Building material and

construction I
Department of Architecture and urban planning

Lecture- 1

By Betelhem Hailegebriel
February, 2024
 Outline
 Basic Information and Selection Criteria of Building Materials

 Interrelation of materials and constructions

 Building materials: fired clay product Brick, concrete

 What is building material?
 Building materials are substances or products used in

construction to create buildings, structures, and

infrastructure.

 They can be selected based on factors such as their properties,

availability, cost, durability, and environmental impact.

 Building materials serve various functions in construction,

including providing structural support, insulation, protection

from the elements, and aesthetic finishes.
 Basic Information and Selection Criteria of Building Materials

 Each construction site requires specific building materials. Some of

the material may be available locally, while other material has to be

organized from far away. Available natural and local materials are of
different characteristics and quality.

 Therefore, knowledge of how to select the best material and how to

make efficient and economical use of the materials is essential.

 Basic Information and Selection Criteria of Building Materials

 When selecting building materials for a construction project, factors

such as:

 structural requirements, environmental conditions, budget

constraints, sustainability goals, and aesthetic preferences should be

carefully considered to ensure the desired performance,

 durability, and overall quality of the built environment.

 compliance with building codes, regulations, and standards is

essential to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

 Interrelation of materials and constructions

the relationship between Building materials and constructions is mainly

seen on the property of various building materials and their influence on
the design, construction techniques and performance of the project.

Therefore, some of the relation between building materials and

constructions are:
 Material Selection and Structural Design - The selection of

building materials directly impacts the structural design of a building

or infrastructure project.
 For instance, the choice between steel, concrete, or timber for structural

framing will dictate the design loads, spans, and overall structural integrity
of the building.
 Construction Techniques and Material Compatibility - Different

construction techniques require specific materials that are compatible

with the chosen method of assembly.

 For instance, masonry construction techniques such as bricklaying

or stone masonry require materials like bricks, blocks, or natural

stone that are suitable for stacking and bonding with mortar.

 Similarly, concrete construction techniques involve formwork

systems and reinforcing materials like steel bars (rebar) to shape

and reinforce the concrete structure.
 Material Behavior under Load and Environmental Conditions -

Building materials exhibit different behaviors under various loading

Understanding how materials behave under these conditions is crucial
for designing structures that can withstand anticipated loads and
environmental stresses.

 For instance, concrete undergoes shrinkage and expansion due to

temperature changes and moisture fluctuations, which must be accounted

for in structural design and construction joints.
 Aesthetic and Functional Integration - building materials not only

contribute to the structural integrity of the construction but also it

have a significant role in its aesthetic and functional aspects.
 Aesthetical value of the building material is expressed by its

appearance, texture, color, and overall architectural expression of

the building.
 Functional value of a building material can be seen on the
provision of thermal insulation, soundproofing, fire resistance, or
sustainability features. which influence the occupants' comfort and
the building's energy performance.
 Basic building materials

Brick
 Building bricks may be defined as “structural units of rectangular

shape and convenient size that are made from suitable types of clays by
mounding, drying and burning.”
 It has been used for thousands of years and remains popular due to its

durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.

 Raw materials of brick

 The raw materials used in the production of bricks typically include

clay, water, sand, additive's and so on.

 The process of producing bricks are

 Selection of suitable type of brick earth

 combined in specific proportions and mixed thoroughly,

 Shaping and molding processes such as: extrusion, pressing, or

hand molding. Then

 Drying of molded bricks

 Firing or burning of units at high temperatures to harden them

into finished products suitable for construction purposes.

 Cooling of the units
 Production process of brick
 The process of producing bricks are

 Selection of suitable type of brick earth

 combined in specific proportions and mixed thoroughly,

 Shaping and molding processes such as: extrusion, pressing, or

hand molding. Then

 Drying of molded bricks

 Firing or burning of units at high temperatures to harden them

into finished products suitable for construction purposes.

 Cooling of the units
 1. Selection of suitable type of brick earth

 The ideal composition of a good brick earth is:

 Clay (Alumina) – 20-30%

 Silica – 50%-60%

 CaO, MgO – 4.5%

 Iron oxide – 4%-6%

 The earth should be free from alkalis, organic matter and free lime.
 2. Combined in specific proportions and mixed thoroughly,

 A two stage process:

 Clay Wining: The operations of selecting the earth, clearing and

digging it, spreading it for weathering.

 Tempering: the process of converting the prepared brick earth

into a homogeneous mix of desired plasticity by mixing it

thoroughly with proper quantities of water.
 3. Shaping and molding processes

 Which is the process of making properly shaped brick units from

thoroughly tampered clay.

4. Drying of molded bricks

 After molding, the green bricks have to be dried. Reasons for drying are:

 To make them sufficiently rigid, strong for handling and stacking

 To save fuel during burning stage

 Drying of bricks is achieved either by natural methods or by

artificial methods.
Drying of bricks by natural methods
 5. Firing or burning

 Firing of the dried bricks is essential to develop in them the

desired building properties such as:

 Sufficient strength

 Hardness

 Durability and Resistance to decay and disintegration

 Effects of improper burning

1. Over or under sized bricks

2. Low strength bricks

3. Cracked or broken bricks

 Types and classification of brick

Bricks are classified as:

1. Based on function

 Common Bricks: These are the standard bricks used in construction,

typically reddish-brown in color.

 Facing Bricks: These bricks are specially designed for

facing walls and designed for aesthetic purposes

rather than structural support.

 These bricks have a smooth and uniform surface

texture, making them suitable for visible exterior

walls or interior walls

 Used where appearance is important.

 Engineering Bricks: These bricks are

made to higher specifications, with

greater strength and durability, often
used in structural applications.

 These bricks are typically used in

areas subject to high loads or

exposure to harsh weather
conditions, such as foundations,
retaining walls, and underground
structures.

 Fire Bricks: These bricks are designed to

withstand high temperatures

 used in fireplaces, chimneys, and

kilns. Fire brick for out door fire place

2. Based on structure

 Solid brick - they are solid in structure with no perforations or holes. Solid

bricks are typically used for load-bearing walls in construction due to their
strength and durability.
 Perforated Bricks: Perforated bricks have evenly spaced holes throughout their

structure.

 The major advantage that perforated bricks offer over ordinary bricks is:

i. These bricks are light in weight

ii. Less quantity of clay is required for their manufacture
iii. Less time is required for drying and burning of perforated bricks
iv. better resistance against rain penetration and better insulation against heat.
v. These are especially suitable for construction of brick panels in multistory
structures.
 Hollow Bricks: are similar to perforated bricks but have larger cavities or voids

within their structure.

 Hollow bricks are often used in non-load-bearing walls to reduce overall

building weight and improve insulation.

 Cellular Bricks: Cellular bricks have a cellular structure with multiple

holes or voids arranged in a specific pattern.

 This design enhances the thermal and sound insulation properties of the

brick while also reducing its weight.

 Cellular bricks are commonly used in both load-bearing and non-load-

bearing walls

 Used where insulation is a priority.

 Advantage and disadvantage of brick
Advantage of brick
 Bricks are known for their durability and longevity. They can withstand harsh

weather conditions, fire, and pest damage better than many other building
materials.

 Bricks require minimal maintenance over their lifespan. They do not rot, rust,

or corrode, and their color remains relatively unchanged over time.

 Bricks are non-combustible and provide excellent fire resistance, which can

improve the safety of buildings and help contain fires.

 Bricks have good thermal insulation properties, helping to regulate indoor

temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs.

 Bricks provide effective sound insulation, reducing noise transmission between

rooms and from external sources.

 Bricks offer timeless aesthetic appeal and can enhance the visual appeal of

buildings. They come in various colors, textures, and sizes, allowing for diverse
architectural designs.

 Bricks are made from natural materials such as clay and shale, making them

environmentally friendly and sustainable. They can also be recycled or reused at

the end of their lifespan.
Disadvantage of brick

 Bricks can be more expensive than alternative building materials such as

concrete blocks or wood, especially if high-quality or specialty bricks are used.

 Installing bricks requires skilled labor and can be time-consuming compared to

other building materials. This can increase construction time and labor costs.

 Bricks are heavy, which can require additional structural support and increase

transportation costs. It also limits their use in certain construction applications.

 Susceptibility to Moisture: While bricks are generally resistant to moisture, they

can absorb water over time, leading to structural damage if not properly
maintained or sealed.
 have limited design flexibility compared to materials like concrete or steel.

Specialized architectural features may be challenging to achieve with bricks.

 have environmental impacts, including energy consumption during firing and

emissions of greenhouse gases.

 Properties of brick

 Bricks are commonly used in The essential properties of bricks

walls, partitions, and facades. may be conventionally discussed
They offer durability, thermal under four headings:
insulation, and aesthetic appeal. 1. Physical properties,

 Selection criteria for bricks 2. Mechanical properties,

include: 3. Thermal characteristics

and
 Compressive strength
4. Durability.
 Absorption rate

 Dimensional stability

 Color and texture options

 Physical properties of brick
 Shape- rectangular

 Color – brick red

 Density- density varies from 1600 kg/m3 to 1900 kg/m3 meter. A single
bricks (65x120x250) will weigh between 3.2kg to 3.5kg depending upon
its density.
 Size - The size of the brick used in construction various from country to
country and from place to place in the same country.
 Mechanical properties of brick

 Compressive strength is the most important property of bricks

especially because they are to be used in load bearing walls.

 The compressive strength of a brick depends on the composition of the

clay and degree of burning.

 Thermal properties of brick

 The heat and sound conductivity of bricks varies greatly with their

density and porosity.

 Very dense and heavy bricks conduct heat and sound at a great rate.

They have therefore poor thermal and acoustic (sound) insulation

qualities.

 For this reason, bricks should be so designed that they are light and

strong and give adequate insulation.

 Durability of brick

 By durability of bricks is understood the length of time for which they

remain unaltered and strong when used in construction.

 Qualities of good brick

 It should have a rectangular shape, regular surfaces and red colored

appearance.

 It should confirm in size to the specified dimensions.

 It should be properly burnt. This can be ascertained by holding two

bricks freely, one in each hand, and striking them.

 A sharp metallic sound indicates good burning whereas a dull thud

would indicate incomplete burning.

 A good building brick should not absorb water more than 20 % of dry

weight. Absorption not more than 25% in any case.

 A good building brick should possess requisite comprehensive strength,

which in no case should be less than 35 kg/cm2.

 Bricks should be hard enough so that it is not scratched by finger nail.

 A good brick has a uniform color and structure through its body.
 Types of brick bond
 Brick bond is a specific pattern of arranging bricks to ensure structural stability

 It is determine by the position of each brick in every successive course of the wall.

 Header – is a brick placed horizontally with its smallest surface in front of the wall.

 Stretcher – is a brick which is placed horizontally with its longest surface

 Queen closer – is the brick cut in half lengthwise

 Types of brick bond

Header Stretcher Queen closer

 Arrangement of the brick

 This spreads the loads easily, which prevent the risk of structural faller
 Types of brick bond
1. Stretcher bond – every course consists of only bricks placed in stretcher position

 the stretcher bond is usually used in wall with lighter loads such as

partition walls

 every other course ends with a half brick

2. English bond – is made by alternating header courses and stretcher courses.

 a queen closer is placed in 2nd positions on header courses

 this type of bonding is considered to be the strongest and is used to build

load bearing walls of all thicknesses. For instance in the exterior walls.
3. Flemish bond - is made of course alternating headers and stretches.

 The Flemish bond uses more mortar as it contains a larger number of

joints
Each course starting with the stretcher this courses also contained a queen
will end with the stretcher loser
in 2nd and penultimate positions

The course is starting with the header Headers are centered on stretchers
will end with the header as well from the course
below
 Concrete
 Concrete is a composite material made up of inert materials of varying sizes, which

are bound together by a binding medium.

 Concrete is a versatile material used in construction for its strength, durability, and

versatility.

 The strength of concrete is dependent on the strength of the aggregate paste bond.

Composition of concrete(Ingredients of concrete)

 The main ingredients of concrete are – Cement, Aggregates, Water and

Admixture

 each playing a crucial role in its overall properties and performance

 1. Cement

 Cement is the binding agent in concrete and is responsible for holding the

other ingredients together.

 The most commonly used type of cement is Portland cement, which is

made by grinding together limestone, clay, and other minerals and then
heating them in a kiln at high temperatures.
 2. Aggregates

 They make up the bulk of concrete by volume and provide strength and

durability to the mixture.

 Aggregates are the filler materials which make up a large portion (roughly

65-80%) of the concrete volume.

 Aggregate have the ability to absorb water based on its porosity.

Gradation of Aggregates
Types of gradation

Well graded – which are dense and well graded

Well graded
Dense
The range of size are
approximately in equal
amounts
Poorly graded – gap graded, uniform and open graded

Uniform graded Gap graded

Most particles are of Most particles are of
the same size large or small size
 Types of Aggregates

 Aggregates are categorized based on size as:

 Fine Aggregates – consist of sand, which is typically sourced from

natural deposits or manufactured by crushing rocks. Sand provides

cohesion and workability to the concrete mixture.

 Coarse Aggregates – which consist of gravel, crushed stone, or recycled

concrete materials. They provide bulk and strength to the concrete.

 Aggregates are categorized based on

condition as:

 Crushed

From quarry - sharp, angular

particles, rough surface, good
bond strength, low workability

 Uncrushed

From river - round shapes,

smooth surface, low bonding
properties, high workability
 3. Water

 water is the essential component that reacts with cement to form a paste,

which binds the aggregates together.

 The water-to-cement ratio (w/c ratio) is a critical factor in concrete mix

design and affects the strength, workability, and durability of the hardened
concrete.

 hydration of cement (only 1/3 of the water)

 Clean water is important any impurities present will affect bond strength

between the paste and aggregate.

 Effects of impurities in mixing water

 Impurities in mixing water may cause any one or all of the following:

 Abnormal setting time

 Decreased strength

 Volume changes

 Corrosion of reinforcement
 Some impurities in mixing water

1. Dissolved chemicals -Can actively attack the cement-aggregate bond,

leading to early disintegration of the concrete.

2. Sea water - The presence of salt can lead to corrosion of the reinforcing

bars and a decrease in concrete strength by some 10-15%.

 4. Admixture

 Admixtures are added to concrete mixtures to modify or improve its

properties.

 used to accelerate the rate of strength development at early ages.

 Used to adjust setting time.

 Types and classification of concrete
 The common types of concrete are Plain (mass) concrete, No-fines concrete,

Lightweight aggregate concrete, Aerated concrete, Reinforced concrete

 These are several types of concrete have unique characteristics suited for different

applications. for instance:

 Aerated concrete - commonly used in various construction applications,

including exterior and interior walls, partition walls, roof panels, floor systems

 Reinforced concrete - is commonly used in the construction of foundations,

columns, beams, slabs, walls, bridges, infrastructures, water tanks, and other
structural elements in buildings of all types and sizes.
 Advantage and disadvantage of concrete

Advantages of concrete

Good-quality concrete has many advantages:

 It is economical when ingredients are readily available.

 Its long life and relatively low maintenance requirements increase its

economic benefits.

 It has the ability to be molded or cast into almost any desired shape.

 It is a non-combustible material which makes it fire-safe and able

withstand high temperatures.

 It is resistant to wind, water, rodents, and insects. Hence, concrete is

often used for storm shelters.

 It has high compressive strength, resistance to weathering, impact and

abrasion.

 Building of the molds and casting can occur on the work-site which

reduces costs.
Disadvantages of concrete

 High cost of cement, steel and formwork ( in developing countries).

 Difficult quality control on building sites, with the risk of cracking and

gradual deterioration, if wrongly mixed, placed and insufficiently cured

with water.

 Low tensile strength (but can be overcome with steel reinforcement).

 Demolishing concrete is difficult.

Major process of concrete
Selection criteria for concrete include:

 Strength requirements

 Workability and ease of placement

 Durability in different environmental conditions

 Cost-effectiveness
Formwork?.........What formwork!
Thank you