Racking shear resistance of prefabricated straw-bale panels

The present study investigated the resistance to racking shear of 3 m × 3 m low-carbon, high-thermal-performance, prefabricated cladding panels that use straw bales. Although developed as a non-load-bearing panel for use with structurally framed buildings, the panels have the potential for use in low-rise, load-bearing structural walling. Test results confirmed that the panels exceeded current design requirements for racking shear and identified the mechanism whereby this occurred. The panels are considered suitable for future applications in low-rise structural walling solutions. A UK patent application (no. 0803489.4) has been filed on the panel.