IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i12p3388-d241162.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Physical Properties of Straw Bales as a Construction Material: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Cascone

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Renata Rapisarda

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Dario Cascone

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Via delle Olimpiadi, 94100 Enna, Italy)

Abstract

Straw bale buildings provide significant benefits in terms of costs, human health, and environmental sustainability. Several studies in different regions have underlined the remarkable properties of straw bales as insulating and construction material; however, to the authors’ knowledge, there are no reviews published on this topic. The main objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of straw bale systems, focusing on durability and thermal and acoustic insulation properties. To this end, previous tests and studies on straw bale buildings around the world were reviewed, comparing their results, assessing where research currently stands, and identifying the aspects that need to be further investigated. Results from previous tests have highlighted their ability to achieve excellent living comfort and encouraged their use. Guidelines for the characteristics to be achieved during the baling process are now required. Combining straw bale walls with a render or any type of high-density layer can improve both the thermal and acoustic properties of straw bale constructions. Finally, a quantitative assessment of the most significant properties, such as thermal resistance and acoustic insulation, is necessary to reduce the gap between straw bales and traditional building materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Cascone & Renata Rapisarda & Dario Cascone, 2019. "Physical Properties of Straw Bales as a Construction Material: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:12:p:3388-:d:241162
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/12/3388/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/12/3388/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hao Wang & Pen-Chi Chiang & Yanpeng Cai & Chunhui Li & Xuan Wang & Tse-Lun Chen & Shiming Wei & Qian Huang, 2018. "Application of Wall and Insulation Materials on Green Building: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Maria La Gennusa & Pere Llorach-Massana & Juan Ignacio Montero & Francisco Javier Peña & Joan Rieradevall & Patrizia Ferrante & Gianluca Scaccianoce & Giancarlo Sorrentino, 2017. "Composite Building Materials: Thermal and Mechanical Performances of Samples Realized with Hay and Natural Resins," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Yvan Dutil & Daniel Rousse & Guillermo Quesada, 2011. "Sustainable Buildings: An Ever Evolving Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Wojciech Drozd & Agnieszka Leśniak, 2018. "Ecological Wall Systems as an Element of Sustainable Development—Cost Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Rojhat Ibrahim & Sara Elhadad & Bálint Baranyai & Tamás János Katona, 2022. "Impact Assessment of Morphology and Layout of Zones on Refugees’ Affordable Core Shelter Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Ghadie Tlaiji & Pascal Biwole & Salah Ouldboukhitine & Fabienne Pennec, 2022. "A Mini-Review on Straw Bale Construction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-8, October.
    3. Yun-Shang Chiou & Joan Stephanie Elizalde, 2019. "Thermal Performances of Three Old Houses: A Comparative Study of Heterogeneous Vernacular Traditions in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Prespa Ymeri & Csaba Gyuricza & Csaba Fogarassy, 2020. "Farmers’ Attitudes Towards the Use of Biomass as Renewable Energy—A Case Study from Southeastern Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Cristina Moliner & Dario Bove & Elisabetta Arato, 2020. "Co-Incineration of Rice Straw-Wood Pellets: A Sustainable Strategy for the Valorisation of Rice Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Stefano Cascone & Gianpiero Evola & Antonio Gagliano & Gaetano Sciuto & Chiara Baroetto Parisi, 2019. "Laboratory and In-Situ Measurements for Thermal and Acoustic Performance of Straw Bales," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-19, October.
    7. Xunzhi Yin & Jiaqi Yu & Qi Dong & Yongheng Jia & Cheng Sun, 2020. "Energy Sustainability of Rural Residential Buildings with Bio-Based Building Fabric in Northeast China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Qing Yin & Muhan Yu & Xueliang Ma & Ying Liu & Xunzhi Yin, 2023. "The Role of Straw Materials in Energy-Efficient Buildings: Current Perspectives and Future Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-24, April.
    9. Xunzhi Yin & Qi Dong & Siyuan Zhou & Jiaqi Yu & Lu Huang & Cheng Sun, 2020. "Energy-Saving Potential of Applying Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction (PSBC) in Domestic Buildings in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, April.
    10. Bryan Dorsey, 2021. "Refocusing on Sustainability: Promoting Straw Bale Building for Government-Assisted, Self-Help Housing Programs in Utah and Abroad," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Karel Struhala & Miroslav Čekon & Richard Slávik, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Façade Concepts Based on Transparent Insulation Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Yunsong Han & Hong Yu & Cheng Sun, 2017. "Simulation-Based Multiobjective Optimization of Timber-Glass Residential Buildings in Severe Cold Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Ana Ferreira & Manuel Duarte Pinheiro & Jorge de Brito & Ricardo Mateus, 2022. "Embodied vs. Operational Energy and Carbon in Retail Building Shells: A Case Study in Portugal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, December.
    4. Jukka Heinonen & Antti-Juhani Säynäjoki & Matti Kuronen & Seppo Junnila, 2012. "Are the Greenhouse Gas Implications of New Residential Developments Understood Wrongly?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Riikka Kyrö & Jukka Heinonen & Antti Säynäjoki & Seppo Junnila, 2012. "Assessing the Potential of Climate Change Mitigation Actions in Three Different City Types in Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(7), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Hao Wang & Pen-Chi Chiang & Yanpeng Cai & Chunhui Li & Xuan Wang & Tse-Lun Chen & Shiming Wei & Qian Huang, 2018. "Application of Wall and Insulation Materials on Green Building: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    7. Peter Mésároš & Marcela Spišáková & Tomáš Mandičák & Jozef Čabala & Milan M. Oravec, 2021. "Adaptive Design of Formworks for Building Renovation Considering the Sustainability of Construction in BIM Environment—Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Skiba, Marta & Mrówczyńska, Maria & Sztubecka, Małgorzata & Bazan-Krzywoszańska, Anna & Kazak, Jan K. & Leśniak, Agnieszka & Janowiec, Filip, 2021. "Probability estimation of the city’s energy efficiency improvement as a result of using the phase change materials in heating networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    9. Kajetan Sadowski, 2021. "Implementation of the New European Bauhaus Principles as a Context for Teaching Sustainable Architecture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    10. Jukka Heinonen & Antti Säynäjoki & Seppo Junnila, 2011. "A Longitudinal Study on the Carbon Emissions of a New Residential Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Maria La Gennusa & Concettina Marino & Antonino Nucara & Maria Francesca Panzera & Matilde Pietrafesa, 2021. "Insulating Building Components Made from a Mixture of Waste and Vegetal Materials: Thermal Characterization of Nine New Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Anh-Duc Pham & Quang Trung Nguyen & Duc Long Luong & Quynh Chau Truong, 2020. "The Development of a Decision Support Model for Eco-Friendly Material Selection in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, April.
    13. Sooyoun Cho & Jeehang Lee & Jumi Baek & Gi-Seok Kim & Seung-Bok Leigh, 2019. "Investigating Primary Factors Affecting Electricity Consumption in Non-Residential Buildings Using a Data-Driven Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-23, October.
    14. Stefano Cascone, 2019. "Green Roof Design: State of the Art on Technology and Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-27, May.
    15. Helena Nydahl & Staffan Andersson & Anders P. Åstrand & Thomas Olofsson, 2019. "Environmental Performance Measures to Assess Building Refurbishment from a Life Cycle Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    16. Gianfranco Rizzo & Laura Cirrincione & Maria La Gennusa & Giorgia Peri & Gianluca Scaccianoce, 2023. "Green Roofs’ End of Life: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    17. Monica C.M. Parlato & Simona M.C. Porto, 2020. "Organized Framework of Main Possible Applications of Sheep Wool Fibers in Building Components," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, January.
    18. Lubwama, Michael & Yiga, Vianney Andrew & Muhairwe, Frank & Kihedu, Joseph, 2020. "Physical and combustion properties of agricultural residue bio-char bio-composite briquettes as sustainable domestic energy sources," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 1002-1016.
    19. Yong Li & Yu Sun & Chengcheng Zeng & Jinxing Li & Yanping Gao & Haisheng Li, 2022. "Research on the Influencing Factors for the Use of Green Building Materials through the Number Growth of Construction Enterprises Based on Agent-Based Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-13, October.
    20. R. R. L. (Rick) van Loon & Ester Pujadas-Gispert & S. P. G. (Faas) Moonen & Rijk Blok, 2019. "Environmental Optimization of Precast Concrete Beams Using Fibre Reinforced Polymers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-12, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:12:p:3388-:d:241162. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.