PADRIGO, JAMMIE JOYCE Professor: AR.

MELBA ANDALECIO-PAUAL

BSARCHI 2-2 JULY 14,2021

ESSAY ON BUILDING MATERIALS

Building Materials is a material that used for developing to construct and to fix structures. Commonly it includes
wood, bamboo, concrete, steel, bricks metals and many more. As we all know, before we experience industrial and
modern architecture our structures specifically our churches are using these materials as their main support of their
structures. But these eras of modernism our great engineers and architects they tend to mix and match these
materials to produce a high-quality structure. A portion of these materials are generally utilized in the modern
construction scene particularly in America most of the houses are still made of wood.

Moreover, to give a narrative explanation on how effectiveness and efficient of using these materials for building
construction one of this called traditional building materials which is the wood or timber. Using of this for construction
utilized all throughout the world, it can used for large or small buildings, because of the sustainability, affordability and
it is environment friendly. Also, using of hardwood can resist or provide a solution to the problematic climate of the
region. However, the advantages of most woods have some connected inconveniences, these hindrances can be
solved or avoid by using a proper treatment for the hardwood such as the choices of variety of wood and using
synthetic resin or chemical protection. Second on the list is the bamboo, bamboo is a high compressive strength and
low weight has been one of the most possible utilized structure materials as support for concrete, particularly in those
areas where it is found in wealth. Bamboo as a structure material is utilized for the development of construction of
scaffolding, bridges, and houses. There are many variants of bamboo that can use for construction, one thing to do is
to check the age of the bamboo if its young, matured, or old the capable year for using the bamboo for construction is
four to five years is enough if its six years and higher the bamboo decreases the rigidity of it and cannot perform the
strength of it. Aside of being convenient of the bamboo for the construction, bamboo also have a disadvantages
bamboo is prone to insects, fire, and fungus. It can be treated by watering it, lime-washing, removal of moisture by
smoking and heating. Third on the list is the bricks are good material for protecting the structure from the cold and the
heat that most other materials. Bricks structure are more energy proficient, and costs less to keep up with in utility
expenses. Also, brick structures use consequently diminishing the effect people have on the climate. A brick facade
can last many years, or more. Probably the most established structures on the world that are yet standing were
formed from brick. Bricks also known for its durability and load bearing materials that can support a building.
Although, bricks are good materials bricks cannot use in high seismic zones, since bricks can absorb water easily it
causes fluorescence when not exposed to air. Furthermore, in Modern building materials we have steel, steel is a
material that can utilize as a structural material that binds well to concrete that has a comparative thermal expansion
coefficient and is solid and moderately practical. But untreated steel and iron can cause a major problem especially in
hot and humid zones, also high level of salinity in atmosphere can create corrosion. Because of this we can treated
the steel or iron by painting, heat died coating, dipping or hot galvanizing, in this case we can prevent the damaged of
the material. In additional, because of the climate of different regions that we belong and depends on the availability
of the materials in our surroundings. We can experience problems on how we use the advantages and disadvantages
of the materials, some of the problem we might encounter is high humidity level that can cause a rust on the materials
and shrinks on woods. Strong winds and erosion that can lead to destroy our structures and the UV rays can fade out
the natural color of the materials. Also, the plague of insects, rats, mosquitoes, fungi can cause the problem. We can
avoid this and prevent this by choosing a right material for our structures and treated by using the allocated treatment
for the material that will be using, by doing this we can resolve our problems with regards of choosing quality
materials.

In conclusion, as an architecture student it is important that as early as now of studying, we must know how to
choose a right material for our structures, also the costing of the material we used and how the material can restraint
to the natural disaster can may occur in our country and the durability of the material itself. Studying of building
materials can help our environment, the clients to achieve their desire design goals without suffering our environment.
Also, the utilization of building materials, while planning a design is representative of its reality in the field of
compositional representation. It makes a difference set up a connection between the visual quality and underlying
dependability in architecture. Along with, if we know how the materials works, we must know what are the possible
problems that will happen in materials due to the climate change, and we can solve this or avoid the problem by
knowing the right materials, varies of materials and how the materials can be treated.