Papercrete vs. StrawBale

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 an alternative to the typical building materials and have set up criteria for comparison.

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.

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.

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.