[Strawbale] Sound Barrier Fence

[Jon Van Eck]

After years of trying to get the City of Ann Arbor to consider an
earthen/strawbale project, I think I have finally stumbled onto one that
they are interested in doing, but I have some questions.   First let me
describe the project... The south side of Ann Arbor consists of
low-income homes that sit directly next to the I-94 expressway.  I have
proposed that we build earthen walls and involve the community so that
we get buy-in, ownership and a sense of empowerment from the
neighborhood.  I have been reading on-line that strawbale is not the way
to go when you want to build earthen walls (especially in wet areas like
S.E. Michigan.), unless you are willing to build them like a structure
(ie. Roof, foundation, drainage, etc.)  I have also been reading about
the use of earth bags in place of the straw, which I think is a
wonderful idea for this climate, but I read that you don't need a
foundation if the bottom bags are filled with gravel...is this true, and
if so, would all of the bags under the ground level be filled with
gravel??

 

Some of my other concerns are with the structure and with the
plastering...Does the fence need to have a wire mesh affixed to the
earth bags prior to the plastering? Do we need flying buttresses along
the wall for stability...and if so at what interval?  I was thinking
that we could use an earthen plaster with a finished coat of lime
plaster, however I am concerned about continued upkeep of the fence and
the fact that the community will be in charge of maintaining their
individual sections of the fence...Given this what are my alternatives?
There was some discussion today that we could do some community
education about upkeep issues and we could create an account that the
community could utilize when they needed money for supplies.  I think
the sense of ownership that each homeowner will have for their
individual wall section, and continued support from the City should
guarantee success...what do you think?

Thanks,

~ Jon

 

Jon P. Van Eck

Housing Rehab Specialist

City of Ann Arbor

The Office of Community Development

PH:    (734) 622-9013

FAX:  (734) 622-9022

 

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