LUCERIANO, VIRON B.

BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

BAMBOO
Bamboo has been in wide usage since ancient times as low – cost material for
houses, bridges etc. Recently started appearing in designer homes as flooring, walling
and paneling material. Is viewed as a material preferred only by the poor or for
temporary constructions. Unpopular in convential constructional due to low durability,
lack of structural design data, exclusion from building codes etc.
Bamboo is a perennial grass and one of the fastest growing plants on Earth. It can
grow up to 91cm within 24 hours. The strongest part of a bamboo stalk is its node,
where branching occurs. Bamboo as building material was discovered by China.
Bamboo as a construction material is traditionally associated with cultures of South
Asia, East Asia, South Pacific, Central and South America.
Usage of Bamboo in Building Construction

▪ Foundations ▪ Walls ▪ Trusses

▪ Floors ▪ Roof ▪ Doors & Windows

Advantages

▪ Strength ▪ Cost-effective ▪ Durability

▪ Flexibility ▪ Lightweight ▪ Earthquake-resistance

Limitations and Drawbacks

Although many traditional joint types exist, their structural efficiency is low.
Considerable research has been directed at development of more effective methods.
Bamboo structures are not fire resistant, and the cost of treatment, where available,
relatively high. The engineering design of bamboo structures has not yet been fully
addressed. There is little or no data containing specifications of bamboo.
How to protect Bamboo
Untreated Bamboo has the following life spans in different conditions:
Exposure to soil and atmosphere = 1-3 years

Under cover = 4-7 years

Very favorable conditions = 10-15 years

Natural durability also depends on the species of the bamboo.

(1) Drill bits attached to a long steel rod, are used to drill into the center of bamboo
culms through their whole length. (2) At the preservation treatment pool, bamboo
soaks in borax- boric acid solution for 2 days to allow the mineral to penetrate. (3)
Next, the bamboo poles are left to bask in the sun depending on the amount of
sunlight. (4) Bamboo is removed and stacked vertically so the solution can drain and
be reused.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

WOOD
Wood is an organic material. It is a hard fibrous material that forms the main substance
of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub, used for fuel or timber. Wood is used for
various purposes such as Making timber, Construction Materials, Fuel, Tools,
Furniture, Utensils, Houses etc.
Wood has played an important role in the history of civilization. Humans have used it
for fuel, building materials, furniture, paper, tools, weapons, and more. And demand
for wood continues to increase annually, spurring conflicts between neighboring states
over control of shared resources. Our relationship to this resource has remained
relatively unchanged over time, and our methods of developing and managing
woodlands continue to rely on tried-and-true techniques established by early
civilizations. So perhaps this is why we take it for granted: wood has long been a part
of our lives, and we probably can't really imagine it not being there.

Advantage Disadvantage
▪ Versatility and Durability ▪ Shrinkage and Swelling
▪ Cost ▪ Condensation
▪ Insulation ▪ Fire

There are two classifications of wood namely Natural Wood and Engineered Wood.

Natural Wood has two types: Hard Wood and Soft Wood. Hard Wood have more
complex structure, Dark in color, Slow growth rate, Higher density, Hard in structure,
Heavy weight, Fire resistant, Strong in compression and tension and Angiosperms.
While Soft Wood have less complex structure, Light in color, Faster rate of growth,
Lower Density, Softer than hardwood, Light in weight, Poor Fire resistant, Strength in
tension but weak in shear and Conifers.

Engineered Wood it is also known as Man-made wood. It includes a range of wood

products which are manufactured by binding of fixing the strands, particles, fibers,
veneers, boards of wood together with adhesive to form composite materials.
Engineered wood products are used in variety of applicants from home construction,
industrial products to commercial buildings. Engineered wood types: Veneer; Block
board; Plywood; MDF/HDF; Laminate and Particle Board.
Wood is an excellent material. It’s strong, light, easy to work with, and cheap. It literally
grows on trees. Historically it has always been the preferred building material for
smaller structures where it’s available. Wood is readily available and comparatively
cheaper than other construction materials in some parts of the world. Many types of
woods serve various purposes in building and impart attractive aesthetics to it. Good
compressive and tensile strength because of its fibrous texture makes it suitable for 1
to 2 storey building.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

STEEL

Though iron has been around for centuries, its usage in construction is more modern
than you might think. It began around the Industrial Revolution, which was
characterized by mass production and the development of new materials, modern
steel included. After the usage there proved profitable, its use expanded to include
churches, private buildings, and more. In the late 1800s, the first steel-framed
buildings and skyscrapers emerged. Steel buildings became popular in the early 20th
century, and became widespread around WWII, during which it was used for military
shelters and oil storage. After the war, steel was more readily available and became
the universal standard. Some of the most iconic landmarks, like the Empire State
Building, were erected with steel as a main construction element. At the end of the
20th century, advanced steel production enabled railroad construction across the
world, expanding new frontiers in remote locations.

Steel, alloy of iron and carbon in which the carbon content ranges up to 2 percent
(with a higher carbon content, the material is defined as cast iron). By far the most
widely used material for building the world’s infrastructure and industries, it is used to
fabricate everything from sewing needles to oil tankers. In addition, the tools required
to build and manufacture such articles are also made of steel. The main reasons for
the popularity of steel are the relatively low cost of making, forming, and processing it,
the abundance of its two raw materials (iron ore and scrap), and its unparalleled range
of mechanical properties.

Types Of Steel
1. Carbon Steel (Low, Medium, High) 3. Stainless Steel
2. Alloy Steel 4. Tool Steel

Advantage
▪ Reliability, Elasticity, Uniformity,
Durability, and Performance
▪ Industrial Behavior
▪ Lesser Construction Time/ Greater
Erection Speed
▪ High Strength, Light and Weight
Nature
Disadvantage
▪ High Maintenance Cost and More
Corrosion
▪ Fireproofing Costs
▪ Susceptibility to Buckling
▪ Higher Initial Cost / Less Availability

Steel is well-suited for modular construction, which will become more common
as building information modeling, spurred by new technology, advances. Newer
materials like graphene, though fascinating, are unlikely to eclipse steel soon. Lastly,
assuming human aspirations continue on their current trajectory, the need for steel in
construction will only expand as continued need for solid infrastructure does. With
populations growing and cities expanding, demand will only continue to climb.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

CONCRETE BRICK

A Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) is a standard-size rectangular block used

in building construction. CMUs are some of the most versatile building products
available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them
A brick is a type of block used to build walls, pavements and other elements in
masonry construction. Properly, the term brick denotes a block composed of dried clay,
but is now also used informally to denote other chemically cured construction blocks.
Bricks can be joined using mortar, adhesives or by interlocking them. Bricks are
produced in numerous classes, types, materials, and sizes which vary with region and
time period, and are produced in bulk quantities.
There are different types of bricks namely: Sun-Dried Bricks; Burnt Bricks; Concrete
Bricks; Lime Bricks; Engineering Bricks; Fly Ash Bricks.

A Concrete Block is a ‘Building Block’ composed entirely of concrete that is then

mortared together to make an imposing, long-lasting construction. These construction
blocks can be ‘Hollow’ or ‘Solid,’ formed of ordinary or lightweight concrete in various
specified sizes, depending on the precise requirements.

Two types of Concrete Blocks

▪ Solid Concrete Blocks - are highly heavyweight and formed by aggregate, are
primarily utilized in construction projects. These solid blocks are ideal for large-
scale projects such as force-bearing walls.
▪ Hollow Concrete Blocks- These blocks reduce the natural weight of masonry
structures while also improving physical wall qualities like noise and thermal
insulation.

Advantages
▪ The reduced wall thickness due to narrower Concrete Blocks than a traditional
brick masonry wall makes the space larger by increasing the carpet surface.
▪ Concrete block building is more systematic, faster, and stronger than brick
masonry because of the vast size of the blocks.
▪ Better thermal insulation is provided.
▪ It effectively absorbs sound and protects the interiors from noise pollution.
Using concrete blocks provides additional fire protection.
▪ Protects precious agricultural land that is extensively mined to produce clay
bricks.
▪ Individual pieces can be manufactured to a larger customized size and shape,
allowing for a quick building cycle turnaround.

Disadvantages
▪ The expense of constructing a residence out of concrete blocks is significantly
higher.
▪ Some of the blocks may need to be cut to reach critical systems.
▪ Concrete block homes aren’t usually attractive from the outside.
▪ Over time, concrete blocks may be subject to water seepage.
▪ Some regional preferences may not be compatible with this material.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

MUD

Mud is soil, loam, silt or clay mixed with water. It usually forms after rainfall or near
water sources. Ancient mud deposits harden over geological time to form sedimentary
rock such as shale or mudstone. Mud is soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of
earth and water. Mud has other inherent advantages: It is extremely malleable and
offers better insulation than steel-and concrete structures.

Historical Usage of Mud

Most houses in ancient Africa, Europe, Asia, and many in the Americas, were built out
of mud brick. You take clay from the riverbank and mix it with water and straw, and
pour it into wooden molds in the shape of bricks, and let it dry in the sun.

In ancient Sumeria, ancient Egypt, and ancient India, many young children, as young
as four years old, worked making bricks and carrying them from one place to another.
We also call mudbrick “adobe”. We get that word from the ancient Egyptian word “db”,
which meant mud-brick.

Mud is a versatile building material that has been used to make some extraordinary
architectural marvels - from 1,000-year-old ksars (forts) in Morocco and 6,000-year-
old arches, vaults and domes in the Nile Valley to multistoried houses of adobe,
sunbaked bricks of mud and straw, which is the traditional building material throughout
much of Latin America.

The clay content of mud brick can range between 30% and 70%, and overall earth
content may also include silt, gravel and stones.

Advantages Disadvantages

▪ Low Construction, Labor & Material ▪ Heavy Rainfall and Drainage

Cost Problems
▪ Good Resistance to Fire ▪ Maintenance
▪ Good Temperature Insulation ▪ Large Space
▪ Good Sound Proofing ▪ Affected By Insects and Animals

Mud Wall Construction Techniques

▪ Cob wall Construction
▪ Adobe
▪ Rammed Earth
▪ Wattle and Daub
▪ Earthbag Construction
▪ Mud Mortar
▪ Plaster
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

CLAY BRICKS
Clay Bricks are man-made materials that are widely used in building, Civil
Engineering work and Architecture. These bricks are made from clay by burning it at
high temperatures. The heat is responsible for fusing the clay particles, which leads
to extremely strong ceramic bonds in the bricks.
Clay bricks have the natural and warm colors of burnt clay which are permanent and
resist fading. It can also be made in other natural and attractive colors using different
clay compositions, firing temperatures or kiln atmospheres. They can also be made
into various textures to complement the exterior appearance of your home. There are
also types of Clay Bricks, namely: Burnt Clay Bricks; Sun-Dried or Unburnt Bricks; Fly
Ash Bricks; Concrete Bricks; Engineering Bricks; and Sand Lime or Calcium Silicate
Bricks.

A Brief History of Clay Brick

Ancient Egyptian bricks were made of clay mixed with straw. Bricks date back to 7000
BC, which makes them one of the oldest known building materials. They were
discovered in southern Turkey at the site of an ancient settlement around the city of
Jericho. The greatest breakthrough came with the invention of fired brick in about
3,500 BC. From this moment on, bricks could be made without the heat of sun and
soon became popular in cooler climates. Bricks were made by hand until about 1885.
Once the Industrial Revolution broke out, the brickmaking machinery was introduced.
Consequently, the number of clays that could be made into brick was greatly increased
which influenced the production capacity. Nowadays, apart from wood, bricks seem to
be commonly used building material.

How it is Manufactured or Harvest

▪ Traditional Way of Making Clay Brick: (1) Material Procurement; (2)
Preparation of Clay; (3) Molding; (4) Drying; (5) Firing
▪ Modern Way of Making Clay Brick: Mining and Storage; Preparation; Forming
(Stiff-Mud Process, Soft-Mud Process, Dry-Press Process); Drying; Hacking;
Firing; Cooling; De-hacking

Advantages
• Better thermal insulation
• Economical
• Masonry is easier, faster and stronger
• Bricks have greater fire resistance
• Its size enables easy handling and placement in walls
• It can be easily adapted to small scale and large-scale structure to give pleasing
appearance and texture.
• It enhances good sound absorption
• Very low maintenance cost is required.
Disadvantages
• Time consuming construction
• Cannot be used in high seismic zones
• Very less tensile strength
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

SHIPPING CONTAINER
A shipping container is a container with strength suitable to withstand shipment,
storage, and handling. Shipping containers range from large reusable steel boxes
used for intermodal shipments to the ubiquitous corrugated boxes. In the context of
international shipping trade, "container" or "shipping container" is virtually synonymous
with "intermodal freight container" (sometimes informally called a "sea can"), a
container designed to be moved from one mode of transport to another without
unloading and reloading.
HISTORY OF SHIPPING CONTAINER (created in 1956)
Most people don’t understand or recognize the significance of the humble shipping
container. Before shipping containers, all goods were manually loaded into sacks,
barrels and wooden creates loaded directly onto cargo vessels – known as break-bulk
shipping. It could take up to 3 weeks to unload and load each ship. Today’s massive
container ships can be unloaded and loaded within 24 hours, thanks to the advent of
the shipping container.
The intermodal shipping container was born back in 1956 by an American
entrepreneur Malcom McLean and has since revolutionized shipping and global
trade. For years Malcolm wondered how he could get his trucking company’s entire
cargo loaded onto a shipping vessel as quickly and efficiently as possible. He started
working with engineer Keith Tantlinger to engineer the world’s first shipping container.
The most significant change is that the shipping container allowed cargo to be
seamlessly transported between road, rail and sea.

How Shipping Containers Are Made: Step by Step Process

1. Wall Panels
2. Floor Frame Assembly
3. Doors and Corner Posts
4. Finishing the Box
5. Priming and Painting
6. Flooring
7. Decals and Identification
8. Waterproofing and Testing

What are Steel Shipping Containers Made of?

The corrugated wall panels, frame, cargo doors, and cross members of metal
shipping containers are all made from Corten Steel. This special type of steel, also
known as weathering steel, is the primary material in shipping containers.

What paint is recommended for Shipping Containers?

Marine-grade paint should always be used for shipping containers. This paint is
exceptionally durable and provides quality protection from the elements. Typically,
an acrylic marine-grade paint is used with a satin finish. A gloss finish should be
avoided as it is more prone to damage and also makes blemishes more obvious. At
the same time, the nature of matte paint means that it attracts dust and shows dirt
more clearly. This is why a satin finish is the preferred option when being painted.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

RAMMED EARTH
Rammed Earth is construction technique of ramming a mixture of aggregates, like
gravel, sand, silt and clay into a formwork to create walls. When the earth is dry the
formwork is removed to reveal solid monolithic walls.

History
Evidence of the early use of rammed earth has been seen in Neolithic archaeological
sites of the Yangshao culture and the Longshan culture in China along the Yellow
River dating back to 5000 BCE. By 2000 BCE, the use of rammed earth architectural
techniques was commonly used for walls and foundations in China. 1800s in the
United States, rammed earth was popularized by a book Rural Economy by S. W.
Johnson. It was used to construct Borough House Plantation and Church of the Holy
Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina)|Church of the Holy Cross in South Carolina, which
are two National Historic Landmarks of the United States: HISTORY The 1920s
through the 1940s was an active research period for rammed earth construction in the
US. South Dakota State College carried out extensive research and built almost 100
weathering walls of rammed earth.

Types of Rammed Earth:

▪ Raw, which is carefully mixed clay, sand, silt and water;
▪ Stabilized, where some kind of binder, usually cement, is added to hold it
together.

Advantages Disadvantages

▪ The Cost Can Get Significantly High.

▪ Low Environmental
Impact
▪ High Thermal Mass
▪ Strength And Durability
▪ Acoustic Insulation
▪ Resistance And Safety
▪ Versatility
▪ Aesthetic Harmony
▪ It Doesn’t Provide Long-Term Insulative
Benefits.
▪ If You Build from Your Property, Then You’ll
Create Holes in The Ground.
▪ It Is Challenging to Correct Issues After a Wall
Gets Built.
▪ Rammed Earth Gets Limited to Low-Rise
Buildings and Square Shapes.
▪ It Takes a Long Time to Cure a Rammed Earth
Wall.

Rammed Earth is highly sustainable as it has a high thermal mass and a 40th of
the carbon footprint of concrete which is composed of 20 % cement. It is also
completely recyclable and has low transport emissions as the main material is already
on site. Rammed -earth buildings need to have walls that are considerably thicker than
their concrete counterparts, but they are fire -proof, termite -proof, breathable and
have insulating properties as they can absorb heat during the daytime and release it
at night.
LUCERIANO, VIRON B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4A

ALUMINUM
Aluminum metal is very rare in native form, and the process to refine it from ores is
complex, so for most of human history it was unknown. However, the compound alum
has been known since the 5th century BCE and was used extensively by the ancients
for dyeing. During the Middle Ages, its use for dyeing made it a commodity of
international commerce. Renaissance scientists believed that alum was a salt of a new
earth; during the Age of Enlightenment, it was established that this earth, alumina, was
an oxide of a new metal. Discovery of this metal was announced in 1825 by Danish
physicist Hans Christian Ørsted, whose work was extended by German chemist
Friedrich Wöhler.
Aluminum began to be used in engineering and construction. In the second half of the
20th century, aluminum gained usage in transportation and packaging. Aluminum
production became a source of concern due to its effect on the environment, and
aluminum recycling gained ground. World production continued to rise, reaching
58,500,000 metric tons in 2015.

Physical Characteristics
Aluminum is lightweight, durable, malleable and corrosion resistant. This metal is
widely used for components in the aerospace, transportation and construction
industries:
▪ Durability
▪ Low Maintenance Cost
▪ Finishes; Reflective Properties
▪ Aluminum is not combustible
▪ Aluminum is eco-friendly.

Advantages Disadvantages

▪ Cost-Efficient
▪ They are susceptible to dents during
▪ Long-Lasting Life
storms and hurricanes.
▪ Fire Redundant
▪ The joints have to be carefully sealed
▪ Low Maintenance Cost
and adequate waterproofing has to be
▪ Available in a Wide Variety of
done so that there is no water
Textures
penetration into the building during
▪ Easy to Install
the rains.
▪ Weather Resistance
▪ Enhances the Looks

Aluminum was difficult to refine and thus uncommon in actual usage. Soon after its
discovery, the price of aluminum exceeded that of gold. It was reduced only after the
initiation of the first industrial production by French chemist Henri Étienne Sainte-
Claire Deville in 1856. Aluminum became much more available to the public with the
Hall– Héroult process developed independently by French engineer Paul Héroult and
American engineer Charles Martin Hall in 1886, and the Bayer process developed by
Austrian chemist Carl Joseph Bayer in 1889. These processes have been used for
aluminum production up to the present.