Composite Material Use in Buildings

Use of Composite Materials in Buildings

Introduction

Composite materials are also referred to as composite substances and consist of two or more materials. The history of composite materials dates back very far; nearly since ancient times, humans have created composite materials by combining different materials. These composites, made of two or more materials, possess different properties. Composite materials can be shaped easily and offer assembly convenience. At the same time, due to the properties imparted to composite materials during production, they can also be used as repair materials and in this way can be used to repair or strengthen structures. Composite materials can be used in many sectors. Among these sectors are: automotive, aviation, maritime, and construction. Composite materials used in the construction sector can be produced in many ways. For composite materials to be used in construction, they are required to have undergone no chemical change, to be natural, and to possess the correct properties appropriate to their intended use.

Use of Composite Materials in Buildings by Type

Materials used in architecture are important factors affecting the functionality of structures. The materials used have both aesthetic and functional effects on buildings. The use of correct materials in structures can affect both the lifespan of buildings, their aesthetic appearance, and their cost. Especially in repairs of historic buildings, selecting the right materials is quite important. At this point, composite materials can be utilized for the repair of these buildings. Composite materials acquire different properties depending on the manner in which they are produced. In this research article, composite materials used in buildings are examined as: metal-based, polymer-based, mineral-based, and wood-based.

Metal-Based Composites

Metal-based composite materials exhibit high strength, corrosion resistance, and high hardness. With these properties, metal-based composite materials are frequently used especially in the aircraft industry and automotive industry. The reason for their use in buildings is that they have high strength and high elastic modulus, high toughness and impact properties, high surface durability, shapeability and machinability by various methods. However, as a result of incorrect applications, material exposed to rainwater and other natural phenomena can lead to poor appearance and plumbing problems.

Polymer-Based Composites

Polymer-based composite materials are among the widely used composite materials. These composite materials are frequently used because they have many benefits in buildings. If we mention these benefits; first, they show high strength relative to their weight ratios. Besides this, in older structures, fiber-reinforced plastic can be used particularly as a repair and reinforcement material. Thanks to this benefit, it is among the materials used by architects in older structures. At the same time, it is used in buildings damaged by earthquakes and in bridges. The vast majority of polymer-based composite materials show high resistance to environmental factors and have low maintenance costs.

Mineral-Based Composites

When discussing mineral-based composite materials, one must mention concrete. Concrete is a composite material that can be given the desired shape and can harden in that shape. It ranks among the most frequently used materials in buildings. The properties of concrete can be determined according to factors such as the environment in which the structure is located and what conditions it needs to withstand. Concrete material can be used in many places of a structure; in floors, ceilings, load-bearing columns... Depending on where it will be applied, it can acquire different properties with added materials. Concrete is generally used as the matrix material, but other minerals such as gypsum can also be used as a matrix.

Wood-Based Composites

Wood-based composite materials are created by combining wood with other materials. Wood composites are frequently used because they are less costly, have low weight, and are easy to machine. With technological developments occurring in recent times, wood-based composite materials have also evolved and these products are used in a wide range of applications. Here, as with other materials, the fields of use vary depending on the properties of the added products. For example, plywood material is used in residential, non-residential, and industrial structures. This material is used in many different places in residential structures as a building element; examples include ground floor flooring, single-layer flooring, wall and roof cladding, and insulated panel cladding. Wood-based composites can be used in many places in buildings and stand out due to their lower cost. Wood-based composite materials can be used for decoration purposes or in furniture design, as well as being used in buildings as load-bearing members in the form of beams or columns. These materials can be utilized in both interior and exterior structures.

Conclusion

Composite materials are frequently preferred in the construction sector, as they are used in many sectors. Since composite materials, which can consist of a combination of several materials, can acquire different properties, their correct use can provide many benefits in structures. References 1. Opportunities for Wood Plastic Composite Products in The U.S. Highway Construction Sector - Derek W Thompson, Eric N Hansen, Chris Knowles, Lech Muszynski 2. Application of Wood Composite - Ľuboš Krišťák, Roman Reh 3. Investigation of Performance Properties of Composite Building Materials and Possibilities of Use in Architecture – Ayla Er

Prepared by: Nilsu Kotil