In the construction industry, sourcing the right material for each stage of a building project is critical to the safety, functionality and success of the overall building process. Without the right materials a project is likely to fail and this can create catastrophic issues which the property owner and its inhabitants must deal with. Therefore there are regulations which monitor and assess materials which are used in the construction industry to ensure that building protocol is followed regarding material usage.
There are many variables which a construction company must consider when choosing materials to use on a build site. Many materials such as steel beams are widely used in building projects because of the versatile properties of steel.
This blog post will explore the variables which can affect a construction team’s decision when sourcing materials for a building project.
Cost
In construction it is important to consider your overall costs and saving money should always be on your mind. However, you should never compromise the safety or structural integrity of you build project because of cost as this may pose serious financial and legal implications in the future. Therefore when sourcing your materials you should work out what size and shape of material will constitute a safe and supportive structure whilst offering you the best price. For example, structural steel is priced by the pound and therefore you should consider using lightest steel beams which will still provide you with sound structural support and a safe design.
Strength
Another variable which affects the materials that you choose to use in your building project is strength. It is imperative that your building materials are strong enough to support other materials used in the build, persistent human activity, the weight of soft furnishings and the pressure of external forces on the overall structure. By paying particular attention to the structural rigidity of your building project, you should be able to create a structure which will last.
Fire Resistant
Fire is a common danger in buildings and it can have a devastating effect on the rigidity of a building if it is built using flammable materials. Therefore you should research the fire hazard condition of materials to ensure they will not jeopardise the strength of your building. By testing each material to understand the temperatures that they can withstand you should be able to source the right materials for your build. Interestingly, there are several materials such as reinforced concrete which actually help to resist the spreading of fire in a building which can be important in containing the danger. Knowing about the properties of materials such as reinforced concrete can help you to improve the safety and efficiency of your building.
Corrosion Resistant
Like fire, corrosion can also greatly affect the structural rigidity of a building. Therefore when sourcing materials you should consider the life cycle of each element of your build to ensure that it can withstand heavy corrosion; thus ensuring that your building will last longer.
Again you should understand how certain materials are affected by surrounding elements such as moisture. Structural steel for example is a material which cannot be exposed to the environment as moisture from the air or water contact from the surrounding area will cause it to rust. As structural steel rusts it compromises the integrity and rigidity of a building.
Overall, when sourcing materials in the construction industry you should consider the many variables which can affect materials in different ways. You must use expert advice and guidance to understand how to balance cost implications with the strength and resistant qualities that some materials such as steel beams offer.
