ALUMINIUM AS A BUILDIMG MATERIAL

Why aluminium?
Aluminium is the second most widely specified metal in buildings after steel, and is used in all construction sectors, from
commercial buildings to domestic dwellings

Primary smelter aluminium is pure and, as such, has a relatively low strength. For extrusions and other manufactured
components, the material is alloyed to improve its strength, although even the most heavily alloyed wrought aluminium is
still 92% pure.

Aluminium –Building material of the modern age

Modern building and construction is more than merely erecting buildings as functionally as possible. In addition to
functional and economic criteria, aesthetic and design considerations together with ecological demands placed on building
projects play an equally important role. This means the materials used are of major significance. Aluminium, the building
material for the modern age, established itself as an important factor in the building and construction industry during the
course of the 20th century.

APPLICATIONS

Aluminium enables every possible architectural concept to be realised – regardless of whether it is a new build or a
modernization. The main market sectors are windows, roofing, cladding, curtain walling and structural glazing,
prefabricated buildings, architectural hardware, H&V, shop fitting and partitions. Aluminium is also used extensively in
plant, ladders and scaffolding. Possible applications range from façades and roof and wall manufacturers of Aluminium
building products systems to interior decoration and the design of living are world leaders technologically – not least space,
and include windows and doors, balconies because the companies have furthered the and conservatories development of
modern windows and façades in the fields of surface treatment, thermal insulation and soundproofing, air conditioning
and solar heating.

KEY ISSUE
Strength versus weight
One of Aluminium’s primary appeals to specifiers is its exceptional strength to weight ratio. Aluminium sections are
generally thinner and deeper than equivalent steel sections to achieve the required strength and rigidity since, Aluminium
is not affected bymoisture and aluminium windows do not warp, stick or rot. In door construction, typically using hollow-
section extrusions, sight lines are improved because multi-point locks and other door furniture can be fitted within the
frame. This is in addition to the intrinsic lightness, strength and rigidity of Aluminium frames

Aluminum recyclable at end of building’s life

The ability to recycle aluminum building products is also becoming more important as more building owners decide to
deconstruct rather than demolish older buildings. Instead of simply going in with a wrecking ball, owners are now much
more deliberate about how they take down a building in order to extract as much recyclable material as possible. By doing
so, they not only retain the scrap value of a material such as aluminum but also eliminate the environmental impact and
cost of dumping it in a landfill.

Aluminum Can Be Formed into Variety of Shapes:

Because it is ductile, aluminum can be formed into a number of shapes and profiles. Its uses are by no means limited to flat
panels. Consequently, aluminum wall cladding systems can help create some of the most attractive and functional
exteriors on buildings today. In addition, large wall panels, either flat or formed, require fewer joints, producing fast and
economical installation.

PROPERTIES, ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS

Properties
1. Durability:
Aluminium building products are made from alloys, which are weather-proof, corrosion-resistant and immune to the
harmful effects of UV rays, ensuring optimal performance over a very long serviceable lifetime.
2. Design flexibility:
The extrusion process offers an almost infinite range of forms and sections, allowing designers to integrate numerous
functions into one profile. Rolled products may be manufactured flat, curved, shaped into cassettes, or sandwiched with
other materials. In addition, aluminium can be sawed, drilled, riveted, screwed, bent, welded and soldered in the workshop
or on the building site.
3. Hundreds of surface finishes:
Aluminium can be anodized or painted in any colour, to any optical effect, using any number of surface touches, in order to
meet a designer’s decorative needs. Such processes also serve to enhance the material’s durability and corrosion
resistance, as well as providing an easy-to-clean surface.
4. High reflectivity:
This characteristic feature makes aluminium a very efficient material for light management. Aluminium solar collectors can
be installed to lower energy consumption for artificial lighting and heating in winter, while aluminium shading devices can
be used to reduce the need for air conditioning in summer.
5. Fire safety:
Aluminium does not burn and is therefore classed as a non-combustible construction material. Aluminium alloys will
nevertheless melt at around 650°C, but without releasing harmful gases. Industrial roofs and external walls are increasingly
made of thin aluminium cladding panels, intended to melt during a major fire, allowing heat and smoke to escape and
thereby minimizing damage.
6. Optimal security:
Where high security is required, specially designed, strengthened aluminium frames can be used. While the glass for such
applications may well be heavy, the overall weight of the structure remains manageable thanks to the light weight of the
aluminium frame.

Advantages
1. Lightweight
Aluminium is one of the lightest available commercial metals with a density approximately one third that of steel or
copper.
2. Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Aluminium has excellent resistance to corrosion due to the thin layer of aluminium oxide that forms on the surface of
aluminium when it is exposed to air
3. Strong at Low Temperatures
Where as steel becomes brittle at low temperatures, aluminium increases in tensile strength and retains excellent
toughness.
4. Easy to Work
Aluminium can be easily fabricated into various forms such as foil, sheets, geometric shapes, rod, tube and wire.
5. Easy Surface Treatment
For many applications, aluminium requires no protective or decorative coating; the surface supplied is entirely adequate
without further finishing

Disadvantages:
1. Thermal insulation was almost definitely insufficient: aluminium being a good thermal conductor.
2. Poor water proofing due to the inadequately designed/executed joints between the roof aluminium sheets
3. General noise caused by rain or hail falling on aluminium roof and wall sheets.
 STEEL AS A BUILDING MATERIAL

Steel is known to have given a structure that no other can when it comes to construction. The durability and potency that
steel provides is not matched by wood or concrete. It is getting more and more common for steel to be used in
construction, and people are preferring steel due to its various advantages.

ADVANTAGES

Steel buildings are known to have higher resistance due to their strength, and steel construction does not cost as much as
concrete or wood construction usually does. This immense strength is of great advantage to buildings. The other
important feature of steel framing is its flexibility. It can bend without cracking, which is another great advantage, as a
steel building can flex when it is pushed to one side by say, wind, or an earthquake. The third characteristic of steel is its
plasticity or ductility. This means that when subjected to great force, it will not suddenly crack like glass, but slowly bend
out of shape. This property allows steel buildings to bend out of shape, or deform, thus giving warning to inhabitants to
escape. Failure in steel frames is not sudden - a steel structure rarely collapses. Steel in most cases performs far better in
earthquake than most other materials because of these properties.

 Strength, resistance,design flexibility,adaptability

 Durability,sustainability,recyclability

 design flexibility

 speed,lower construction costs

 long term maintenance costs are reduced

 good indoor air quality(iaq)

 light material

ADVANTAGES OF STEEL STRUCTURES

Steel structures have the following advantages:

 They are super-quick to build at site, as a lot of work can be pre-fabbed at the factory.
 They are flexible, which makes them very good at resisting dynamic (changing) forces such as wind or earthquake
forces.
 A wide range of ready-made structural sections are available, such as I, C, and angle sections
 They can be made to take any kind of shape, and clad with any type of material
 A wide range of joining methods is available, such as bolting, welding, and riveting
Steel construction is most often used in

 High rise buildings because of its strength, low weight, and speed of construction
 Industrial buildings because of its ability to create large span spaces at low cost
 Warehouse buildings for the same reason
 Residential buildings in a technique called light gauge steel construction
 Temporary Structures as these are quick to set up and remove

DISADVANTAGES

However one important property of steel is that it quickly loses its strength in a fire. At 500 degrees celsius (930 degrees F),
mild steel can lose almost half its strength. This is what happened at the collapse of the World Trade Towers in 2001.
Therefore, steel in buildings must be protected from fire or high temperature; this is usually done by wrapping it with
boards or spray-on material called fire protection.

DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL STRUCTURES

Steel structures have the following disadvantages:

 They lose strength at high temperatures, and are susceptible to fire.

 They are prone to corrosion in humid or marine environments.

TYPES OF STEEL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

There are several types of steel building construction. Steel construction is also called steel fabrication.

Conventional Steel Fabrication is when teams of steel fabricators cut members of steel to the correct lengths, and then
weld them together to make the final structure. This can be done entirely at the construction site, which is labour-
intensive, or partially in a workshop, to provide better working conditions and reduce time.

Bolted Steel Construction occurs when steel fabricators produce finished and painted steel components, which are then
shipped to the site and simply bolted in place. This is the preferred method of steel construction, as the bulk of the
fabrication can be done in workshops, with the right machinery, lighting, and work conditions. The size of the components
are governed by the size of the truck or trailer they are shipped in, usually with a max length of 6m (20ft) for normal trucks
or 12m (40ft) for long trailers. Since the only work to be done at site is lifting the steel members into place (with cranes)
and bolting, the work at site is tremendously fast. Pre-engineered buildings are an example of bolted steel construction
that is designed, fabricated, shipped and erected by one company to the owner.

Light Gauge Steel Construction is a type of construction that is common for residential and small buildings in North
America and parts of Europe. This is similar to wood framed construction, except that light gauge steel members are used
in place of wood two-by-fours. Light gauge steel is steel that is in the form of thin (1-3mm) sheets of steel that have been
bent into shape to form C-sections or Z-sections.

WEIGHT OF STEEL FRAME STRUCTURES

Consider a single storey building measuring 5 x 8m (16 x 26ft). Let us first construct this in concrete, with four columns at
the corners, beams spanning between the columns, and a 150mm (6") thick concrete slab at the top. Such a structure
would weigh about 800 kg/m2, or 32 Tons (32,000 kg) in total. If we build this of steel instead, with a sloping roof covered
with corrugated metal sheeting with insulation, this would weigh only about 65 kg/m2. The steel framed building will
weigh only 2.6 Tons (2,600 kg). So the concrete building is over 12 times heavier! This is for single storey structures - in
multi-storey structures, the difference will be less, as the floors in multi-storey steel buildings are built of concrete slabs for
economy - but the difference is still significant.

This low weight of steel frame buildings means that they have to be firmly bolted to thefoundations to resist wind forces,
else they could be blown away like deck umbrellas!

TYPES OF STEEL USED IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

1. Plain Carbon Steel or Mild Steel

This is the most common type of steel used in building construction, which is also known as mild steel. It is incalculably
strong and durable, and ensures a sturdy built. Due to the strength that carbon steel provides, it is hugely useful in
buildings and has proved to be of great advantage. It does not crack when bent, it is immensely flexible, and it is ductile
and has great plasticity, along with the fact that it can endure calamities like earthquakes without it causing cracks in the
steel. This is the most advantageous factor of carbon steel. A steel building is hardly ever prone to collapse or destruct in
any form. It can withstand any sort of calamity and is strong enough to not crack, in turn being able to save its occupants.
Other construction materials might easily collapse or break down, but steel does not, and carbon steel is highly strong to
survive any major problems. Low carbon steel consists of 0.05%-0.25% carbon approximately. This type of steel has two
yield points. Low carbon steel is simpler to handle because of its ability of being handled by two yield points, wherein the
first yield point is goes a little higher over the second, lower yield point. Mild steel has a density of 7.85 g/cm. Due to its
weld ability, plain-carbon steel is higher in strength than any other. However, fire protection is very important in a steel
building, and must be given due thought to. Other than that steel construction causes no concerning issues.

2. Rebar Steel

More commonly known as reinforcing steel, this type of steel is used as a tension device for reinforced concrete or
reinforced masonry structure. It is created out of carbon steel, with ridges given to it for mechanical anchoring in a better
way in the concrete. It holds the concrete into compression, and it is available in various types of grades, which are usually
found in varying specifications in yield strength, vital tensile strength, chemical composition, and elongation percentage. It
provides resistance, durability and aesthetic resistance with local resistance and stiffness that spreads through a wide area
that other types of steel aren’t usually equipped in. It has immense expansion potential and comes in various sizes
depending on the country and construction. With its recyclable tendencies, rebar is proven to be very useful. The grades
and specifications provide varied types in rebar as well, for instance, there is plain steel wire that is used for concrete
reinforcement, aside from epoxy coated steel bars for reinforcement, plain bars and rail steel deformed bars, steel and zinc
coated bars, low-alloy steel, stainless steel, axel steel, welded deformed steel, fabricated deformed steel bar mats,
chromium, low carbon steel bars etc.

3. Structural Steel

Structural steel shapes are made out of this kind of steel, which is formed out of a precise cross section, at the same time it
follows definite standards for mechanical properties and chemical composition. Structural steel comes in various shapes
like I-Beam, Z shape, HSS shape, L shape (angle), structural channel (C-beam, cross section), T shaped, Rail profile, bar, rod,
plate, open joist of web steel etc. Standard structural steel varies in different countries with different specifications. For
example, European I-beam is Euronorm 19-57; structural steel in USA comes in carbon, low alloy, corrosion resistant high
strength low alloy, quenched and tempered alloy steel etc. Structural steel is ductile, strong, durable, and it can be
morphed into almost any shape based on the construction; it can be constructed almost immediately the moment it is
received at the construction site. Structural steel is fire resistant in itself but fire protection should be provided in case
there is a possibility of it getting heated up to a point where it starts to lose its strength. Corrosion must be prevented
when it comes to structural steel, but tall buildings are known to have withstood various kinds of calamities when built
using structural steel.

Steel construction is gaining popularity all over the world and every region has benefitted due to steel throughout the
years. Many of the greatest architectural wonders have been constructed through the use of steel, be it structural, carbon
or rebar- aside from all of the other types of steel that are available for construction of buildings. Most importantly, the
usage of steel ensures more eco friendliness than other modes of construction, and due to this factor alone it is given more
preference. Taking into consideration the rate of marvellous constructions, steel has proved rather favourable. With the
usage of steel increasing in construction, there is no doubt that it will take over the entire construction field soon in the
future.
 PAINT AS A BUILDING MATERIAL

paint can be described as any fluid material that will spread over a solid surface and dry or harden to an adherent,
coherent, obscuring skin or film. Paint is used to protect the exterior of a building (against moisture and oxidation) or
to beautify its interior.

Properties of Paints

Consistency
Spreading power
Drying
Durability
Finishing

Types of Paints Used in Building Construction

There are many purposes for using paint in building construction. These includes increase the visual appeal of building
surface, protect surface against weathering impact, make the surface water proof, protect surface from termite attack and
increase the surface durability. In building, you will find four types of places to paint on. Such as -

1. Interior wall and ceiling

2. Exterior wall surface
3. Wooden surface and
4. Metal

1. Interior wall and ceiling

To increase the visual appeal and smoothness of wall surface and ceiling interior paint is done. Following types of paints
can be used as interior paint -
Distemper: Distemper is common type paint used in interior wall and ceiling for protecting and decorating brick wall,
concrete and plastered surface. Variety of distemper are available in the market. Such as acrylic distemper, synthetic
distemper, dry distemper etc. Acrylic distemper is washable and can be applied on plaster, wall and asbestos. Synthetic and
dry distemper are not washable.

Plastic paint: It is also called plastic emulsion paint or interior emulsion paint. It is water base paint. This paint is durable
and can be washed. They are available in three categories -

Regular emulsion
Economy emulsion and
Premium emulsion

2. Exterior

Exterior paint must have weather resisting capability. It can be oil based or water based. But oil based paint is not
generally recommended for exterior painting. Following types of exterior paint are available in market -

Cement paint- It is water based paint. It gives nice finish to newly constructed building.

Acrylic emulsion- It has high capability to withstand against weathering impact. It gives surface a nice and durable finish.

Textured plaster- It is also emulsion based paint. But the surface protection capability of textured plaster is much better
than other emulsion paint.
3. Wood

Traditional paint for wood is varnish. But now a days many people choose modern version of varnish "polyurethane and
melamine" for wood finishes. It allows wood grains to see through it unlike varnish.

4. Metal

Enamel paint is commonly used for metal. This is oil based paint.
Following types of enamel paints is used on metal surface in building construction -

a) General purpose enamel paint

b) Synthetic enamel paint
c) Premium enamel paint

a) General purpose enamel paint - This type of enamel paint's protecting capability is lower than other two. But using two
coat of this paint can give long protection to metal surface.

b) Synthetic enamel paint - This type of paint gives metal surface a good finish with atmospheric protection. Synthetic
enamel paint can also be used on wooden surface.

c) Premium enamel paint - It has excellent protective capability against atmospheric attack on metal. It also gives glossy
effect with nice surface finish.

There are also some other places in building construction where special painting is needed. Such as water proofing paint,
anti-termite paint etc.
 RENDERING

Rendering is the process of applying cement mixture to external, or sometimes internal, walls to achieve a smooth or
textured surface. It is similar in technique to plastering.
Render has waterproofing and fire rating qualities, but is also used for aesthetic purposes. The main components
of renders are cement, sand, lime and water. A common mix ratio used for rendering is 6 parts sand, 1 part cement and
1 part lime. Any general purpose cement can be used, although the sand should be fine and clean of impurities. Coarser
sand is usually used as the base layer and slightly finer sand for the top layer.
Additives can be included in the mix that help with bonding or slowing the drying process, as well as pigments that alter
the colour depending on the aesthetic requirements. By adding lime the render can be given a smoother texture,
increasing its elasticity and making it less likely to crack after drying.
Render is usually mixed with a cement mixer which ensures an even mix with the addition of the correct amount of
water. Render is then applied using a trowel in thin, smooth coats. A thin finishing top coat or finishing wash can be applied
to achieve decorative effects. Depending on the surface texture finish required, top coats may be applied using a trowel,
brush or sponge. There is considerable skill involved in achieving different textures, finishing styles and decorative effects.
Acrylic, pre-mixed rendering products have the advantage of superior water resistance and strength, allowing application
to more challenging surfaces, such as concrete, cement sheeting or cladding such as expanded Polystyrene. Some types
can also be applied using special spray equipment. Whilst traditional renders can take up to 28 days to fully set,
acrylic renders can set in 24-48 hours.
A lime mortar (in which lime is used rather than cement) may be used for rendering older buildings, particularly if lime
mortar was used in the original construction. This has greater flexibility and so is less likely to crack, and is ‘breathable’
allowing moisture to escape from the wall, but it takes longer to dry
Building regulations may apply depending on the extent of the rendering work to external walls. The Planning Portal states
that where 25% or more of an external wall is re-rendered, regulations will normally apply.
Listed buildings may need consent to be given for significant rendering works, and planning permission may be required
before rendering a property in a conservation area or national park.
What is Rendering?
Rendering, when applied to the construction or renovation of buildings, refers to the application of cement to external
and/or internal brick or concrete walls in order to achieve a smooth or deliberately textured surface. Also called cement
rendering or solid plastering, rendering work is usually carried out by qualified plasterers. Widely done throughout Europe
for centuries, rendering appeared on early Australian stone and mudbrick dwellings, but with the exception of some
Federation style homes in the mid-1950s, it was an overlooked technique in this country until recently.

Why Render?

Rendering can improve the waterproofing and fire rating of a building, but the primary reason for doing it is aesthetic. In
fact, in Mediterranean countries and elsewhere in Europe, a brick structure is not considered complete until it is rendered.
Scratch beneath the rendered surface of many of those gleaming white homes on the hillsides of the Greek islands, for
example, and you'll see they were constructed of brick. In some regions of France, local councils even dictate the colour of
a rendered surface and not rendering is unheard of.

The aesthetic beauty of rendering is now being rediscovered in Australia and qualified plasterers are in increased demand.

How is Rendering Done?

Cement, sand and lime are the main ingredients in render. The addition of lime gives the render a creamier texture and
makes it more elastic and less prone to cracking after it dries. The sand used in rendering needs to be fine and free of
impurities. Other ingredients used in rendering mixes include pigments, bonding agents and additives to slow the drying
process.

Render is applied in thin, smooth coats using a trowel. Top coats may be applied with a trowel, a brush, a hessian bag or a
sponge, depending on the desired surface texture.

Today, there are also more "high tech" ways to accomplish rendering. Acrylic pre-mixed rendering products have greater
waterproofing properties and can be applied to surfaces standard render cannot adhere to. In addition, some renders can
be applied with special spray equipment. Acrylic renders have the added advantage of setting within 24 hours, while
traditional renders take up to 28 days to fully set.
 POLISHING

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a chemical action, leaving a surface
with a significant specular reflection . In some materials (such as metals, glasses, black or transparent stones) polishing is
also able to reduce diffuse reflection to minimal values.The process of polishing with abrasives starts with coarse ones and
graduates to fine ones.

Mechanical properties

The strength of polished products is normally higher than their rougher counterpart owing to the removal of stress
concentrations present in the rough surface. They take the form of corners and other defects which magnify the local
stress beyond the inherent strength of the material.

Polishing with very fine abrasive differs physically from coarser abrasion, in that material is removed on a molecular level,
so that the rate is correlated to the boiling point rather than to the melting point of the material being polished.

Types
Metalworking
Other polishing processes include:

 Burnishing
 Mass finishing
 Tumble finishing
 Vibratory finishing
 Sodablasting
Woodworking

 French polishing
 Wood finishing
Other

 Chemical-mechanical polishing, which is used in semiconductor fabrication

 Fabrication and testing of optical components
 Flame polishing, a type of polishing used on glass and thermoplastics
 Ultra-fine, abrasive paste polishing, polishing for soft or fragile work surfaces
 Vapor polishing, a method of polishing plastics to optical clarity