1. 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

2. 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. 3. Construction materials 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 4. 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. 5. Construction 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. 6. Construction materials 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. 7. Construction materials 2.4.2.4. ConcreteConcrete 2.4.1. Concrete 2.4.2. Reinforced concrete 8. Construction materials 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. 9. Construction materials 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. 10. Construction materials 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. 11. Construction materials 2.6.2.6. CeramicsCeramics 2.6.1. History of ceramics 2.6.2. Clay 2.6.3. How to manufacture ceramics 12. Construction materials 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. 13. Construction materials 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. 14. Construction materials 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 C and 1600 C. 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? 15. Construction materials 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 16. Construction materials 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. 17. Construction materials 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. 18. Construction materials 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". 19. Construction materials 3.3. How we build a building?How we build a building? 3.1. Elements 3.2. Process 3.3. Tools and engines 20. Construction materials 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. 21. Construction materials 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. 22. Construction materials 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,... 23. Tools 24. Machines