PLASTIC AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

POLYCARBONATE ACRYLICS
Specification: Specification:
Polycarbonate is a high-performing thermoplastic that is widely used in building and Acrylic, such as Plexiglas, acrylite, lucite, or perpex, is a thermoplastic most commonly used for
construction products, from windows and skylights to wall panels and roof domes to exterior skylight, light fixtures, and other glazing applications.
elements for LED lighting. Application/Replacement:
Application/Replacement: It has a good optical clarity, scratch resistance, dimensional stability and rigidity.
Its is use in roof covering and partition walls and facades. Glass as well as roofing materials like Properties:
metal sheets can be replaced by this material. Also easy covertures can be formed through the Its most valuable characteristic is its transparency, allowing as much as 92% overall light
material. transmission with many varying levels of opaqueness and transmission levels below this. It is
Properties: easily fabricated and machined and when heated can be formed into different shapes.
Strong, Stiff, Hard, Tough, Transparent as well as translucent, Tinted. It is lightweight and durable, Advantages:
with high optical clarity, high-impact and high-heat resistance, as well as excellent An acrylic sheet is 8-10 times stronger than glass of the same thickness, though acrylics can
flammability resistance. scratch more easily than glass. It has good resistance to weather, heat and chemical.
Advantages: Resistance to shrinkage and dimensional instability.
Good insulator, UV protected from a side, Eco friendly, Easily bendable, Easy to install. Dis-advantage:
Dis-advantage: It is combustible.
Structure is required at some places to Strengthen the product.
The life is from 5-10 years only.

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PLASTIC AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
FIBRE REINFORCED PLASTIC (FRP) ETHYLENE TETRA FLUORO ETHYLENE (ETFE)
Specification: Specification:
Strengthening can be achieved through wet, hand lay-up of impregnating the fiber sheets with • Ethylene tetra-flouro-ethylene (ETFE) is a fluorine-based plastic.
epoxy resin then applying them to the cleaned and prepared surfaces of the member. • It was designed to have high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature
Application/Replacement: range.
Fiber-reinforced plastics are best suited for any design program that demands weight savings, • ETFE is a polymer.
precision engineering, finite tolerances, and the simplification of parts in both production and • ETFE has a relatively high melting temperature, excellent chemical, electrical and high-
operation. energy radiation resistance properties.
FRP can be applied to strengthen the beams, columns, and slabs of buildings and bridges. Application/Replacement:
Properties: Roofing material, Cable wrapping, Pneumatic panels.
Lightness, Conductive, Resistance, Dimensions, Dilatation, Corrosion free. Properties:
High strength, ETFE film is self-cleaning and recyclable, Good tensile strength, Resistant to UV
rays.
Advantages:
• ETFE is strong enough to bear 400 times its own weight
• It can be stretched to three times its length without loss of elasticity.
• Can be repaired by welding patches over tears
• Has a nonstick surface that resists dirt
• ETFE is usually applied in several layers that must be inflated and required steady air
pressure.
Dis-advantage:
• ETFE transmits more sound than glass, and can be too noisy for some places.
• Working with ETFE is too complex for small residential projects.

Singapore sports hub

Heydar Aliyev Center

Eden Project
Panels are made up of ETFE
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PLASTIC AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
POLYCARBONATE
Application/Replacement:
• clear windows on prototype models
• color tinted translucent prototypes
• clear tubes for sports equipment prototypes
• diffusers and light pipes for LEDs
• 3D printed models for high heat applications when ABS is not an option
• machinery guards
Properties:
• Polycarbonate is a durable material. Although it has high impact-resistance, it has low scratch-resistance.
• polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking.
Advantages:
Higher Flexibility
Greater Transmission of Light
Longevity
No Warping or Fading
Greater Insulation

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CONCRETE AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
FOAMED CONCRETE BENDABLE CONCRETE
Specification: Specification:
Foam concrete is a type of lightweight concrete that is manufactured from cement, sand or fly Engineered Cement Composite (ECC), also called bendable concrete, is an easily
ash, water, and the foam. moulded mortar-based composite reinforced with specially selected short random fibres,
Foam concrete is in the form of foamed grout or foamed mortar. usually polymer fibres.
Foam concrete can be defined as a cement-based material that consists of a minimum 20% of ECC acts more like a ductile metal than a brittle glass, leading to a wide variety of
foam, that is mechanically entrained into the plastic mortar. The compressive strength of foam applications. It is flexible in nature.
concrete determined at 28 days. Application/Replacement:
Application/Replacement: Dams, High-rise buildings, Bridges, Retaining walls
Basements, storage tanks, tunnels and subways etc. Properties:
Properties: • High tensile property
• High Workability • Ease of processing
• Strong Plasticizing effect • Tight crack width
• Thixotropic Nature • Anisotropically weak planes
Advantages: • Corrosion resistance
• The foam concrete mix does not settle. Hence it does not need any compaction. • Self-healing
• The dead weight is reduced as it is light weight concrete. Types
• Foamed Concrete Does not impose significant lateral loads. • Light weight ECC
• Self-healing ECC
• Spray-able ECC
• Extrude-able ECC

Foamed Concrete texture Foamed Concrete blocks Pantheon Mitaka Dam, Hiroshima

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CONCRETE AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
BIO-CONCRETE (self-repairing) FLY-ASH CONCRETE
Specification: Specification:
Self-healing bio-concrete uses limestone-producing bacteria crystals to fill up the cracks • Fly ash is a replacement for portland cement in concrete and using it improves strength,
appearing on the surfaces. segregation and ease of pumping concrete.
The materials used in bio-concrete are cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, water, • Fly ash particles provide a greater workability of the concrete and lowering of water
bacteria. requirement for the same concrete consistency.
Bacteria used :Pseudofirmus, Cohnii, Filla, Pasteurii • Portland cement produces considerable heat upon hydration. substituting it with fly ash
Application/Replacement: lowers heat of hydration.
1. Direct Application : The bacteria and the chemical precursor (calcium lactate) are added Application/Replacement:
directly while making the concrete. • Fly ash can be used as prime material in blocks, paving or bricks; however, one the most
2. Encapsulation LWA : important applications is PCC pavement.
a. The part of the coarse aggregate is replaced by Light Weight Aggregate, which is • PCC pavements use a large amount of concrete and substituting fly ash provides significant
impregnated with twice the calcium lactate solution and the spores of bacteria. economic benefits.
b. After impregnation the clay particles with 6% healing agents and the concrete is made. • Fly ash has also been used for paving roads and as embankment and mine fills.
Properties: Properties:
Tunnel lining, structural basement walls, hay way bridges, concrete floors and marine structures. • Fly ash is used as a supplementary cementitious material in the production of portland
Concrete is one of the main materials used in the construction industry, from the foundation of cement concrete.
building to the structure of bridges and underground parking lots. • Cementitious products comprise the glue that holds concrete together.
Types
Fly ash is generally stored at coal power plants or placed in landfills. About 43% is recycled,
often used as a pozzolan to produce hydraulic cement or hydraulic plaster and a replacement
or partial replacement for Portland cement in concrete production.

The cracks are formed on the surface of
concrete due to many reasons like
shrinkage, inadequate water for
hydration, etc.
The water is deliberately forced into the
crack and the precursor is activated.
Fly Ash
Concrete block

1. Petronas tower 2. Sutardja Dai Hall

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CONCRETE AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
HYDROPHOBIC CONCRETE TRANSLUCENT CONCRETE
Specification: Specification:
• Reduces the polarity of the molecules. • Translucent concrete is a concrete based building material with light transmissive properties
• The property to repel water gives hydrophobic concrete the ability to avoid contamination due to embedded light optical elements.
by particles dissolved in water drops. • It is usually made of Optical fiber.
• An overlooked property of hydrophobic concrete is its ability to repel humidity in the air as • Light is conducted through the stone from one end to the other. Therefore, the fibers have
well. to go through the whole object.
Application/Replacement: • This results in a certain light pattern on the other surface, depending on the fiber structure.
• Hydrophobic concrete can be used in the same applications as regular concrete, most Shadows cast onto one side appear as silhouettes through the material.
often where regular concrete is dangerous to repair or the cost of structural damage would Application/Replacement:
be highly detrimental. Building facades, cladding
• Tunnel work is a major application of hydrophobic concrete as underground repairs are Properties:
difficult and costly. • High density concrete.
• Underwater use of hydrophobic concrete is a major application in marine facilities. • Versatile building material.
Properties: • Fibers can work up-to almost 20m running length without loss of light.
Hydrophobic concrete is produced in a variety of ways that fall under two categories; coatings • Colors remain the same on the other end of the block.
or admixtures. Both allow the crystal structures to form in the presence of water. Types:
Types: • According to the concretes manufacturers, the optical fibers make up only 4% of the
Hydrophobic concrete is concrete that repels water. It meets the standards outlined in the mixture.
definition of waterproof concrete. • The light transmitting property makes them appear fresh, open and spacious.
Advantages:
Energy saving can be done by utilization of transparent concrete in building, gives good
aesthetical view to the building. Highest UV resistance
Dis-advantage:
High cost, requires skilled labour.

Water on Hydrophobic
Concrete surface

Italian Pavilion Shanghai Expo

JUBILEE CHURCH
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CONCRETE AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
SYNDECRETE CONCRETE CANVAS
Specification: Specification:
• Syndecrete is an eco- friendly concrete alternative made from a wild array of recycled • Concrete Canvas (CC) is a flexible, concrete impregnated fabric that hardens when
materials that includes metal shavings, plastic regrinds, recycled glass chips and scrap hydrated to form a thin, durable, water proof and fire resistant concrete layer.
wood chips are some of the postindustrial and postconsumer recycled materials . • It allows concrete construction without the need for plant or mixing equipment. Simply
• It is a precast concrete material as an alternative to limited or nonrenewable natural position the Canvas and just add water.
materials such as wood and stone. • The material can be hydrated either by spraying or by being fully immersed in water.
• An advanced cement- based composite material using natural minerals and recycled Application/Replacement:
materials as its primary ingredients. Used in a variety of civil infrastructure applications, such as ditch lining, slope protection and
Application/Replacement: capping secondary containment bunds.
Interior and exterior facades Advantages:
Properties: • Rapid Install
Compared with conventional concrete, it has less than half the weight with twice the
compressive strength. • Easy to Use
Advantages: • Low Project Cost
• Compared with conventional concrete, it has less than half the weight with twice the
compressive strength. • Eco Friendly
• Use of recycled and environment-friendly.
• Cost effective

Syndecrete counter
tops

Different colours
available in Syndecrete

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CONCRETE AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
SENSITILE LIGHT-WEIGHT CONCRETE
Specification: Specification:
The concrete of the tiles is embedded with acrylic fiber optic channels that transfer light from Achieved by replacing the conventional mineral aggregates by cellular porous aggregates
one point to another. As shadows move across Terrazzo’s surface, the light channel flicker with By incorporating the air or gas bubbles in concrete
a randomized, twinkling effect. By omitting the sand from the concrete
Application/Replacement: Cellular aggregates such as:
These tiles are available for use as flooring, in bathrooms and even ceiling, so you can have Clinker, Foamed slag, Expanded clay, Expanded slate, Sintered pulverized fuel ash, Exfoliated
twinkling lights follow you all over the house. vermiculate, Expanded perlite.
Types: Application/Replacement:
It is a type of tile which is made up of concrete. • Platform gutters, balconies, floors, wall, steps.
• Structure lightweight concrete provided more efficient strength to weight ration in structural
elements.
Types:
Concrete which uses lightweight aggregates.

Light-weight concrete blocks

The Pantheon, demonstrates the structural performance of lightweight concrete to be

superior to many contemporary building materials.

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METAL AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
STAINLESS STEEL SOLAR SHINGLES
Specification: Specification:
SBHS - Steels for Bridge High performance Structure • Each of the cells on solar shingles or even a solar panel contains a type of semiconducting
• SBHS is applicable for short, middle and long span bridges. those are expected to realize material mostly used is photovoltaic cells - silicon.
steel weight reduction and improvement of manufacturing efficiency. • When the light hits the shingle it is captured within the silicon semiconductor it gets
• SBHS has achieved dramatic improvement in strength and weldability and other energized and with this energy electrons get loosed and begin to move more freely.
manufacturing process compared with conventional steel. The effect of reduced steel • Then this free flowing electrons are acted upon by the photovoltaic cell’s electric field or
weight with optimal steel bridge design can be expected. fields and are forced to flow in one common direction. This creates a current that can be
• Structural steel is a category of steel used for making construction materials in a variety of used for electrical power.
shapes. Many structural steel shapes take the form of an elongated beam having a profile Application/Replacement:
of a specific cross section. Roofs, shading elements
Advantages: Types:
• this framing system creates wide- open, column- free spaces. Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels designed to look like and
• Built faster function as conventional roofing materials.

Conventional steel
SBHS steel 1994 Trans-Tokyo
2012 Tokyo Gate Bridge Bay Highway

St Mary Axe, London Phoenix International Media Center Grass education center, south of Washington DC (2015)

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METAL AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
METAL FOAM
Specification:
• A metal foam is a cellular structure consisting of a solid metal (frequently aluminium) with
gas-filled pores comprising a large portion of the volume.
• The pores can be sealed (closed-cell foam/metal foam) or interconnected (open-cell
foam/inert gas).
Properties:
• Ultra light weight
• Inflammable
• High porosity

Foamed Aluminium

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TENSILE
PTFE FIBERGLASS SILICON GLASS
PTFE FIBERGLASS Specification:
PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a Teflon coated woven fiberglass membrane that is • Silicon Glass is an elegant option offering up to 42% light transmission in white. It has higher
extremely durable, weather resistant and a highly sustainable building material for roofing tensile strength, yet is a lightweight glass fibre fabric.
applications. • Silicon Glass fabric has an excellent fire rating
Key Benefits of PTFE Membranes : Application/Replacement:
• Extremely resistant to chemical and biological attack Ceilings, screens and sculptural structures.
• For permanent structures, High reflectance
• Self-cleaning, Highest fire resistance, Limited colour possibilities, Light transmission up to 20 %

Central Park At Playa Vista Bandshell Silicon Glass fabric school canopy

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TENSILE
PVC ETFE
• PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is available as a woven or non-woven material. Specification:
ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) film is a highly transparent membrane used in roofing and
• PVC membrane fabric canopies are a cost-effective alternative to traditional roofing or facade. The material is durable, highly transparent and very lightweight in comparison to glass
façade systems and can be produced in a multitude of colours to coordinate with structure.
individual building project needs. Application/Replacement:
ETFE film can be applied in multiple ways such as single, double or triple layered tensile
• Easy to erect and less expansive. architecture applications.

Tegut Consumer Market, Fulda, Germany, built 2000 Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York

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GLASS AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS SPD (suspended particle device)
Specification: Specification:
• The devices consist of a thin solid electro chromic film of tungsten oxide nano particles • The film contains rod-like particles suspended in billions of liquid droplets distributed across
which is sandwiched between two layers of glass. the film.
• On passing a low voltage across the thin coating the electro chromic layer is activated and • Nanocrystals of indium tin oxide embedded in a glassy matrix of niobium oxide form a
changes color from clear to dark. It is with this change in color that the glass controls its composite film.
optical transmission properties. • When the film has no applied voltage the particles are in random positions and block light
• The electric current can be either activated manually or by active sensors that respond to transmission, appearing as a dark blue tint. When a voltage is then applied, the particles
the external light. align and light is allowed to go through.
• Required time for color switching is up to 30 minutes for Application/Replacement:
• a window size of about 2.4 sq. m. • Curtain walls
Application/Replacement: • windows
• Window Properties:
• Facades • wide range of light-control benefits
Types: • transparency within 1 to 3 seconds
Electro chromic devices are complex of switchable glazing technology. Types:
Festo automation centre SPD is a film based technology. A type of switchable glazing.
Location : Esslingen, Germany, 2015
Architect : Architekturbüro Jaschek, Stuttgart
Electro chromic glazing ensures reduced light and heat transmittance via weak electrical
voltage pulses.

ON OFF

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MISCELLANEOUS
GRAPHENE
Specification:
• Graphene is made up of a hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms in a honeycomb like
structure.
• It is just one-atom thick but absorbs 2.3% of light so it can be seen with the naked eye.
Application/Replacement:
• However, the main aim is incorporating it into building structures which can lead to
a better and healthier environment and lower costs.
• It is used in long lasting LEDs, impermialbe paints, corrosion proof steel, self-cleaning
concrete.
Properties:
• It is ultra-light yet immensely tough.
• It is 200 times stronger than steel, but it is incredibly flexible.
• It is the thinnest material possible as well as being transparent.
• It is a superb conductor and can act as a perfect barrier - not even helium can pass
through it.
• It is one of the most versatile materials that could be used in building nearly anywhere.
Types:
Graphene is a new material that is made from graphite and it is famous for being super thin and
strong and a good conductor of electricity and heat.
TRANSPARENT ALUMINIUM
Specification:
• It is optically transparent in the near-ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions. It is four times
harder than fused silica glass, 85% harder than sapphire and 15% harder than magnesium
aluminate spinel. The material remains solid up to 1200°C.
• It has good corrosion resistance and resistance to damage from radiation and oxidation. It
is about three times harder than steel of the same thickness.
Application/Replacement:
• AlON is used as infrared-optical windows.
• Sensor component, specialty IR domes, windows for laser communications, and in
some semiconductor-related applications.
Properties:
• ALON appears to be radiation resistant and resistant to damage from various
acids, bases and water.
• Transparent aluminium is much stronger than plexi-glass.
Types:
Transparent aluminum, also known as aluminum oxynitride, is a transparent polycrystalline
ceramic with a cubic spinel crystal structure made of nitrogen, oxygen and aluminum.
Transbay Transit Center

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MISCELLANEOUS
BUILDING BYTES CARBON FIBRE
Types: Specification:
• Building Bytes are ceramic bricks created with a 3D printing machine. • Carbon fiber is made up of carbon strands.
• Bricks can be stacked or interlocked to create undulating walls, complex arches • The strands can be woven together, like cloth, and then that can be molded to any
and domes or columns that are both structural and ornamental. shape.
• Carbon fiber is an extremely strong, lightweight material.
• It's 5 times as strong as steel, two times as stiff, yet weighs about two-thirds less.
Properties:
• High strength to weight ratio.
• Rigidity.
• Corrosion resistance.
• Electrical Conductivity.
• Fatigue Resistance.
• Good tensile strength but Brittle.
• Fire Resistance/Not flammable.
• High Thermal Conductivity in some forms.
Advantages:
Honeycomb bricks Ribbed bricks • Strong and lightweight
• Excellent strength to weight ratio
Applications: Interior and Applications: Columns,
Exterior Walls, Sun Shading, Window or Door Openings Dis-advantage:
Exterior Ground Cover Material: Ceramic • Expensive
Material: Ceramic • Harmful for human body

Interlocking bricks
Applications: Walls, Domes, Vaults Material: Ceramic

X-bricks
Applications: Interior and Sculpted face on a building
Exterior Walls, Columns, Sun facade in Melbourne
Shading
Material: Ceramic

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