This paper,originally reported on in 1993 as a masters thesis at the University of Arizona,describes how a value for the insulating value of straw bales was experimentally determined; and what this insulating value can do for typical building designs.A "modified" guarded hot plate procedure was used to obtain an R-Value of 54.5 (h-Ft~2-F/Btu-Bale) for 22.9" wide wheat bales laid flat.Bales are anisentropic,the insulating values varies with straw orientation.Heat flow against the grains has a higher insulating value (R=3.15/inch) than heat flowing with the grains (R=2.38/inch).Straw type,moisture content and bale density also effect insulating values [1].Current results from other bale testing is visited and future testing is suggested.
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