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Our goal in researching these two materials is to determine which one is more suitable for our location based on a number of different comparable criteria such as transportation costs, CO2 emissions, and R-Value.  Just because there is an alternative building material doesn't necessarily make it the best choice. If one material takes more fuel, creates more pollution and uses up more natural resources than another it might be wise to take another look before the decision is made.
Our goal in researching these two materials is to determine which one is more suitable for our location based on a number of different comparable criteria such as transportation costs, CO2 emissions, and R-Value.  Just because there is an alternative building material doesn't necessarily make it the best choice. If one material takes more fuel, creates more pollution and uses up more natural resources than another it might be wise to take another look before the decision is made.


why did we choose these two types of materials?
[[Image:papercreteshed.jpg|thumb|right|Papercrete Shed]]


== Instructions ==
== Instructions ==

Revision as of 06:25, 9 December 2008

Sean Gavlas, Jessica Fowler, Brandon Barlow, Graham Felsenthal

Humboldt State University - Arcata, CA

December 2008

Abstract

Even though we might be accustomed to only a few different types of building materials in the United States, there are many alternatives to the typical wood and sheet rock or redbrick buildings. Some alternatives are more environmentally friendly than others and more suited to certain locations, but by what factors can these decisions be made. How can they be compared? We have had the opportunity to research Papercrete and Strawbale building materials as alternatives to the typical and most common building materials.

Background

Strawbale houses were very popular among settlers in the plains areas for the abundance of straw and the insulative properties useful during long cold winters. Once the mass production of construction materials in the 1950's started strawbale construction began to lose popularity. Strawbale could not compete with the cheapness and quickness of application that the mass produced materials had, but by the 70's with the appropriate technologies movement there was a resergance of people interested in the application of strawbale as a building material. It is a byproduct of grains harvesting and usually becomes waste. It has an amazing r-value which creates a much lesser demand for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer and can withstand strong seismic activity because of its compressive strength capabilities and flexibility.

Papercrete is a building material made from cement, shredded paper and sand. Mostly it could be used from waste paper and the mixes are variable. T

Problem statement

The Campus Center for Appropriate Technologies (CCAT) at Humboldt State University has asked us, as students of Engineering, to research different building materials for a tool shed that they will be building on site. The shed will not only be functional, but as are almost every aspect of CCAT will be a teaching tool and demonstration piece for the community. Even though a tool shed might not need an r-value of 50 or walls

Our goal in researching these two materials is to determine which one is more suitable for our location based on a number of different comparable criteria such as transportation costs, CO2 emissions, and R-Value. Just because there is an alternative building material doesn't necessarily make it the best choice. If one material takes more fuel, creates more pollution and uses up more natural resources than another it might be wise to take another look before the decision is made.

Papercrete Shed

Instructions

This is our spreadsheet which is dynamic and user friendly. It enables one to input their own information based on their specific location such as price per bale or distance of transport. Media:http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p1vYe-H7xh73KMnmPvpkdCQ&hl=en

Strawbale home under construction

Here is some help uploading files.

Media:http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p1vYe-H7xh73KMnmPvpkdCQ&hl=en‎ links directly to a file (as opposed to Image:).

Justifications

Results

Conclusions

Discussion and next steps

References

See Help:Footnotes for more.

<layout name="Spreadsheet analysis" />

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