Sean Gavlas, Jessica Fowler, Brandon Barlow, Graham Felsenthal

Humboldt State University 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 how can these decisions be made? By what factors can a comparison be made. We have had the opportunity to research Papercrete and Strawbale building materials as a first step in making this decision.

Background

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.

Strawbale and papercrete construction have both been gaining popularity and

Problem statement

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.

Instructions

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Media:Crude_worksheets.xls‎ links directly to a file (as opposed to Image:).

Justifications

Results

Conclusions

Discussion and next steps

References

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