ABSTRACT
The traditional rectangular bales, which are cheap and can be manhandled individually, are appropriate for building. The large cylindrical and very large rectangular bales, which require mechanical lifting, are less useful in construction and are not considered here. Standard bales (typically 375 500 990 mm) are produced within the baler by compressing quantities of straw into flakes about 100 mm thick. These layers are built up along the length of the bale, which is then automatically tied, usually with two polypropylene strings. There is inevitably some variation in length, and the ends are slightly rounded. For construction, the bales should be well compressed in manufacture, dry (maximum 20% moisture) to prevent the growth of moulds and fungi and with the minimum amount of remaining grain, which might attract rodents.
