Essential Construction Fundamentals: Roles, Materials, and Phases

Key Roles in Construction

The three primary figures involved in construction are:

• Promoter: The person or entity that initiates the building project.
• Architect: The professional responsible for developing the construction project and directing or supervising the works.
• Constructor: The person or entity responsible for the physical execution of the work.

Classification of Construction Materials

Natural Materials

These are used without modifying their original characteristics:

• Stone Materials: Extracted from rocks. They can be compact (e.g., granite or marble) or disintegrated (e.g., pebbles, gravel, or sand).
• Organic Materials: Derived from living matter, most commonly cork, wood, and asphalt.

Processed Materials

These are derived from natural products, with properties improved for construction:

• Ceramic Products: Obtained by firing clay materials. Includes prefabricated items like solid and hollow bricks, shingles, and tiles.
• Glass Derivatives: Obtained by melting a mixture of silica, lime, soda, and other compounds in furnaces at 1500°C.
• Metals: Extracted from minerals and classified into:
  • Steel Industry Products: Primarily iron-based, often treated with electrolytic coating.
  • Non-Ferrous Metals: Commonly aluminum, copper, and zinc.
  • Alloys: Created by fusing different metals, such as bronze, brass, and stainless steel.
• Plastics: Made from resins and organic compounds derived from coal or oil.
• Paints: Manufactured from pigments dissolved in various solvents.

Material Properties

Alloys

Alloys are created by fusing different metals to develop new materials with enhanced properties.

Binders

Binders are materials with the ability to shape and achieve considerable resistance, such as lime, plaster, and cement.

Phases of Dwelling Construction

1. Foundations

The base structure designed to collect and distribute loads caused by wind, rain, and gravity.

2. Forged (Floor Slabs)

Concrete beams are placed at fixed distances between pillars, walls, or metal profiles, with concrete vaults placed between the beams.

3. Support Elements

Vertical load-bearing elements, typically constructed with bricks or concrete blocks.

4. Roofs

Can be of two types: pitched roofs (sloping surface) or terraces (horizontal surface).

Chronological Stages of Construction

1. Trazado and construction of foundations
2. Construction of forged (slabs)
3. Levantamiento of structure
4. Levantamiento of interior partitions
5. Construction of pipes
6. Alojamiento of cover (roofing)
7. External wall finishes
8. Revestimientos (wall and floor coverings)

Urban Planning

Urbanism is the discipline that aims at the study and organization of cities. It serves to regulate land use and infrastructure development, with local government authorities typically responsible for ensuring compliance.