The building industry makes decisions about materials on an almost daily basis – decisions that require a foundational understanding of how those materials are made. This is why a degree in Material Science and Building Construction is valuable.
Materials scientists and engineers use knowledge from chemistry, physics and engineering to understand and improve existing materials and design new ones. The process includes researching and studying atomic scales, manufacturing large parts and understanding how materials react to the environment.
Materials Selection
Building materials are an important part of any construction project. In order to choose the best materials for a particular project, it is necessary to consider several factors, including strength, cost, and sustainability. Choosing the right materials for a construction project is crucial to ensure that it will be completed efficiently and safely.
Often, the choice of materials is determined by engineering requirements and building codes. These requirements may stipulate that the material must meet specific mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. It is also possible that the materials must be able to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods. Other factors to consider include the location of the building and how it will be used. Some builders may prefer to use environmentally friendly or sustainable materials, while others are looking for a specific look or feel.
The goal of this project is to develop a multi-factorial evaluation model to aid the design process in material selection for construction projects. The model will be based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This model will help designers to select the best materials for their projects by comparing and analyzing the different characteristics of each material option.
The pilot study showed that many respondents considered social and environmental criteria to be important in the selection of building materials. However, they were ranked lower than other criteria, such as price and durability.
Materials Testing
Construction materials testing, or CMT, involves the examination of building materials and structures to ensure that they can withstand the forces of gravity, wind and water. It’s a process that can be carried out both in the field and laboratory.
Field Testing – This type of testing is done on a construction site, and can be conducted via various machines. This includes tests to determine the gravity of aggregate, the weight of concrete or masonry materials, and the permeability of soils. Depending on the results of these tests, decisions can be made about whether to proceed with the project or to switch to another material.
Laboratory Testing – This type of test is typically done after onsite field testing has been completed. This allows for a more detailed analysis of the materials, and helps to ensure that they will work well in a given project. Lab testing can also be used as a follow-up for onsite field tests that are inconclusive or need to be refined.
Both types of testing are important for projects in order to make sure that the right materials are being used for the job at hand, and that the resulting structure will last without requiring expensive maintenance or posing a danger to people or property. Rigorous materials testing throughout a construction project can help to mitigate risks by highlighting potential problems early on and diverting the course of action in a different direction.
Materials Design
The use of various materials in building construction has a direct impact on the quality and longevity of a structure. This is why it is important for architects, engineers and construction professionals to have a strong understanding of the materials they choose. This will help ensure that the chosen materials are best suited for the structure’s intended purpose and will contribute to its overall health, sustainability and resiliency.
The interdisciplinary field of Materials Science is the study of matter – its composition, physical and chemical properties, and their interactions. Material scientists rely on feedback from architects, designers, and construction professionals to understand evolving needs for materials in buildings. This can range from price and performance to chemical makeup, trends in aesthetics, recycled content, and more.
The development of new materials for use in building construction depends on a deep understanding of the mechanisms that govern their behavior. This requires both unit processes at the fine scale and coupling of these mechanisms across length and time scales. To develop new and improved materials, it is often necessary to employ multiple simulation tools that operate sequentially (hierarchical modeling) or concurrently (compound modeling). This is why many research efforts focus on developing a materials database and integrating these data into the design process. This database can then provide the inputs needed to optimize materials selection and testing.
Materials Management
The sourcing, purchasing, transporting and storage of materials in construction is a process that is ripe for leveraging technology. The right software can automate several workflows in the office and field to reduce manual processes and streamline the flow of information. This enables efficient, cost-effective and timely project delivery while increasing final profits.
The process of materials management starts with planning. A construction firm needs to determine the maximum stock levels based on supplier lead times, project demand and production schedules. This enables the firm to avoid stock-outs and ensures that the production and installation schedules are met.
Material planning also includes ensuring that the correct equipment is available to meet the project requirements. To do this, the construction firm needs to communicate with the equipment supplier on material delivery dates and inspect the shipment. It also needs to ensure that the materials are delivered in a way that minimizes abrasion and other physical damage. For example, the construction firm should not have to move the same materials more than once. Lastly, the construction firm should have an appropriate facility where it can store its materials and equipment until needed.
The process of material management is further enhanced by ensuring that the engineering and procurement deliverables are packaged in advance to align with the work packages in the field. This ensures that all the required materials are in place to minimize interruptions during installation.