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Building Technology - All About Metals

Metals have been used in construction since ancient times due to their durability, stiffness, and strength. There are two main types of metals used - ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals like steel and iron contain iron and are very durable but prone to rust. They are commonly used for beams and structures in buildings. Non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum do not contain iron, are more malleable, and less prone to rust. They are frequently used for roofing, pipes, and other exterior architectural elements. The choice of metal depends on the design and purpose of the building as well as environmental factors.

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Trina Sambas
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397 views1 page

Building Technology - All About Metals

Metals have been used in construction since ancient times due to their durability, stiffness, and strength. There are two main types of metals used - ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals like steel and iron contain iron and are very durable but prone to rust. They are commonly used for beams and structures in buildings. Non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum do not contain iron, are more malleable, and less prone to rust. They are frequently used for roofing, pipes, and other exterior architectural elements. The choice of metal depends on the design and purpose of the building as well as environmental factors.

Uploaded by

Trina Sambas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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              Constructing buildings would not be complete without the use of metals. Structures all
throughout the world would not be still standing today without those metals. Beside the fact that
most people know that metals are prone to corrosion and rust, however, specific types of metals
also require specific purposes for them. In architecture, the use of metals should fit the overall
function and design of a structure by knowing the different types, uses and examples of metals.

            Metals have been used since the Metal Ages (Iron Age, Bronze Age and Copper Age).
They are commonly used in construction since their characteristics include durability, stiffness
and strength in order to make beams, cladding, pipework, roofing and other structural
elements.  However, there should be a consideration in using metals for specific purposes by
knowing the two types of metals— the ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

            Ferrous metals are those metals that are very durable and hard due to having iron
contents. Carbon steel, alloy steel, cast iron, wrought iron and grey cast iron are some of the
ferrous metals used in construction. Some of the best architectural examples of structures that
used ferrous metals are the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA and the Eiffel Tower in
Paris, France and both of them used steel, or probably carbon steel, for their construction.
Although some ferrous metals are vulnerable to rust and corrosion when exposed to moisture,
still they are in demand in the construction industry for about 50% because most of the
skyscrapers and other buildings rely on the steel’s strength. Steel is mainly used for claddings
and exterior walls. However, there are two ferrous metals that are not that vulnerable to rust and
corrosion such as wrought iron and stainless steel.

            Non-ferrous metals are those metals that are malleable/flexible, lightweight and do not
have any iron content like copper, aluminum, lead and zinc. These kinds of metals are used for
roofing, electrical components and pipework and easier to weld and solder. Since they are
malleable, they can be shaped easily and do not have the strength unlike ferrous metals.
Roofing is the best example of using non-ferrous metals. Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal that
is used in external facades, roofs, walls, windows, doors, railings and many more and one
example is the galvanized aluminum roof which is mainly used in residential houses.  Also, non-
ferrous metals are recyclable and non-flammable which makes them a sustainable material in
architectural design consideration. Another example is shaping a non-ferrous metal in various
shapes for ornaments in gates and other aesthetics in the structure.

            Generally, metals are good thermal conductors of heat and in such tropical countries like
here in the Philippines, it is much better to add an additional polyurethane foam insulating in
using a metal roof to lessen the heat coming inside the building or house. Choosing the right
kind of metal depending on the design has a big impact on the later construction process and
final result of the structure. Each metal has their own advantages and disadvantages and there
is nothing wrong in using such metals in the design as long as we should maintain the strength
and durability required for daily use. It is also important to know the climate and environment
where the metal should be used in order to prevent less high maintenance and most
importantly, we need to have the balance on the function and aesthetics of the design in using
metals.

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