Construction materials

1. Introduction
2. Types of construction materials
2.1. Stone
2.2. Cement
2.3. Mortar
2.4. Concrete
2.5. Plaster
2.6. Ceramics
2.7. Other construction materials
3. How we build a building?
3.1. Elements
3. How we build a house?
3.1. Parts
3.2. Process
3.3. Materials and engines
3.4. Advantages and disadvantages
Index
3.2. Process
3.3. Tools and machines

Construction materials
1. Introduction
Construction material is any material which
is used for a construction purpose. Many
naturally occurring substances, such as clay,
sand, wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves
have been used to construct buildings. Apart
from naturally occurring materials, many
man-made products are in use, some more
and some less synthetic. The manufacture of
building materials is an established industry
in many countries and the use of these
materials is typically segmented into specific
specialty trades, such as carpentry,
plumbing, roofing and insulation work. This
reference deals with habitats and
structures including homes.

2.2. Types of construction materialsTypes of construction materials
2.1. Stone
2.2. Cement
2.3. Mortar
2.4 Concrete
2.5. Plaster
2.6. Ceramics
2.7. Other construction materials

2.1.2.1. StoneStone
Stone has been used as a building material for thousands of years. It has long beenStone has been used as a building material for thousands of years. It has long been
recognised as a material of great durability and superior artistic quality, therecognised as a material of great durability and superior artistic quality, the
foremost choice for buildings associated with status, power and religion. Theforemost choice for buildings associated with status, power and religion. The
pyramids in Giza, burial chambers in the UK and temples in Malta were all built frompyramids in Giza, burial chambers in the UK and temples in Malta were all built from
stone over 4000 years ago and are still standing. The use of stone in constructionstone over 4000 years ago and are still standing. The use of stone in construction
has declined over the last hundred years, but it remains an aristocrat of buildinghas declined over the last hundred years, but it remains an aristocrat of building
materials.materials.

2.2.2.2. CementCement
Cement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate), with small quantities ofCement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate), with small quantities of
other materials (such as clay) to 1450 °C in a kiln, in a process known as calcination, .other materials (such as clay) to 1450 °C in a kiln, in a process known as calcination, .
The resulting hard substance, called 'clinker', is then ground with a small amount ofThe resulting hard substance, called 'clinker', is then ground with a small amount of
gypsum into a powder to make 'Ordinary Portland Cement', the most commonly usedgypsum into a powder to make 'Ordinary Portland Cement', the most commonly used
type of cement.type of cement.
Portland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-specialityPortland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-speciality
grout. The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete.grout. The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete.

2.3.2.3. MortarMortar
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill theMortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the
gaps between them. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, agaps between them. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a
binder such as cement or lime, and water. Mortar can also be used to fix, or point,binder such as cement or lime, and water. Mortar can also be used to fix, or point,
masonry when the original mortar has washed away.masonry when the original mortar has washed away.

2.4.2.4. ConcreteConcrete
2.4.1. Concrete
2.4.2. Reinforced concrete

2.4.1.2.4.1. ConcreteConcrete
Concrete is a composite construction material composed of cement (commonlyConcrete is a composite construction material composed of cement (commonly
Portland cement) and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slagPortland cement) and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag
cement, aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate made of gravels or crushedcement, aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate made of gravels or crushed
rocks such as limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand), water,rocks such as limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand), water,
and chemical admixtures.and chemical admixtures.

2.4.2.2.4.2. ReinforcedReinforced ConcreteConcrete
For a concrete construction of any size, as concrete has a rather low tensileFor a concrete construction of any size, as concrete has a rather low tensile
strength, it is generallystrength, it is generally strengthenedstrengthened using steel rods or bars (known as rebars).using steel rods or bars (known as rebars).
This strengthened concrete is then referred to as reinforced concrete. In orderThis strengthened concrete is then referred to as reinforced concrete. In order
to minimise any air bubbles, that would weaken the structure, a vibrator is usedto minimise any air bubbles, that would weaken the structure, a vibrator is used
to eliminate any air that has been entrained when the liquid concrete mix isto eliminate any air that has been entrained when the liquid concrete mix is
poured around the ironwork.poured around the ironwork.

2.5.2.5. PlasterPlaster
Plaster is a binder that we normally use for aestheticPlaster is a binder that we normally use for aesthetic
purposes, to cover brick walls which have a roughpurposes, to cover brick walls which have a rough
surface.surface.
Advantages:Advantages:
Plaster gives a smooth surface and have a nice finish.Plaster gives a smooth surface and have a nice finish.
It's easy to work with it.It's easy to work with it.
It's a good sound and thermal insulator.It's a good sound and thermal insulator.
It's resistant to fire.It's resistant to fire.
Disadvantages:Disadvantages:
It's weak.It's weak.
It absorbs water.It absorbs water.
For these two reasons, plaster isn't used on exteriorFor these two reasons, plaster isn't used on exterior
walls.walls.

2.6.2.6. CeramicsCeramics
2.6.1. History of ceramics
2.6.2. Clay
2.6.3. How to manufacture
ceramics

2.6.1.2.6.1. History of ceramicsHistory of ceramics
Ceramic is the oldest artificial material. In the begginning, ceramic was used for
onamentation and pottery. Much later came the mass production of “bricks” for
construction purposes. Bricks have the advantage of being cheap and durable, and
they require very little maintenance. They are the most common ceramic
products. Other ceramic products are tiles, such as roofing tiles, wall tiles, and
floor tiles. Wall and floor tiles are coated with porcelain which is much harder, it
gives a soft surface and this makes tiles easier to clean.

2.6.2.2.6.2. What isWhat is clayclay??
Ceramic is made from clay. Clay is a mass of
very small particles of rock, which is formed
by a long process of natural erosion from the
rock. Silicon is the most common mineral in
clay.
Clay is a natural material, but ceramic is
artificial.It's esy to confuse them but there
are different materials:
If we add water to dry clay, it becomes soft
again. Then we can dry it, and then becomes
hard again.
If we add water to ceramic, it stays hard.

There are three steps to manufacture ceramics:
·· Step 1-Moulding: The first step is to give the clay the
required shape. First we make a mold and we fill it with clay.
The mould then goes into a kiln on a conveyor belt.
●
·· Step 2-Drying: There are two kinds of water in
clay:absorbed water and chemically bound water (hydrogen and
oxygen which form part of the minerals). Drying the clay can be
done under the sun or with fans.
●
·· Step 3-Firing: In this step we remove all water that clay
have, so we need very high temperatures that we heat in a kiln
between 1000 ºC and 1600 ºC. The temperature and time
depend of the mineral that clay has, the size, the shape, and
the desired and strength. The cost of heating the kiln is
another factor. After firing, the tiny bits of rock are bonded
together. The colour of bricks depend of the type of clay and
the temperatures, and the moulds are re-used.
2.6.3. How we do manufacture ceramics?

2.7.2.7. Other construction materialsOther construction materials
2.7.1. Wood2.7.1. Wood
2.7.2.2.7.2. Metal
2.7.3. Glass

2.7.1.2.7.1. WoodWood
Wood has been an important construction material
since humans began building shelters, houses and
boats. Nearly all boats were made out of wood until
the late 19th century, and wood remains in common
use today in boat construction.
New domestic housing in many parts of the world
today is commonly made from wood. Engineered wood
products are becoming a bigger part of the
construction industry. They may be used in both
residential and commercial buildings as structural and
aesthetic materials.
In buildings made of other materials, wood will still be
found as a supporting material, especially in roof
construction, in interior doors and their frames, and
as exterior cladding.

2.7.2.2.7.2. MetalMetal
Metal is used as structural framework
for larger buildings such as skyscrapers,
or as an external surface covering.
There are many types of metals used
for building.
Metal figures quite prominently in
prefabricated structures such as the
Quonset hut, and can be seen used in
most cosmopolitan cities. It requires a
great deal of human labor to produce
metal, especially in the large amounts
needed for the building industries.

2.7.3.2.7.3. GlassGlass
Clear windows have been used since the
invention of glass to cover small openings in a
building. They provided humans with the
ability to both let light into rooms while at
the same time keeping inclement weather
outside. Glass is generally made from
mixtures of sand and silicates, in a very hot
fire stove called a kiln and is very brittle.
The use of glass in architectural buildings
has become very popular in the modern
culture. Glass "curtain walls" can be used to
cover the entire facade of a building, or it
can be used to span over a wide roof
structure in a "space frame".

3.3. How we build a building?How we build a building?
3.1. Elements
3.2. Process
3.3. Tools and
engines

3.1.3.1. ElementsElements
Structure: is an element which supports its
own weight and the weight of the other
elements and transmits the weight to the
ground. Can be metallic or made of reinforced
concrete. It compose of foundation, pillars,
one or two-way slabs (the last slab is called
cover slab).
Building envelop: is an element which
surrounds the outside of a building. It's
compose of walls, that can be: wall of one
sheet (ceramic materials), wall of two
sheets(ceramic materials with plaster), or
screen wall (glass, prefabricated or natural
materials).
Partitions: is an element which separates the
different rooms of the inside of the building.
It's compose of walls of bricks,
prefabricated panels or glass.
Covering: is an element which covers the
building. It's compose of a complex set of
elements that make the same function:
waterproofing and heat insulator.
The last elements are the finishes and the
installations.

3.2.3.2. ProcessProcess
It has six phases:
Ground preparation: is preparated to the depth
needed to the cimentation.
Cimentation: is placed the armor and the
concreting later regardless of the type of
cimentation.
Start of the structure: is placed the armor in the
start of pillars and is build the slabs with the
same system until the last floor.
Building Envelop: is build a wall from down to up
with auxiliary structures. The covering can be
make before or after the building envelop
depending of the needs.
Partitions: is build a wall to separate the different
rooms of the building.
Installations and finishes: are the last parts of
the building:the finishes of the partitions, envelop
and floors. Installations are normally done in the
partition and envelop phases.

3.3.3.3. Tools and machinesTools and machines
Tools:Tools:
Trowell, hammer, tape measure, cable jack, mallet,Trowell, hammer, tape measure, cable jack, mallet,
shovel,...shovel,...
Machines:Machines:
Articulated Trucks, backhoe loaders, cold planers,
compact track and multi terrain loaders,
compactors, feller bunchers, forwarders, front
shovels, harvesters, hydraulic excavators,
knuckleboom loaders, material handlers, motor
graders, off-highway trucks, paving equipment,
pipelayers, road reclaimers, skid steer loaders,
skidders, telehandlers, track loaders, track-type
tractors, Wheel Dozers, wheel exacvators,...

Construction materials

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