BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 1

Materials and Methods of Construction

History of Materials

Architecture is inseparable from construction technique

and material culture Kenneth Frampton

In ancient times, materials have had local use and have

influenced the development of an indigenous architecture
since there was a lack of conveyance methods.

Today, in contemporary times, with the perfection of

industries and commercial consumption. Building materials
are made to last and can be distributed in any location.

The availability of suitable materials fostered the

crafts to exploit them and influenced the shapes of
buildings. Large areas of the world were once forested,
Though becoming scarce, timber remains an important
building material.
Many kinds of stone lend themselves to building. Stone
and marble were chosen for important monuments because
they are incombustible and can be expected to endure.
Stone is also a sculptural material; stone architecture was
often integral with stone sculpture. The use of stone has
declined, however, because a number of other materials
are more amenable to industrial use and assembly.

Some regions lack both timber and stone; their peoples

used the earth itself, tamping certain mixtures into walls
or forming them into bricks to be dried in the sun. Later
they baked these substances in kilns, producing a range of
bricks and tiles with greater durability.
Building with stones or bricks is called masonry. The
elements cohere through sheer gravity or the use of
mortar, first composed of lime and sand. The Romans
found a natural cement that, combined with inert
substances, produced concrete. They usually faced this
with materials that would give a better finish. In the early
19th century a truly waterproof cement was developed,
the key ingredient of modern concrete.

In the 19th century also, steel suddenly became abundant;

rolling mills turned out shapes that could make structural
frames stronger than the traditional wooden frames.
Moreover, steel rods could be positioned in wet concrete so
as to greatly improve the versatility of that material, giving
impetus early in the 20th century to new forms facilitated by
reinforced concrete construction. The subsequent profusion
of aluminum and its anodized coatings provided cladding
(surfacing) material that was lightweight and virtually
maintenance free. Glass was known in prehistory and is
celebrated for its contributions to Gothic architecture. Its
quality and availability have been enormously enhanced by
industrial processing, which has revolutionized the
exploitation of natural light and transparency.

Stress Strain Ratio

Stress : the internal resistance or reaction of an elastic

body to external forces applied to it .
( force per unit area )

Strain : the deformation of a body under the action of

an applied force equal to the ratio of a change in size or
shape from the original size or shape of an stressed
element.

Internal Properties of Materials

Properties are : elasticity, strength and stiffness.

Elasticity : the ability of an object or substance to return

quickly to its original shape and size after being bent,
stretched, or squashed
Strength : the ability to withstand force, pressure, or
stress
Stiffness : measure of a force required to push or pull a
material into its elastic limit.

Best materials combines elasticity, strength and stiffness.

Ductility : (malleable enough to be worked) able to be

drawn out into wire or hammered into very thin sheets
: material that undergo plastic deformation before
actually breaking

Malleability : (able to be shaped and bent) used to

describe a metal or other substance that can be shaped
or bent without breaking
: material that permits deformation without permanent
fracture.

Brittleness : materials with low elastic limits and

rupture under loads with little visible deformation

Thus, the cross sectional shape of a material relative to its

specific properties are important when considering the
relationship between span and deflection under loading.

External Properties of a Material

Dimensional Stability : as the material respond to

changes in temperature and moisture content affecting
its detailed construction to join with other materials.

Thermal Resistance : ability of the material to

withstand water, moist and exposure to extreme weather
conditions when used in constructing the exterior
envelope.

Insulation : a materials ability to transmit, reflect and

absorb visible light and radiant heat

Durability : the materials density and hardness must be

checked against tear, denting and abrasion including the
cost required for maintenance.
:lasting for a long time, especially without sustaining
damage or wear

Resistance : the ability of as material to resist

combustion, withstand fire exposure and at the same
time not produce smoke and toxic gases must be
evaluated before using as a structural member or an
interior finish.

Standard Shapes and Sizes : or stock dimensions may

vary slightly according to manufacturer. They should be
verified in the earlier design and planning phases to
minimize wasteful cutting of materials.