Building & Construction Material & Supplies- a necessity for the construction industry

Building & Construction Material & Supplies include all materials or substances that are involved in the construction of buildings. The substances used for construction that occur naturally include rocks, clay, wood, sand, leaves and twigs and the man made substances include concrete, cement composites, foam, fabric, glass, metal, gypcrete, plastics etc. 

 

Some of the building and construction materials include-

Concrete- a composite building substance is concrete which is made from the coupling of a binder like cement and an aggregate. The cement is hydrated after mixing and a stone like material is formed eventually after hardening. This stone like formation of cement is the concrete. Concrete has low tensile strength which is strengthened by using steel bars or rods. The strengthened concrete is called reinforced concrete. When the liquid concrete mix is added to the iron work various air bubbles are formed. These air bubbles can weaken the structure so to eliminate the chances of weakening a vibrator is used. The predominant building material is concrete, used because of its formidability, longevity and ease of transport. In the modern era the insulating concrete forms are also used which is constructed with the steps of insulation.

Cement composites- hydrated cement paste is used to make cement composites which is used for binding, wood, fibers, particles to make the components that are used in pre casting of buildings. The different types of fibrous materials that are used as binders include fiberglass, paper and carbon fiber. Wood and other natural fibers are made up of different types of soluble organic compounds like glycosides, carbohydrates and phenolics. Cement setting is retarded by these compounds and so cement bonding composites are bonded by assessing the cement with its compatibility. To decide the compatibility of wood and cement various features like strength, hydration characteristics, morphology and interfacial bond are studied.

Fabric- fabrics are used for making tents by various nomadic groups, militaries etc. all over the world. The two common tents are the circular yurt and the conical teepee. The tents are constructed of synthetic fabrics which offer tensile architecture. Modern buildings can be made of these fabric membranes which are used with the system of steel cables, internal or rigid air pressure.

Glass- glassmaking is referred to as a form of art as well as one of the industrial material or process. The small openings of a building are covered with the clear windows of glass. The glass windows facilitate the light to enter the rooms and at the same time the severe weather is locked outside. Glass is made up of silicates and sand by adding the mixture to the kiln. Adhesives are used with glass to give various shades of colors. 

 

Metal- the structural framework for very large buildings is made of metals. Metals are also used for the external surface covering of buildings. Steel is used as the structural building material because steel is flexible, strong and is long lasting. Aluminum and tin are corrosion resistant and has lower density. Copper is used in roofing, gutters, flashing, domes, downspouts, spires, wall cladding, vaults, building expansion joints etc. Copper is resistant to corrosion, has low thermal movement, durable, light weight, recyclable, provides lightning protection, radio frequency shielding etc.

All types of construction equipment and building material suppliers are available online. Persons interested in these materials can browse the official websites of the manufacturers to directly avail from them at comparatively low prices.