Various Materials Used in Construction of Buildings, Road and Infrastructure

1. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
TIMBER
-Natural material.
- Strength of 2 MPa - 11 MPa (or 400 psi
- 1500 psi)
-It is one of the oldest materials.
-Coniferous and Deciduous are it's
subclasses
-Anisotropic material with its strength
increasing when a force is applied
perpendicular to the grain.
-Strength increases away from the
centre of its rings.
-Susceptible to moisture and rot
-Used mainly in residential buildings

2. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
STEEL
-Carbon and Iron alloy.
-Tensile strength of 295 - 2400 MPa
-Stronger than concrete in
compression and Tension.
-Strength is varied by carbon content.
-Very expensive material
-Prone to corrosion (except weather
resistant steel)
-One of the strongest materials by
weight.
-Susceptible to buckling.
-Used in skyscrapers

3. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
CARBON FIBER
-Carbon Polymers immersed in resin
-Very strong in tension
-Strength of 3.5 GPa
-High strength to weight ratio
-Anisotropic material- it's strength
depends on application of the force to
its strand orientation.
-Very expensive material.
-Very durable.
-Used in race cars and rockets

4. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
CONCRETE
-man made rock.
-Comprehensive strength of 17 MPa
(Residential building) to 85 MPa
(Skycrapers)
-Tensile strength is 10 times less than
compressive strength.
-Aggregate joined together by a binder
e.g Portland cement, lime e.t.c
-Water activates a chemical reaction in
which the binder and aggregates form
by products that lock the aggregates
together.
-It gets stronger as it ages.
-Susceptible to sulphate and acid
attacks
-Wide range of use

5. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
REINFORCED CONCRETE
-This material consist of concrete with
a steel bar immersed inside.
-Strength of 17 MPa to 173 MPa
-This material utilizes the rigidity and
compressive strength of concrete, and
the tensile strength of steel.
-The concrete protects the steel from
corrosion.
- Wide range of uses.

6. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
ASPHALT
-This consist of sand, aggregate, and
bitumen (binder).
-It is derived from petroleum.
-Cheaper than concrete.
-Compressive strength of 20 MPa to 38
MPa
-High strength pavement asphalt has a
strength of 40 MPa to 135 MPa.
-Used in the construction of roads and
pavements.

7. @Civil_Engineering
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
BAMBOO
-versatile material
-cheaper than other materials
-Stronger than concrete in
compression and steel in tension.
- strong root network prevents
erosion.
-It is a type of grass.
-It can be burnt as used as a fuel
- takes 3 to 5 years to grow fully but
reaches maximum height at 6
month's.
-Grows quicker than timber.
- strength depends on how the force is
applied to the orientation of its
strands.
- easy construction due to simple
connections.
-Susceptible to moisture and insects
-Susceptible to buckling