Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Polyester strapping
Position the flat polyester compression strapping prior to installing the bottom boxing.
When using polyester strapping, cut pieces of the strapping approximately 1.5 metres
long and position them on the floor at 450 crs. Tie a knot in each end of the strapping to
prevent it from pulling out from under the bottom boxing during construction of the
wall (see Figure 4.2). If you are using a physical termite barrier, such as Kordon, this to is
to be installed prior to the installation of the bottom boxing. Position the bottom boxing
over the polyester strapping in readiness for installation. Fit the bottom boxing level with
the top outer edge of the floor. Fix the bottom boxing to the floor via the flat noggings.
When fixing to a concrete floor, use three 75 mm masonry nails through each flat
nogging. When fixing to timber floors with particleboard flooring, use three 100 mm
nails through each nogging. The 100 mm nails are required to pass through the
particleboard flooring into solid timber. Fixings into particleboard flooring are not
deemed as structural connections.
Figure 4.2
The bottom boxing to support a straw bale wall
Once the bottom boxing is fixed in place, have your electrician and plumber install
any plumbing or electrical lines that are to be contained within the bottom boxing.
Supporting the straw bales
What prevents the straw bales being pressed into the bottom boxing? At the frame stage,
as shown in Figure 4.2, the bottom boxing is unable to support the bales adequately, as
the bales will be forced into the cavities of the boxing during compression. The additional
support can take one of two forms. The cavity can be filled with crushed rock, or the
surface of the boxing can be covered with structural ply.
