COPPER as building material

Advance building material

Under guidance of: Prof. Tuhin Maparu

Submitted by: Ipsita Mishra(114ar0008)

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROURKLEA
Contents

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2

2.Extraction (from chalcopyrite) ..................................................................................................... 2

3.Properties ..................................................................................................................................... 2

4.Alloys of copper ........................................................................................................................... 3

5.General uses ................................................................................................................................. 4

6.Architectural uses......................................................................................................................... 4

7.Examples ...................................................................................................................................... 4

8.Sustainability................................................................................................................................ 5

9.Cool roofing system ..................................................................................................................... 6

10.Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 6

11.Refrences.................................................................................................................................... 6

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1. Introduction
Copper is a ductile and malleable base metal
that is valued for its high thermal
and electrical conductivity. A freshly
exposed surface of pure copper has a reddish-
orange color.it is obtained from various ores.
For example: Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2),
Chalcocite (Cu2S), Covellite (CuS), Bornite
(Cu5FeS4), Enargite (Cu3AsS4) etc.

For the past quarter century, copper

has been designed into a much wider range of
buildings, incorporating new styles, varieties
of colors, and different shapes and
textures. Copper clad walls are a modern
design element in both indoor and outdoor
environments.
2.Extraction (from chalcopyrite)
Heating the ore with silica in flash
smelting removes much of the iron as slag.
The resulting copper matte, consisting of
Cu2S, is roasted to convert all sulfides into
oxides.
2 Cu2S + 3 O2 2 Cu2O + 2 SO2
Then the cuprous oxide is converted to blister
copper upon heating:
2 Cu2O 4 Cu + O2
In the third step natural gas is blown across
the blister to remove most of the remaining
oxygen and electro refining is performed on
Fig 1 process showing extraction of copper
the resulting material to produce pure copper
Cu2+ + 2 e Cu
3.Properties
3.1 Strength: copper has weak strength so; it
is not a good choice for structural
applications.
3.2 Toughness: copper is not easy to break
due to its high toughness. Therefore, useful
for piping and tube.
3.3 Ductility: it is very ductile in nature. The
electrical wiring and jewelry formed from the
copper due to its ductility.
3.4 Malleable: copper is malleable as well.
Sheets of copper can be made hence it can be
used as cladding material.

3.5 Conductivity: it is second best conductor

of electricity and heat. Used for cookware
and electrical wirings.

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3.6 Corrosion resistance: Due to formation
of patina copper becomes corrosion
resistance.
3.7 Low thermal movement: Low thermal
expansion of copper helps to prevent
deterioration and failure of the structure.
3.8 High melting point: due to the high
melting point it does not creep or stretch as
some other metals do.
3.9 Light weight: In comparison to other
metals it is lighter and hence easy to be used.
3.10 Fire resistance: it is very much resistant
to fire. It actually extinguishes embers,
sparks or other burning materials.
3.11 Antimicrobial: Uncoated Copper and
Copper alloys (e.g., Brass, Bronze, Copper
nickel, Copper-nickel-zinc) have strong
intrinsic antimicrobial properties for
bacteria, molds, fungi and viruses
3.12 Formation of Patina: On metal, patina
is a coating of various chemical compounds
such as oxides, carbonates, sulfides, or
sulfates formed on the surface during
exposure to atmospheric elements (oxygen,
rain, acid rain, carbon dioxide, sulfur-bearing
compounds). the formation of Patina helps in
weather resistance.
Naturally in copper film of Copper
sulfate, Carbonate and Chloride salts are
formed as patina hence makes it durable for
use.
3.13 Wide range of finishes: surface of
Copper or Copper alloys are chemically
alterable to create a different color. So a wide
range of finishes are available for use.
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1 year to 3 years
4 years to 30 years
Fig 2 Colour of copper patina over years
4.Alloys of copper
4.1 Nickel silver:
It has 60% of copper with 20% of nickel and
20% of zinc. As opposed to its name, it does
not contain silver, but has a similar
appearance. It is often made into musical
instruments and jewelry.
4.2 Bronze:
Bronze has 88-95% of copper with 12% of
tin. Used in making of coins, cymbals and
artworks
4.3 Aluminum bronze:
It is another alloy of copper with 74-95% of
copper in it and 5% to 11% of aluminium.it
has a higher corrosion resistance than regular
bronze which makes it useful in marine
applications.
4.4 Brass:
One of the commonly known alloy of copper
is brass. it has 50-90% of copper ,416% of
zinc and 0.05% of iron and lead. Used
commonly in doorknobs, handrails, handles
etc.
4.5 Cupronickel: and antimicrobial handrails, bathroom
fixtures, and counter tops, doors, push plates
Another alloy of copper and nickel which has
doors. Copper doorknobs are used by
55-90% of copper and 10% nickel to 45% of
hospitals to reduce the transfer of disease.
nickel.it is used in coins, marine applications,
Copper and its alloys are the most common
and musical instrument strings.

4.6 Beryllium copper: 7.Examples

This alloy has 97-99.5% of copper and rest
beryllium. It is incredibly strong but has a
toxic effect and it does not spark, making it
safe for use in dangerous gas environments.

4.7 Bell metal:

It is an alloy of Tin and copper. It has 78% of

tin and 22% of copper.as the name suggests
it is used for making Bells as well as utensils,
canons etc.
5.General uses
Due to its high electrical conductivity it is
used in electrical wires and motors as well as
in electronic devices. The alloys used for
jewelry, musical instruments, coins, handles
etc.
7.1 Berlin Cathedral Church Copper
roof
The building was heavily damaged during
the war. The current building was
completed in 1905 with copper due to light
weight of metal. The copper roof has
turned to a beautiful patina color due to
natural oxidation.

6.Architectural uses
The copper use in architecture can be linked
to its durability, corrosion resistance,
prestigious appearance, and ability to form
complex shapes. For centuries, craftsmen and
designers utilized these attributes to build
aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting
building systems. Major use of copper in
buildings are roofs, rain 7.2 Kresge Auditorium, MIT
gutters, downspouts, domes, spires, vaults,
It was originally covered with smooth,
and doors etc.
bright stone, which was then replaced with
Some specific use of copper is in wall lead sheeting attached with stainless steel
cladding, building expansion joints, radio wires. As cracks were found in the structure
frequency shielding Copper is replaced for lead.

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7.3 Wales Millennium Centre, Wales
The Centre's main feature, the bronze
coloured dome which covers the Donald
Gordon Theatre which is clad in steel that
was treated with copper oxide. It was
designed to withstand the weather conditions
on the Cardiff Bay waterfront and due the
patina formation it will look increasingly
better with age.
7.4 Capital Museum, Beijing
The Bronze Exhibition Hall, which has an
oval-shape, was also meant to symbolize
the unearthing of ancient relics by its
slanting design. Copper aesthetically
enhances interior.
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7.5 University of Virginia The
Rotunda
The original rotunda was inspired by
Pantheon and made of wood and brick.
After a fire hazard it was rebuilt with
copper.
7.6 The Statue of Liberty, New York
Material chosen for the skin was Copper in
which sheets were heated and then struck
with wooden hammers. An advantage of this
choice was that the entire statue would be
light for its volume.
8.Sustainability
Copper is a sustainable material. Its
durability offers long service with little
maintenance. Its high electrical and thermal
energy efficiencies reduce the waste of
electrical energy. Its antimicrobial properties
destroy pathogenic microorganisms that
cause disease. And its high scrap value and
ability to be continuously recycled without pigments and reflective coatings in asphalt
any loss in performance ensure its and other metals.
responsible management as a valuable
Copper can also be used as a cool roof
resource. The major points that proves it
material with proper ventilation. Ventilated
sustainability are:
copper roof systems take advantage of
Recyclability: Copper and its alloys are convective heating and cooling by properly
virtually 100% recyclable and can be venting the systems at the eaves and ridges.
recycled infinitely without any loss of The copper roof system with the fluted
quality. metal deck dropped peak ceiling heat flux
23 percent more than the coated steel
Energy efficiency: Due to its conductivity it
shingle roof system and Total reduction for
reduces loss of energy transferring through
the copper roof system at 50 percent of the
this. Also the embedded energy of copper is
control asphalt roof system. So this is
lower in comparison to other metals.
becoming one of the major used roofing
Long life cycle: Performance, maintenance, system in modern days.
service life, and recovery costs from
recycling are factors that determine the cost
effectiveness of building components. While
coppers initial cost is higher than some other
architectural metals, it usually does not need
to be replaced during the life of a building.
Due to its durability, low maintenance, and
ultimate salvage value, the additional cost for
copper may be insignificant over the life of a
10.Conclusion
roofing system Copper has its advantages in many ways.
Although due to its low strength it cannot be
Cost effectiveness (Low life cycle costs): it
used as structural member. But it has its own
is durable for a long time period with very
special specific uses which makes it a useful
low maintenance which provides its cost
building material.
effectiveness.
11.Refrences
9.Cool roofing system
When cool roofing is discussed, two main Schulte, D. (2014). 5 Inspiring Copper
factors usually define the effectiveness of a Roofing Example5 Inspiring Copper
particular material: reflectance (the ability to Roofing Examples. Retrieved from
reflect solar energy) and emittance (the https://www.schulteroofing.com/latest-
infrared radiation energy released from the
news/5-inspiring-copper-roofing-
roof). Reflectance and emittance values
typically are achieved through paint examples/

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Kireta, A. Jr. Copper roof systems prove to Statue of Liberty. Wikipedia, the free
be energy efficient and encyclopedia. Retrieved from
sustainable. Professional roofing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_L
magazine March 2014. Retrieved from iberty
https://www.copper.org/publications/pub
Green Patina Finishes. Copper Development
_list/pdf/ProfessionalBuilderMarch2014-
Association Inc. Retrieved from
reprint.pdf
https://www.copper.org/resources/propert
Berlin Cathedral. The Official Website of ies/protection/finishes/green.html
Berlin. Retrieved from
Copper in architecture. Wikipedia, the free
https://www.berlin.de/en/attractions-and-
encyclopedia. Retrieved from
sights/3559744-3104052-berlin-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_in_
cathedral.en.html
architecture
Copper ores. Danafloat. Retrieved from
http://www.danafloat.com/uk/mining_or
es/copper

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