BUILDING DESIGN

SYSTEM
ASSIGNMENT: BUILDING MATERIALS

SUBMITTED BY:
HAFIZ UZAIR NAEEM UD DIN
 BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN PAKISTAN
Most commonly-used natural and synthetic construction materials in Pakistan.

Cement, Sand, Steel, Concrete, Glass, Wood, Brick, Stone

CEMENT

Cement is used for structural purposes and serves as a binding agent for other building materials

Natural Cement, Blast Furnace Cement, Portland cement, Quick Setting Cement

Coloured Cement, Rapid Hardening Cement, Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC)

White Portland cement, High Alumina Cement

SAND 

There are different type of sand in Pakistan with respect to quarries named Ravi sand,

Chenab sand and Lawrencepur sand (Harrow sand). These sands are different in properties and
composition.

Types of Bricks used in Masonry Construction

1. Sun-Dried or Unburnt Clay Bricks

2. Burnt Clay Bricks

 First class bricks

 Second class bricks
 Third class bricks
 Fourth class bricks

First Class Bricks

First class bricks are good quality bricks compared to other classes. These bricks contain standard
shape, sharp edges and smooth surfaces. They are more durable and having more strength. They can
be used for permanent structures.

Second Class Bricks

Second class bricks are moderate quality bricks and they are molded by ground-molding process.
These bricks are also burnt in kilns. But because of ground molding, they do not have smooth
surfaces as well as sharp edges.
 Third Class Bricks
Third class bricks are poor quality bricks which are generally used for temporary structures like
unburnt bricks. These are not suitable for rainy areas. They are ground-molded type bricks and burnt
in clamps. The surface of this type of bricks are rough and they have unfair edges.

Fourth Class Bricks

Fourth class bricks are very poor quality bricks and these are not used as bricks in the structure. They
are crushed and used as aggregates in the manufacturing of concrete. They are obtained by over
burning, because of this they gets overheated and obtains brittle nature. So, they can break easily and
not suitable for construction purpose.

3. Fly Ash Bricks

Fly ash bricks are manufactured using fly ash and water. These bricks have better properties than clay
bricks and great resistant to freeze thaw cycles. These bricks contains high concentration of calcium
oxide which is used in cement production, thus it is also called as self-cementing brick. Fly ash bricks
are lightweight and thus it reduces self-weight of structures.

4. Concrete Bricks
Concrete bricks are manufacturing using concrete with ingredients as cement, sand, coarse aggregates
and water. These bricks can be manufactured in sizes as required.

5. Engineering Bricks
Engineering bricks have high compressive strength and are used special applications where strength,
frost resistance, acid resistance, low porosity is required. These bricks are commonly used for
basements where chemical or water attacks are prevalent and for damp proof courses.

6. Sand Lime or Calcium Silicate Bricks

Calcium silicate bricks are made of sand and lime and popularly known as sand lime bricks. These
bricks are used for several purposes in construction industries such as ornamental works in buildings,
masonry works etc.

Identification of Bricks Quality at Construction Site

 The color of bricks should be bright and uniform.

 They should be well burned and having smooth surfaces and sharp edges.
 Thermal conductivity of bricks should be less and they should be sound proof.
 They shouldn’t absorb more than 20% by weight when we placed it in water.
 When we struck two bricks together, ringing sound should be delivered.
 Structure of bricks should be homogeneous and uniform.
 The bricks should not break when we dropped it form 1m height.
 There should not be any scratch left on the brick when we scratched with finger nail.
 There should not be any white deposits on brick, when we soaked it in water for 24 hrs.

Properties of Bricks
Following are the properties of bricks which represents the importance of bricks in construction.

i. Hardness ii. Compressive strength iii. Absorption

STEEL
There are four types of steel reinforcement bars that are used in construction: 

Hot Rolled Deformed Bars

These are the most popular bars used for reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures. It is well-
known for its distinct deformations (also known as ribs) that helps adhere to the concrete. It has a
tensile strength of 60,000 psi.

MILD STEEL PLAIN BARS

As opposed to other types, these bars do not have ribs on its surface. It is commonly used for small
projects with a tight budget since they’re cheaper to come by yet do not bond well with concrete. Its
tensile strength is about 40,000 psi.

COLD WORKED STEEL BARS

These bars look similar to hot rolled deformed bars, although it is worked by rolling the steel at room
temperature. Due to its working, these bars are less pliable and work best to improve straightness and
low-tolerance projects. It has a tensile strength of 60,000 psi.

PRESTRESSING STEEL BARS

These bars are composed of multiple wires (called tendons) ranging from 2 to 7 strands. It is best
known for its versatile composition and impressive tensile strength. This material is often paired with
prestressed concrete found in bridges and concrete slabs in buildings. It has a tensile strength of
around 250,000 to 270,000 psi.

Concrete
Concrete is a composite material, consisting mainly of Portland
cement, water and aggregate (gravel, sand or rock). When these materials are mixed together,
they form a workable paste which then gradually hardens over time.

There are several different types of concrete, including:

PLAIN/ORDINARY CONCRETE

This type of concrete is one of the most commonly-used, often for the construction of pavements and

where buildings don’t require very high tensile strength. The constituents
are cement, sand and aggregate, mixed with water, typically in the ratio 1:2:4.

As it is unreinforced, this type of concrete is unsuitable for many structures as it is relatively poor at

withstanding stresses induced by vibrations, wind loading, and so on.

LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

Also known as cellular concrete, this is a very 'flowable' material and so can be easily poured by
using gravity and is self-levelling. It is typically used to construct floor slabs, window panels
and roofs.

The types of aggregates that are used for lightweight concrete include pumice, scoria, expanded

shales and clays. It has very low thermal conductivity, usually with a k value of around 0.3 W/mK,
whereas plain concrete can be as high as 10-12 W/mK.

HIGH DENSITY CONCRETE

This type of heavyweight concrete has a greater density than other types and is manufactured using
crushed rocks as coarse aggregate. As it provides good protection from x-rays and radiation, it is
often used in nuclear power plants and other such buildings.

REINFORCED CONCRETE

Reinforced concrete (RC) is a versatile composite and one of the most widely

used materials in modern construction.

To increase its overall strength, steel rods, wires, mesh or cables can be embedded in concrete before

it sets (or laid before the concrete is poured). This reinforcement, often known as rebar, resists
tensile forces, whilst concrete resists compressive forces (and is inherently weak at resisting
tensile forces). By forming a strong bond together, the two materials combine to resist a variety of
applied forces, effectively acting as a single structural element.

PRECAST CONCRETE

This is a form of concrete that is prepared, cast and cured off-site, usually in a

controlled factory environment, using reusable moulds. Precast concrete elements can be joined to
other elements to form a complete structure. They are typically used for structural components such
as; wall panels, beams, columns, floors, staircases, pipes, tunnels, and so on.
RESTRESSED CONCRETE

Prestressed concrete is a structural material that allows for predetermined, engineering stresses to be

placed in members to counteract the stresses that will occur when they are subject to loading. It
combines the high strength compressive properties of concrete with the high tensile strength of steel.

In reinforced concrete, stresses are carried by the steel reinforcement, whereas prestressed

concrete supports the load by induced stresses throughout the entire structural element.

It is now commonly used for floor beams, piles and railways sleepers, as well as structures such

as bridges, water tanks, roofs and runways.

GLASS REINFORCED CONCRETE

Glass reinforced concrete (GRC), or glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), is a construction

material that is commonly used to form exterior cladding panels.

GRC is composed from high-strength, alkali-resistant glass fibres embedded in a concrete matrix. The

fibres act as the principal load-carrying component, while the surrounding matrix keeps them in
position, and transfers load between the fibres. Both fibres and matrix are capable of retaining their
physical and chemical identities, while combining their properties to create a high-
performance composite.

AIR-ENTRAINED CONCRETE

This is a form of plain concrete that contains microscopic air bubbles that range in size from a few
thousandths of an inch in diameter to a few hundredths, and typically constitute between 4 and 7% of
the total volume of the concrete.

The air bubbles create chambers for water to expand into when it freezes, thereby relieving internal
pressure on the concrete. It is manufactured by introducing air-entraining agents as the concrete is
mixed, or by using air-entraining Portland cement.

SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE

The introduction of self-compacting concrete (SCC) is regarded by some as one of the most important
recent advancements in the concrete technology. It is a non-segregating concrete that can flow under
its own weight, spread, fill formwork, and encapsulate reinforcements without the need for
mechanical consolidation. Because of its exceptional flowing properties, SCC is used predominately
in the construction of complex concrete frames.

SMART CONCRETE

Smart concrete technology offers an alternative method for monitoring the health of reinforced

concrete structures. It works by adding a small quantity of short carbon fiber to concrete with a
conventional concrete mixer which modifies the electrical resistance of the concrete in response to
strain or stress. This can be used to monitor stress or strain in concrete structures, identifying
potential problems before the concrete fails.

Smart concrete is capable of sensing very small structural flaws and hence finds application in
checking the internal condition of structures, particularly after an earthquake.

Smart concrete technology has undergone extensive laboratory testing, but is yet to hit the market.

Concrete fiber

Concrete fiber is as composite material consisting of a mixture of cement, concrete or mortarand

discrete, discontinuous, evenly dispersed suitable fibres.

Polymer concrete

The polymer concrete market is segmented into epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, and others. Epoxy is the
largest category due to its increasing use in construction and its superior properties of high
impact strength, high vibration resistance, good bonding with concrete and metal surfaces.

Glass

What is a glass?

Glass is a hard substance which may be transparent or translucent and brittle. It is manufactured by
the fusion process.

Properties of glasses?

The fundamental properties of the glass that make it suitable for building construction applications
are transparency, strength, workability, transmittance, U value, and recycling.
What are the types of glasses?

Float glass, shatterproof glass, laminated glass, extra-clean glass, chromatic glass, tinted glass,
toughened glass, glass blocks, glass wool, and insulated glazed units.
What are the applications of glasses in building constructions?

shop fronts, public places, windows, skylights, floors, aquariums, bridges, stain proof, aesthetics,
ICU’s, meeting rooms, insulations, wall constructions, fire-resistant doors, and mobile screen
protectors.
What is U value of a glass?
 U value represents the amount of heat transferred through glass. If a glass is said to be insulated unit
then it should have lower u value.

Engineering Properties of Glass

1. Transparency
2. Strength
3. Workability
4. Transmittance
5. U value
6. Recycling property
1. Transparency of Glass
2. Strength of Glass
3. Workability of Glass
4. Transmittance
5. U value of Glass
6. Recycle Property of Glass
Any glass can be 100% recyclable. It can also be used as raw material in construction industry.

Types of Glass and their Uses

The types of glass used in construction are:

1. Float glass
2. Shatterproof glass
3. Laminated glass
4. Extra clean glass
5. Chromatic glass
6. Tinted glass
7. Toughened glass
8. Glass blocks
9. Glass wool
10. Insulated glazed units
1. Float Glass
Float glass manufactured from sodium silicate and calcium silicate so, it is also called as soda-lime
glass. It is clear and flat, so it causes glare. Thickness of the float glass is available from 2mm to
20mm, and its weight range from 6 to 36 kg/m2. The application of float glass includes shop fronts,
public places, etc.
2. Shatterproof Glass
Shatterproof glass is used for windows, skylights, floors, etc. Some type of plastic polyvinyl butyral
is added in its making process. So, it cannot form sharp-edged pieces when it breaks.

3. Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is the combination of layers of ordinary glass. So, it has more weight than a normal
glass. It has more thickness and is UV proof and soundproof. These are used for aquariums, bridges,
etc.

4. Extra Clean Glass

Extra clean glass has two unique properties, photocatalytic and hydrophilic. Because of these
properties, it acts as stain proof and gives a beautiful appearance. Maintenance is also easy.

5. Chromatic Glass
Chromatic glass is used in ICU’s, meeting rooms etc. it can control the transparent efficiency of glass
and protects the interior from daylight. The chromatic glass may be photochromic which has light
sensitive lamination, thermos-chromatic which has heat sensitive lamination and electrochromic
which has electric lamination over it.

6. Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is nothing but colored glass. A color producing ingredients is mixed to the normal glass
mix to produce colored glass which does not affect other properties of glass.

7. Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is a durable glass that has low visibility. It is available in all thicknesses, and when
it is broken it forms small granular chunks that are dangerous. This is also called as tempered glass.
This type of glass is used for fire-resistant doors, mobile screen protectors, etc.

8. Glass Blocks
Glass block or glass bricks are manufactured from two different halves and they are pressed and
annealed together while melting process of glass. These are used as architectural purpose in the
construction of walls, skylights etc. They provide aesthetic appearance when light is passed through
it.

9. Glass Wool
Glass wool is made of fibers of glass and acts as an insulating filler. It is fire-resistant glass.
10. Insulated Glazed Units
Insulated glazed glass units contains a glass is separated into two or three layers by air or vacuum.
They cannot allow heat through it because of air between the layers and acts as good insulators. These
are also called as double glazed units.

TYPES OF WOOD USED IN CONSTRUCTION

Hardwood:
Hardwood is used for making cupboards, desks, wooden panels, door-frames and window fittings. It
is extremely durable and resistant to rot, heat, pressure and can withstand changes in weather.
Therefore, it can be used for the construction of floors, walls and ceilings as well. Types of hardwood
commonly used in Pakistan are Deodar, walnut tree wood and teak.

Deodar:
Deodar is one of the most commonly used woods for constructional purposes in Pakistan. The wood
is derived from the Cedrus deodara tree that is native to the Northern region of Pakistan. It is durable,
strong and most importantly rot-resistant. Its grains are fine and closely knitted due to which it can
withstand high polishing. As a construction material, most Architects in Pakistan preferably select
Deodar.

Walnut tree wood:

Walnut tree wood, as the name suggests, is derived from the walnut tree. In Pakistan, this tree
natively grows in the Northern areas (Mainly Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). The walnut wood has
different shades but mostly it comes in dark red and pinkish color. Though, mostly walnut wood is
used in the making of furniture but its resistivity to moisture makes it an ideal material for flooring as
well. However, recently there has been an increase in the trend of walnut wood walls.

Teak:
Teak is a strong wood that is highly durable. Teak has a beautiful oriental look that makes it an ideal
wood for cabinets and furniture. This wood is resistant towards moisture so it is mostly used in the
making of window frames. Architects in Lahore prefer using teak over other woods for window
frames as it can withstand moisture during monsoon season.

Softwood:
Softwood is lighter and more flexible than the hardwood but is more or less similar to it in strength. It
is derived from evergreen trees and can be used for the construction of wooden floors, walls, desks,
furniture, door and wooden panels. However, softwood might not be an ideal choice for walls and
ceilings in urban houses. Softwood is mainly used in the making of doors, door panels, window
frames and furniture. Some types of softwood can also be used as a flooring material. Commonly
used softwoods in Pakistan are Pine (chir pine), fir and Hemlock (shekran).

Chir pine:
Chir pine is a very popular type of wood taken from pinus roxburghii, a tree native to Northern region
of Pakistan. In areas to which this wood is native, it can be used for constructing houses, but for
large cities and urban areas, it is not suitable for that purpose. It is mostly used in the making of door
panels and certain type of furniture.
Fir:
The most commonly used types of fir in Pakistan are silver fir and blue fir. It is used in window and
door panels and furniture.

Hemlock:
Hemlock, commonly known as shekran in Pakistan, is used for the making of doors and planks. It is
not very resistant to rot hence; it is not used in the making of wooden floors.

Natural stone floor finish

1- Granite
· Granite is a form of igneous rock made up of feldspar quartz and mica.
This is a luxury floor covering as it is an expensive product
2-Marble
This is a form of metamorphic rock,
·It is made up of calcium carbonate; it comes in numerous colors, white, grey, green, ochre, and beige
and is usually veined.
Has various varieties and names in the market like Boti sena, Badal
3-Slate
Slate is a foliated metamorphic rock. It occurs as a result of shale rock undergoing
metamorphosis.
It is normally grey in colour. However, it can still occur in other colours: Purple, green cyan (This
can be found in North Wales).

1-Limestone and Sandstone

These are derived from sedimentary rocks
· Limestone is rarely used for floors today as it becomes slippery when it is worn.
It is grey or beige in color.
2- Tiles/Mosaic
This is a superior type of flooring used in bathrooms and kitchens of residential buildings and in
hospitals, sanatoriums and temples
3-Terrazzo
This is a composite material made up of cement and marble aggregate,
it is then mixed and poured in situ onto a concrete base.
It is then ground waxed and polished. It has a mosaic look.
It can also be premade and is available in slabs or tiles.
It is very hard wearing, if it is polished or wet it is very slippery.
It is very useful in commercial situations i.e. malls and shopping centers as it is very durable and easy
to clean.
4-Concrete/Cement Screed
These are usually used as a base for other floor finishes.
There are many forms, monolithic, laid over the concrete base within a few hours of the base being
laid.
Bonded - existing concrete base with aggregate exposed has a cement screed laid over it.
Unbounded - a cement screed is laid over a plain existing concrete base.
Floating - is laid over thermal or sound insulation materials.
5-WOOD FLOORING
Many different species of wood are fabricated into wood flooring.
The two major forms are plank and parquet.
Hardwoods are more durable than softwoods
Most hardwood floors include ash, beech, birch, hickory, maple, teak and walnut.
They are durable if properly finished and maintained.
Hardwood flooring can be a durable, long lasting surface covering material, but it has to be properly
finished in order to protect it from stains, damage, and moisture penetration.
In addition there are a number of colorful and creative decorative treatments that you can apply to
make the floor take on a variety of unique stylistic appearances:
Hardwood Floor Surface Treatments
Stains: These consist of a variety of color changing chemicals which can soak down into the surface
of hardwood planks, and tint them from within.
6-CERAMIC TILES
They include a wide variety of clay products fired into thin units which are set in beds.
Varieties include quarry tiles, porcelain tiles and terracotta tiles.
Quarry tile
The quarry tile comes in various colours. It normally has an abrasive fit in it to provide a non-slip
quality. It is mostly used in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. EXAMPLE –RAK TILES
(b) Porcelain tile
Made up from the stone waste. So is very example and durable. Have a very low water absorption
rate and hence are mostly used in wet rooms and areas where wear and tear is high. locally available
in Spanish and Chinese imports.
(c) Terracotta tile
It is made of clay, either baked or unbaked. It is normally brownish orange in colour.
How are Low, Mid, and High Rise Buildings Classified?
 BUILDING SERVICES

WHAT IS BUILDING SERVICES?

Everything inside a building which makes it safe and comfortable to be in comes under the title of
'Building Services'. A building must do what it was designed to do -not just provide shelter but also
be an environment where people can live, work and achieve.

Building services are “what makes a building come to life”. They include:
 energy supply -gas , electricity and renewable sources
 heating and air conditioning
 water, drainage and plumbing
 natural and artificial lighting, and building facades
 escalators and lifts
Ventilation and refrigeration
 communication lines, telephones and IT networks
 security and alarm systems
 fire detection and protection

The complexity of Mechanical &Electrical systems varies with:

 Living standards of the society
 Climatic conditions of the region
 Occupancy and quality of the building

CLASSIFICATION OF M&E SYSTEMS

Mechanical Systems
 HVAC(Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning)/ACMV (Air-conditioning and mechanical
ventilation)
 Site utilities–Water supply, drainage, sanitary disposal, gas supply
 Plumbing–Water distribution, water treatment, sanitary facilities, etc.
 Fire protection–Water supply, standpipe, fire and smoke detection, annunciation, etc.
 Special systems

Electrical Systems
 Electrical power–Normal, standby, and emergency power supply and distribution
 Lighting–Interior, exterior, and emergency lighting
 Auxiliary–Telephone, data, audio/video, sound, security systems, etc.
 Special systems

Building Operation Systems

 Transportation–Elevators, escalators, moving walkways/travellators, etc.
 Processing–Products, food service, etc.
 Automation–Environmental controls, management, etc.
 Special systems

HVAC/ACMV Systems
 Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil, coal, central steam, central hot water, chilled water, etc.
(location and capacity)
 Heating/cooling–Central air handling, direct radiation, in-space unitary equipment, etc.
 Comfort controls–Number of control zones, humidity, temperature, etc.
 Central plant–Estimated normal (or base) and standby capacities, etc.
 Heat rejection -Water cooling tower, air cooled condenser, evaporative cooler, etc.
 Location of equipment–Central equipment rooms, on floor, on roof, on ground, etc.

Plumbing and Sanitation Systems

 Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil, central steam, hot water, etc.
 Water supply–Public water, river, well, etc.; water pressure, capacity available, and location
 Hot water supply–Hot water heaters or heat exchangers
 Sewage disposal –Sanitary, sewers, sewage treatment plant, septic tanks, drainage and filtering
fields
 Storm/Rain water drainage–Roof, area, and means of discharge; locations
 Subsoil drainage–Drainpipes, sumps, pumps, and discharge, etc.
 Building facilities–Plumbing fixtures, water, waste, soil, piping

Fire Protection Systems

 Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil
 Water supply–Flow rate and available pressure at water main, location. Separate service or
combination with plumbing water supply
 Water storage–Lake, pond, storage tanks (locations and capacities)
 Fire and smoke detection–Thermal and smoke detectors
 Fire containment–Fire shutters, compartmentalization
 Smoke containment and evacuation–Smoke exhaust and pressure controls
 Stairway smoke prevention–Stair pressurization

 Fire annunciation–Fire alarm, public address, fire department connections

 Fire extinguishing–Portable extinguishers, automatic sprinklers (water, mist, dry chemical, foam,
special gases, etc.)
 Firefighting–Fire hose and standpipe systems
 Lightning protection–Air terminals, grounding conductors, etc.

Power Systems
 Normal energy source–Utility power or on-site power (location and capacity); power
characteristics (phase and voltage); service entrance (overhead, underground); service requirements
(substations, transformer vaults); etc.
 Emergency power source –Separate utility service or on-site standby generators (location and
capacity)
 Interior power distribution –Primary or secondary voltages, unit substations, distribution panels,
etc.
 On-floor distribution–Floor boxes, under-floor ducts, integrated cellular floors, raised floors,
ceiling-cavity conduit network, etc.

Lighting Systems
 Basic light source–Incandescent, fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID), etc.
 Illumination –Lighting levels, colour rendering, controls
 Lighting fixtures –In offices and other work spaces
 Architectural lighting–Interface between architect, lighting and/or electrical consultant on public
or special spaces
 Introduction of daylight –Fenestration, skylights, controls, etc.
 Exit lighting –Exit signs, exit way (evacuation route) light
 Exterior lighting –Site, landscape, building facade, aircraft warning lights, etc.

Auxiliary Systems
 Telephone and telecommunication–Type, number of lines and stations, switchboard (manual,
PBX), basic and special features, facsimile, modem, etc.
 Data distribution systems–Multiple conductor cables, twisted pairs, coaxial cables, Fiber optic
cables, wire closets, etc.
 Public address –Intercom, paging and music systems
 Audio/video –Radio, TV, and signal distribution systems
 Satellite dishes –Number, diameter, and orientation
Transmission –Transmitter and microwave towers
 Cable –CCTV distribution systems, locations, and interfacing with other auxiliary systems
 Time and signal –Clock and program systems
 Fire detection and alarm systems –Interface with fire protection consultants
Automatic controls –Interface with HVAC and other building service consultants
 Security systems –CCTV monitoring, detecting, alarming, controlling, and interface with security
consultant
 Specialty systems –Numerous specialty systems for hospitals, research, computer centers, and
industrial, military, or defense facilities, as applicable