ALUMINIUM

AS A BUILDING MATERIAL
 INTRODUCTION
 Bauxite is A sedimentary rock with A relatively high aluminium
content. It is the world's main source of aluminium and gallium
 Aluminium is A silvery-white, lightweight metal that is highly
abundant in the earth's crust.
 It is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal
found in the earth's crust, making up approximately 8% of the crust
by weight.
 Aluminium is extensively used in various sectors, including
construction, transportation, packaging, electrical and electronics,
machinery, and renewable energy.
 EXTRACTION OF ALUMINIUM

 Step 1: mining :the first step in the extraction of aluminum is mining. Bauxite,
which is the primary source of aluminum, is typically found in shallow, open-pit
mines. The bauxite ore is extracted using heavy machinery, such as excavators
and bulldozers, and then transported to a processing plant.
 Step 2: refining :the refining process involves transforming the bauxite ore into
alumina, which is also known as aluminum oxide.
 Step 3: reduction :the final step in the extraction of aluminum is reduction,
where aluminum oxide (alumina) is converted into pure aluminum metal.
 TYPES OF ALUMINIUM
There are several types of aluminium that are differentiated
based on their composition, properties, and manufacturing
processes. Here are some common types of aluminium:
 Pure aluminium (99%+ purity):it is often used in
applications that require high electrical conductivity, such as
electrical wiring and transmission lines.
 Aluminium alloys:alloys are created to enhance specific
properties of aluminium, such as strength, hardness, and
corrosion resistance.
 Cast aluminium:cast aluminium is produced through the casting
process, where molten aluminium is poured into A mold and
allowed to solidify.
 Wrought aluminium:common forms of wrought aluminium
include sheets, plates, bars, tubes, and profiles used in various
applications, such as construction, transportation, and consumer
goods.
 Anodized aluminium:anodized aluminium is commonly used in
architectural applications, consumer electronics, and automotive
parts.
 ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM
 Lightweight: it IS easier to handle, transport, and install in various
applications, reducing overall structural weight and potentially lowering
costs.
 Corrosion resistance: aluminium naturally forms a protective oxide layer
on its surface, providing inherent corrosion resistance.
 Design flexibility: aluminium is highly malleable and can be easily formed
into various shapes and profiles.
 Recyclability: aluminium is 100% recyclable without losing its properties or
quality.
 Fire resistance: aluminium is non-combustible and has a high melting
point, making it a fire-resistant material.
 Low maintenance: aluminium requires minimal maintenance over its
lifecycle. It is resistant to rust, corrosion, and fading, eliminating the need
for regular painting or surface treatments.
 Sustainable and green building material: aluminium aligns with
sustainable building practices due to its recyclability, energy efficiency, and
durability. It can contribute to earning points in green building certification
systems such as LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design)
and contribute to sustainable building practices.
 DISADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM
 Cost: Aluminium can be more expensive compared to other building materials such
as steel or wood. The initial cost of aluminium, including fabrication and installation,
may be higher, which can impact overall project budgets, particularly in large-scale
construction projects.
 Lower Structural Strength: While aluminium is lightweight, it has lower structural
strength compared to materials like steel.
 Heat and Cold Transfer: Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat and cold. This
means that without proper insulation or thermal breaks, aluminium components can
allow heat or cold to transfer easily, leading to thermal inefficiencies and potential
energy losses.
 Susceptibility to Denting and Scratching: Aluminium, especially thin-gauge sheets,
can be susceptible to denting and scratching.
 Limited Color Options: While aluminium can be painted or coated to achieve various
colors and finishes, the range of color options is relatively limited compared to other
building materials like wood or composite materials. This can limit design choices or
architectural preferences.
 Difficulties in Repair: Repairing aluminium structures or components can be challenging.
Unlike materials such as wood or concrete, aluminium often requires specialized welding
techniques or specialized repair processes
 Galvanic Corrosion: When aluminium comes into contact with certain dissimilar metals
in the presence of an electrolyte (such as moisture), it can undergo galvanic corrosion.
 ALUMINIUM ALLOY

 Aluminium alloys are materials that are created by combining aluminium with
other elements to enhance its properties.
 The addition of alloying elements modifies the characteristics of pure aluminium,
such as strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and machinability, making it
more suitable for specific applications.
 They are divided into two groups :
i. Heat treatable alloys :given strength by thermal treatment.
ii. Non-heat treatable alloys:strength is increased by work hardening
 IMPORTANT ALLOYS FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

 Duralumin: it is used for manufacturing aircraft, automobile

parts, etc where sttength equivalent to that of steel is required.
 Yalloy:it is used for manufacture of pistons, cylinder head of
ic engines, connecting rods and propeller blades.
 Aluminium bronze: it is used as a substitute for brass and
also used for grill work of buildings.
 USES OF ALUMINIUM IN
BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
Aluminium has many industrial uses . in this section we deal with the use of
aluminium in building construction. The four popular uses of aluminium products in
building construction are as follows:
i. Window frame
ii. Built up curtain walls
iii. Aluminium composite panels [ACP] or wall panels
iv. Roofing sheets
 WINDOW FRAME
 As good wood is expensive and other woods do not last long in many modern
houses, we use aluminium for window frames.
 A number of different slopes and colors can be made from aluminium alloys.
 BUILT UP CURTAIN WALLS
Plain walls not supporting a roof are called curtain walls. In modern high rise buildings
bricks,mortor, and cement have been replaced by aluminium and aluminium composite
panels, curtain walls.
 ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE
PANELS[ACP]
 These laminates have emerged as a very preferred material for facades, curtain walls. Face lifting of
beauty can be achieved by using these composite panels.
 It is used in exterior as well as interior of building. It is usually made 4mm thick. It is composed of non-
combustible low-density polyethylene[ldpe] sheet laminated and sandwiched between two anodized
aluminium sheets [0.3mm]on each side and painted with special techniques.
 It has excellent sound and thermal insulation properties. These sheets are used for facades of buildings to
give attractive patterns.
 They can be easily bent to any shape to cover columns and pillars easily and it gives them very elegant
look.
 ALUMINIUM ROOFING SHEET
 Roofing by rafters and clay tiles was very popular in olden days .It is becoming obsolete, as it
involves a lot of labor .The tiles may also get broken in many ways.
 Nowadays sheets made from high quality aluminium alloys ,which do not rust, need little
maintainenance and look good for all classes of buildings , for industries,warehousess, and even for
housing.
 These corrugated aluminium sheeted building look attractive also. These sheets are available in a
variety of colors. " Hindalco ever last" roofing sheets are such sheets and are very popular
nowadays.
THANK YOU