Five Commonly Used Building Materials in Construction

The construction industry uses a variety of building materials for different aspects of home construction. Architects consult with structural engineers on the load-bearing capabilities of the materials with which they design, and the most common materials are concrete, steel, wood, masonry and stone. Each has a different strength, weight, and durability, making it perfect for a variety of uses. There are national standards and testing methods that govern the use of building materials in the construction industry so they can be relied upon to provide structural integrity. Architects also select materials based on cost and aesthetics.

Building materials are generally classified into two sources: natural and man-made. Materials such as stone and wood are natural, and concrete, masonry and steel are man-made. But both must be prepared or treated before being used in a building. Here is a list of building materials that are commonly used in construction.

1. Steel

Steel is a metallic alloy of iron and carbon and often contains other alloying materials in its composition that make it stronger and fracture-resistant than iron. Stainless steels resist corrosion and oxidation due to the added chromium in their makeup. Because it is so strong in comparison to its weight and size, structural engineers use it for the structural design of tall modern buildings and large industrial facilities. Some of its properties include:

    Steel has high strength-to-weight and strength-to-size ratios.
    It has a high cost relative to other metals. Structural engineers can consult on choosing the most cost-effective size to use in the home to support the actual load on the building.
    Steel takes less time to set up than concrete.
    It can be installed in any environment.
    Steel can be susceptible to corrosion if improperly installed or maintained.

2. Concrete

Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregates (gravel, crushed stone, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates) bound together by a liquid binder such as cement that hardens or cures over time . Is. It is a fine powder, made by heating limestone and clay materials in a furnace and adding gypsum. So concrete consists of mineral aggregates bound by cement and water. After mixing, the cement hardens or turns into a stone-like material that we think of as concrete.

Solid Properties:

    Strength varies depending on the mixture. Concrete industry suppliers typically provide the materials used for their concrete and test the concrete mix for its strength.
    Concrete can be cast into a form to take almost any shape and harden into a material similar to stone.
    It takes at least seven days to cure, so engineers and architects must factor in that hardening time when they design a building schedule for concrete construction.
    Its versatility, cost and strength make it the ideal material for home foundations. Since it can carry heavy loads and withstand the forces of the surrounding environment, a concrete house foundation is common.
    To increase the tensile strength of concrete, engineers often plan to reinforce it with steel rods or bars (rebar).

3. Wood

One of the oldest, or perhaps the oldest, of building materials, wood has been used for thousands of years and has properties that make it an ideal building material – even in the days of engineered and synthetic materials.

For construction use, lumber pieces are machine-planed and cut to standard dimensions, such as 2"x4" (1.5"x3.5" actual) and 2"x6," (1.5"x5.5" Actual) so that their measurement can be factored accurately into building plans - this is known as dimensional lumber. Oversized lumber is commonly referred to as timber or beam and is often used to build the frame of large structures such as bridges and multi-story buildings.

Some tree species are better suited to certain uses and are better suited to uses in some climates than others. Structural engineers and architects can determine what type of wood is ideal for a construction project.

It is easily available and an economical natural resource.
    The wood is relatively light and easy to standardize in size.
    It provides good insulation, which is why many architects and engineers prefer to use it for homes and residential buildings.
    Wood has high tensile strength – retaining its strength when bent – and is very strong when compressed vertically.
    Because it is lightweight and needs to be pressure treated to come into contact with the surrounding soil, wood is a less popular choice for foundation or basement walls. (However, permanent wood foundations, known as PWFs, are gaining traction among builders thanks to the warm and inviting wooden basement living space they provide.) More often, Houses built of timber usually have a reinforced concrete or pier and beam foundation.

Choosing building materials is one of the myriad aspects of a construction project. Learn more about the properties of wood materials used in construction in MT Copeland's online wood materials class taught by Jordan Smith, a professional builder, and craftsman.

4. Stone

The longest-lasting building material is one that's been here for thousands of years: stone. In fact, the oldest buildings still in existence in the world are made of stone. This has many advantages, although engineers and architects must take some special considerations when planning a building using stone.

    Dry stone walls made of dense rock have been used for thousands of years. Later various forms of mortar were used to hold them together.
    Because it is so dense, the stone can be difficult to work with due to its weight and the difficulty of moving it.
    Stone is not an efficient insulator, as it is difficult to keep warm.
    Different types of stone are best for different uses. For example, slate is fire resistant. Granite is one of the hardest stones and one of the most durable products available; The Incas used limestone or granite to build their incredibly strong buildings.

5. Brick/Masonry

Masonry construction uses separate units (such as bricks) to form structures that are usually bonded to a mortar of some sort. Historically, clay bricks were manufactured in a mold and kiln fired. The strongest and most commonly used masonry unit is now a concrete block, which can be reinforced with steel. Glass, brick, and stone can all be used in masonry structures.

    Masonry is durable and fire-resistant.
    This method of construction is able to resist compressive loads, which makes it a good material for load-bearing walls.
    Reinforced with concrete, or in combination with reinforced concrete, masonry can support multi-story buildings and can be an economical option.
    While it is a robust method to use in many types of construction, permanent masonry installation may depend on the quality of the mortar and workmanship.