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Factors Impeding the Advancement of Straw Bale As a Feasible and Sustainable Construction Building Material in North America

McIntosh, Sean P.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1305896657

Abstract Details

2011, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Civil Engineering.
Building systems may achieve an integration of affordability, green construction, and sustainability through the utilization of straw-bale construction. This building method may be particularly beneficial to countries that are characterized by developing economies or are enduring a recovery from a natural disaster. Employed as a means to replace or complement traditional building materials, straw-bale construction provides easy installation and energy efficiency. Conventional and prescriptive building regulations create a barrier to the widespread advancement of straw-bale construction. Specifically, common and standardized materials exist in capital intensive industries that compete against each other in a market that can support testing. These factors provide difficulty in introducing and establishing new and competitive building materials. Similarly, preconceived notions of straw-bale construction methodology, design limitations, and supposed deficiencies in straw bales as a feasible building material must be overcome. The exploratory study undertaken herein developed an evaluation of those factors that are impeding the development of this construction methodology in North America. The goal of the study is to provide an analysis of what is the general consensus from builders, contractors, engineers, and architects regarding straw-bale construction. The primary research methods included surveying building professionals throughout North America to gauge their perceptions and experiences. Furthermore, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to measure the environmental impact of a straw-bale home as compared to a home utilizing common building techniques. Such results may be utilized to facilitate the advancement of this affordable and sustainable construction material.
Bahram Shahrooz, PhD (Committee Chair)
Lilit Yeghiazarian, PhD (Committee Member)
Hazem Elzarka, PhD (Committee Member)
Margaret Kupferle, PhDPE (Committee Member)
172 p.
Civil Engineering
straw-bale construction; sustainability; alternative construction materials; energy effeciency; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McIntosh, S. P. (2011). Factors Impeding the Advancement of Straw Bale As a Feasible and Sustainable Construction Building Material in North America [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1305896657

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McIntosh, Sean. Factors Impeding the Advancement of Straw Bale As a Feasible and Sustainable Construction Building Material in North America. 2011. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1305896657.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McIntosh, Sean. "Factors Impeding the Advancement of Straw Bale As a Feasible and Sustainable Construction Building Material in North America." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1305896657

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1305896657
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.