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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=812420100-27012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>Thanks for the update.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=812420100-27012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>You are doing a fantastic job in this research - maybe you could do
an technical article after the completion of the building
repairs??</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=812420100-27012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>(Joke) - are the mushrooms edible!!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Regards,<BR>Bohdan Dorniak</FONT></P>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV><BR>
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<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Chris
Newton<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, 27 January 2011 9:51 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
GSBN@greenbuilder.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> [GSBN] Fw: Emerald
update<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
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Australia Day <IMG
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src="cid:812420100@27012011-0E0B">. 26th Jan</DIV>
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<DIV>We went up to Emerald last weekend, so time for and update.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The 2 levels seen on the exterior lime render are from the 2 flood peaks.
The upper level for <1 day and the lower level was in water level for 3 days.
So 2 bales in flood water. Mark is one of the council workers, and given the
post flood workload he is working with at present, I think he has done a
great job monitoring the building for us. The walls do show a pattern of drying
despite the humidity. There are a few inconsistencies in the numbers but that
could be explained by some random probe depth / location. 60% MC is the maximum
reading for this probe, so read 60 as meaning greater then 60. (attached
pdf)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Is it drying out fast enough to prevent damage ... sadly, no. Lance Kairl
was the SB builder of this project (House of Bales – South Australia) - he threw
together a straw bale corer (as photographed). What came out was hot straw
(composting) and various shades of going black. All straw felt wet to touch and
was loosing its structure. Even the 19% from the 2nd row. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The wet season has officially started with an average of 5 cyclones (our
funny looking clockwise hurricanes) on the Queensland coast. Emerald is on the
Tropic of Capricorn, 500 km inland. She only rains at this time of the year –
mainly ex-cyclones that have crosses the coastline and sit around for a bit as a
tropical low. We went up we put a coat of lime render over the inside exposed
body coat. Mark has managed to spray the daily outbreaks of mould and fungi with
a bottle fungicide (I see nothing). We closed a door in the store room to find a
lovely dark wet corner > 60% MC with some gorgeous mushrooms taking advantage
of the conditions. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So the lime is now on and that should stop the need of further
fungicide.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Replacement of bales will occur in April – final decision on how many of
the second row of bales will be removed will be made during deconstruction.
Currently we plan to replace them all with with engineered high density expanded
polystyrene foam blocks. Why – The environment has set a new flood level. It is
light weight to work with, similar R value and acoustic properties, can be cut
to get the same lines and window and doors, engineered to take the load of the 5
rows of compressed bales above it, can be rendered over with lime and earth
renders to maintain the same finish.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course we are really interested in any other greener product out there
that will meet the needs, we have a few months up our sleeve to explore and
experiment. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I guess we are now looking at replacing 2 layers of bales around the whole
building. I hear conversations between Lance and Col about supporting the upper
bales in various ways while the damaged bales are removed, and having to put a
new capillary layer on top of the expanding foam.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Shall keep you informed</DIV>
<DIV>Chris and the team.</DIV>
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