Advanced Construction Materials
Ar. Pallavi Sharma
Research Scholar, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Haryana, India
ABSTRACT
Building material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. Many naturally
occurring substances, such as clay, sand wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves have been used
to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products are
in use, some more and some less synthetic. Light weight construction materials can be a great
choice when it comes to building a home. New technology has also made building with metal
more practical than in previous human history. Most high rise buildings and sky scrapers are
built with steel or other metal frames. Plastics are another widely used modern building
material. Formed of polymers, plastics are easily molded while in the liquid state. Compared to
metal and many other materials, plastic is very light in weight and relatively low in cost. Plastic
is often used to make pipes and to decorate the interior of buildings. Many modern buildings use
glass, not only for windows, but often as the primary exterior building material. Glass
skyscrapers and other structures have become quite popular due to their aesthetic appeal.
Technology continues to create new building materials with exceptional properties. For example,
sea-cretion is a construction material made from minerals found in sea water. Composite
materials are made by combining different types of building materials together. These materials
combine organic and inorganic components. One material acts as a type of “adhesive” that
binds the other components together. The “hard” components are usually glass, carbon or boron
fiber. Composites are known for combining light weight with strength and durability. Cement
composites bind together wood or similar materials like paper, fiberglass and natural fibers in a
cement paste. These composites can be placed into molds to create pre-shaped building
components. With the increase interest in green technology, many builders are moving back to
older building materials in an effort to increase sustainability. Thus, one can find modern homes
or other structures built of mud and straw, or other archaic materials, in green living
communities.
Keywords: Stabilized Adobe, Lato Blocks, Rat Trap Bond, Pyramidal Brick Roof, Filler Slab.
1. INTRODUCTION
In most parts of the country, the soil bearing capacity is very low or the soil of expansive nature
likes black cotton soil. Under such conditions, use under-reamed or pedestal pile foundation with
plinth beams.
Sustainable Constructivism: Traditional vis-à-vis Modern Architecture ISBN: 978-93-83083-76-3 124
, Advanced Construction Materials
2. FOUNDATION
In most parts of the country, the soil bearing capacity is very low or the soil of expansive nature
likes black cotton soil. Under such conditions, use under-reamed or pedestal pile foundation with
plinth beams.
1. Under Reamed Pile Foundation: Such type of foundations is ideally suitable in the areas
where the black cotton soil or expansive soil is beyond 2.50 meter. The basic principle of
under reamed pile is to anchor the structure at a depth where ground movement is
negligible due to moisture variation or other reasons. Simple tools are required for
construction of under-reamed piles like spiral auger, under reaming tool, and boring guide.
This is a well proven and established technology for construction of foundation in
expansive soils. For speeding up the construction bore and under ream for large diameter
and deeper pile a mechanical rig can be used. The construction and design of such
foundation can be done in accordance with Indian Standard Code of Practice IS 2911-Part
III.
2. Brick Arch Foundation: Construction of arches is an old technology. Such type of
foundation is of much use where the bearing capacity of soil is good and their exist some
loose/filled up soil pockets in between. The arches can be built by avoiding the pressure on
such loose pockets and transfer the load to the isolated footings built to support the arches.
For construction of such foundation the use of available material like brick or concrete
blocks can be made. In order to resist the lateral forces buttresses at the corner or at the end
are built. With the use of such foundation there is a considerable saving in the masonry and
concrete between the two footings.
3. WALLING
1. Stabilized, Compressed earth Blocks: are made of mud stabilized with 5% cement/lime
etc. and compacted in block making machine with no burning. A good walling material as
burnt bricks and is economical, stronger, energy saving and simple to manufacture. The
soil to be used for the blocks should have the requisite component of clay and silt and sand
etc. Soil stabilized hollow and interlocking blocks can provide better thermal insulation.
2. Stabilized Adobe: is an improvement over traditional adobe or hand moulded and sun
dried mud block in which mud is mixed with a small proportion of cement or lime or
broken or cut dry grass as reinforcing media to impart added strength and lower the
permeability. It is appropriate in dry climates.
Sustainable Constructivism: Traditional vis-à-vis Modern Architecture ISBN: 978-93-83083-76-3 125
Ar. Pallavi Sharma
Research Scholar, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Haryana, India
ABSTRACT
Building material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. Many naturally
occurring substances, such as clay, sand wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves have been used
to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products are
in use, some more and some less synthetic. Light weight construction materials can be a great
choice when it comes to building a home. New technology has also made building with metal
more practical than in previous human history. Most high rise buildings and sky scrapers are
built with steel or other metal frames. Plastics are another widely used modern building
material. Formed of polymers, plastics are easily molded while in the liquid state. Compared to
metal and many other materials, plastic is very light in weight and relatively low in cost. Plastic
is often used to make pipes and to decorate the interior of buildings. Many modern buildings use
glass, not only for windows, but often as the primary exterior building material. Glass
skyscrapers and other structures have become quite popular due to their aesthetic appeal.
Technology continues to create new building materials with exceptional properties. For example,
sea-cretion is a construction material made from minerals found in sea water. Composite
materials are made by combining different types of building materials together. These materials
combine organic and inorganic components. One material acts as a type of “adhesive” that
binds the other components together. The “hard” components are usually glass, carbon or boron
fiber. Composites are known for combining light weight with strength and durability. Cement
composites bind together wood or similar materials like paper, fiberglass and natural fibers in a
cement paste. These composites can be placed into molds to create pre-shaped building
components. With the increase interest in green technology, many builders are moving back to
older building materials in an effort to increase sustainability. Thus, one can find modern homes
or other structures built of mud and straw, or other archaic materials, in green living
communities.
Keywords: Stabilized Adobe, Lato Blocks, Rat Trap Bond, Pyramidal Brick Roof, Filler Slab.
1. INTRODUCTION
In most parts of the country, the soil bearing capacity is very low or the soil of expansive nature
likes black cotton soil. Under such conditions, use under-reamed or pedestal pile foundation with
plinth beams.
Sustainable Constructivism: Traditional vis-à-vis Modern Architecture ISBN: 978-93-83083-76-3 124
, Advanced Construction Materials
2. FOUNDATION
In most parts of the country, the soil bearing capacity is very low or the soil of expansive nature
likes black cotton soil. Under such conditions, use under-reamed or pedestal pile foundation with
plinth beams.
1. Under Reamed Pile Foundation: Such type of foundations is ideally suitable in the areas
where the black cotton soil or expansive soil is beyond 2.50 meter. The basic principle of
under reamed pile is to anchor the structure at a depth where ground movement is
negligible due to moisture variation or other reasons. Simple tools are required for
construction of under-reamed piles like spiral auger, under reaming tool, and boring guide.
This is a well proven and established technology for construction of foundation in
expansive soils. For speeding up the construction bore and under ream for large diameter
and deeper pile a mechanical rig can be used. The construction and design of such
foundation can be done in accordance with Indian Standard Code of Practice IS 2911-Part
III.
2. Brick Arch Foundation: Construction of arches is an old technology. Such type of
foundation is of much use where the bearing capacity of soil is good and their exist some
loose/filled up soil pockets in between. The arches can be built by avoiding the pressure on
such loose pockets and transfer the load to the isolated footings built to support the arches.
For construction of such foundation the use of available material like brick or concrete
blocks can be made. In order to resist the lateral forces buttresses at the corner or at the end
are built. With the use of such foundation there is a considerable saving in the masonry and
concrete between the two footings.
3. WALLING
1. Stabilized, Compressed earth Blocks: are made of mud stabilized with 5% cement/lime
etc. and compacted in block making machine with no burning. A good walling material as
burnt bricks and is economical, stronger, energy saving and simple to manufacture. The
soil to be used for the blocks should have the requisite component of clay and silt and sand
etc. Soil stabilized hollow and interlocking blocks can provide better thermal insulation.
2. Stabilized Adobe: is an improvement over traditional adobe or hand moulded and sun
dried mud block in which mud is mixed with a small proportion of cement or lime or
broken or cut dry grass as reinforcing media to impart added strength and lower the
permeability. It is appropriate in dry climates.
Sustainable Constructivism: Traditional vis-à-vis Modern Architecture ISBN: 978-93-83083-76-3 125
