yes.

The architect would love to see, that it has already been done somewhere
else in the world.

I think its been dony many places.
Can anyone guide me to a good reference project ?

Best, Lars Keller

Small Planet
jomorandin at gmail.com
larskeller at gmail.com

Lars   +45 2024 0505 (mobile/handy)

Friland 12 B
8410 Rønde
Danmark



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