“Building materials” refer to any materials that are used in building and other structures. After the cave-dwelling period, man has always been trying to build better quality buildings by obtaining the materials he has according to the geography of the place and the technology of the time. Throughout history, with the advancement of science and technology, we have been able to build much stronger, more efficient, and taller structures. Today, construction, like other industries, is trying to achieve better and more optimal materials. Building materials are usually categorized into natural and artificial. Natural materials are those found in nature. On the other hand, artificial building materials are types that must be obtained after processing the raw materials. During this article, we intend to examine the most common types of building materials and evaluate each one briefly.
Natural building materials
Wood: Perhaps one of the oldest materials used by humans in building structures is wood. The wood of trees has been available to mankind since the beginning. Since wood has a strong texture, it can be used to build shelter for humans. Especially in areas where wood is abundant, it has been used for ages for construction. Wood is also malleable. It can be changed into the desired shape with basic tools and spending little energy.
Stone: Like wood, stone has been used for building since the distant past. Since stone is very strong, it is suitable for construction. But nowadays, due to the weight and risks associated with earthquakes, stone is tried to be used less at least in the construction of the building. But ornamental stones are still used to decorate buildings.
Clay and mud: Perhaps the first mortar used by humans was clay and mud. Even today, many walls in the villages are still made of mud and straw. Mud and clay are also used for making bricks. Although nowadays, its use in bricks is very limited.
Sand: Sand is usually used to mix with cement or sometimes lime. Concrete is obtained from the combination of sand and cement.
Artificial building materials
Unlike natural building materials, artificial types must be processed by a group and cannot be found naturally. Now this processing does not necessarily need to be complicated. Types of artificial building materials may include a wide range. From iron beams to plaster and cement, etc., in this section, we will list building materials.
Iron beams: In the past, it was not possible to build very large structures and tall buildings, or at least it required a lot of effort and expense. Except for special cases such as the Giza pyramids of Egypt, which are considered as one of the wonders of the ancient world, the buildings in the past were small and short. It was after using iron as a building framework that mankind was able to achieve bigger and stronger structures. Corrugated iron beam is used as the skeleton of the building. The price of iron is certainly very effective in the final cost of the building.
Rebar: Rebar is also made of iron or steel like a beam. Its ribbed types are usually used in building construction. Rebar can be used in the construction of a mesh space to place cement and create cement blocks.
Cement: Cement is a very strong mortar that is widely used in construction. Cement is used to connect building components and create a strong connection between them. Concrete is obtained from the combination of sand and cement. Concrete is perhaps one of the most widely used materials available to mankind. Cement used in construction is usually produced from lime or calcium silicate.
Brick: Brick is probably one of the most important materials used in construction. In fact, the body of the building is made of bricks. Bricks are usually made by firing in brick kilns, and after firing, they are used for walls and ceilings. In recent years, it has been tried to use hollow and light bricks to reduce the weight of the building as much as possible. Reducing the weight of the building is very effective in its resistance to earthquakes. Also, such bricks are generally better insulated against sound and heat.
Glass: Glass making is considered an art as well as an industry. Since its advent, glass has been used in construction. Glass is used to make building windows. With this method, in addition to creating insulation against heat and sound and the penetration of animals and vermin, it is also possible to allow light to pass through and illuminate the building. Today, double-glazed windows are a very good choice for creating more effective insulation against noise and heat.
Bitumen: Bitumen is one of the derivatives of oil and one of the heaviest substances obtained from it. Bitumen is usually used for insulation in buildings. It is used to insulate walls and ceilings. Also, bitumen is the main material for making asphalt, which is widely used in road and building construction.
Plastic: Plastic is one of the materials that, although it may not be used in the main body of the building, it can be used to make water pipes, plugs and sockets, etc. Also, in some cases, plastic may be used to build non-bearing walls.
Last word
Building materials are always one of the most important materials that are used. Construction is always one of the largest items of Gross domestic product in all countries. Concrete is perhaps the second most used material after water. Also, iron, plaster, bitumen, etc. are among the materials that are most used in construction.
