Home – a word that soothes the ears and gives peace of mind, a place where the story of life begins and takes various turns, a place that offers innumerable moments of joy needs a lot of materials to construct. These key raw materials with the modern technology of construction create wonders in the form of incredible homes. Construction companies project a plethora of designs in their ventures though all use the common raw materials in their constructions.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.Key Raw Materials
1.1. Bricks
1.2. Sand
1.3. Steel
2. Con-Tech in Construction
2.1. Precast Technology
2.2. Innovative Green Building Material
3. To Conclude
1. Key Raw Materials
The common materials used in construction are called raw materials and the materials that are important are said to be the key raw materials. These are natural resources often altered to suitable forms that could be used in construction. Alteration of natural resources takes place through various processes prior to use in construction. A number of materials go into the construction of our dream homes. Raw materials vary depending on the types of construction – it can be a residential or commercial segment.
1.1. Bricks
Bricks are the most used raw materials due to its durability, ability to tolerate high temperatures and ease of building. Bricks are the key components of construction. Bricks are of various types that are uniquely made and designed for different purposes. Burnt clay bricks, commonly known as common bricks are used to build columns, walls and the foundation of strong buildings. Other types of bricks include sun-dried, burnt clay, fly ash, concrete, sand-lime, Jhama, porotherm or hollow bricks. Porotherm are also known as smart bricks or hollow bricks. These hollow bricks with high strength and thermal insulation are considered to be eco-friendly.
1.2. Sand
This is another key raw material used in the construction process. It has different varieties like concrete sand, river sand, pit sand, manufactured sand, utility sand and fill sand. It offers strength to other raw materials used in the process of construction and is used in concrete. The sand that is used as a fine aggregate in the production of concrete or mortar is concrete sand. This is commonly used in cement and asphalt mixtures. Concrete sand is crushed and filtered to remove small rocks and other fragments. Concrete sand is also used as pipe sand or as a levelling medium and base layer for above ground pools, walkways or patios River sand as the name proclaims is obtained from river banks and streams. It is naturally available, finely graded and cheaper. Manufactured sand or M-sand is manufactured by crushing hard stones into small sized angular shaped particles which are then washed and finely graded. This can be substituted for river sand and offers excellent durability to concrete.
1.3. Steel
Steel forms the support of the building. It bonds well with concrete and is considered to be an essential key material used in construction purposes. Steel is produced from raw materials. There are four types of steel that are used in construction – light gauge, rebar, structural and mild. Light-gauge steel is also known as cold-formed steel or cold-rolled steel. It is a cold-formed material made from thin sheets. It is not bulky or heavy and makes the construction process easier. It is flexible, safe and easy to form a frame system. Structural steel provides a base for the building and helps to develop the structure. This type is available in various shapes and is very strong. Rebar steel bonds with concrete and is used as a mesh of steel wires in construction. It enhances tensile strength and can be manufactured to long lengths. Mild steel is plain carbon steel used for conventional and modern bolted pre-engineering buildings.
2. Con-Tech in Construction
Construction technology is popularly known as Con-Tech. It includes all the innovations done in the construction sector. These technologies include Mivan Technology, RCC framework, wooden formwork and Precast Technology. Wooden formwork is simple to construct as it is light in weight. Timber is used here to build different types of moulds and this is in turn used to pour concrete. This is built on the site itself. Mivan is a fast paced construction technique which uses aluminium formworks and offers strength and durability to the building. This technique is used in the construction of residential buildings and mass housing projects. It is earthquake resistant and also saves time and money.
2.1. Precast Technology
India being a vast country with a large population requires a lot of building material to cover up the demand of residential units. Hence our country needs innovative, high-efficiency building materials for strong and durable housing in an advanced mode of construction. Moreover it should be affordable and time consuming. What can be better than precast construction! It is a system of casting concrete in a reusable mould which is then treated in a controlled environment. It is then taken to the construction site and lifted to the place. GFRG panel is also an example of precast technology. It is a modern building component used for mass scale construction in a short span of time. GFRG panels have high flexural strength, sheering strength, comprehensive strength and flexibility. Precast houses and buildings are cost efficient and work at a rapid pace. Precast concrete retaining walls can be used in landscaping and storage applications. Precast boundary walls, pre-stressed concrete panels, farm house boundary walls etc. are also used as modern construction technology.
2.2. Innovative Green Building Material
Those materials which are local and renewable are considered to be green building material. Materials that are found from the ground like clay, sand, and stone are green materials. Plant materials such as wood, bamboo, grass, straw are also green materials. These materials are being used in the construction of green buildings as they are eco-friendly.GFRG Panels is a technological advancement in the construction industry. These panels replace the use of blocks and bricks. These are prefabricated Gypsum boards reinforced with glass fibres. They are considered to be energy –efficient green building materials that have enormous potential for use as load-bearing and non-load bearing wall panels. They can be used for the construction of both external and internal walls, for sunshades, as an intermediary floor slab or roof slab, for boundary etc. GFRG Panels are earthquake and water resistant. They are also eco-friendly, hence used in greenhouses.
3. To Conclude
Other than the basic raw materials which had been in use for ages, man has worked on various technologies, the result of which has led to the green revolution. Rice Husk Ash Concrete, Bamboo, Bagasse Particle Board are also being used in green buildings. Precast technology is also setting its foot firmly on the grounds of construction. Green alternatives for building material gives lower impact on the environment. Precast structures are strong and durable. They are affordable and time saving. An own house is a dream house and the distance between a dream house and reality is the construction of the house which requires a lot of key raw materials and innovative technology along with money and time. This dream house can be converted into a home when the residents start living a life of joy and happiness.
Written by Nikhil Gattu
