[GSBN] SB & Acoustics

[Derek Roff]

The acoustical advantages of strawbale walls, relative to other 
effective sound barrier wall materials, are largely irrelevant in a 
landscape or highway sound barrier wall.  Any non-perforated wall with 
reasonable mass and density will work similarly.  Acoustic barrier 
walls are valuable, but they can't stop sound coming over the wall. 
The sound coming over the acoustic barrier will be the largest 
component of noise, so optimizing the wall materials has rapidly 
diminishing returns.  Making the wall taller matters much more than 
improving its sound transference characteristics by a few percent (from 
"very good" to "excellent").  But there are other factors that limit 
wall height.

As Sarah and others mention, the long-term durability of a strawbale 
landscape wall is a question affected by climate, prevailing winds, 
design, and construction details.  Putting a roof on the top of the 
wall increases its beauty and longevity, but also the cost.  It's 
probably safer for drivers to crash into a strawbale wall, compared to 
concrete.  Outside of that, I would tend to vote for another material. 
Strawbale doesn't offer obvious advantages, and having a few sections 
of wall fail, even if for reasons related to poor detailing, will 
decrease the reputation of strawbale.

Best wishes,
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



--On Friday, November 12, 2010 3:42 PM +1300 Sarah Johnston 
<sarahjohnston at ihug.co.nz> wrote:

> Hello!
>
> We've had an inquiry from a local road works company about using
> straw bale as a landscape wall for acoustical reasons along the main
> highway (keep in mind, in this neck of the woods...the main
> north-south road is two lanes only...).
>
> They have requested acoustical research and data.  We have the
> information in Bruce's book, but I thought I would check to see if
> there has been any new testing or research done recently that you
> could share with us?
>
> Does anyone have experience with landscape walls along busy highways?
> I'm questioning the overall long-term durability of this type of
> landscape wall.  Your thoughts and input are all welcome.
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Cheers,
> Sarah
>
> Sarah Johnston
> Sol Design, Ltd.
> 50A Connolly Street
> Geraldine New Zealand
> 03 693 7369
> sarahjohnston at ihug.co.nz