Module 1
IMPORTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS COURSE???
Building materials curriculum is the technical foundation course for civil engineering
Why is CMT So Important
Because it is critical for the viability and safety of a construction project. CMT can reveal any
number of issues related to construction quality
What are the functions of Building?
Is to provide a safe and comfortable internal environment against the existing external
and unwanted internal conditions for the given human activity
is to provide a desired (may be controlled or uncontrolled) spatial environment
for a given human activity
building must accomplish the same economically
Safety Defined:
Safe against forces of nature
Safe against human actions
Safe to carry to carry structure loads
Interaction of Building with Environment
Air humidity
Air motion
Noise
Lightning
Pollution
Rain or snowfall
Sunlight
Air temperature
Solar radiation
WHAT IS A STRUCTURE???
A structure is defined as a system of interconnected members assembled in a stable
configuration and used to support a load or combination of loads under the equilibrium of
various external forces and internal reactions. The load can have vertical or lateral effects on
the structural component
Common elements of a building are beams, columns, slabs, walls, footing, stair.
2PARTS OF DESIGNING A STRUCTURE
1. Functional design: dictates the overall dimensions
2. Structural design - is the methodical investigation of the stability, strength
and rigidity of structures.
Size Detailing –safety against loads, forces of nature.
LOADS ON BUILDINGS LOAD TYPES
Dead loads (DL) are essentially constant during the life of the structure and normally
consist of the weight of the structural elements
live loads (LL) The weight of occupants, snow and vehicles, and the forces induced by
wind or earthquakes are examples of live loads.
in structural analysis three kinds of loads are generally used:
Concentrated loads that are single forces acting over a relatively small area, for
example vehicle wheel loads, column loads, or the force exerted by a beam on another
perpendicular beam.
Line loads that act along a line, for example the weight of a partition resting on a floor,
calculated in units of force per unit length.
Distributed (or surface) loads that act over a surface area. Most loads are distributed or
are treated as such, for example wind or soil pressure, and the weight of floors and
roofing materials.
TYPES OF LOADS
Live Loads (LL) All the movable objects in a building such as people, desks,
cupboards and filing cabinets produce an imposed load on the structure.
Dead loads (DL) The structure first of all carries the dead load, which includes its
own weight, the weight of any permanent non-structural partitions, built-in
cupboards, floor surfacing materials and other finishes.
Wind loads (WL) Wind has become a very important load in recent years due to
the extensive use of lighter materials and more efficient building techniques.
Snow load (SL) The magnitude of the snow load will depend upon the latitude and
altitude of the site. In the lower latitudes no snow would be expected while in the
high latitudes snow could last for six months or more.
Earthquake load (EL) affect the design of structures in areas of great seismic
activity, such as north and south American west coast, New Zealand, Japan, and
several Mediterranean countries.
Computations of loads
Dead Loads – density of materials and size of member. Dimension of the structure or
volume multiplied by the density.
. Imposed Loads – characteristic load depends on occupancy type and functional
usage. E.g. Armories = 7200Pa/ Residential/ Schools
=2000Pa/ Storages 6000 to
12000Pa as provided by
National Structural Code of the Phil (NSCP)
Wind Loads – The generic formula for wind load is F = A x P x Cd where F is the force
or wind load, A is the projected area of the object, P is the wind pressure, and Cd is
the drag coefficient..
Earthquake load – equivalent static horizontal load calculated depending on
appropriate gravity load, importance of structure, types of foundation (whether if it’s
an earthquake zone or not), seismic zone, flexibility of structures
. Special Loads – temperature effects, shrinkage, moisture, fire, etc. Hydrostatic
pressure, fatigue (repetitive loading), loads during construction, impact, collision.
ROLE OF MATERIALS
1. Loads are resisted by structural system
2. Structural system consist of members or elements at junctions
3. The system is idealized to suit mathematical analysis and through the analysis
forces on the members due to design loads are computed
Load bearing structure
Load is transferred to foundation via load bearings and external walls.
What are the forces acting on the members
1. Pull or tension
2. Push or compression
3. Sliding or shear
1. Materials should have adequate axial, flexural (or bending) and shear strength. Strength/
Weight ratio may be important in some cases
2. Where robustness is needed for stability against sliding and overturning, massiveness is
also important
3. Post Elastic Ductility
4. Endurance limit against fatigue
5. Impact Toughness
6. Abrasion Resistance
7. Resilience and Damping Properties
Function of the Materials
Structural Materials : mainly used as load-bearing members, such as the materials used
for beams, plates and columns.
Functional Materials : mainly possessing some special functions in construction, such
as waterproof, ornamental and heat-insulating functions, etc..
Characteristics of Building Materials and their Status in Architecture
1. The Function Required by the Project.
2. The Durability Proper to the Environmental Condition.
3. The Rich Resources to Meet the Needs of the Constructions.
4. Low Price.
The Development of Building Materials
Early age - Humans inhabited caves
Iron Age – Humans began digging, chipping and logging with simple tools to build
shabby houses by natural materials; and with the use of fire, people learned how to burn
bricks, tiles and limes.
th th
18 / 19 Century – with the rise of capitalism and rapid development of traffic pushed
building materials in a new stage of development: steel, cement, concrete, reinforced
concrete, etc.
th st
20 Century/ 1 Half – Heat insulating materials, sound-absorbing materials,
ornamental materials, heat- resistant materials, waterproof materials, wear- resistant
materials, corrosion proof, explosion proof, etc
th nd
20 Century/ 2 Half – Building materials evolved towards light, high strength and
functional directions.
New Century – as humans awareness because of environmental protection has been
strengthened, non-toxic pollution-free “Green building Materials” are recommended.
INTRODUCTION TO GREEN BUILDING
Green Building promotes the efficiency of
buildings with regards to the use of water, energy and materials while
reducing the building's impact on individual's health and the environment
better design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal.
Goals of Green building
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Water Efficiency
Environmentally Preferable Building Materials & Specifications.
Waste Reduction
Toxic/Toxins Reduction
Indoor Air Quality
Smart Growth & Sustainable Development