Wood and Concrete as a building material

Abstract

The history of building materials can be traced back to the earliest endeavors of humankind to create shelter. This scholarly investigation centers on wood and concrete as prominent building materials in the context of Finland. While concrete has been widely employed as a construction material across many regions worldwide and remains the most prevalent choice, recent concerns regarding environmental impact and extreme weather conditions have prompted a search for more ecologically sound alternatives in residential and other building projects. Consequently, there is a pressing need to encourage stakeholders to consider alternative building materials that not only match concrete in terms of cost but also present viable competition in the realms of sustainability, maintenance, constructability, and client satisfaction. In this regard, wood has been identified as the primary alternative material to compete with concrete within the Finnish construction sector. This research critically examines both concrete and wood materials, exploring their characteristics, merits, and drawbacks, with a comprehensive evaluation of which material proves superior when considering all pertinent factors such as structural integrity, economic feasibility, environmental impact, and energy considerations. The culmination of diverse investigations provides compelling evidence that wood stands as a superior building material for small and medium-sized structures. Based on these findings, coupled with Finland's ambitious target of achieving climate neutrality by 2035, it is strongly recommended that low-rise, wood-based buildings play a pivotal role in helping the country attain its set objectives. This recommendation takes into account the advantages and disadvantages associated with both wood and concrete constructions..