Aluminium An increasingly Popular Construction Material

What is it that makes aluminum a popular construction material? A look at the characteristics of the material and its varied applications in the construction industry.

Aluminum is extensively used in a wide array of constructions as window frames, shop fronts, roof superstructures for shopping centers, sidings, curtain walling, cast door handles, and staircases amongst other usages. Aluminum building products are particularly useful as they keep a building cool in summer and warm in winters. Stability, durability, and thermal efficiency are just some of the advantages that aluminum has over other metals to be used in construction.

With LEED ratings being of high precedence these days, making green buildings has become a major trend in the construction industry. One of the criteria for a good rating is the recyclability of the materials used. Aluminum has a very high recycle rate as it can be recycled almost indefinitely without any harm or reduction in its basic qualities. Even the energy required to melt used aluminum is lower – only 5% of the energy that is required to produce the primary metal.

All these factors make aluminum a highly popular metal to use in construction. There are several other advantages that aluminum has that make it a top choice as a construction material today.

Advantages over other metals

Aluminum has good resistance to corrosion and this not only gives the metal a long life but also reduces maintenance costs significantly. In fact, aluminum is seen virtually as a maintenance–free material in construction.

Another significant advantage that aluminum has over other metals is its lightness. This means that it is not only easy to handle on site, but is also easy to form and join.

Aluminum is also seen as a strong and safe construction material. It does not burn and is hence classified as a non-combustible construction material. At very high temperatures aluminum alloys do melt, but this is seen as a good property as it opens the building to outside air and allows heat and smoke to escape. Also, aluminum panels do not release any harmful gases in case of fire. It is due to these advantages that thin aluminium cladding panels are increasingly being used in the construction of industrial roofs and external walls.

The metal has a high strength to weight ratio, making it a popular choice for facades and cladding of non-residential buildings. These not only add to the strength and durability of the building but also increase its energy efficiency and add to its insulation properties. Its strength combined with its light weight result in a low load on the supporting structures of buildings.

Varied applications

One of the largest applications of aluminum in the construction industry is curtain walling. Curtain walls are like huge curtains that hang from the building frame and help to maintain a weather-tight envelope around the building, while resisting wind loads and transmitting them to the frame. Vertical and horizontal extruded aluminum mullions serve as the structural members.

Roofing is another area where aluminum is used extensively. Stand seam aluminum roofing is a popular product. Being light weight, strong and durable, aluminum is seen as a good roofing material. Unlike other forms of roofing, like tiles, aluminum roofing does not require structural reinforcement. Its corrosion resistant property makes it a good roofing choice in coastal areas. As aluminum is more malleable, it allows for intricate and detailed designs making a strong and beautiful roof.

As already mentioned, aluminum is also used in doors, windows, stair railings, false ceilings, structural glazing, and even false flooring.

Compared to other metals (to go in a separate box)

Aluminum – Corrosion resistant

Carbon steel – Self destructs over time due to continual conversion of the base metal to iron oxide

Stainless steel – Chromium in alloy mixture oxidizes on the surface of the metal, forming a thin transparent film.

Aluminum – Often used without any finish coating or painting reducing costs

Steel – Has to be painted adding to costs, also coatings may have to be periodically replaced

Aluminum – Elasticity is about one-third that of steel’s making it suitable only for stocky columns

Steel – Suitable for slender columns as well

There are several prominent buildings that have used aluminum as an integral part in the construction process.

Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is one of the most famous landmarks of New York City. Designed by architect William Van Alen and standing about 1046 feet, the building was very briefly the tallest in the world. The exterior of the building makes heavy use of metal, with special reference to the automobile. Metal hubcaps, radiator caps, car fenders and hood ornaments have all been used effectively to make the building one of the foremost examples of the art deco style of designing.

The exterior of the building makes heavy use of aluminum.

Experience Music Project

A tribute to the legendary Jimi Hendrix, the Experience Music Project is a vibrant structure designed by architect Frank O Gehry. Located in the Seattle Center, the building covers a total of 140,000 square feet. The exterior of the museum was designed using a hi-tech modeling software, which is used for designing Mirage fighter jets. The metal shingles that form the outer shell of the building were cut directly by lasers guided by the software. The architect was inspired by broken guitars while designing the building. The outside is a fusion of textures and colors, reflecting the power and grace of music.

21,000 shingles of aluminum and stainless steel make the exterior.

Citicorp Center

The Citicorp Center, now the Citigroup Center, was completed in 1977 and was the first building in the US to have a tuned mass damper, a device that reduces the sway caused by wind in tall buildings. The 59-storey tower is set on four colossal columns, positioned on the middle of each side rather than the corners. The top of the building is angled at 45°. Standing at 915 feet, it is one of the tallest buildings in New York.

Aluminum and reflective glass were used as facing materials.

Corbin Bridge

The Corbin Bridge in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania underwent an aluminum upgrade in 1996 to increase its live load capacity. The existing superstructure was replaced with a lightweight aluminum deck.

Micro-compact homes

Architect Richard Horden, with a team of students from Technical University Munich Institute, Lydia Haack and the John Hophner Architekten have designed what is being called micro-compact homes—an aluminum cube offering all modern amenities that one needs to live, in less than 665 cubic feet. Each cube is 8 feet 9 inches on each side, with all systems built in to allow inhabitants to live comfortably. The two-ton weighing structures use insulated vacuum aluminum paneling mounted on wood. A galvanized aluminum section provides the basic structure. Heavy-duty glass windows, double security lock doors, and six layers of construction material on the roof and walls make the cubes security safe. The unit was first tested in the university itself by Horden and six students.