Building a House: Construction Materials you Should know About

With changing demands of infrastructure and usage of robust technology, building materials have now become more durable and technically competent. In the past few years, the construction industry has pushed modern construction methods that require a wide range of construction materials. However, be it a massive infrastructure project or any small construction, there are a number of construction materials that are commonly used in almost all construction projects. Let’s take a look at them:

1. TMT Bar

TMT bars are among the most commonly used construction materials in India. From Infrastructure projects, massive skyscrapers to small residential houses, TMT bars are used to form the basic skeleton of almost all construction projects. TMT bars or Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars are produced through a special Thermo-Mechanical Treatment process. During the process in rolling mill once the bars gets the desired diameter in rolling mill, the bars are passed through quenching process and drop their temperature suddenly. This sudden drop in temperature makes their outer layer tough by forming martensite while leaving the inner layer soft. And that is why, TMT bars are highly ductile, durable, and has superior elongation and tensile strength. This makes them economically safe and also makes them earthquake resistant. Also, usage and addition of alloying elements (Cr, Ni etc.) in the Arc Furnace during the manufacturing process of Billets from sponge iron, makes the finished product i.e., TMT Re-bar Corrosion resistant.

2. Concrete

Concrete is yet another basic innovation of technology which is made from various construction materials and widely used in construction projects. Concrete is highly versatile and can be used in a number of forms. It is used for building foundations, driveways, walls, building columns, highways, dams, fences, and much more. It is made by mixing water, cement, and aggregate. It is then moulded into various shapes. Structures that are built using concrete are usually very strong and are long lasting.

3. Cement

This is the most common binding material used in the construction industry. Upon its application, after it has been mixed with water, Coarse aggregates (Stone Chips) and sand, cement reacts with water and goes through hydration process and by forming C-S-H get binds other materials together. Cement is not only used for the construction of bridges, tunnels, walls, homes, buildings, it is also used in the form of mortar (Cement and sand mixed with water), for masonry work and plastering. It is also used in floors, beams, and staircase works. Cement is available in a wide range of types, depending on its application.

4. Bricks

Bricks are usually made using mud or clay which is then fired in a kiln before they are used. This type of brick is known as burnt clay bricks. These bricks are generally used in making walls, laying floors and requires plastering. Apart from that, there are several other types of bricks widely used in construction projects: