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<FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12pt'>Andy,<BR>
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Bruce was not talking about a SB wall, but our BWB team is concerned about that, and a few Haitians have questioned it. I’ve never heard anyone report how easy or difficult it is to break through a plastered strawbale wall, even if unreinforced clay plaster. Our manually made Haiti bales are only 12” thick (like the Pakistani bales), with external bamboo pins, with clay plaster and no mesh, but I suspect it is still no easy task to break through that wall. Probably even prevent penetration of a powder propelled projectile.<BR>
<BR>
Martin<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
On 3/1/11 12:10 PM, "Andy Horn" <<a href="andy@ecodesignarchitects.co.za">andy@ecodesignarchitects.co.za</a>> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#008000"><FONT SIZE="2"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'>Apologies – you not talking about a straw bale wall. <BR>
what I do know from the townships here in South Africa is that when we are talking safe we are talking bullet proof!!!<BR>
<BR>
I was once shown effective township bullet proofing by an owner builder in the squatter townships. He had used timber off-cuts – still with their bark on – to clad the bottom half of his corrugated shack. He then proceeded to show me bullets still lodged in the bottom half of the dwelling as well as the gaping holes left by the bullets that had hit the unprotected top half of the structure. He said if ever they heard gun shots at night they would lye on the floor to stay protected.<BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><B>From:</B> <a href="GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com">GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com</a> [<a href="mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com">mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com</a>] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Andy Horn<BR>
<B>Sent:</B> 01 March 2011 09:44 PM<BR>
<B>To:</B> '(private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network'<BR>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [GSBN] building in Haiti<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT COLOR="#008000"><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'>Hi Martin<BR>
I agree it is more about securing the windows and doors. <BR>
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Plaster aside, for anyone who has not yet tried – but getting through a wall of straw is no mean feat. <BR>
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I once got called in to look at saving storm wrecked load bearing SB after the guys building had left for a long weekend without covering up ……so I helped with cutting out chunks of un-plastered wall, so as to retrofit in sets of load bearing timber posts. Armed with a chainsaw you would be surprised at just how difficult it was. <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><B>From:</B> <a href="GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com">GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com</a> [<a href="mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com">mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com</a>] <B>On Behalf Of </B>martin hammer<BR>
<B>Sent:</B> 01 March 2011 05:54 AM<BR>
<B>To:</B> (private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network<BR>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [GSBN] building in Haiti<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12pt'><FONT FACE="Arial">Bruce, all,<BR>
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Although on the EBNet Haiti team (in addition to the BWB SB Haiti team), I'll jump into the GSBN forum with a couple thoughts on the plaster and the security issue.<BR>
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The security concern will be greater in some locations than others. Generally, the more urban the greater the concern. It seems obvious that both in perception and as a physical obstacle, mesh reinforced cement plaster would be the most secure plaster, and I’ll say probably secure enough. (Notwithstanding Derek’s proposed method of breaking and entering, that still takes time, effort, makes noise, etc, and thus is a deterrent). In some cases clay, or lime plaster may not be enough, in other cases it will. Installing a second plaster on the inside face of the bamboo framing would provide additional security (real and perceived). <BR>
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For the Home Expo building I suggest installing a cement plaster (with up to 50% lime if you can get your hands on it) on half the building, and a clay plaster with a durable finish on the other half. With and without a second plaster on the interior. Let people see how they both feel, look, and sound, and allow them to decide which would work for their circumstance.<BR>
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Cordaid, a Dutch organization, built a prototype wood-framed house in Leogane, Haiti with no less than 7 enclosure-finish systems. (I can send photos, if you haven't seen it already.) I think it goes too far to the point of being chaotic/confusing. But a couple variations in one prototype building seems valid to me. Looking at opposite corners you might only see one finish at a time.<BR>
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In terms of security, doors and windows (shutters?) will probably be a greater point of vulnerability than the wall enclosure system. I would show how that can be addressed on at least one opening. <BR>
<BR>
Also, although security can be a serious issue in parts of Haiti (and other places in the world!), there of course is much more to consider about this building . . .<BR>
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Martin Hammer <BR>
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On 2/28/11 6:15 PM, "Andrew Webb" <<a href="andrew@thegreenwebb.com">andrew@thegreenwebb.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#0000FF">> Except perhaps in perception - concrete may be less tempting to try to <BR>
> break through than clay (if it is obviously clay) even if doing so is <BR>
> just as easy. The finish and the image it projects is likely a factor.<BR>
> <BR>
> -Andrew Webb<BR>
> <BR>
> On 1/03/2011 11:41 AM, john rehorn wrote:<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#008000">>> Good point, Derek. Thick clay or lime would be as good a 'vandal wall' as <BR>
>> one inch of cementatious.<BR>
>> <BR>
>> John Reho<BR>
>> <BR>
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