Construction Materials Bilingual Study Guide

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering construction material classification, physical and mechanical properties, wood, ceramics, binders, cement, concrete, and polymers based on the bilingual lecture transcript.

General-purpose (structural) materials

Materials used for load-bearing and enclosing structures, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic brick, metals, wood, structural plastics, and composites.

Special-purpose materials

Materials used to protect structures and improve comfort, such as thermal insulation, waterproofing sealants, acoustic, finishing, anti-corrosion, and fire-resistant materials.

Macrostructure

The level of a material's structure that is visible to the naked eye.

Conglomerate structure

A macrostructure where grains are cemented together (e.g., granite or concrete), resulting in high density and strength.

Cellular structure

A macrostructure characterized by high porosity, low density, and low conductivity, found in materials like foam concrete and foam glass.

Crystalline body

A microstructure type that possesses a crystal lattice, has a fixed melting point, and is more stable than amorphous bodies.

True density

The mass per unit volume of a material excluding all pores, calculated by the formula $\rho = m/V_{abs}$.

Porosity (\Pi)

The percentage of volume occupied by pores, determined by the formula $\Pi = (1 - \rho_m/\rho) \times 100\%$.

Open porosity

Interconnected pores within a material that are reachable by water.

Saturation coefficient (K_\text{н})

The ratio $W_o/\Pi \leq 1$, which serves as an indirect indicator of a material's frost resistance.

Water resistance (Softening coefficient)

The ability of a material to retain strength when saturated, defined by $K_p = R_{wet}/R_{dry}$; a material is considered water-resistant if $K_p > 0.8$.

Frost resistance

The ability to withstand freeze-thaw cycles without damage, tested at $-18^{\circ}C/+20^{\circ}C$ and designated by grades from F15 to F500+.

Brittleness

The property of a material breaking without significant plastic deformation, characteristic of glass, brick, and concrete.

Hardness (Mohs scale)

A scale from 1 to 10 measuring resistance to penetration, ranging from Talc (1) to Diamond (10).

Thermal conductivity (\lambda)

A property affected by structure and moisture; it is lower in porous materials with closed pores, while wet materials conduct heat more due to water conducting $24\times$ better than air.

Refractoriness

The ability to withstand high temperatures without softening: Refractory ($>1580^{\circ}C$), Hard-to-melt ($1350\text{--}1580^{\circ}C$), and Easily melted ($<1350^{\circ}C$).

Fire resistance rating (REI)

A rating measured in minutes where R stands for load-bearing capacity, E for integrity, and I for insulation (e.g., REI 45).

Igneous/magmatic rocks

Rocks formed by the cooling of magma, subdivided into intrusive (deep) like Granite and extrusive (effusive) like Basalt.

Metamorphic rocks

Rocks formed deep in the crust under heat and pressure, such as Marble (recrystallized limestone) and Quartzite (recrystallized sandstone).

Fiber saturation point (FSP)

The moisture level ($\approx 30\%$) where cell walls are saturated with hygroscopic water; shrinkage begins only when moisture drops below this point.

Sinterability

A property of clay related to its ability to form a dense, stone-like body during the firing process.

Air binders

Inorganic binders that harden only in the air, such as lime, gypsum, and magnesia binders.

Alite (C_3S)

A Portland cement clinker mineral ($45\text{--}60\%$) characterized by fast hardening, high strength, and high heat release.

Concrete strength class (B)

The guaranteed compressive strength of concrete measured with $95\%$ confidence (e.g., B20).

Bitumen composition

A mixture containing oils ($40\text{--}60\%$ for softness), resins ($20\text{--}40\%$ for adhesion), and asphaltenes ($10\text{--}25\%$ for hardness).

Thermoplastic polymers

Polymers that soften when heated and are re-moldable, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC.

Thermosetting polymers

Polymers that become infusible after heating and cannot be re-molded, such as epoxy and phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Mineral wool

An inorganic fibrous insulation material made from basalt or slag melt with a thermal conductivity (\lambda) of $0.04\text{--}0.06\,W/m\cdot^{\circ}C$.