Materials+Review


 * __Augusto -__** Hey, is your name Adriana?


 * __Adriana -__** Yes, how do you know?


 * __Augusto -__** Its me, Augusto!


 * __Adriana -__** Oh my gosh! It has been so long! Well how are you, whats going on in your life?


 * __Augusto -__**I'm fine, great actually. I heard that you became a professional and you use brick in many constructions. Is it true?


 * __Adriana -__** It is true, I feel terrible for not knowing whats going on in your life...


 * __Augusto -__**Don't worry about it. I have been working in constructions too. I have been using stone as a construction material for most of my projects.


 * __Adriana -__** Really! are you serious!? because I have been looking for someone to tell me about stone because a customer wants to use that in her house and no body in my office know much about stone as a construction material.. So can you tell me the main characteristics of stone?


 * __Augusto –__** Sure, stone can be treated in two possible ways, ** the cheapest and simplest stonework is ** rubble ** (roughly broken stones of any shape bounded in mortar) **, and the second one is called ashlar masonry ** (which is the strongest and most suitable stonework for monumental architecture) **, in which the stone is regularly cut in blocks. ** Since stones are so hard, they are usually used as columns and piers, and beams such as lintels, to give excellent support. Its funny that you say that about stone, because in my office we have the same problem but with brick, so can you tell me advantages and disadvantages of brick? **


 * __Adriana –__** Of course, there are at least six main advantages for using brick. First of all, brick is virtually maintenance free.. it never needs painting, caulking or staining. Second brick will not burn, which can lower homeowner insurance rates. Third, brick is energy efficient. Fourth brick is an effective sound barrier. Five brick homes have market appeal.And six brick homes have a excellent resale value. ** Unfortunately, among its disadvantages are 1) **Brick adds a lot of weight to the foundation. 2) You will probably find most of your brick on the ground after an earthquake (repair is expensive) c) It's difficult to change the appearance if you get tired of your brick although painting is an option. So, c** an you tell me the advantages and disadvantages of stone? **


 * __Augusto –__** No problem, among the advantages of stones are durability, adaptability to sculptural treatment , ** and the fact that it can be used in modest structures in its natural state. ** But like everything else, stones also have disadvantages, and these are: they are weak in tension ** (which limits its use for beams, lintels, and floor supports) **, expensive, unstable with loads pushing at angles and they are difficult to quarry, transport and cut. ** Another disadvantage is that stone vaults and arches require more support and buttressing than equivalent forms in other materials. And could you just tell me one more thing? Can you tell me which are bricks main characteristics? **


 * __Adriana -__** Brick has been used in construction for thousands of years. Brick is made of fired clay. It has a timeless look that adds value and distinction to your home. Up until the early 1900's brick was used as a structural component for walls. However, brick is rarely used as a structural component in residential construction today. Brick is used today as a veneer and carries no structural load except for** . They are bonded with clay. Can I ask you one last question? **


 * __Augusto -__** ** Absolutely. I forgot to ask you in what great buildings has brick been used? **


 * __Adriana –__** I was going to ask you the very same question about stone, isn’t that funny? Well brick has been used in urban planing, for example in italy in plaza del campo, and a famous building made with brick is Harvard University in Cambrige MA.


 * __Augusto -__** Well some of the greatest stone buildings are castles, almost any castle is made with stone and there are many different places built in stone, like ruins, and parks and so on.** Well I have to go now, bye, take care. Thankyou. Sorry to be so abrupt but I just checked the time and I’m late for a meeting. **


 * __Adriana –__** ** Well I have to go too, bye. I’ll see you another day. Give me a call to see each other again and have another fascinating conversation. Thankyou and take care, too. **


 * __Augusto -__** ** Sure, bye **

here are a few comments about different uses given to stone over time. The comments are really basic because I believe that the picture can say more that i can say with just words

media type="custom" key="3563682" A great link to check to learn more about stone and brick is http://www.infoforbuilding.com/Masonry_N.html