Modern Materials and New Techniques.

Never in the history of architecture we have noticed so radical changes as in its construction and planning. Due to the population explosion, new developments occurred in almost every field of human endeavor. But these developments were nowhere more wonderful than in the field of architecture.

Stone, bricks, timber and tiles are of course materials which, from time immemorial, have been greatly used in the construction of buildings, large or small, single or complex and are still employed structurally in the traditional way.

The wonderful modern architecture considerably improved and superceded all the old styles in variety and design with invention of new materials and new techniques.

Steel found to be the most suitable structural material for framing of huge cellular buildings. It also helped to produce greater uninterrupted spans over openings. In the beginning the steel was used as truss members but soon the age old method was given up. The new technology helped to use it over great halls in unified frames composed of three dimensions. Steel members rolled in variety of shapes such as plates, angles, I – beams, etc. are joined, riveted and even welded. This resulted into rigid continuous structures thus producing a fundamental change in architectural design.

The use of reinforced cement concrete has produced distinctly new breed of buildings such as sky scrapers. Massive stone walls are now replaced by thin R.C.C. curtain walls thus producing larger interior spaces. Roofs have taken wide range of shapes from flat to flat to barrel vault, to shell roof; hemispherical domes to hyperbolic paraboloid domes.

Pre stressed concrete has helped beyond imagination in the construction of bridges and hangers of Air Ships etc. Glass transparent to ultra violent (for growth) rays but opaque to infra red (heat) rays are extensively used instead of shades, blinds and curtains. Sheets of one way glass (one can see out, but outsiders peeping Toms cannot see in) are largely employed in windows.

Lamination, consisting of glued layers of wood, has helped to form beams and arches to cover a large span than the natural wood. Plywood and other thin boards enable us to cover large surfaces without extensive frame – work.

Chromium and stainless steel which successfully resist the atmospheric influences are largely used.

The plastics are available in wide range of beautiful colors. They are almost all – proof and available in the form of sheets, rods, rolls and pipes.