ENGINEERING MATERIALS IN SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS AT RAILWAY

PARADE, LOGANLEA, QLD.

Student name: Brandon Jose Roso Carrascal.

Student number: 474430835
 1. INTRODUCTION.
Construction projects are a result of using various and different engineering materials to create more
complex elements into the areas that compose a building such as structural, architectural, electrical,
hydraulic, and so on. The quality of any building element or activity depends on the quality of the materials,
the method which are used these materials for and the person who employs them to do the action required.

2. MATERIALS.
2.1. BESSER BLOCKS.

Figure 1. Wall composed of Besser block.

A Besser block is a concrete pre-cast item with rectangular shape used in the construction of walls of
houses, apartments, offices and industrial buildings. Its modular sizes, shape which is dimensioned to fit
human hands and easy way to laying makes it useful in the construction industry, E. Allen and J. Iano
(2013).
Holes and sides of Besser blocks are made in factories using moulds; then blocks are cured, wrapped and
delivered to workplaces.

Figure 2. Besser blocks on pallets type “H” and “7/8”.

2.2. CONSTRUCTION SAND.

Construction sand is a type of fine aggregate which is combined with other materials to create a new
composite material. Sand might be either from natural resources such as rivers, pit or sea sand) or prepared
by crushing stones and gravels (it is known as artificial sand) R.K. Rajput (2000). Depending on its
granulometry, sand is used for different purposes, fine sand may use for masonry and leveling, while coarse
sand mixed with gravel is used in the construction industry to make floors, slabs, beams, columns and so
on.
 Figure 3. White brickie sand for block work.

2.3. REBAR STEEL.

Structural steel is one of the most useful construction materials, often used alongside concrete to create
impressive and long-lasting buildings, supporting resistances that Portland cement could not manage by
itself, M.C. Gonçalves, F. Margarido and R. Colaço (2012). Steel could often provide a solution where other
materials are unsuitable due to its versatility, sustainability, flexibility and very cost-effective material, being
these some of the main reasons for its use.

Figure 4. Rebar used as horizontal and vertical steel reinforcement

for walls.

3. REFERENCES.
• Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods by Edward Allen and Joseph Iano
(2013).
• Engineering materials (including construction materials) by Er. R.K. Rajput (2000).
• Materials for Construction and Civil Engineering. Science, Processing and Design by M. Clara
Gonçalves and Fernanda Margarido (2012).