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return to Farmers Independent Weekly

March 11, 2004

by Kris J. Dick, Department of Biosystems Engineering

A Researchable Building: the post-frame straw bale research facility

With the completion of the post-frame straw bale research facility on the campus of the University of Manitoba in the spring of 2004, an unparalleled opportunity for research related to post-frame structures, the use of straw-bale wall systems and other alternative building materials in agricultural, residential and light-commercial structures will be in place.

The inside dimensions of the structure are 40 feet wide by 107 feet long with an 18-foot ceiling height. The walls of the building are made of nail-laminated posts with two-string wheat straw bales in between. The straw bales are covered with a stucco mesh and Portland cement-based stucco to make a 20 inch thick wall. This wall system will not only provide an insulation value of approximately R50, 21/2 times more than a newer home, but also has a 21/2 hour fire rating. The roof system uses metal plate connected wood trusses with metal cladding on the roof and ceiling.

Aside from the straw bale infill in the walls, what makes this structure really unique is that the posts, trusses and portions of the walls will be instrumented, as shown in Figure 1 below. This will provide information in real time about how the building responds to environmental loads from wind, snow, temperature and moisture. Another interesting feature is that the two long sides are oriented due south and north to study the effect of solar radiation on wall performance.

Figure 1: Building Monitoring

A research opportunity like this does not happen without help. Support from the University of Manitoba, the Biosystems technicians and the general contractor on the project, Newton Enterprises, continues to be much appreciated.

Even if we know that something works through experience, it is important that we understand and be able to demonstrate why. As design engineers, we need hands-on experience with alternative building materials and data on which to base our designs. The research done on this building will provide valuable information for code forming bodies, building inspection departments, insurance companies and financial institutions. As designers, contractors and owners, we come in contact will all of these groups so it is in our best interest to be well prepared.

At one time within Canada, research related to agricultural buildings was done through a process of interaction amongst extension engineers, university-based agricultural engineering departments, government researchers and the construction community. For a variety of reasons, these linkages do not exist anymore. In fact, Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba is now the only institution with a well-defined mechanism to conduct agricultural buildings research. The Department has three staff members who are involved in buildings research. Within the context of Canadian universities and colleges, this group represents the largest group of individuals actively involved in research related to agricultural buildings.