Know Your Construction Materials- Types Of Construction Materials

Know Your Construction Materials- Types of Construction Materials

Blog Post
February 24, 2024
5:36 pm
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Concrete, steel, wood, and masonry are fundamental materials in the construction industry, each distinguished by its weight, strength, durability, and cost. The choice of building materials depends on their effectiveness in resisting loads and stresses, alongside considerations of cost. Close collaboration between architects, builders, and clients determines the selection of construction materials for each project.

Building Landscape in India

The construction sector in India now incorporates a diverse range of locally sourced materials, catering to structures ranging from ‘Kuccha’ mud huts to sophisticated town infrastructures. However, the sector faces challenges in the sourcing of raw materials, with issues like sand mining, open fly ash plants, and disregard for environmental regulations impacting the ecosystem. The extensive and polluting nature of building materials poses significant challenges, with issues like unlawful sand mining affecting river systems and densely packed city designs leading to climatic disasters.

India’s Construction & Building Materials Scene

To achieve desired longevity and sustainability, modern infrastructure emphasizes novel design styles, advanced technology, and durable building materials. With the increasing number of skyscrapers and large-scale infrastructure projects, the demand for appropriate construction materials has risen. The Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), established by the Indian government in 1990, aims to encourage sustainable, energy-efficient, and ecologically viable building materials.

Common Construction Materials in India

PPC/ OPC Cement- Grade 53:

Cement, a binding agent in construction, primarily consists of Lime (60-65%) and Silica (17-25%). Used to produce concrete by combining cement with sand, coarse aggregate, and water, it also forms mortar for brickwork and plaster.

Types of Cement:

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
Quick Setting Cement
Rapid Hardening Cement
Low Heat Cement
Sulfate-Resisting Cement
White Cement

Area of Use:

Mortar for bricklaying and plastering by combining cement and sand.
Concrete for slabs, columns, footings, and beams by mixing cement with sand and aggregates.
Cement slurry for tile laying works, made of cement and water.

Steel:

Steel or Rebar stands as the second most prevalent construction material, following cement. Renowned for its adaptability and durability, steel serves as a primary structural element in various projects, including Pre Engineered Buildings and industrial warehouses. Its versatility extends to framing wall partitions.

Area of Use:

In reinforced concrete structures such as buildings, bridges, and tunnels.
Roofing, rafters, supports, inner walls, ceilings, paneling, and insulated external wall panels.
Fixtures and fittings like rails, shelves, and stairs.

Aggregates (Coarse):

Coarse aggregates, obtained through quarry blasting or crushing, play a vital role in concrete mixtures. It is crucial to wash them before use. Coarse aggregate size influences concrete strength, workability, and water requirements. Its application ranges from foundations to superstructures like buildings, bridges, and dams.

Area of Use:

Substructures (foundations) and superstructures (buildings, bridges, dams).
Road construction to distribute weight and prevent groundwater damage.
High-resistance aggregates support heavy loads in areas like train tracks.

Sand:

Fine aggregate, or sand, a naturally occurring material, contributes mass, strength, and other properties to constructions. Various types of sand, including river sand, coarse sand/pit sand, and manufactured sand (M Sand), find application in construction and landscaping.

Area of Use:

Foundations and superstructures (buildings, bridges, dams).
Plastering and landscaping.
Manufacturing sandpaper for surface filing and sanding.

Clay Bricks and Blocks:

Clay, molded and baked at high temperatures, produces bricks used in walls, footpaths, and landscaping. Unfired clay bricks, sun-dried and eco-friendly, contribute to sustainable building practices.

Area of Use:

Walls, footpaths, sidewalks, lanes, pathways, and landscaping.

Fly Ash Bricks:

Manufactured from fly ash or stone dust, fly ash bricks provide a low-cost, energy-efficient, and water-resistant alternative. Despite drawbacks like longer setting times, they find extensive use in low-rise construction.

Area of Use:

Construction of low-rise buildings.

Stones or Rock:

Stones, sourced from the earth’s crust, contribute to strong and long-lasting construction. Used as foundation material, wall surfaces, towers, bridge decks, and reservoirs.

Area of Use:

Foundations, walls, towers, bridge decks, and reservoirs.

Wood:

Wood, with inherent advantages like high tensile strength, lightweight, and aesthetic appeal, is traditionally used in construction, especially in rural areas. Softwoods and hardwoods find applications in doors, furniture, walls, roofing, and flooring.

Area of Use:

Softwoods for doors, furniture, and window frames.
Hardwoods for walls, roofing, and flooring.

Glass:

One of the oldest and most versatile materials, glass enhances the visual appeal of constructions. Various types of glass, including chromatic glass, float glass, laminated glass, and toughened glass, find applications in balconies, curtain walls, railings, cubicles, and furnishings.

Area of Use:

Balconies, curtain walls, and railings.
Restroom cubicles and office/home furnishings.
Terrariums and frameless glass doors.

Plastic:

Used as polymers, plastic contributes to a minor fraction of building materials in India. Its moldable nature, heat resistance, and affordability come with environmental concerns due to non-biodegradability and flammability.