Aluminium As a Building Material

DISSERTATION – Aluminium As a Building Material

1. DISSERTATION – A luminium As a B uilding Material INTRODUCTION Aluminium is theoretically 100% recyclable without any loss of its natural quilities .   Aluminium is second most widly specified metal in building after steel, and it used to construction sectors frome commercial building to domestic dwelling.   Aluminiumis strong, malleable and has a low density. Aluminiumis resistant to corrosion PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM Aluminium is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm 3 , about a third that of steel. For example, the use of aluminium in vehicles reduces dead-weight and energy consumption while increasing load capacity Aluminium is a good conductor of heat and electricity. AluminiumCan be polished to give a highly reflective surface.   Aluminium can be represented as ‘ Al’,number in the periodic table is 13. Strictly speaking al applies to the pure metals.   Physically, chemically and mechanically aluminium is a metal like steel, brass, copper, zinc, lead or titanium. It can be melted, cast, formed and machined much like these metals and it conducts electric current. In fact often the same equipment and fabrication methods are used as for steel. Corrosion Resistance     Aluminium naturally generates a protective oxide coating and is highly corrosion resistant. Different types of surface treatment such as anodising, painting or lacquering can further improve this property   Electrical and Thermal Conductivit y Aluminium is an excellent heat and electricity conductor and in relation to its weight is almost twice as good a conductor as copper. This has made aluminium the most commonly used material in major power transmission lines Reflectivity Aluminium is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat, and that together with its low weight, makes it an ideal material for reflectors in, for example, light fittings or rescue blankets

2. DISSERTATION - A luminium As a B uilding Material   Recyclabilit y Aluminium is 100 percent recyclable with no downgrading of its qualities. The re-melting of aluminium requires little energy: only about 5 percent of the energy required to produce the primary metal initially is needed in the recycling process. Importance of Recycling Due to the large energy use in the extraction process, it is vital that we recycle. Recycled aluminium only requires 5% of the energy needed to extract fresh aluminium. Remember to recycle, because energy can be better spent. . USES OF ALUMINIUM Low density and strength make it ideal for construction of aircraft, lightweight vehicles, and ladders. An alloy of aluminium called duralumin is often used instead of pure aluminium because of its improved properties. Easy shaping and corrosion resistance make it a good material for drink cans and roofing materials. Corrosion resistance and low density leads to its use for greenhouses and window frames. Good conduction of heat leads to its use for boilers, cookers and cookware. Good conduction of electricity leads to its use for overhead power cables hung from pylons (low density gives it an advantage over copper). High reflectivity makes it ideal for mirrors, reflectors and heat resistant clothing for fire fighting . .  

3. DISSERTATION - A luminium As a B uilding Material HISTORY OF ALUMINIUM Ancient Greeks and Romans used aluminium salts as dyeing mordants and as astringents for dressing wounds; alum is still used as a styptic.   In 1761 Guyton de Morveau suggested calling the base alum alumine . In 1808, Humphry Davy identified the existence of a metal base of alum, which he at first named alumium and later aluminium (see Spelling section, below).   Friedrich Wöhler is generally credited with isolating aluminium (Latin alumen , alum) in 1827 by mixing anhydrous aluminium chloride with potassium.   In its 100 year history aluminium has had an unparalleled impact on the built environment. Since the sheathing of the cupola of the San Gioacchino Church in Rome in 1897, aluminium has risen to prominence among specifiers through landmark projects, such as the curtain walling on Shreve, Lamb & Harmon’s iconoclastic Empire State Building, 1929.   In 1945, Pietro Belushi created the first large structure totally sheathed in aluminium and glass: The Equitable Building in Portland, Oregon; followed by SOM’s Lever Building; Mies van der Rohe and Phillip Johnson’s Seagram Building; and the UN Secretariat in New York. But even in these pioneering years, the use of aluminium was not confined to modernist landmarks.   Indeed, aluminium window frames were installed in the Bodleian Library, Oxford in 1939; and have since provided eloquent testament to the material’s durability.   ALUMINIUM AS A BUILDING MATERIA L Aluminium is the second most widely specified metal in buildings after steel, and is used in all construction sectors, from commercial buildings to domestic dwellings.   40% of the UK annual production of aluminium is utilised within the construction industry, which equates to roughly 150,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum, of which approximately 65,000 tonnes is extruded products, and 25,000 tonnes sheet materials.   The main market sectors are windows, roofing, cladding, curtain walling and structural glazing, prefabricated buildings, architectural hardware, H&V, shopfitting and partitions. Strength versus Weight One of aluminium’s primary appeals to specifiers is its exceptional strength to weight ratio. At 2.7g/cm2, aluminium is 66% lighter than steel. It is also far less susceptible to brittle fractures. Indeed, when aluminium and steel structures are compared, aluminium’s greater modulus of elasticity means that weight ratios of 1:2 are easily attained

4. DISSERTATION - A luminium As a B uilding Material ALUMINIUM IN WINDOW & DOOR Aluminium’s unique combination of strength and lightness enables frames, sashes and fittings to be neat and unobtrusive. Because the frames, rails and stiles can be finer than those made in wood, they allow maximum entry of light and provide unobstructed views Aluminium doesn’t require painting while its dimensional stability ensures years of trouble free operation. Aluminium windows and doors come powder coated in a range of colours to match your home, but it’s important to choose frame colours carefully as powder coated surfaces cannot be repainted. A window consists of an outer frame that goes in the hole in the wall, and a sash frame that holds the glass. There are four traditional styles of windows – double hung, awning, casement, and sliding. The one that is most appropriate for you can depend on a number of factors such as how they operate and how much ventilation they allow TYPE OF DOOR & WINDOW Bi-fold patio doors have a series ofbetween 2 to 7 doors, hinged so theyfold onto themselves Bi-fold patio doors Sliding patio doors

5. DISSERTATION - A luminium As a B uilding Material Sliding patio doors have two or more panels which slide past each other horizontally within the frame.  Hinged doors are hinged on either the left or the right and can open either inwards or outwards. Double hung windows have two vertically sliding sashes which slide past each other in a single frame.   Single hung windows have one fixed and one opening sash.   Awning windows are hinged along the top horizontal edge and the bottom opens outwards.   Casement windows are either hinged along a vertical edge or pivoted on the top and bottom, and open outwards from the opposite side. Sliding windows have two or more sashes, which slide past each other horizontally within the frame. Casement window Sliding window

6. DISSERTATION - A luminium As a B uilding Material Aluminium in Construction It is estimated that across Europe, the building and construction market consumes almost 1.4 million tonnes of aluminium per annum. The growing importance of recycling can be gauged by the fact that, in 1996, the production of primary aluminium in Western Europe stood at 890,000 tonnes, while production of secondary aluminium was 1,747,000 tonnes; with the building sector accounting for 54% of extruded products and 15% of rolled products. Advantages of Aluminium Lightweight : Aluminium is one of the lightest available commercial metals with a density approximately one third that of steel or copper. Its high strength to weight ratio makes it particularly important to transportation industries allowing increased payloads and fuel savings. Catamaran ferries, petroleum tankers and aircraft are good examples of aluminium’s use in transport. Excellent Corrosion Resistance : Aluminium has excellent resistance to corrosion due to the thin layer of aluminium oxide that forms on the surface of aluminium when it is exposed to air. Strong at Low Temperatures : Where as steel becomes brittle at low temperatures, aluminium increases in tensile strength and retains excellent toughness Easy to Work : Aluminium can be easily fabricated into various forms such as foil, sheets, geometricshapes , rod, tube and wire. It also displays excellent machinability and plasticity ideal for bending, cutting, spinning, roll forming, hammering, forging and drawing. Aluminium can be turned ,milled or bored readily, using the correct too large. In fact, most aluminium alloys can be machined speedily and easily. An important factor contributing to the low cost of finished aluminium parts.  Aluminium is a popular choice of material for complex-sectioned hollow extrusions. Easy Surface Treatment : For many applications, aluminium requires no protective or decorative coating; the surface supplied is entirely adequate without further finishing. Mechanical finishes such as polishing, embossing, sand blasting, or wire brushing meet a variety of needs. Where the plain aluminium surface does not suffice, a wide variety of surface finishes are available to suit. Chemical, electrochemical and paint finishes are all used.

7. ANALYSIS Aluminium –Building material of the modern age: Modern building and construction is more than merely erecting buildings as functionally as possible. In addition to functional and economic criteria, aesthetic and design considerations together with ecological demands placed on building projects play an equally important role. This means the materials used are of major significance. Aluminium , the building material for the modern age, established itself as an important factor in the building and construction industry during the course of the 20th century. Aluminium enables every possible architectural concept to be realised – regardless of whether it is a new build or a modernization. Primary smelter aluminium is pure and, as such, has a relatively low strength. For extrusions and other manufactured components, the material is alloyed to improve its strength, although even the most heavily alloyed wrought aluminium is still 92% pure . The choice of the most appropriate alloy of the 6000 series for a particular extrusion depends on the nature of the task it has to perform. A balance has to be struck between strength, ease of forming and finish. The 6063 alloy, for instance, has good extra durability, corrosion resistance and surface finish; and is thus widely used in fenestration. The properties of the individual alloys are amplified by the shape of the extruding die. Careful and knowledgeable design can take advantage of the ability of the extrusion process to distribute the material across the section to exactly where it is needed for a particular performance requirement.

8. SOME IMPORTANT PROJECT OF ALUMINIUM Residential Project 8-13 Bird Street, London Architect Koski Solomon & Ruthven Architects Installer CAP Aluminium Systems Ltd. System Kawneer Series Designer 53 swing doors, Kawneer Series 1200 curtain walling, Kawneer Series casement windows and Kawneer Series 503 Tilturn windows Contract value £672,000 Specification Residential-style glazing contract featuring the new Kawneer Series 503 Tilturn windows set within large bays, and as projecting within brickwork enclosed by Kawneer Series 1200 curtain walling system. Detail Safety rails to the exterior of windows, and clip-on face caps to emphasise the development’s vertical lines . Public Buildings Project Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Architect Lobb Sports Architecture Installer Siac Construction Ltd System Kawneer Series 1200 curtain walling system Contract value £3,500,000 Specification Feature bands of continuous horizontal glazing, set within the cladding, running around the entire building Detail Kawneer Series 1200 curtain walling cantilevered out over the River Taff .

9. Future of Aluminium as a building material Aluminium is the most widely-used material for meeting architects’ performance requirements when designing curtain walling and non-standard systems. The material adapts well to all types of architecture and allows a wide variety of shapes and forms; windows and spans. The inherent qualities of aluminium , its infinite recyclability, strength and lightness, durability and low maintenance qualities mean it is one of the most sustainable building materials. Aluminium allows 15 to 47 per cent more light compared with other materials, and the thermal and acoustic properties of aluminium systems are continually improving to meet the most demanding architectural specifications. Aluminium – The heavyweight in lightweight construction As a constructional material, aluminium is characterised by numerous physical, chemical and technical properties that assign it an outstanding role in the building sector. One of aluminium’s outstanding properties is its long useful life. Thanks to an extremely thin but strong oxide layer, it is resistant to corrosion and the weather as well as to UV radiation. Especially with long-life objects like buildings, this is beneficial: for one thing, during service components only have to be replaced after a long time, if at all; and for another, it minimises the effort required for service and maintenance. Both of these have a favourable bearing on aluminium’s environmental balance. The aluminium alloys used in architecture exhibit good weathering behaviour even in marine environments and are resistant to seawater, which means that they maintain their mechanical properties and stability even after being exposed for long periods of time. It is possible to optimise these properties in a specific manner by means of surface pretreatment and the use of coatings .By contrast, steel structures like the Eiffel Tower or timber frames that are exposed to the elements need to be painted regularly to protect the magainst rusting or weathering.

10. CONCLUSIONS It is certain that Aluminium will become even more widely used in construction as pressure grows for buildings that are flexible, easy to maintain and offer low cost-in-use. There is certainly scope for growth in a wide variety of structural applications, such as supporting Aluminium sheet roofing on aluminium extruded roofing members. This growth is limited principally by a lack of understanding of Aluminium’s true structural abilities. No construction material is perfect. Timber is affected by moisture, requires maintenance, has limited structural capabilities and cannot be machined into complex shapes. Steel has a relatively poor strength to weight ratio, cannot be thermally broken, rusts in an untreated state and, under stress, is prone to brittle fractures. PVC is available in a limited range of colours , can suffer from polymer migration, does not have the inherent stiffness of metals, and has been attacked on environmental grounds by leading environmental NGOs. Aluminium , while it has a relatively high initial energy cost, offers unparalleled manufacturing flexibility, the broadest ranges of finishes, an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, unlimited recyclables and has a far better environmental profile than many specifiers believe. Above all, it offers architects the most elegant and satisfying design solutions. For many contemporary designers there are simply no alternative to Aluminium – the form dictates the material and the material facilitates the form. This fact alone will ensure the continued growth of Aluminium in construction.

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