Man has utilized natural resources to develop a better quality of artificial construction materials that are more long-lasting and rust-resistant than natural ones. Besides being more economical and user-friendly than the already existing natural resources.
If you are someone who is going to buy a house soon or plan to construct a building, you should look into all your options regarding construction materials. Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has compiled a list of artificial construction materials that are used in modern-day construction.
List of Top Artificial Construction Materials
The following are the top construction materials that are used in the contemporary construction industry.
- Cement
- Concrete
- Bricks
- Glass
- Paint
Cement – An Artificial Construction Material
Cement is one of the most commonly used construction materials. It works as a binding/ adhesive agent. A lot of times it is used as an exchangeable name for concrete. The cement is water-activated. It is used as a primary ingredient in mortar and concrete. After water, cement is the most widely consumed material on planet earth today.
Based on the setting and hardening working, we can classify it into two main categories: non-hydraulic, and hydraulic cement. It was first made by a British mason, Joseph Aspdin, in the 19th century.
The following are the common types of cement used in Pakistan.
- Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
- Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
- Rapid Hardening Cement
- Extra Rapid Hardening Cement
- Low Heat Cement
- Sulfates Resisting Cement
- Quick Setting Cement
- Blast Furnace Slag Cement
Concrete – Artificial Construction Material
Another artificial construction material that is used in a wide range is concrete. It is a complex construction material, which is essential for the construction of the basic gray structures of buildings.
When it comes in contact with water, it solidifies as a result of a chemical process known as hydration. Also, it works as an adhesive agent that binds other materials together.
Concrete is vastly used in the construction process. It is composed of cement, aggregate, stones, gravel, and sand. In its dry form, it stays non-reactive. However, upon mixing water with it, it can become a dense substance that further converts into a stone-like structure.
There are various types of concrete used in the construction, some of which are as follows.
- Plain or Ordinary Concrete
- Reinforced Concrete
- Prestressed Concrete
- Precast Concrete
- Lightweight Concrete
- High-Density Concrete
- Air-Entrained Concrete
Bricks – Artificial Construction Material
Bricks are solid rectangular-shaped blocks that are made of burnt clay. They are usually red or brown and are a part of foundational artificial construction materials. Also, they are most commonly used in the construction of walls, patios, and fireplaces.
Stone was the typical alternative to bricks, before their invention. During the industrial revolution, bricks took over the construction industry and replaced the use of stone.
The popularity of bricks is owed to their low maintenance and durability. Moreover, their complex shapes can be visually appealing.
The quality of bricks depends on factors such as sharp edges, square corners, and metallic ringing sounds upon contact with each other. Also, the redder a brick is, the lower its quality will be.
Bricks are composed of the following elements:
- silica- silica is about 50 to 60% of the dry weight of brick
- Alumina is about 20 to 30% of the dry weight of bricks
- lime is about 10 to 12% dry weight of bricks
- ferric oxide is less than 7% of the dry weight of bricks
- magnesia is about less than 1% of the dry weight of bricks
- Alkalies are about less than 10% of the dry weight of bricks.
Glass – Artificial Construction Material
Another most commonly used artificial construction material is glass. It is typically used in the construction of houses and buildings. Glass is composed of raw substances such as silica, sodium potassium carbonate, lime or lead oxide, and manganese oxide.
All of these compounds are first grounded and then mixed in precise proportions for the production of glass.
Glass is different from other building materials because of its unique property of being transparent and glazing. Most of its architectural applications include doors, windows, and partitions.
Ever since its discovery, people have been using glass as a construction material. It not only enhances the aesthetic view of the building’s structure but is also useful in the sense that it provides a partition without building a wall.
When used in windows, it allows sunlight to enter the structure without creating an outlet.
Additionally, experts in the factories can mold it into any shape, upon cooling it turns brittle. It is one of the most versatile materials used in the construction industry.
Paint – Artificial Construction Material
The use of paints is to enhance the look of the structure, as well as protection from weather and exterior conditions. When it comes to renovation projects, it is a vital part of them. Paints are not all of the same kind – they vary in color and composition.
Different types of paints are used for the exterior, interior, furniture, doors, and windows of houses and buildings. Before you buy paint for your house, it is essential to look into its features and composition.
Reasons that make it important to paint buildings.
The following are the reasons that make it important to paint buildings.
- Protecting the structure from pests, weathering, solar radiation, and other external factors
- Simple maintenance: Well painted surfaces are easier to keep clean and safe
- Increasing the visual appeal of a surface
- Waterproofing
- Increasing surface durability
With the advent of technology, the structure and design of buildings and houses changed as well. Along with that construction materials have evolved a lot as well. We have shifted from using raw natural materials to artificial construction materials. In this blog, we mentioned some of the traditional artificial materials used in construction.
For more information such as types of bricks used in construction or types of stones used in construction, visit Graana.com.
