[GSBN] Jumbo Bale Question

[Derek Roff]

--On Monday, May 4, 2009 4:37 PM -0500 Ben <bobregon at austin.rr.com> 
wrote:

> 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.

Builders Without Borders was contacted about this a few years ago.  At 
that point, I think they were talking about 10,000 sq ft.  I'm glad to 
hear that Ben, Straw Wolf, David and Bruce are involved.  It seems like 
the precautionary principle would suggest not putting a helipad on the 
world's first 4-story load-bearing strawbale building.  Among other 
precautions.

I agree with Ben that a ventilation system will be needed, certainly 
for air quality, and probably for temperature and moisture control. 
Unless this building is a hangar, or something similar, we would expect 
a lot of heat from computers and lighting, in addition to the human 
heat engines.

Texas isn't known for earthquakes, but I found reports of a 5.6 
magnitude earthquake as recently as 1995.  A four story wall would 
exceed the recommended height to wall thickness guidelines from 
Martin's draft of the California code, printed in Bruce's book.

Whenever anyone can tell us more, I'd love to get updates on this 
project.

Derelict

Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: derek at unm.edu