To select the right mortars for any constructions project it requires proper expertise and knowledge. Before finalizing the correct type of mortar you should know about the structural design requirements.

What do you understand by Mortar?

Mortar is generally utilized for joining module and for plastering the brick surface, which is a solid mixture of mud, lime, concrete or a mix up of these and fine compilation of sand and water.

Uses of Mortar in Construction

1. Mortar is utilized to bind the blocks or stones together in block or stone workmanship.
2. It is utilized to give a soft base between various layers of block for the same pressure distribution over the base.
3. It is utilized to occupy the spaces between stones or bricks for making strong wall.
4. It is utilized in concrete as a support.
5. It is utilized in concealing the joints to improve the look of the building.

What are the Types of Mortar in Construction?

• Type M Mortar

It has the best binding power among all. The base binding strength of Type M Mortar is 2500 psi. Its strength is equal to stone, thus recommended to make use of in outer areas like driveways, fountain areas, absorbing walls etc. It isn’t suitable to use Type M Mortar in places that are uncovered since it has lack of sealing capabilities.

• Type S Mortar

The binding power of this kind of mortar is medium. The base binding strength of Type M Mortar is 1800 psi. It is suggested to utilize for lower level tasks like in pavements, sewerage systems. It is able to bear pressures from an earthquake or any such vibrations. For best construction we need proper mixture of mortars along with top quality TMT bars, steels, bricks, cement, rods and etc.

• Type N Mortar

Type N mortar also has the same binding strength as medium. Yet, its base binding strength is lesser than Type S Mortar, its 750 psi. It comprises of a combination of sand, lime and Portland. It is best utilized in the development of houses and is liked by the average person. Type N mortar is mostly preferred in the building construction which utilizes delicate stone.

•  Type O Mortar

The binding strength of this mortar is low. The base binding strength of Type O mortar is 350 psi. It is generally utilized in insides which have a low loading capacity. Usually, this kind of mortar isn’t utilized in outer constructions where there are high air pressures. Hence it can be applied for repairing purpose of old construction.

Tips for Selecting Right Mortar

It is mandate to take advice from an engineer regarding your construction needs. It is important to mix the construction materials with right proportion to get the perfect result. The key materials which are mixed are lime, concrete, and sand. The ratio decides their binding strength, power and flexibility. The mixture of the mortar must be strong enough to hold the construction.

The construction engineer chooses upon two unique strategies to finalize the materials for mixing to make the exact kind of mortar. One technique is to test in a research laboratory and test the action of the mortar prior applying it. The main element which defines the quality of the mortar is the proportion of the materials and the ratio of water and air in the mortar. The second technique is directly mixing the elements in proper ratio without experimenting.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the construction world in every possible way during the pandemic.

Monitoring Construction Sites with AI Software

During lockdown, many projects are doing well and the team leaders of the project are constantly looking out for reliable sources to maintain the safety of their workforce. So, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) a modern automatic video observation setup was made to monitor the safety of the workers.

Enhance Collaboration with Augmented Reality (AR)

With AR, architects are even ready to see their structure plans in the specific area wherein it will be assembled. This permit engineers to draw their plans inside the assigned geology and gives them information about the site that wasn’t already reachable to them. The trend of Augmented Reality is allowing construction workforce to work remotely and submit projects on time.

Become Paperless

The idea of a paperless corporate life was buzzing around for a long period of time, but not many companies have achieved the desired result. Nowadays, to maximize contactless communication, employees prefer digital platforms more than paper in the construction business.

As most of the people are working from home to avoid social gatherings, it would not be incorrect to say that they are finding easier in working through AI platforms rather than paperwork.

Constructing Smart Cities

Due to economic slowdown caused by pandemic, the idea of constructing smart cities has become a dream for some countries. The engineers are using latest technology tools to respond to COVID-19 with the function of data analytics, artificial intelligence and sensor technologies.

Cyber Security Method

Nowadays, as the construction industry is moving towards digital technology, requirement for cyber security is also rising exponentially. Due to pandemic, workforces are operating remotely on a less secure wireless connection so the proper cyber security is very much needed to protect the data and other information’s.

Digital Construction

Construction associations that are adequately gone through considerable advanced change thought that it was much simpler to balance between social distancing and work-from-home circumstances. This is applicable for both off-site and on location work because of the accessibility of linked construction tech arrangements, utilizing which teams can communicate up rapidly. Such arrangements allow all construction groups to work more productively and successfully.

Post Construction Support

After the construction gets completed building managers can collect information about the structure through drones, sensors, AI powered algorithms and other wireless technologies.  Managers can track the performance of a bridge, building, roads and everything that are on progress. This implies AI can be utilized to monitor issues, decide when precaution should be taken, or even direct human conduct for ideal security and safety.

Future of AI in Construction Industry

In modern buildings, AI can be used to map the way for plumbing and electrical systems. Construction Company are using AI to develop worksite safety, track the real time performance of machinery, objects and workers as well on the site and alert controller for construction errors, productivity issues and safety issues.

In spite of the forecasts of huge unemployment, AI is probably not going to change the human labour force. However, it will adjust plan of actions in the construction business, reduce mistakes, lower the chances of site injuries, and make building tasks more proficient.

1. Do a Proper Planning

When you any construction, the first and foremost step should be proper planning. Waste can be reduced with correct organized project. A huge level of building site waste is produced essentially by inefficient buying. So, only order the exact amount of material. Do not buy extra. At the beginning only, you should guide your workers about the materials which can be recycled and reused.

• Manage the Construction Site

An appropriately coordinated building site decreases the chances of committing errors. For example, you should obviously separate and mark waste from recyclable boxes to stay away from confusion and increase efficiency.

• Choose the Correct Seller

Selecting the right sellers is another significant tip in the project that you need to carry out in your development project. The right vendor will offer the necessary types of help and support your economic objectives.

It will not be profitable to sort materials for collection if the reusing service provider doesn’t empty the containers on schedule.

Some reusing service provider offers just a one-stream reusing option, it means that you will not need to pre-sort the recyclable resources.

While such merchants may be costly, they are efficient and make it simple to complete sustainability objectives. You should compare every single vendor prior selecting the final vendor.

• Don’t Demolish, Rather Deconstruct

Different from destruction, the deconstruction process includes knocking down the structure materials independently and protecting them to limit waste.

Recovered materials from deconstruction are usually helpful, reusable, and changed into significant materials that can be utilized in another construction projects.

• Donate or Reuse Good Condition Materials

The materials which are in good condition, try to reuse or donate to charitable organizations before disposing it into the construction container for waste. Use the materials in another project, it will help you save your money and material. Construction materials that can be reused after demolition are wood, glass, metals, concrete, bricks & blocks, plastic, aggregates, etc. If you want to reuse steel, TMT bars in construction, and then those collected rebars must be scrapped by steel melting shop to get new steel.

Conclusion

A lot of debris can be collected while demolishing and renovating a building. It is our duty to keep in mind about the awareness of the environment protection and longevity.

1. Ductility
2. Strength
3. Flexibility
4. Longevity
5. Binding

But, at the most one should understand the process and formation of the TOR and TMT Steel rebars which have been explained below:

Manufacturing Process and Formation

TOR Rebars

Predictably, rebars are formed by two separate methods of production. In the initial type, the bars holding ribs at their surface are hot rolled from steel billets along with definite chemical composition to achieve desired strength.

The second one is produced by “Cold Working Process” that includes the stretching and twisting of the Mild Steel (MS) bar of 250 MPa in a repeated manner. Rebars which formed from this are Cold Twisted Deformed (CTD) rebars. On stacking, steel will follow a straight versatile way like that of unique gentle steel till it arrives at where dumping begins; which likewise turns into another “yield point”. The necessary expansion in yield strength is accomplished by suitable determination of dumping point. These rebars are industrially produced under the trademark of “TOR Steel”. This is broadly produced in our country.

TMT Rebars

TMT means “Thermo Mechanically Treated”steel rebars are delivered by applying most recent cutting-edge innovations coming about in undeniably more unrivalled properties than ordinary CTD/TOR rebars.

Thermo mechanical treatment is a high-level heat treatment measure in which hot bars emerging from last moving mill stand are quickly cooled down by an unusual water splash. Quick abolishing gives concentrated cooling that converts surface layer of the bar to a solidified design called “Martensite” and with hot center; Austenite.

The rebars cross‐section with a temperature slope is then permitted to cool in encompassing conditions called “Self-treating”. Upto this stage temperature of center is higher than that of the surface. Warmth is then permitted to move from the center to the surface bringing a hardening surface that gives external surface a strength and durability while center is transformed into a “Soft Ferrite Pearlite”.

Extraordinary Heat Treatment of Quenching and Tempering subsequently changes the design of material to a composite construction of pliable inward center having a construction of “Ferrite Pearlite” and with solid, extreme external surface of “Tempered Martensite”.

This is the manner by which TMT rebars give the novel mix of solidarity and malleability.

Ductility

Ductility is a capability of any fabric / structural factor to deform, except collapse, even after accomplishing the failure load. This property protects the rupture / structural fall down or prolongs the rupture / cave in process. Materials with no ductility are brittle ones. Also, Structures with no ductility give way nearly immediately. It can’t face up to the failure load except surprising collapse. Elongation of a metal rebar refers to capability to elongate earlier than failure.

Strength

Obviously, TMT 500 has greater price of yield energy of 500 MPa to that of the TOR 415 which has yield energy of 415 MPa only. For a utilized load on the structural element, definitely, use of TMT 500 grade consequences in lower metal quantity. It has been determined that use of TOR 415 grade nearly will increase the metal extent through 20 percent to that of the TMT 500 grade.

Flexibility

You can get different shapes of rebars if the rebars have easy internal core. TOR steel has also established track of its flexibility. At the end, good flexibility will help you to give your steel rebars the exact shape which you want.

Longevity

The key parameter in durability of structure is resistance which helps against the rust of the steel rebars. The chemical composition plays a big role in resistance of these TMT rebars. The good quality concrete is a requirement for the rust resistance structure.

Binding

The rebar which consist of low carbon material are highly weldable. To impart strength in rebars, proper amount of carbon distribution is extremely important.

Conclusion

As we can see from the above declaration that TMT Rebars which are produced from the newest technology are providing far improved qualities than standard TOR. It also helps to save almost 20 percent of steel cost. And also, the process of manufacturing TMT are more advanced and classier that changes the nuclear structure to give more strength as well as proper ductility as required.

Purpose of Curing

The reaction between cement and water is called hydration. It is an exothermic reaction (which releases heat). After adding water to the concrete mix, hydration starts, which tends to dry the concrete quickly. Hence concrete is kept moist by curing, to stop it from drying out before attaining its maximum strength.

The factors required for curing of the structural elements are:

1. Specified Strength of Concrete
2. Grades of concrete
3. Temperature – The chemical reaction between cement and water in concrete releases heat, which requires constant adding of water to complete hydration. In summer fifty percent of water is evaporated. So, more water is needed during sunny days.
4. Size and Shape of the Concrete member
5. Economy
6. Material availability
7. Labor force
8. in situ versus plant concrete production
9. Aesthetics

Curing Methods

Curing methods can be classified into three basic methods

• Water Addition Method

This method keeps the surface of the concrete moist by ponding, spraying/sprinkling, fogging, misting, wet burlap, and other water absorbent materials

• Water Retention Method

This method prevents loss of moisture from the concrete by covering it with polythene sheeting or leaving the formwork in places

• Temperature control Method:

This involves live steam, heating coils, electrically heated forms or pads

Considerations for selecting a curing method:

a) The type of construction such as those involving large horizontal surface areas as in roads, floors, and airfields, or, those involving formed concrete in walls, columns, beams, cantilevers, and arches, etc

b) The place of construction, whether indoors and damp situations (as inside a building) or outdoor

c) The weather conditions where concrete is being laid in cold climates or in dry and hot weather

The methods in detail:

Water Addition Method

Water addition is considered as the best method of curing of concrete as it satisfies all the requirements of curing – absorption of the heat of hydration, promotion of hydration, and elimination of shrinkage. Water curing is carried out by adding water to the surface of concrete to ensure that it is kept continuously moist. The water used for this purpose should not be more than about 5°C cooler than the concrete surface. Spraying warm concrete with cold water may give rise to ‘thermal shock’ that may contribute to cracking.

Water curing can be done in the following ways:

i. Spraying or Fogging.

ii. Ponding.

iii. Wet covering.

iv. Immersion.

i. Spraying of Water:

This method is ideally suited for almost all types of construction in most conditions. Vertical reclining walls, plastered surfaces, concrete columns, etc. are cured by spraying water. It involves spraying water with the help of house pipes connected to the main water supply lines. However in tall structures, water spraying at top levels may hamper work on the lower floors.

ii. Ponding of Water:

Ponding is a quick, inexpensive and effective form of curing when there is a ready supply of good ‘dam’ material (e.g. clay soil), a supply of water, and the ‘pond’ does not interfere with subsequent building operations.

In this method, pavement slabs, roof slabs, etc., are kept under water by making small ponds. It is the next common method of curing of concrete suited best for horizontal surface areas such as roads, floors, and slabs.

Small ponds, not more than 5 cm deep, are made over the surface by raising temporary barriers.

These ponds are kept filled with water for several days. In hot weather, ponding is the ideal method of curing of concrete. It has the added advantage of helping to maintain a uniform temperature on the surface of the slab

iii. Wet Coverings:

In some cases, wet coverings such as wet gunny bags, jute matting, and straw are wrapped to the vertical surface for keeping the concrete wet.

For horizontal surfaces, sawdust, earth or sand are used as wet coverings to keep the concrete in a damp condition for a longer time.

Another method, suitable for flat, columnar, and vertical surfaces (after the formwork is removed) is covering the surface with straw, burlap, hessian or jute soaked in water. These are kept moist for the entire period of curing. Fabrics are particularly useful on vertical surfaces since they help distribute water evenly over the surface and even where not in contact with it, will prevent the surface evaporation from within the concrete and supply the additional water required for hydration.

iv. Immersion:

The precast concrete items are usually immersed in curing tanks for a specific duration.

Water Retention Method by Curing Compounds(Membrane Method)

This may be broadly described as the chemical method of curing of concrete.

In this method, some suitable chemical compounds dissolved in solvents are sprayed over the fresh concrete to be cured. The solvent evaporates, leaving behind a thin film of the chemical compound spread over the concrete surface.

This film prevents evaporation from the concrete.

Thus, if enough water has already been added at the time of preparation of concrete, it will set and harden nicely without much addition of water. The thick film of chemical compound starts peeling off after some time (2-4 weeks) leaving behind the properly cured concrete. Most curing compounds consist of different types of resins.

A major disadvantage of this method is that continuous concreting is not possible. The cured surface will not bond firmly with a new layer unless the chemical is completely removed from it.

Still, on flat surfaces of single thickness, the membrane method is used extensively.

Temperature control Method

The development of the strength of concrete is a function of not only time but also of temperature.

When concrete is subjected to a higher temperature, it accelerates the hydration process which results in faster development of strength.

The exposure of concrete to higher temperature is done in the following manners:

i. Steam curing at ordinary temperature

ii. Steam curing at high temperature

iii. Curing by infrared radiation

iv. Electrical curing

 i. Steam curing at ordinary temperature

This method is mostly adopted for prefabricated concrete elements; application of steam to construction will be a difficult task. For steam curing, the concrete elements are stored in a chamber. The chamber should be large enough to hold a day’s production.

The door is closed, and steam is applied, either continuously or intermittently. Accelerated hydration takes place at this higher temperature and concrete attains the 28-day strength in about 3 days.

In large prefabricated factories, they have tunnel curing arrangements. However, concrete subjected to a higher temperature at the early period of hydration is found to lose some of the strength at a later stage.

Very fresh concrete should not be subjected suddenly to high temperature. A certain delay period after casting the concrete is desirable.

ii. Steam curing at high temperature and pressure

Unlike ordinary steam curing, this curing is carried out in a closed chamber. The super-heated steam at high temperature and high pressure is applied to the concrete. This process is also called ‘autoclaving.’

The following advantages are derived from this process:

a. In one day or less the concrete develops the strength that normally cured concrete gains in twenty-eight days. Also, it does not lose strength at a later stage.

b. This concrete shows higher resistance to sulfate attack, freezing & thawing action and chemical action.

c. High-pressure steam cured concrete shows lower drying shrinkage and moisture movement.

 iii. Curing by infrared radiation

Curing of concrete by infrared radiations has been practiced in very cold climatic regions of Russia.

 iv. Electrical curing

Another method of curing concrete, which applies mostly to very cold climatic regions, is using electricity. This method is not likely to find much use in ordinary temperatures due to economic reasons.

What is the Right Time for Concrete Curing?

The right time for concrete curing depends on several factors. Like, temperature, the evaporation rate, moisture content in the air, etc.

According to ACI-308, three phases of concrete curing should be done.

(1) Initial Curing.

This process is also called Bleeding of Concrete.

After placing of concrete, the water starts bleeding from concrete and rises from its pores. After rising of water, evaporation takes place, and the water starts disappearing from the surface due to evaporation.

Bleeding of concrete depends on many factors like thickness, length, temperature, etc. So, to reduce the loss of water and prevent shrinkage, initial curing of concrete is required. Evaporation reducers can be used for this process.

(2) Intermediate Curing of Concrete.

This process is done when finishing work is finished before the final setting of cement. It is required as water plays an important role in the strength of concrete.

(3) Final Concrete Curing.

After the final setting of concrete, it should be cured so that one can prevent the loss of more water and increase the strength of concrete.

What is RCC Construction?

Francois Coignet, a French industrialist built a four storey house in Paris with reinforced cement concrete in 1853. That was first ever attempting to build using reinforced cement concrete in modern history. Since then, the technology has evolved with one of the highest buildings in the world being built using RCC.

Reinforced Cement Concrete is a composite material with excellent strength and durability. Like clay, concrete can be moulded into any shape, on any scale by using suitable moulds or formworks. One can make concrete anywhere by mixing its components in suitable proportion. It slowly develops strength over a period of time, which helps in smooth onsite operations. This portable nature of concrete along with the strength it develops is the key to its popularity.

Introduction of TMT rebar in RCC Construction

Concrete on its own has got excellent strength when pressed against anything. However on pulling (or stretching) it easily gives way.

While concrete has been used as a construction material since Roman times, the use of reinforcement in the form of iron was only introduced in the 1850’s by Coignet, and it was not until the 1880’s that a German civil engineer G. A. Wayss used steel as reinforcement.

Steel round that has prominent grips are forcibly inserted in concrete to give desired strength. Beauty of steel rebar is that they can take both extensible as well as compressive loads. In RCC columns you would find steel rebars carrying bulk of compressive loads. Steel & concrete have got similar temperature coefficients, making them expand/contract together and helping the bonding.

The introduction of Thermo Mechanically treated (TMT) steel bar has brought a new era in India’s construction industry. Round plain steel ruled over this industry up to sixties. TOR steel took over in the seventies and maintained its supremacy till nineties. 1997 Onwards the industry has seen extensive use of TMT steel bar that are corrosion-resistant, thereby ensuring longer life for RCC structures. TMT bars are widely used in general concrete reinforcement structures, bridges and flyovers, dams, thermal and hydel power plants, industrial structures, high-rise buildings, underground platforms in metro railway and rapid transport system.

TMT is an acronym for “thermo-mechanical treatment”. Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars are manufactured using the Quenching & Tempering (Q & T) technology. A TMT bar gets its strength properties from quenching and tempering. No mechanical treatment is involved in TMT Bars.

In TMT bars, the carbon content can be restricted to 0.25% to attain weld-ability and at the same time no strength is lost on this account. The joints can be welded by ordinary electrodes and no extra precautions are required. Another advantage of TMT bars is their tough surface providing high yield strength and a soft core providing excellent ductility. Strength, weldability and ductility are the properties which make TMT steel highly economical and safe. An additional advantage of TMT steel is that a twisting operation is included in Tor steel, which subjects the bars to torsional stresses making them less corrosion resistant while TMT bars are free of such stresses. As a result TMT bars have excellent corrosion resistance power. There are ample of TMT Bar Manufacturers in the market but it is always required to buy ISO Certified TMT Bars that has the perfect combination of Strength & Flexibility.

The TMT process gives the bar superior strength and anti-corrosive properties. Controlled water-cooling prevents the formation of harsh carbides, which is the main reason behind the corrosive nature of common bars. Due to very high elongation values and consistent properties throughout the length of bar, TMT rebars have excellent bendability. The soft ferrite pearlite core enables the bar to bear dynamic and seismic loading. TMT bars have high fatigue resistance to dynamic / seismic loads due to its higher ductility. This makes them most suitable for use in earthquake prone areas and very cost effective.

QUANTITY OF STEEL USED IN RCC CONSTRUCTION

• FOR RCC SLAB: 1.0% OF CONCRETE VOLUME

• FOR RCCBEAM: 2.0% OF CONCRETE VOLUME

• FOR RCC COLUMN: 2.5% OF CONCRETE VOLUME

• FOR RCC ROAD: 0.6% OF CONCRETE VOLUME

CONSTRUCTION COST and REBAR COST PER SQ. FT OF BUILT-UP AREA

• LIG (G+4): CONST. COST = RS. 1500/- / SFT & REBAR COST + RS. 150/- / SFT

• MIG (G+7): CONST. COST = RS. 1900/- / SFT & REBAR COST + RS. 180/- / SFT

• HIG (B+G+10): CONST. COST = RS. 2300/- / SFT & REBAR COST + RS. 240/- / SFT

• COMMERCIAL (B+G+10): CONST. COST = RS. 2900/- / SFT &

 REBAR COST + RS. 300/- / SFT

Advantages of Using Rebars in RCC Work

• To increase its overall strength, TMT Steel bars, wires, mesh or cables can be embedded in concrete before it sets. This reinforcement, often known as rebar, resists tensile forces. By forming a strong bond together, the two materials are able to resist a variety of applied forces, effectively acting as a single structural element
• Reinforced concrete can be precast or cast-in-place (in situ) concrete and is used in a wide range of applications such as slab, wall, beam, column, foundation, and frame construction. Reinforcement is generally placed in areas of the concrete that are likely to be subjected to tension, such as the lower portion of beams. It is usual for there to be a minimum of 50 mm cover, both above and below the steel reinforcement, to resist spalling and corrosion which can lead to structural instability

Checklist for Steel Reinforcement

• Should be free of loose rust, oil paints, mud, dust, etc

• Should be stacked above the ground level free from any water accumulation

• Should be cut, bent (preferably by cutting & bending machines) and fixed properly by using right size of binding wires at required intervals

• Should be fixed in a position by use of cover blocks (if it is concrete cover block then grade of concrete should be the same or higher), chairs, spacers, additional supporting bars, and laps; laps to be used in proper location as advised by Engineer-in-charge.

• Should be placed and tied in such a manner that concrete pouring is done without any kind of segregation and compaction is done by an immersion vibrator of right size as per the requirement

It is always important to buy from Best Quality TMT Bar Manufacturers. India’s most of the places such as West Bengal, Bihar, Assam etc. come under high seismic zone. As per IS Standards Fe500d grade TMT Bar has the perfect combination of Strength & Flexibility.

Building materials comes in different Grades, Sizes and brands. Based upon the construction purposes different grades, sizes are to be used.

List of Important Construction Materials and their usage

Cement

Construction materials such as sand, bricks, Steel Bars bind with cement. Cement is the binder in construction. Cement comes in different grades as per the Indian Standards (IS) such as:

• 33 Grade Cement – 33 grade cement has composite strength of 33N/mm2 after 28 days of curing.

33 Grade Cement is used for general construction work and it is suitable for lower concrete grade such as M15 or M20. Nowadays 33 Grade is hardly manufactured because higher grades are most acceptable ones in construction.

• 43 Grade Cement – 43 grade cement has composite strength of 43N/mm2 after 28 days of curing.

43 Grade Cement is used for plastering, concrete work, precast items such as tiles, blocks etc. It is most suitable for concrete grade mix upto M30.

• 53 Grade Cement – 53 grade cement has composite strength of 53N/mm2 after 28 days of curing.

53 Grade Cement is suitable to use on or over concrete grade mix of M25.

Nowadays usage of higher grade become essential therefore, 53 Grade is the most used for all type of construction purposes.

TMT Bar

High Strength Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars with low carbon steel. TMT Bars are the main component to provide strength to your structure. TMT Bar bonds with RCC and hold the structure. It comes in Different Grades as per Indian Standards (IS) such as:

Fe 415 | Fe 415D | Fe 500 | Fe 500D | Fe 550 | Fe 550D | Fe 600

‘D’ denotes elongation. Fe 500D has the perfect balance of Strength & Flexibility. That is why it is most recommended for all type of construction purposes. It is essential to use Fe 500D grade of TMT Bar for Earthquake prone areas.

Sand

Different types of sands are available to the market for construction purposes. Sand is basically the particles of broken rock. Sand is an important material for construction because it provides bulk, strength and other properties to the concrete. Different types of sands are:

• River Sand – Whitish grey in color and rounded particles sands that are generally gathered from the bank of the river. River Sands are highly effective for plastering and other construction purposes.

• Coarse Sand/Pit Sand – Coarse Sand is procured from deep pits where the supply is abundant. In Course Sand the grains are sharp, yellow-reddish in color, salt free. It is commonly used in Concreting.

• M Sand – M Sand is used as a substitute of River Sand. It is manufactured by following the guideline of Indian Standards codes (IS). M Sand is manufactured by crushing granite/basalt rock. It is also known as Artificial Sand or Stone Sand.

Bricks

Brick is an important material in construction mostly it is manufactured from clay and rectangular in shape. Different types of Bricks are:

• Unburnt Bricks – Bricks that are sun dried are known as Unburnt Bricks. These bricks are mostly used for temporary structures. These types of bricks are less durable, less water resistant and less fire resistant therefore it cannot be used for permanent structures.
• Burnt Bricks – Burnt Clay Bricks are sub categorized into four types
  • First Class Bricks – Standard Size, Sharp Edge, Smooth Surface bricks that are highly acceptable for load bearing and other masonry construction purposes.
  • Second Class Bricks – Bricks that are molded by ground molding process is known as Second Class Bricks. Shapes of the bricks are irregular for ground molding.
  • Third Class Bricks – Poor quality bricks that has rough surface, unfair edges mostly used for temporary structures.
  • Fourth Class Bricks – Very poor quality bricks that can break easily are known as fourth class bricks. These bricks are not used for any structures it is been used as course aggregate in most cases.

Coarse Aggregate

Aggregate in construction is used for mixing with cement. The aggregate gives stability, volume to the finished structure. Coarse aggregate particles are either 0.19 inch or more in size. It acts as additives to concrete mixes.

Wood

Wood is the most common material that is used as a construction material for various purposes. There are quite a few types of wood that are used for various purposes.

• Deodar Wood – In Timer genre the soft woods are mostly comes from Deodar wood. It is moderately soft in nature and used for making cheap furniture, packing box, structural work etc.
• Mahogany Wood – High quality wood that is durable under water as well. For its longevity and durability it is commonly used for all type of furniture.
• Satin Wood – Hard and durable in nature. Mostly used for furniture making, ornamental works etc.
• Teak Wood – Fire resistant, durable, Termite proof wood that is used for all type of works such as furniture making, interior decoration etc. It is one of the valuable timber trees in world and limited for superior work.

Apart from these types there are other types of wood such as Shisham wood, Sal wood, Rose wood, Pine wood, Mulberry wood and many more.

Apart from these 6 important construction material there are others such as Metal, Glass, Foam, Tarpaulin and the list is endless. In construction endless number of things is needed but, these are the Most Important Construction Material with which we cannot compromise on quality.

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