Activity No. 1 Construction Materials and Its Use What is Construction Material? Construction materials are the building blocks that make civil engineering and building construction possible. They are the essential ingredients that are transformed into the structures, foundations, and features that we see in our everyday lives. Construction materials are crucial for the reason that its structural integrity which the right materials provide the strength and stability needed for a structure to withstand its own weight, environmental forces (wind, rain, snow, earthquakes), and intended use (residential building vs. bridge). Furthermore, it also has the functionality which different materials offer specific properties that influence a building's functionality. For example, concrete offers fire resistance for buildings, while steel provides flexibility for bridges. Moreover, the durability where well-chosen materials can resist wear and tear, ensuring a building lasts for its intended lifespan and requires minimal maintenance. Then sustainability Today, selecting eco-friendly materials that minimize environmental impact and have good life cycles is a major consideration. Lastly, the aesthetics where materials also play a role in a building's visual appeal. From the warmth of wood to the sleekness of steel, the chosen materials can contribute significantly to the overall design. Examples of Construction Materials includes concrete, steel, wood, masonry materials (bricks, blocks, stones), and asphalt. By understanding the properties and applications of various construction materials, civil engineers and building professionals can design safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing structures that meet specific needs and environmental considerations. Construction Materials 10 examples of construction materials and their uses: 1. Prestressed Concrete: This type of concrete uses high-strength steel tendons to counteract the pulling forces (tension) in the concrete. It allows for longer spans and thinner slabs compared to regular concrete, making it ideal for bridges, parking garages, and large-scale buildings. 2. Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC): This combines concrete with thin glass fibers to improve its tensile strength, impact resistance, and ductility. It's often used for precast architectural panels, cladding, and decorative elements due to its lighter weight and ability to be molded into complex shapes. 3. Glulam Beams: These engineered wood beams are made from layers of lumber glued together with a high-strength adhesive. They offer superior strength and dimensional stability compared to solid wood beams, making them suitable for large buildings and open floor plans. 4. Cellular Clay Bricks: These lightweight bricks have a honeycombed core structure, making them lighter and better insulators than traditional clay bricks. They are a popular choice for sustainable construction due to their reduced weight and improved energy efficiency. 5. Rebar (Reinforcing Steel): This is a type of hot-rolled, deformed steel bar used to strengthen concrete. The deformations help to improve the bond between the steel and concrete, allowing them to work together as a composite material. 6. I-beams: These have a capital "I" shaped cross-section and are commonly used for beams and columns due to their high bending and compression strength. 7. Prestressed Steel: High-strength steel tendons are stretched and anchored within concrete members to compress them. This reduces cracking and improves the load-bearing capacity of concrete structures. 8. Angle irons: L-shaped steel sections used for framing, bracing, and support applications. 9. Brick Masonry: This is the most common type of masonry, using fired clay bricks in various shapes and sizes. Brick offers excellent strength, durability, and weather resistance, making it suitable for walls, foundations, chimneys, and architectural features. 10. Concrete Block Masonry: This is a cost-effective and versatile option using precast concrete blocks. These blocks are available in various sizes and shapes, allowing for faster construction compared to brick or stone. Concrete block masonry is suitable for foundations, walls, and interior partitions. Physical and Mechanical Properties 1. Prestressed Concrete: Physical Properties: high strength and durability. It utilizes pre-tensioned or post-tensioned steel tendons to counteract tensile stresses. Mechanical Properties: Compressive strength typically exceeds 40 MPa (5800 psi) or more, and Flexural strength is also impressive due to the prestressing. Reference: https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/issuances/department-order/1890 2. Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC): Physical Properties: GFRC contains glass fibers, enhancing its tensile strength. Mechanical Properties: Compressive strength varies but can exceed 40 MPa (5800 psi), and Flexural strength improves significantly with GFRC. Reference: https://www.astm.org/stp20136s.html 3. Glulam Beams: Physical Properties: Density, Moisture Content, Thermal Conductivity Mechanical Properties: Bending Strength ranges (4350 to 10150 psi), Shear Strength (360 to 650 psi), Modulus of Elasticity ranges ( 10,000 MPa to 14200 MPa) References: ASTM D198 (Static Tests of Lumber in Structural Sizes), D793 (Shear Strength of Wood Beams), DPWH 2017.B.05.21 (Standard Specifications for Lumber and Wood Products) 4. Cellular Clay Bricks: Physical Properties: Density, Fire Resistance , Water Absorption, Lightweight, and insulating, and , Thermal Conductivity Mechanical Properties: Compressive Strength minimum is 14 MPa to 17 MPa References: ASTM C643 (Density of Brick), E84 (Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials), DPWH 2013.B.07.01 (Standard Specifications for Hollow Clay Bricks), and DPWH (DO_11_s2020) 5. Rebar (Reinforcing Steel) Physical Properties: High density (around 7850 kg/m³ ), Low thermal expansion, Good weldability (for some grades) Mechanical Properties: Grade 60 Yield Strength (414 MPa), Ultimate Tensile Strength (may vary), and Elongation Bar 3mm to 7mm (7% to 12%) References: (40.13 (ASTM A615)), (AASHTO M 31M/M 31), (A706/A706M - Low-Alloy Steel Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement (Grade 80)) 6. I-beams (Structural Steel) Physical Properties: High strength-to-weight ratio, Good weldability Mechanical Properties: A36 Steel Yield Strength (250 MPa) References: (40.13, AASHTO M 270)( A36/A36M - Structural Steel) 7. Prestressed Steel Physical Properties: Low weight, Relaxation, Good fatigue resistance Mechanical Properties: Tensile Strength (1400 to 2000 MPa), LRFD Bridge Design Specifications References: (AASHTO LRFD) A416/A416M - Low-Alloy Steel Wires for Prestressing Concrete, A704/A704M - Zinc-Coated Steel Wire Strand for Prestressed Concrete, 2018 National Building Code of the Philippines 8. Angle irons (Structural Steel) Physical Properties: High strength-to-weight ratio, Yield Strength, and Good weldability Mechanical Properties: Ultimate Tensile Strength (400 to 550 MPa), and Elongation A36 Steel (14 % to 20%) References: 40.13 (AASHTO M 270), Same as I-beams (ASTM A36, A992, A1064) 9. Brick Masonry Physical Properties: High density (around 1800-2200 kg/m³), Good fire resistance, Water Absorption, and Insulation Mechanical Properties: Compressive Strength ranges (5.7 MPa to 11.2 MPa), and Modulus of Elasticity ranges (1500 to 5000 MPa) References: 2117 (ASTM C67), C67 - Standard Test Methods for Brick and Structural Clay Tile, C140 - Standard Specification for Masonry Mortar, and E447 - Standard Test Methods for Compressive Strength of Brick and Structural Clay Products 10. Concrete Block Masonry Physical Properties: Moderate density (around 1600-2000 kg/m³), Good fire resistance, Water Absorption, Moderate thermal insulation Mechanical Properties: Compressive Strength ranges (3.5 MPa to 20.7 MPa), Modulus of Elasticity ranges (1000 MPa to 3000 MPa) References: 1584 (ASTM C140), C140 - Standard Specification for Masonry Mortar, C150 - Standard Specification for Standard Sand Mortar, E519 Standard Test Method for Diagonal Tensile Strength of Concrete Masonry Units by Diagonal Compression
