Abstract
The purpose of this study is analyzing the prescriptions of American codes for straw bale structures and proposing the legislation direction of Korean building code. The process of this study is as follows: (1) To set up the legislation direction of straw bale code of Korea, this study investigated the current state and features of straw bale houses in Korea, and looked into the worldwide status of straw bale codes and permitting. (2) To provide basic data for the legislation of Korean straw bale code or guideline, this study analyzed American codes for straw bale structures like the Tucson/Pima County Arizona Building Code Appendix Chapter 72 - Straw-Bale Structures, California State Guidelines for Straw-Bale Structures, New Mexico Standards for Non-load Bearing Baled Straw Construction, Oregon State Residential Code Appendix M - Straw-Bale Structures and so on. The analysis items are the scope of rule application, material specifications, requirements for straw bale walls/foundations and construction requirements. (3) On the base of analysis of American straw bale codes, this study proposed the legislation process and direction of Korean straw bale code and guideline.