1.

0 Introduction

The Malaysian economy heavily depends on the building sector. The industry is composed of

hundreds of contractors, labourers, developers, management, engineering, architectural, and

surveying consultants, manufacturers, material suppliers, and plant hirers, among other

constituents. Client organisations can be either public or private. Each of these elements plays

a vital part in the expansion and advancement of the building sector in Malaysia.

Since the independence of Malaysia in 1957, the Malaysian construction industry has

developed from a low-tech, labour intensive, craft-based industry to one that has a capacity to

deliver advanced buildings and infrastructure, using highly mechanized production

techniques seen in projects such as Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur International

Airport and Sepang Formula 1 circuit (Kamal and Flanagan 2012).

The construction industry is crucial in the wheel propelling Malaysia's economy. It is

important to Malaysia's transition from a developing country to a developed nation, as

envisioned in Vision 2020, through the processes of industrialization and urbanisation.

Statistics from the previous 40 years have shown a strong correlation between the global

construction industry and economic growth in all nations (Dehdasht et al., 2021).
5.0 THE BUILDING MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTIONS

Making wise material selections is crucial in the building industry. Constructing safe and

dependable structures is facilitated by making well-informed decisions based on knowledge

of the properties and uses of the building materials. These choices affect a home's strength,

longevity, and aesthetic appeal. Whether you're remodelling or building a new home, making

the correct decisions is essential to success in the construction industry.

A variety of materials are used in construction, including aggregate, steel, cement, concrete,

and ready-mix concrete. Because of their varied qualities—such as weight, strength,

durability, and cost—all of these building materials are suitable for a variety of applications.

The project's size and the materials' overall efficacy will have a significant impact on the

selection of building materials. If you use low-quality construction materials along with the

most skilled construction team, there's a good probability that the building will have a

number of problems. The selection of building materials for a project is based on the

materials' cost and resistance to the forces and pressures the structure will experience. Listed

below are some of the crucial building materials for constructing a house and for construction

in general.

1. Concrete
2. Steel
3. Cement
4. Wood
5. Stone
6. Bricks and Blocks
7. Aggregates
5.1 Concrete

In Malaysia and around the world, concrete is a very popular building material. Concrete is

used in the majority of commercial and industrial buildings because it gives the structures

strength and longevity. At its core, concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate

and cement. Concrete is typically reinforced with steel rods or rebars because of its poor

tensile strength. Furthermore, as air bubbles weaken the concrete, thus special attention is

paid to minimise its presence. It is crucial that contractors handle the concrete pouring

process properly and utilise vibrators to eliminate air bubbles.

Concrete is available in various types; waterproof and lightweight concrete are two examples.

The type of concrete used depends on the project. The fact that concrete can be poured into

any shape and hardened into a substance that resembles stone is one of its greatest benefits.

Concrete is used for bases, construction of residential buildings, construction of commercial

buildings, building of bridges as well as sewers and gutters.

5.2 Steel

Steel is a robust metal composed of iron and carbon, in addition to extra components to

increase its strength and damage resistance beyond the capacity of iron. For instance,

stainless steel has more chromium, which helps it withstand oxidation and corrosion. Because

of its remarkable strength, and despite its weight, it is the preferred material for building

contemporary structures and sizable industrial complexes. In comparison to other building

materials, it is also less expensive to transport, and easy to deal with. Steel does not easily

deform unless a significant amount of weight is applied to it; even when bent, steel maintains

its structural integrity. Steel is used to construct the structural frameworks of tall,

contemporary buildings because of its structural stability.

Steel, however, is prone to rust if put incorrectly. Steel has several disadvantages when used

as a building material, one of which being its propensity to degrade at high temperatures. The

type of steel determines how resistant it is to fire. Steel is frequently used as reinforcing bars,

construction of roofing components such ceilings and used for utilities like power, gas and

water pipelines.
5.3 Cement

One essential component of construction is cement, which solidifies and adheres to other

materials to aid in their adhesion to surfaces. It's usually combined with gravel and sand

rather than utilised by itself. In order to make mortar, which is needed to hold bricks and

stones in place during construction, cement and fine sand are frequently combined. It

produces concrete when combined with sand and gravel; this adaptable substance is

employed in a variety of construction tasks. These days, 3D construction uses them. In

addition, the cement composites are now composed of hydrated cement paste, which makes

binding with concrete, wood, or other appropriate building material easier. Figure 5.3.1

shown below is the 3D construction using cement composites.

Figure 5.3.1. 3D construction using cement composites

5.4 Wood
Wood, one of the oldest and most versatile construction materials, is naturally available, cost-

efficient, strong, and durable. It offers flexibility in shaping, can be bent, molded, or cured

into desired forms. Besides its durability, wood is environmentally sustainable and integrates

well with other materials such as steel, marble, and aluminum. Compared to other materials,

wood is relatively light, easy to standardize in size, has high tensile strength, and is excellent

for soundproofing and insulation.

Wood is extensively used in construction for walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as in interiors

for door and window frames, building and bridge structures, thermal, and acoustic insulation.

Its renewable nature makes it an environmentally friendly option, especially when

responsibly sourced through certifications like FSC, promoting sustainable forest

management and supporting local communities. Figure 5.4.1 shown below is a house

construction using woods.

Figure 5.4.1 A house construction using woods

5.5 Stone

Stone, one of the oldest and most durable building materials, has been used in construction

for centuries, with some of the world's oldest buildings made entirely of stone. Formed over

centuries through geological processes, stone comes in various types such as granite,

limestone, and marble, each offering unique colors and textures. Its versatility in

construction, ranging from walls and flooring to decorative elements, lies in its varied

textures and wide range of colors, from smooth finishes to rough surfaces. While affordable

for ordinary use, prices increase for unique finishes like marble. However, stone's density

makes it challenging to work with due to its weight, and its poor insulation properties make it

ineffective for cold environments. Despite these drawbacks, its robustness and ability to

withstand harsh weather conditions make it a popular choice for construction, ensuring both

long-lasting performance and a rustic aesthetic.

The division of construction work of a housing development

Building construction involves various physical activities on a construction site, including

unloading machinery, materials, and installing fixtures and finishes. This process, carried out

by skilled professionals, is time-consuming and requires careful management. It is typically

divided into three phases: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction.

1. Pre-construction Phase:

During the pre-construction phase of a housing development, the site is prepared for

building. This involves clearing the site of any existing structures, trees, or debris, as

well as excavating the land to prepare for the foundation. Additionally, temporary

facilities such as fencing, access roads, and on-site offices are set up, and the site's

infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, and utilities, is established to

support the construction process.

2. Construction Phase:

During the construction phase of a housing development, the foundation and structure

of the buildings are constructed. This involves building the foundation, framing the

structure, and installing windows, doors, and exterior cladding to enclose the building.

Following the completion of the structure, the interior finishing work begins,

including electrical and plumbing installations, insulation, drywall installation,

flooring, painting, and all other necessary finishing touches to make the interior

spaces ready for occupation.

3. Post-construction Phase:

During the post-construction phase of a housing development, landscaping plays a

crucial role in enhancing the overall appearance of the area. This involves planting

trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as laying down lawns and creating green spaces.

Additionally, exterior amenities such as playgrounds, walking paths, and community

gardens may be installed to improve the liveability of the development. Final exterior

finishes such as painting, siding, and trim work are also completed to ensure that the

buildings blend seamlessly with their surroundings and contribute to the aesthetic

appeal of the neighbourhood.

Reference

Kamal, E. M. and R. Flanagan. 2012. "Understanding Absorptive Capacity in Malaysian

Small and Medium Sized (SME) Construction Companies" Journal of Engineering,
Design and Technology 10(2): 180-198.

Dehdasht, Gholamreza, M. Salim Ferwati, Nazirah Zainul Abidin, and Michael Olubukola
Oyedeji. 2021. “Trends of Construction Industry in Malaysia and Its Emerging
Challenges.” Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction. doi:
10.1108/JFMPC-08-2020-0054

Group 6. 2021. The 5 Most Common Construction Materials. Retrieved from

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UltraTech Cement. 2021. 10 Types of Building Materials Used in Construction. Retrieved

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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH. Retrieved from

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