Construction Field 2.0

CONSTRUCTION
FIELD
What is
construction field?
The construction sector is essential to the growth and
development of society as it creates the physical
infrastructure necessary for communities to thrive. It
involves a complex network of professionals,
including architects, engineers, contractors and
laborers, who work together to complete
construction projects
Five important minerals
in the construction field are:
Limestone: Used in the production of cement and

concrete.
Sand: A key ingredient in concrete and mortar.
Gypsum: Used in plasterboard and drywall.
Dolomite: Used as a road base material.
Iron Ore: Essential for steel production, a fundamental
construction material.
LIMESTONE
Limestone is primarily composed of the
mineral calcite (calcium carbonate). Several
properties of calcite make it important in the
formation of limestone
1. Abundance
• Calcite is a common mineral found in Earth's crust. It
can be found in various geological settings, including
sedimentary rocks, marine environments, and caves,
making it readily available for limestone formation.
2. Sedimentary process
• limestone typically forms through the accumulation of
calcite-rich sediment, often in marine environments.
Over time, the accumulation of these sediments
undergoes compaction and cementation, turning them
into solid limestone rock.
Formation:
• Limestone typically forms in marine environments, such as shallow seas
and coral reefs. The primary process involves the gradual deposition of
calcium carbonate from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms like
coral, mollusks, and foraminifera. Over time, these sediments are
compacted and cemented together, creating limestone rock.
Production:
• Limestone can be produced for various purposes, including
construction, agriculture, and industry. This is typically done
through quarrying or mining. The process involves identifying
suitable limestone deposits and then extracting the rock using
heavy machinery and explosives, if necessary.
Extraction:
• Holes are drilled into the rock, explosives are placed, and
controlled explosions fracture the rock.
Limestone is considered a nonrenewable resource
because it is formed over geological time scales,
and its extraction occurs much faster than its
natural replenishment.
There can be environmental
impacts associated with
limestone extraction and use,
such as:
• Habitat destruction
• Water pollution
• Carbon emissions
Sand
The properties of a mineral that make it important in creating sand are its
hardness, composition, and weathering resistance.
Formation:
• Sand is primarily formed through the weathering and erosion of rocks
and minerals over long periods of time.
Natural Production:
• Natural processes, including river erosion, coastal wave action, and
wind-driven abrasion, play a significant role in producing sand.
Extraction:
• Sand can also be extracted from natural deposits through mining and
quarrying
Uses of Sand in Construction
Field
Sand is commonly used in construction to give
materials like concrete, mortar, asphalt, and
cement strength, mass, and stability. However,
not all sand is created equal, as some contains
boulders and impurities that make it less durable
and stable for construction.
Sand is considered a nonrenewable resource when it is extracted from
natural sources at a rate faster than it can be naturally replenished.
This is often the case in many regions where sand is extensively
mined for construction and manufacturing purposes.
GYPSUM
Gypsum is moderately soluble in water,

which makes it useful in industries like
construction and agriculture.
Uses of Gypsum in Construction
Field
Building gypsum is used as heating resistant,
moisture preserving, sound absorbing and fire
proofing material. As a building decorative
material, it is widely used in ceiling and
partition projects.
• Formation: Gypsum primarily forms through the
evaporation of water containing dissolved calcium
sulfate. When the water evaporates, the calcium
sulfate precipitates and crystallizes, eventually
forming gypsum deposits.
• Mining: Gypsum is typically extracted from the
earth through mining
• Once extracted, the gypsum rock is crushed into
smaller pieces and then ground into a fine powder.
Gypsum is considered a nonrenewable
resource because it is primarily obtained
through mining, and its formation process
takes millions of years. Mining gypsum can
have several environmental impacts,
including habitat disruption, water pollution
from runoff, and energy consumption during
extraction and processing.
Dolomite
Dolomite is an anhydrous carbonate mineral and
primarily composed of calcium magnesium
carbonate, making it significant in geological
formation due to its, hardness and strength,
dolomite is relatively hard, making it useful in
construction materials and as a building stone.
Uses of Dolomite in
Construction Field
As a construction aggregate, dolomite has an
impressively low water demand, allowing for
cement savings in concrete applications. It is
also used as a road base material, an
aggregate in concrete and asphalt, a railroad
ballast, fill-material, and in the production of
bricks, blocks, and lintels, etc.
It forms through a process where limestone, primarily made of
calcium carbonate, is altered by magnesium-rich groundwater.
To produce dolomite, natural geological processes involving heat,

pressure, and mineral-rich water are crucial. These processes
occur over long geological periods.
Extracting dolomite involves mining in quarries where the rock is

blasted, crushed, and then processed to extract the dolomite
minerals. The extracted dolomite can be used in various industrial
applications, including construction, agriculture, and
manufacturing.
Dolomite itself is a naturally occurring mineral composed of
calcium magnesium carbonate, making it nonrenewable on
human timescales. It's mined from deposits in various parts of
the world.
.
The environmental impacts associated with dolomite mining
and use include habitat destruction, alteration of landscapes,
and potential water pollution due to runoff from mining
activities. Additionally, dust and particulate matter generated
during mining and processing can contribute to air pollution.
Proper mining practices and environmental regulations are
important to mitigate these impacts.
IRON ORE
Iron ore is primarily composed of iron oxides, and the most
important minerals that contribute to its formation are
hematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4). These minerals
are crucial for the production of iron because of their iron
content and other properties:
- High Iron content
- Rich Color
- magnetic properties
Uses of Iron Ore in
Construction Field
98 per cent of all iron ore is converted into pig
iron for steel making. It is then used in
construction, transportation, energy infrastructure
and even household appliances. Buildings,
bridges and other essential infrastructure around
the world are built with steel that's made from
iron ore.
Formation
Iron ore primarily originates from rocks known as banded
iron formations (BIFs) or iron-rich sedimentary rocks.
Production
Iron ore is extracted through various mining methods,
which include open-pit mining, underground mining, and
strip mining.
Extraction
Iron and steel are used in a wide range of industries for
making products like cars, buildings, appliances, and
machinery.
Iron ore is considered a nonrenewable resource.
It's a finite natural resource that is mined from the
Earth's crust, and its formation takes millions of
years. Once extracted and used, it cannot be easily
replaced on human timescales.
The environmental impact associated with iron ore
mining and its use includes habitat destruction,
deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas
emissions.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING

Construction Field 2.0

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Construction Field 2.0

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Construction Field 2.0

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CONSTRUCTION

Limestone: Used in the production of cement and

Gypsum is moderately soluble in water,

To produce dolomite, natural geological processes involving heat,

Extracting dolomite involves mining in quarries where the rock is

You might also like