Innovative Materials to Strengthen Concrete Bridges

This study demonstrated the success of an innovative technique for strengthening reinforced concrete beams (or slabs) by attaching FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) strips to the underside of the beam using powder actuated fasteners and mechanical anchors instead of the traditional method of adhesively bonding the FRP strips.

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Various Materials Used In Metal Roofing

As with any housing, building or structural projects, there are lots of aspects that affect the final decision on which metal roofing material to utilize and also the estimated cost.

In this article, you will find the advantages and disadvantages and the average cost, in the use of various metal roofing materials. The cost mentioned in this article is the breakdown of the metal roofing material per 100 square feet. Keep in mind that the cost may add up with other materials required for installation as well as the labor.

Below are some basic metal roofing materials used and the estimated cost of each.

1. Asphalt shingles

This is the most commonly used metal roofing material. This is classified into two: organic and non-organic shingles. They are made in assorted colors and are rated by their durability and lifespan. Their lifespan has a range of 40 years.

Asphalt shingles can also be customized by adding layers that will give a one of a kind shadow line. Most asphalt shingle producers give warranty to their good and services especially if their contractors install them. The price of this roofing material ranges from 30-35 dollars per hundred square feet.

2. Wood Shingles

These kinds of shingles are made from "Western Red Cedar". This kind of wood is highly resilient to corrosion and decay. Wood shingles are classified into three: first, second and third.

The first type is the most recommend material for roofing, because they are more sturdy compared to the second and third. The other two are better used for sidings. These wood shingles comes in different sizes and are sold tapered. The usual cost ranges from 70- 100 dollars.

3. Clay or concrete shingles

This is the most durable of all the roofing materials. They are known to provide excellent service for over 50 years. The most common of this type is the corrugated shape or half barrel. However, it is not very common to find tapered or flat styles. In addition, concrete or clay roofing may need additional weight in the roof beam, which may also add in to the cost. The average cost ranges between 150-400 dollars.

It is very important to consider the kind of metal roofing material and its cost before purchasing. This is to help you save time and effort. Remember that it is not only the roofing materials that you will be spending for, but also the labor and other necessary materials.

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Building a Home - What Every Owner Builder Must Know About Home Building Materials

Home building materials play a significant role. Since the Three Little Pigs first wiggled their curly little tails, we've been aware of the importance of building materials. But, while they had only three choices, we have more ... a lot more.

Today, it's not only about the strength and durability of the home but also about economy, ecology, aesthetics, style and personal choice. With universal building codes the way they are, we can usually expect them to meet at least minimum standards of quality and longevity.

Knowing Your Options for Structural Materials

Over the years, I've worked with many different structural materials choices for homes. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. I've concluded that there may be no "perfect" choice. Nothing seems to stand head and shoulders above all the rest. That being said, there's every reason to believe that of the many choices, you could find one perfect for you.

If you are exploring options for the structural components of your new home, start with these choices. You can expand from here:

Traditional 2x4 and 2x6 stick built homes: In North America, this is the most common approach to home building. These can be site built or pre-framed, factory built homes. Builders for this method are the easiest to find and these homes are usually the least expensive to build.

Steel Framed Homes: These are constructed much the same as the wood framed homes and can also come in pre-framed, factory built panels. They offer some additional green building benefits, being thought of as more sustainable by some authorities.

SIP built homes: Structural Insulated Panels are gaining popularity. These are structural panels that utilize insulation as part of the strength of the wall system. There are several different kinds of panels and methods of construction. They are often used for walls but can be used for ceilings, floors, and the roof structure as well.

Timber framed homes: Commonly understood as Post and Beam, timber framed homes are often combined with SIP panels between the posts and beams. The timber provides both the strength and the natural look and feel for the home. These type homes are most popular in the country and mountains as they are more rustic looking but can have all the amenities of the most modern homes.

Log homes: Today, log home materials are packaged and shipped to your site, and built according to the engineering specifications called for in whatever jurisdiction the building is taking place. Unlike the olden days, log homes can have every modern convenience you want. Or, you can choose to make them as rustic and traditional as you wish.

ICF built homes: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are stacked as legos might be stacked. Then they are reinforced with rebar (steel) and filled with concrete. These concrete exterior homes provide for extra strength and insulation values that save on energy consumption in most cases.

Insulated cement tilt up panels:  Less popular for homes but used in more smaller buildings, cement tilt up walls offer rapid construction times and thermal benefits for homes as well. Some of these panels are constructed of two cement panels that sandwich insulating foam on the inside.

Straw/hay bale homes: As talked about as these homes are from time to time, they are still somewhat of a novelty. They do work, however. For the small number of homes built each year, there is an abundance of materials available. The bales offer structural benefits as well as insulation. Aside from thicker walls... you can built them to look just like any other home. And, no, the big bad wolf cannot blow this house down.

There are many more structural choices for building a home. You may wish to research them. I didn't include things like brick and cedar homes because they are largely

The costs for each will vary but considering the overall cost of your entire project, the cost impact of different structural components will only alter the completed home's cost by 0 - 10% on average.

Consider the Availability of Experienced Labor

A final thought. While all these may be viable options for you. It is important to check for the availability of the materials as well as qualified designers, installers, and builders in your area. In some cases, design and labor costs could add more to the cost of building. Also, for some of these approaches, you'll definitely run into issues at your local building department. Sometimes they just don't know what to look for in their inspections!

Most issues can be resolved. Take your time before you decide. Do your research. Ask a lot of questions and get good answers. Use an experienced home building coach to help with your decisions.

When it comes to building materials and the structure of your home, the more you know the better off you are.

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Building Your Patio - How to Select the Types of Patio Materials?

Nowadays, there are ample patio materials to choose from for your patio surface. Some of the more popular are available at landscaping centers or home improvement depot. They can be used for the simple and complex projects alike and are not confined just to the patio. These new types of patio materials can also be used for driveways, walkways and retaining walls along with permanent fixtures such as, plants, flowerpots and patio furniture.

The materials you choose should always blend with the surroundings and other materials used in the garden or landscape, while providing the right surface for the intended use of the patio.

Consider the long term practically and maintenance of patio materials carefully....

Most people only think about materials in terms of the cost but that should not be your only consideration. You don't always require the cheapest patio material. On the contrary, you also need to think about what patio materials are going to last for a long time and what kind of maintenance each type of material needs.

When you are figuring out your budget for the patio, you must take into account the maintenance costs of each different type of patio material. You may find that you are better off choosing a more expensive but durable patio materials up front rather than choosing a cheaper one that has a higher average maintenance cost. Also, make sure that you include into your budget for any additional walkways or paths that need to be built.

When you are choosing the material to use as a foundation for the patio, think about the long-term practicality of the material before you make a final decision. Here are some common patio materials you can choose from.

1. Real Stone

Stone has the most natural outlook, most durable but also the most expensive type of patio materials. It require good skills to install because each stone greatly varies in shape and size. Additionally, mortar compound is used to adjoin these stones and settle as they dry. It is designed to wear well in high-traffic, need little maintenance and could last for decades.

2. Stone Veneer

Stone veneer generally contains most of the benefits and advantages of real stone and it is comparatively a lighter type of patio materials and less expensive. Stone veneer can easily be cut with most common types of saws. Generally, most people will lay out their veneer pieces ahead of time so they can cut pieces to fit in odd spots in advance.

It is also as durable as most other patio materials. It requires very minimal maintenance. In addition, stone veneers are much easier to find in the market.

3. Plain Concrete

Plain concrete sometimes also known as cement is probably the easiest material in terms of upkeep and maintenance. Plain concrete is the most affordable material available.

You can begin with plain concrete for your patio and when you are ready for a change, you can basically lay new patio materials over the existing the concrete flooring. Hence, you can treat it merely as a foundation layer for other patio materials discussed within this page. Furthermore, plain concrete can be a strong foundation and certainly prevent surface cracking.

4. Stamped or Colored Concrete

This material is gaining popularity and very practical. It often can be molded or stamped to look just like other types of patio material such as brick, cut stone, irregular stone, cobblestone, etc. It comes in various textures and colors and is cheap. Stamped or colored concrete is a very practical solution when working on a budget.

Although you will most likely pay more for colored or stamped concrete compared to plain concrete, the amazing transformation will be well worth the investment. A good and creative contractor can render endless array of decorative effects, from rustic earth-toned sidewalks and patios that harmonize with the surrounding landscape or garden to vibrant multicolored concrete floors that double as works of art.

5. Brick

Brick is one of the most popular choice for patios because it is easy to install, looks great and is preferred by most DIY enthusiasts. This type of patio material offer a very traditional look in terms of warm, earthy colors and last a long time.

Bricks can be installed on sand base or concrete pavements regardless of whether you use mortar or not and extremely durable in cold climates.

It can have a variety of patterns as well because of its uniform shape and size, thus add a lot of personality and individually to your patio. The color of brick looks extremely nice and attractive on a patio especially if it is surrounded by a garden.

6. Tiles

Tile is an extremely versatile patio material that any patio utilize it will be one of a kind. Please ensure that the tile is designed for outdoor use. Furthermore, unglazed tile is less slippery than glazed tile when wet. It comes in many different shapes, colors, textures. The endless varieties you can choose from is one of the many reasons why it is a good choice for patios. There are various types such as,

Machine-made quarry tiles
Fired terra-cotta tiles
Molded paver tiles
Synthetic-stone tiles

They can be used virtually on any type of surface. Tiles are very comfortable to walk on and relatively smooth which makes it safe to use. Hence, there will be little fear of people tripping on any part of it. In addition, patio furniture will sit squarely on the tiles surface, that may not happen if you use another type of patio materials.

It's your choice after all

All the above mentioned are excellent patio materials to be use for your patio. In addition, you can even use a combination of different types of patio materials to make your patio comfortable. Also, you have to consider the drainage properties of each material. For instance, individual stones, bricks, or pavers will let water through more than a whole slab of concrete.

In addition, you may also want to choose the material colors that you can match with your favorite patio furniture and combining different materials is also possible as long as they are properly matched. In any case, it is best to seek professional assistance and advise when using any of the patio material discussed above.

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Choosing Your Home Building Materials

Choosing building materials is no easy task-the stuff you choose can literally make or break your house. But with the ever-growing range of building materials, even seasoned home designers are often confused. How do you know which ones are right for your home and budget? This guide runs you through the main areas of the home and how to make the right choice for each one.

Flooring - There are dozens of choices when it comes to home flooring. Choose one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and home décor. Hardwood and tile are among the most popular choices, as they fit almost any theme. Stone flooring is expensive, but it virtually lasts forever. Decide what features you want and what you can do without, and look for a material that fits the bill.

Walls - The choice here is more on reinforcements than the building material, since the material is standard for most walls. Ask your contractor about protective features such as sealing and reinforced studs, which can add structural strength to the walls. Other features worth looking into are the shock-absorbent interiors and flame-resistant coats.

Ceiling and roofing - Poured concrete is easily the best choice for ceilings, at least in terms of durability. But there are other factors to consider, such as the weight it supports and the ceiling area. Wood can provide additional support, especially for decks, balconies, and overhanging roofs. The roofing exterior is both an aesthetic and structural choice. Some of the most popular are tile, brick, and copper.

Interior surfaces - These include counters, platforms, stairs, and other irregularities within the floor and walls. The easy choice would be to make them the same material as the rest of the house. However, if you're planning to sell the house later on, you may want a less permanent setup so that future residents can customize it themselves.

Movable surfaces - Although not exactly building materials, furniture and other movables have to work with the rest of the home. Not all materials will work with everything else. For example, heavy teak furniture might damage a soft cork floor. The best thing to do is consult an interior designer and get a professional opinion.

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