Technologie of Building Materials

This handout meets the ministerial outline of the Technology of Building Materials 1 course taught in the first year of Architecture.

The purpose of this handbook is to describe construction materials, to study their properties to enable student architects to choose construction materials in the best conditions of consistency, safety and durability. Also to become aware of the diversity of materials and their use in construction.

This course consists of seven chapters. The first chapter presents generalities on the architecture-materials relationship, as well as on the classification and properties of materials: chemical, physical and mechanical properties. In the second, third and fourth chapters we present in detail the binders namely cement, lime and plaster respectively. The fifth chapter is devoted to aggregates (origin, classification and characteristics) nevertheless the main characteristics will be treated in the form of practical work in the laboratory. In the seventh chapter we are interested in mortar: definition, constituents, types and field of use, while its characteristics will also be studied in the laboratory. The document is finally closed by a list of bibliographical references used for the writing of this course. Finally, we hope that this document will be a useful support for our students.

History of architecture 1