Chemistry in Civil Engineering-New Products and Applications

The field of civil engineering is ever expanding where technology grows and advances at a very fast pace. Newer constructional materials are introduced every year to cater to these needs. There are certain naturally occurring cement types that have been found to bear many useful properties such as increased strength and work ability and/or reduction in bleeding, segregation and heat of hydration. Examples of such naturally occurring cement include hydraulic lime and powdered surkhi. The paper delves on the various products and technologies that have been developed recently in the area of Civil Engineering. It consists of a discussion on the naturally occurring materials such as low cost paper bricks, bamboo, hydraulic lime and powdered surkhi. Furthermore, there are a host of industrial products with environment-friendly properties such as bamboo, insulated concrete, FRC, RPC, cellular reinforced concrete, diagrid, alternative materials of asbestos, insulated panels, engineered lumber and so on. With such bountiful gifts provide to mankind, it is essential to become more aware of their uses and applications. A detailed study on all of the above materials will facilitate the development of the various practical ways of their applications in the construction industry thus opening a plethora of opportunities. The paper delves on such products and technologies that have been developed recently in the area of Civil Engineering focussing primarily on the naturally occurring materials.