Composite constructionComposite construction:Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building construction involving multiple dissimilar materials. Composite construction is often used in building aircraft, watercraft, and building construction. There are several reasons to use composite materials including increased strength, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability. It is not to be confused with the Composite order which is a specific order of classical architecture that combines elements of the Ionic and Corinthian orders.

composite action:In structural engineering, composite construction exists when two different materials are bound together so strongly that they act together as a single unit from a structural point of view. When this occurs, it is called composite action. One common example involves steel beams supporting concrete floor slabs.[1] If the beam is not connected firmly to the slab, then the slab transfers all of its weight to the beam and the slab contributes nothing to the load carrying capability of the beam. However, if the slab is connected positively to the beam with studs, then a portion of the slab can be assumed to act compositely with the beam. In effect, this composite creates a larger and stronger beam than would be provided by the steel beam alone.Composite materials:Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct within the finished structure.Plywood is a commonly encountered composite material.

The earliest man-made composite materials were straw and mud combined to form bricks for building construction.

WHY DO WE USE COMPOSITE MATERIALS?There are two main benefits of composite action in structural members. First, by rigidly joining the two parts together, the resulting system is stronger than the sum of its parts. Second, composite action can better utilize the properties of each constituent material. In steel-concrete composite beams, for example, the concrete is assumed to take most or all of the compression while the steel takes all the tension. Steel-concrete composite beams have long been recognized as one the most economical structural systems for both multistory steel buildings and steel bridges. Concrete is the material of choice for the slab because its mass and stiffness can be used to reduce deflections and vibrations of the floor system and to provide the required fire protection. The supporting system underneath the slab, however, is often steel because it offers superior strength-weight and stiffness-weight ratio, ease of handling, and rapid construction cycles. Since both the steel and concrete are already present in the structures, it is logical to connect them together to better utilize their strength and stiffness. They are greatly valued in the construction industry because of their high structural strength. They are also light-weight and are resistant to heat, chemical wear and corrosion. Materials for production of composite building products are cost effective in the overall construction process. Composite beam:A structural member composed of two or more dissimilar materials joined together to act as a unit in which the resulting system is stronger than the sum of its parts. An example in civil structures is the steel-concrete composite beam in which a steel wide-flange shape (I or W shape) is attached to a concrete floor slab.

Composite Materials Used in Construction:1. Steel-Concrete Composite Material:Combining aggregate, sharp sand and a cement binder produces concrete which is used in the construction of roads, bridges and buildings. Though concrete is weak when under tension, it is a very strong material. Addition of wires, metal rods and cables makes it able to withstand tension. Casting cement around these rods produces reinforced concrete. Encasing concrete in a hot rolled steel section produces a steel-concrete composite material. Steel-concrete composite materials are used to construct high rise residential and commercial buildings.2. Plastic Composite Material:

Plastic is an engineered composite material composed of a reinforcement fiber and a polymer binder. Plastic is durable and can resist corrosion. It is light-weight and maintenance costs are low. Plastic composites are designed to produce desired characteristics more than the individual ingredient components. Addition of fillers offers more attributes such as resistance to fire and ultra violet rays. plastic composites have a wide application in the commercial and residential construction of walls, roofs, baths and sinks.3. Wood-Plastic Composite Material:Wood is one of the common materials used in the construction industry. Wood contains cellulose fibers which are strengthened by lignin.Wood-plastic composite can last for a long time due to its resistance to rotting and decay. Because it provides a lower thermal expansion, it is able to withstand harsh climatic conditionsTypes of Composite Materials:The purpose of composites is to allow the new material to have strengths from both materials, often times covering the original materials' weaknesses.

Mud BricksA normal mud brick is sturdy and resistant to compression, but can break if bent. Straw is a material that has excellent tensile strength, meaning that it resists stretching. By combining both, early humans were able to create composite mud bricks that could resist weight and compression as well as stretching.

ConcreteConcrete is a composite material made of cement, sand, stones and water. Combined, concrete is stronger than any one of these materials. Concrete is used heavily in building and road construction FiberglassFiberglass is a material made of tiny glass shards held together by resin and other components. Fiberglass can also be a less expensive alternative to other materials.

The Advantages of Composite Materials :

CostTooling, labor and manufacturing costs are considerably lower for composite materials. Higher performance than steel and aluminum can also mean lower service costs and longer-lasting products or components.Strength and WeightComposites have a much lower density than metals such as steel and aluminum, and are therefore considerably lighter. While metals tend to be equally strong in all directions, composites can be designed to have much higher strength for any single application, thus providing a much better strength-to-weight ratio.StiffnessComposites often contain strong, stiff fibers running through them which provide much added stiffness. Glass and carbon fibers are commonly used as reinforcement.Bad Things About Composite Decking;Fading and StainsComposite decks generally hold up better than wood decks, but they are still prone to weathering over time. In particular, composite decks are prone to fading because they are exposed to sunlight year-round.

Plastic-Like AppearanceComposite decking materials are usually designed to simulate the look of real wood grain. However, in many cases, composite decking has a shiny, plastic-like appearance that belies the natural look that homeowners are usually trying to achieve. Additional Support Required:Composite decking materials are weaker than natural wood, so they cannot support their own weight and may begin to sag if they are not properly supported.