Top 3 Building Materials Used by Structural Consultants in India
When it comes to constructing a building, the first thing that we are concerned about is what material will be used to construct the building. After all, you surely want to construct a building that is durable enough to last for many years and not live in a building that may collapse anytime. For this reason, structural consultants in India always make sure that the building is constructed using the best materials that meet the test of durability, weight and strength with time. However, the choice of material depends on the cost as well as the effectiveness of load and stress resistance. Not to forget, it also depends on the building’s size and how it will be used.
The structural engineers are responsible for preparing project specifications that include building materials and applicable standards to comply with. Specifying the properties and quality of materials that will be used is a crucial part of any project. When considering the type of construction materials that will be used, engineers utilize both natural and man-made building materials. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the most commonly used construction materials of today and what makes them the best.
Commonly Used Materials for Building Construction:
Concrete: Concrete is the outcome of mixing sand, crushed stone, cement and water. The characteristics of concrete depend on the ratio in which it is used. Fresh concrete when poured, takes up to 7 days to harden like stone and get the desired shape and form. For any engineer, concrete is the go-to material for its versatility and combination of strength and resistance. In addition, concrete is the most reliable material used for laying building foundations. The reason that makes concrete the number one choice is undoubtedly for its strength when exposed to compression stresses. However, if combined with steel rebar, you will have reinforced concrete that is more suitable for building bridges, multi-story buildings, tunnels and so on.
Masonry: If building a structure requires the usage of mortar to bind the units together, structural consultants in India will always prefer using the masonry construction. Concrete block is the most common material that is used to form masonry structures. In fact, masonry is ideal for using in the construction of load bearing walls as it is strong enough to resist compression stresses and loads. Engineers may also use stone, brick or glass block as other masonry materials. As the need to design multi-story building is increasing, engineers are more relying on the properties of masonry, a highly durable as well as fire resistant material, to build load bearing walls.
Steel: Like concrete, steel is yet another building material that comes with excellent strength for both compression and tension. It is the ideal material to build the structural framework of high-rise buildings and industrial facilities. Engineers opt for using structural steel in standard shapes like I-beams, angles and C-channels. Since steel is a comparatively expensive material, it is the structural engineer’s responsibility to choose the size and shape of the steel economically after considering the actual loads of the building. Also, the engineer may look into ways to decrease the steel’s weight and size considering the high cost of the material. Moreover, the installation of steel isn’t time-consuming either when compared to other building construction materials.
Conclusion: Besides these materials, engineers may also use wood, a readily available and economical material that provides adequate insulation from the cold. Constructing a structure is not all about aesthetics. Choosing the right material goes a long way in designing a structure that offers maximum safety in your lifetime. And for this reason, you need to hire the best structural consultants in India. To know more about our engineering services, reach us @ +91 9619795213