Building Materials (Second Term Week 2 JS1 Basic Technology)

As the name implies, building materials are the materials used in constructing a building.

Examples of building materials:

wood

1. Wood: this is used for roofing and making doors along with windows. Wood is also used for making furniture, wooden floors and for making cases for concretes.

gravel

2. Gravel: these are small stones which, when mixed with cement and sand plus water becomes concrete.

sand

3. Sand: this is a substance that consists of very small grains of rock. It is mixed with cement and water to mould blocks and make mortar for rendering.

metal

4. Metal: this is used for reinforcing foundations and lintels along with pillars and beams. Metals can also be used for making roofs, doors, windows, railings and burglary proofs.

plastic

5. Plastics: they are also used as roofing sheets, plastic pipes, fittings, etc.

cement

 6. Cement: this is a product of limestone and clay. It sets hard when mixed with water. Cement is a binding agent for block moulding, concrete, plastering and mortar and for block laying.

glass

7. Glass: this is used for making doors, windows and walls.

Leaves (thatch roof)

8. Leaves: these are used for thatched roofs and walls.

ceramic tiles

9. Ceramics: this is used for the production of items like water closet, floor and wall tiles, bricks, flower vases, ovens, Asbestos, P.O.P (Plaster of Paris) etc.

Questions:
1. What are building materials?
2. Outline three uses of wood.
3. Why is cement a binding agent?
4. Between glass and leaves which will you use for a modern building? Give your reasons.
5. What are the raw materials for making cement?
6. Mention 4 ceramic items in the home.
7. What building material is the most suitable for transparent doors and windows?
8. In what sense is gravel a building material?
9. What do sands contain?
10. Why is cement needed when making concrete or mortar?