In traditional construction, materials like bricks, sand, concrete, and wood were used. These materials have their significances in binding and reinforcing with other steel structures. Since industrialization got a boost, a variety of materials have been invented to support the buildings and sustain for a longer period of time. Most of the materials can be re-used and recycled but aren’t completely environmentally friendly. The alternative and green building materials for construction are bamboos, recycled plastic, reclaimed woods, reclaimed steels, ferrock, and plant-based polyurethane. Not every material can be used in heavy construction, so some recyclable materials are adopted as substitutes.
FRPs or fiber-reinforced polymers are compounds made from polymer matrix and fibers. These fibers are aramid, carbon, glass, and often wood. Eco-friendly building materials usually cause minimal harm to the environment and construction structure, which is why FRPs are adopted. It is corrosion-free, reinforces concrete erection, has extreme tensile strength, is easy to handle, and is light weight. The use of FRPs in construction alone holds 30% of the total market of FRPs making it a highly used and crucial material. The fibers hold the main strength and the matrix around it binds both of them together, therefore sharing the load and maintaining balance.
Graphene has more tensile strength than steel, almost 200 times greater strength. The reason why graphene is not used instead of steel is that it cannot be shaped into thick bars, unlike steel. But due to its extraordinary properties, it is used in the construction field as a coating layer for steel. This coating helps steel from corrosion, rusting, water and chemicals, making steel sustain for a longer period of time. Graphene is cost-effective, cheaper than zinc and lead. It is synthesized from coal tar and natural resin which are after-products of the steel manufacturing process that makes graphene one of the eco friendly building materials.
Though bricks and woods are essential materials used in construction, there are times when they go directly to waste. It has been observed that while unloading, cutting, or storing, and when ordered in excess, wood and bricks are damaged and remain unused. By reclaiming and reusing such materials, the expense can be managed; no material is left unproductive, and lastly, they can be reclaimed as eco-friendly building materials. Recycled bricks are used to make indoor fireplaces and mantels, giving an aesthetic yet historic look to homes. Recycled woods are useful in making furniture, its by-product ‘mulch’ helps in erosion management, by a technique called ‘mulching’.
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