Rice-hull bagwall construction explained

Rice-hull bagwall construction is a system of building,^[1] with results aesthetically similar to the use of earthbag or cob construction.^[2] Woven polypropylene bags (or tubes) are tightly filled with raw rice-hulls, and these are stacked up, layer upon layer, with strands of four-pronged barbed wire between. A surrounding "cage" composed of mats of welded or woven steel mesh (remesh or "poultry wire") on both sides (wired together between bag layers with, for example, rebar tie-wire) and then stuccoed, to form building walls.

Fireproofing

Mixing rice-hulls in boric acid and borax solution results in fireproofing. A similar result can be achieved if placed on top of poured ingot, which applies direct heat until turned into ash. In addition, its ash form does not appeal to vermin.^[3]

See also

• Earthbag construction
• Cob construction

External links

• The Rice Hull House, by Paul A Olivier, Ph.D.

Notes and References

1. Book: Attmann, Osman . Green architecture: advanced technologies and materials . 2010 . McGraw-Hill . 978-0-07-162501-2 . McGraw-Hill's GreenSource series . New York . 108.
2. Book: The hand-sculpted house: a philosophical and practical guide to building a cob cottage . 2002 . Chelsea Green Publishing Company . 978-1-890132-34-7 . First printing . A Real Goods solar living book . White River Junction . 129-130.
3. Hough. John H.. June 1956. Possible uses for waste rice hulls in building materials and other products. LSU Agricultural Experiment Station Reports. Use as Insulating Material. 4,5.