Building materials in the hot climate zones

Cane and leaves are available in the warm-humid zones and grass in the intermediate and
subtropical zones. Vine, bamboo and palm-fronds are used for buildings in the warm-
humid zones. Because these materials are light, do not store heat, and allow the free
passage of air, they are frequently used for making roofs. However, they have a relatively
short life span because they deteriorate rapidly due to termite attack. They are also highly
combustible.
Both hardwoods and softwoods are found in most tropical and subtropical areas with the
exception of the hot dry zones. On external woodwork preservative stains should be used
rather than paints which tend to deteriorate fairly rapidly in the hot zones. Extremes of
climatic conditions cause dimensional changes producing cracks, splits and warping.
Wind-blown sand and grit gradually erode exposed timber. In warm-humid zones timber
is liable to wet and dry rot and to attack by termites and beetles.
Earth is one of the most widely used traditional building materials in hot-dry lands. Earth
is used not only for walls but also for roofs; mud brick vaults and domes are common in
countries like Iran and Egypt. Because mud has less strength than most other construction
materials, mud walls are built thicker. Partly due to the thickness of mud walls and partly
due to its slow thermal conductivity, rooms built of mud are much cooler in hot climates
than those of any other materials. Mud bricks are brittle and do not withstand tension
well. For this reason the vault and the dome were evolved in the East. There is a high risk
of termite damage in some areas. Walls exposed to weathering and rain require frequent
repair work.
Concrete and reinforced concrete are widely used throughout the non-temperate zones.
Cement is manufactured locally in many places. Sand is found almost everywhere, but it
may be contaminated with soluble salts. Suitable aggregate may be difficult to find.
Concrete is most frequently used for the structure, foundations and floor slabs of
buildings. Care must be taken when using concrete for walls and roofs. Heat builds up on
the exterior of concrete walls and roofs due to solar radiation and surface temperature
usually exceed air temperature. Then, because concrete walls tend to be thin and concrete
has low resistance to the passage of heat, heat is conducted into the interior. Salts in
aggregate and water can cause corrosion of the reinforcement and subsequent spalling of
the concrete cover. In hot-dry areas the rapid evaporation and shortage of water can result
in low strength, cracking and high permeability.
MATERIAL AVAILABILITY USE PROPERTIES PROBLEMS/
DURABILITY
cane, leaves, Warm-humid
vine, bamboo, zones
palm-fronds
Grass

Hardwoodsand
softwoods
Earth

Concrete