The Study Of Construction Materials: The Most Sustainable Material

Here are some reasons why it is very crucial to study the building materials and which materials are the most sustainable construction materials.

Multiple materials make up a building. Knowing which materials are right for each situation is an important part of any design phase. Each material will have a host of material properties, making it better suited for some applications, but not others. And some materials work well with certain other materials, but not all materials. Buy construction supplies here.

The study of materials may also include newer materials, such as lightweight concrete and structural glass, as well as future materials, such as light-emitting concrete.

Knowing where the material industry is and is going to go adds depth to any Architect, Engineer, Designer, etc.

Materials are your building blocks. Without them, you aren’t building. The study of budding materials is crucial to identify – their color, texture, hardness, softness, glossiness, dullness, hotness, or coldness. What are they used for and what are their limitations? Brick, concrete, stone all have similar properties, but you might not use a brick to make an arch. Metal, what kind of metal? What finishes on the metal? How is it attached? How durable is it? How long will it last? What materials does it take to make a material, are you using sustainable materials?

It is also contingent on the budget. Knowing materials gives you an idea of cost. Do you use a plastic laminate countertop or can you afford granite? Ceramic tile or marble tile? each material has its characteristics that must be weighed against cost. Durability, constructability, longevity are all important to know.

The Most Sustainable Material

First, it’s important to understand what we mean by ‘strongest’ and ‘most durable’. Strength can be defined as the ability of a material to withstand the force being applied to it. Durability can be defined as retaining original levels of integrity over a long period.

The Strongest: Steel

Using these definitions, steel is the strongest building material. While other, more exotic materials like titanium and graphene may be stronger, steel is commonly used across the building industry. It forms the skeletons of skyscrapers, which must be designed to withstand huge forces, whether from winds, earthquakes, fire or simply supporting the structure’s eight. The strength of steel has seen steel-framed homes become more and more popular over recent decades.

The Most Durable: Stone

In terms of durability, the stone is hard to beat. There’s a reason why centuries and even millennia-old stone structures still stand today. Having been forged deep within the earth, the stone is naturally weather-resistant,  particularly igneous varieties. That’s not to say the stone is immortal. There are three major threats to its longevity:

• Earthquakes: Stone is brittle, so sudden shifts can cause it to crack.
• Acid rain: An increasing issue in highly polluted cities, acid rain can dissolve stone over time.
• Rising/salt damp: Porous stone like sandstone can be affected by rising damp, which can decay the material from the inside.

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