Building material
A substance used to construct or finish buildings. Its properties, availability, cost, and production shape how buildings are made and perform.
Strength of materials: The study of how solid materials respond to forces, including deformation, fracture, and failure. Strength under tension, compression, and bending determines which building materials can carry loads.
Concrete: A composite material made from cement, water, and aggregates that hardens into a stone-like mass. Concrete is widely used for foundations, frames, floors, and other load-bearing elements.
Embodied carbon: Greenhouse-gas emissions associated with producing, transporting, installing, maintaining, and disposing of materials or products. Material production can account for substantial emissions before a building is occupied.
Mass timber: Engineered wood products assembled into large structural elements such as panels, beams, and columns. It offers a renewable structural alternative to some concrete and steel systems.
Thermal conductivity: A measure of how readily a material transfers heat through itself. Conductivity helps determine insulation needs and heat flow through walls, roofs, and floors.
Structural steel: Steel products designed to carry loads in buildings and other structures. Its high strength and predictable behavior suit long spans and slender frames.
Cement industry: The global industry that manufactures cement, a binder used chiefly in concrete and mortar. Cement production drives a large share of concrete's emissions and resource demand.
Hempcrete: A lightweight bio-composite made from hemp shives and a lime-based binder, used mainly for insulation and enclosure. It provides a lower-density, plant-based alternative to conventional wall infill, but is not generally load-bearing.
Durability: The ability of a material to retain its performance over time under environmental and operational stresses. Moisture, weather, wear, and chemical exposure govern how long building materials remain serviceable.
Timber: Wood processed for use in construction, including solid-sawn pieces and engineered products. Timber can serve as structure, cladding, flooring, and interior finish.