Most Common Construction Materials : Any substance utilized in the construction of a structure is referred to as a building material. The construction business uses a wide variety of materials for building. Depending on each material’s structural capabilities, we employ a different one. Local and national regulations control the building materials used in construction in different areas. Architects, on the other hand, select building materials according to cost and beauty. By selecting the right material, you may prolong and improve the life of your project.
The materials for construction that are most frequently used are listed below.
CONCRETE
One of the most used building materials is concrete. It is a composite material made of coarse and fine aggregate combined with water and cement as a binder. After that, the mixture is given time to set and cure. It takes seven days for concrete to cure and an average of 28 days for it to reach its peak strength. The most popular use of reinforced concrete is in building, where steel is incorporated into the concrete to boost its tensile strength. Concrete is available in a variety of types; waterproof and lightweight concrete are two examples. The type of concrete used depends on the project. The fact that concrete can be poured into any shape and hardened into a substance that resembles stone is one of its greatest benefits.
Concrete is often used in construction because of its affordability and adaptability. Concrete is used for:
- Establishments
- Construction of residential buildings
- Construction of commercial buildings
- Building of bridges
- Sewers and gutters.
STEEL
When we discovered that steel could be used as a reinforcement material, the building of skyscrapers took off. Steel is an iron and carbon alloy composite material. Steel is very practical and strong. In comparison to other building materials, it is also less expensive to freight, lightweight, and easy to deal with. Steel does not easily deform unless a significant amount of weight is applied to it; even when bent, steel maintains its structural integrity. Steel is used to construct the structural frameworks of tall, contemporary buildings because of its structural stability.
One of steel’s unique characteristics is its high strength to weight ratio. Installing it takes less time than concrete, and it may be done in any kind of setting. Steel, however, is prone to rust if put incorrectly. Steel has several disadvantages when used as a building material, one of which being its propensity to degrade at high temperatures. The type of steel determines how resistant it is to fire.
Steel is frequently used in construction for the following uses:
- To strengthen the tensile strength of structural sections, steel is used as reinforcing bars.
- Steel is used in the construction of roofing components such cladding, internal walls, ceilings, and purlins.
- Interior fixtures: Rails and staircases are among the interior fixtures that we create with it.
- Utilities: We use steel to build subterranean fuel, power, gas, and water pipelines.
Wooden
Wood may be the oldest building material still in use, considering how long it has been utilized. It is affordable and widely accessible, strong and durable, and versatile in every manner. It can be bent, cured, or molded to take on desired shapes. In addition to being durable, wood is also environmentally friendly. Wood works well with various materials and may be utilized to build both residential and commercial buildings. It works well with steel, aluminum, and stone. Compared to other building materials, wood is relatively light and easier to standardize in size. It has a high tensile strength and works well as an insulator and soundproofer.
In the following domains, wood is utilized in construction:
- Building of ceilings, floors, and walls
- Interior construction, including window and door frames
- Structural frames found in buildings and bridges
- Insulation against heat
- Acoustical insulating
STONE
Stone is the most resilient building material. The oldest constructions in the world are made of stone. Stone’s versatile texture makes it a popular choice for walls and flooring. Stone comes in a multitude of colors and textures, ranging from rough to smooth. Stones that are utilized in construction include marble, granite, and sandstone. Special finishes come at a higher cost than standard stone. Cost and production time for marble countertops are influenced by color and quality.
Stone has some shortcomings. Because of its weight, its density impacts how workable it is, making it tough to move. Stone is useless as insulation in cold climates since it is a poor insulator as well.
Stone is used in construction in the following ways:
- As rough aggregate for construction
- Masonry is used to make bridge piers, walls, and dams.
- As ballast for trains
- In order to damp-proof external walls
- Superior polish finishes are made from marble and related stones.
Masonry/Brick
Bricks are rectangular blocks that are used in Masonry and are joined together with mortar. Traditionally, dried and heated clay was used to make bricks. Although they can shatter easily, they have a strong resistance to compression. These days, steel-reinforced concrete blocks are the most important bricks available. Masonry is strong and resistant to fire. Because of its great compressive strength, load-bearing walls are built with it. When reinforced with concrete, masonry can support multi-story buildings, making it a cost-effective building option.
Masonry is utilized in many different building components, including:
- For walls, use
- For masonry foundations, use
- Other varieties are used for decorative finishes, including veneer masonry.
- In regions that are vulnerable to flooding, gabion building also uses masonry.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES
Other well-liked building supplies consist of:
Bamboo:
Additionally, it can produce sheets and planks for furniture, carpentry, and flooring.
Foam for construction
A special material with a high strength-to-weight ratio is bamboo. In terms of strong tensile strength and compressive strength, it is comparable to brick, concrete, and wood. It is mostly used on residential structures, bridges, and scaffolding.
Buildings employ this plastic foam material to reduce air penetration and for thermal insulation. Polystyrene and polyurethane foam sandwiched between cement, wood, and additional concrete forms are two typical types of concrete foam.
Glass
The majority of buildings use glass, which is created from liquid sand, for their facades. Additionally, flooring and interior building partitions are made of it. Glass is more aesthetically pleasing and lighter than masonry and brick.
The glass thickness is chosen based on the applied loads and is engineered to meet design specifications.
Aluminium
The need for aluminum is rising, particularly because there is less wood available for construction. When compared to other building materials, it is an environmentally benign material that has less impact on the ecology.
Aluminum is combined with other alloys, such as copper and magnesium, to boost its strength because it is not as strong on its own. The strength of various grades of aluminum varies, and the choice of material relies on the intended use.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE CORRECT MATERIALS
The choice of materials is essential for any construction or remodeling job. Even if most contractors already know how much they want to pay, it is still advisable to take the materials’ suitability for the project into account, regardless of price. Some of the reasons why choosing the appropriate materials for a building project is crucial are listed below.
The Durability of The Material
The project’s warranty period and defects liability period are impacted by a material’s durability. To guarantee a structure’s stability, it is also necessary to make sure that the building components are long-lasting. One can distribute raw materials, environmental and energy consequences over time, and repair and replace durable construction components less frequently.
Buildings can be altered for purposes unrelated to their structural integrity; durability planning establishes a fair goal for a building’s service life.
Cost of materials
A crucial topic of conversation for engineers, clients, and architects is material pricing. It isn’t always good, though, to search for the cheapest product without taking its usefulness or longevity into account.
The right building supplies will benefit you in the long run and save you money on your project.
The material’s impact on the environment
Cost, structural integrity, and thermal qualities are the main factors considered while selecting building materials. Building materials do, however, have an impact on the environment due to energy consumption and pollutants during the manufacturing process.
Throughout the construction process, waste problems are exacerbated by low-quality building supplies. Throughout the anticipated life of a project, construction materials have an impact on recycling alternatives and lifespan.
It is recommended that you use an environmentally friendly material if you have the choice and it doesn’t compromise quality.
Improved compliance with project deadlines
The order in which construction operations are completed might be impacted by improper material selection for your material management system. Using high-quality materials will reduce the need for repairs and enable project completion within the allotted time frames.
SUMMARY : MOST COMMON CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Utilizing a variety of materials during building strengthens and improves the final product. Both the building materials industry and the construction sector are expanding quickly. As a result, a variety of contemporary building materials are used to ensure project success. In order to determine which material is most effective during the planning stage of a project, construction planners must examine the materials they have selected. The quality of supplies is also greatly influenced by suppliers, so you should pick a reliable source and collaborate with them to ensure that your materials are delivered on schedule.