Building Construction Materials Research Articles

Development and characterization of sustainable concrete incorporating a high volume of industrial waste materials

Recycling waste materials instead of using traditional construction materials in civil infrastructure and buildings is a significant step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of natural resources. The scope of this research is to identify the properties of sustainable concrete where waste materials such as rubber tires, crushed clay bricks, and crushed glass can be utilized to replace the fine or coarse natural aggregate with substitution percentages of 25, 50, and 100 % by volume. Slump, compressive strength, elastic modulus, impact resistance, density, and sorptivity tests were performed. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X–ray diffraction (XRD) were studied to determine the microstructure properties of concrete. The rubberized concrete mixes showed worse workability, while crushed clay brick and crushed glass concrete showed good workability. The decrease in dry density was 55 % less than the control mix when rubber aggregate was used, while it reached 17 % and 4 % when crushed clay brick and crushed glass aggregate were used, respectively. The compression strength and elastic modulus decreased as waste content increased, except for the fine glass mix. The compression strength of the fine glass mixture was 5.58 % greater than that of the control mixture. The sorptivity of sustainable concrete increased when the amount of waste increased, and its value ranged from 2.7 × 10–3 to 16.5 × 10–3 mm/s½ compared to the control mix, whose value was 2 × 10–3 mm/s½. The findings of this investigation demonstrated that the studied waste materials can be used to produce either sustainable lightweight concrete without severe deterioration of mechanical properties or conventional concrete with better mechanical performance.

Experimental Study on Compressive Strength of Belian Wood Strengthened with Concrete Jacketing

Belian wood is very well known building construction material and been used since long time ago for both structural and non-structural elements. Somehow belian wood buildings which have been being exist for many years or some functional changes in use need structural strengthening. One of the most popular strengthening method is concrete jacketing as it is practical and mechanically increase the capacity of existing structures. This research is conducted in order to experimentally study on the capacity increase of the belian wood strengthened with the concrete jacketing and the effectiveness of shear connector used.This research used 15cmx30cm cylinder samples with 8cmx8cm belian wood as the core. There were five variations of shear connectors used. First variation (S1) without shear connector, second variation (S2) with sieve wiring coil, third variation (S3) with 6mm of diameter reinforcement coil, fourth variation (S4) with safety wiring coil, and fifth variation (S5) with 2 inches of diameter nails. There were 10 samples for each variation. All samples were tested and compared to the compressive strength of conventional belian wood without strengthening. It results in third variation with 6mm of diameter reinforcement coil (S3) come out with the highest compressive strength among all with 75.909% of increase whereas the first variation without shear connector (S1) resulting in highest increase of compressive strength after the concrete collapse with 25.493% of increase which showed the importance of shear connector between those different materials.

Experimental Study on Compressive Strength of Belian Wood Strengthened with Concrete Jacketing

Belian wood is very well known building construction material and been used since long time ago for both structural and non-structural elements. Somehow belian wood buildings which have been being exist for many years or some functional changes in use need structural strengthening. One of the most popular strengthening method is concrete jacketing as it is practical and mechanically increase the capacity of existing structures. This research is conducted in order to experimentally study on the capacity increase of the belian wood strengthened with the concrete jacketing and the effectiveness of shear connector used.This research used 15cmx30cm cylinder samples with 8cmx8cm belian wood as the core. There were five variations of shear connectors used. First variation (S1) without shear connector, second variation (S2) with sieve wiring coil, third variation (S3) with 6mm of diameter reinforcement coil, fourth variation (S4) with safety wiring coil, and fifth variation (S5) with 2 inches of diameter nails. There were 10 samples for each variation. All samples were tested and compared to the compressive strength of conventional belian wood without strengthening. It results in third variation with 6mm of diameter reinforcement coil (S3) come out with the highest compressive strength among all with 75.909% of increase whereas the first variation without shear connector (S1) resulting in highest increase of compressive strength after the concrete collapse with 25.493% of increase which showed the importance of shear connector between those different materials.

Rejuvenating the Market for Earth-Based Building Construction Materials in a Developing Economy

Earth-based materials are useful in building and engineering construction projects globally, but they have largely remained unextracted and wasted, and their use has been limited to rural areas and avoided in modern buildings in the cities. The sustainability market in developing countries is still largely unsaturated and undertapped. This situation is blamed on lack of knowledge of the potential, benefits, and characteristics of green and sustainable building materials. This study aimed at determining the benefits of earth-based materials that could lead to the rejuvenation of the market for their adoption in building construction projects in the urban areas of a developing economy. The study adopted a structured questionnaire administered via electronic means to construction experts using the snowball sampling technique in Nigeria. With a response rate of 62.94% and a reliability index of over 0.90, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study revealed that the main clusters of benefits of earth-based materials that can stimulate the market for these materials in urban areas are "cost and pollution-related benefits," "emissions and environmental benefits," "waste and workability benefits," "sound and fire-related benefits," and "thermal insulation and resource efficiency." The study recommended that housing investors, clients, and stakeholders should capitalise on the availability of large quantities of earthen materials to improve the quantity of housing provisions in cities and urban areas.

Influencing Factors of Cost Control and Environmental Sustainability in Saudi Arabia for Low-Rise Building Construction

Abstract Several elements contribute to the environmental effect of building construction, and many stakeholders share responsibility for these issues. Architects and engineers have a considerable interest in the design of the materials and building methods because they are vital in the creation of a design. The environmental effect of various building construction materials should be evaluated to select environmentally friendly building materials. The environmental effect of life cycle of a material comprises not only the energy used in its production but also emissions released into the environment at each stage of production. Embodied energy is one way of measuring construction and recycling environmental impact and the effectiveness of CO2 emissions. The use of indigenous and local construction materials together with energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternatives, including different forms, construction, and management techniques, reduces needless spending by cutting down on construction expenses. This study focuses on developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to environmental sustainability and cost control in low-rise building construction in Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries by using alternative construction and management techniques and environmentally friendly and energy-efficient innovative materials. Multiple design alternatives, which utilize appropriate cost effective building materials, consider the physical environment, utilize methods of industrialization, and incorporate cost effective construction techniques, are discussed.

Performance testing of the thermal conductivity measuring equipment on particle board isolators

We investigated the value of thermal conductivity of particle board using a tool designed with the principle of converting electrical energy into heat energy by varying temperatures. This study aims to determine the value of thermal conductivity of oil certain particle board and to what extent it can function as a thermal insulation material and to determine the performance of the thermal conductivity test equipment. The size of this tool is 10 mm of thickness, 65 mm of width, 140 mm of length and 40 mm of height, which is equipped with the function of measuring the conductivity value of the material. The average error value of the temperature sensor compared to the standard thermocouple is 0.8%. By entering the value of the area and thickness of the sample, the average conductivity value of the composite material is 0,028 W/m°C. The low material conductivity value will be used as a building construction material. The data show that the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of this tool are very good for testing the conductivity of a material.

Study of Cost and Construction Speed of Cladding Wall for Lightweight Steel Frame (LSF)

The strategic issue faced by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Republic of Indonesia (PUPR) is the large housing backlog, especially in the urban areas. Low-income communities earning less than 2 USD/day are found as the most vulnerable to lack of access to affordable housing. This experiment aims to find an alternative solution on building construction material in accordance with the Ministry of Public Housing regulation No. 11 of 2011 about affordable housing guidelines. The experiment was carried out on an LSF to compare four different wall cladding materials. The building area was 36 m2 and the total wall cladding area was 95 m2. The wall cladding materials used were metal sheet, lightweight concrete brick, gypsum reinforced cement (GRC) board, and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) fiber. The experiment collected data on purchases of materials to develop the S-curve and measure construction progress. Then, the work unit price analysis (WUPA) approach was carried out to simulate the labor coefficient of construction speed and its comparison to the material costs of the four wall cladding materials. The experiment on this 36 m2 house found that metal sheet is the most efficient material, which took 22.7 h to cover a 95 m2 wall. Later, it was followed by uPVC fiber with 46.6 h, GRC board with 59.7 h, and finally lightweight con-bricks with 85.7 h. Apparently, the metal sheet not only presented the most efficient construction time, but also provided the lowest construction cost with 115.960 IDR/m2 (8.24 USD/m2). It was followed by uPVC fiber at 133.37 IDR/m2 (9.48 USD/m2); GRC board at 146.91 IDR/m2 (10.44 USD/m2) and finally lightweight con-bricks at 156.88 IDR/m2 (11.15 USD/m2). Through WUPA, this study also found that efficient workmanship (construction speed) of the labor greatly affects construction costs.

Paradigm shifts in incinerator ash, sediment material recovery and landfill monitoring

The current paper discusses some selected developments for efficient management of the globally increasing quantity of waste. Incinerator bottom ash (IBA), the heavier ash generated during incineration of municipal waste, is currently utilised in two distinct ways. One pathway is not to fragment IBA and use it as a building material in road construction. This results in reduced landfilled residual but low metal recovery. The other way is to crush the mineral aggregate, thus maximising metal recovery but resulting in higher landfilled, end material. Here emphasis is placed on the second approach as implemented in Switzerland together with the economics and need for improvement of metal recovery from IBA and fly ash. The second theme reports on the viability of recycling mussel shells as a partial substitute for cement to stabilise dredged marine sediments mechanically. This can reduce the consumption of natural resources and lower the amount of binders used in sediment stabilisation practices. Finally, the adequacy of EU’s requirements regarding monitoring of groundwater pollution from landfills is assessed, and recommendations are provided to use bioindicators to determine the impact of landfills on surrounding vegetation.

Development of sand-plastic composites as floor tiles using silica sand and recycled thermoplastics: a sustainable approach for cleaner production

Strict environmental concerns, depleting natural recourses, and rising demand for building construction materials have promoted scientific research toward alternative building materials. This research supports the idea of sustainability and a circular economy via the utilization of waste to produce value-added products. The research explored the potential of waste plastics and silica sand for developing thermoplastic composite as floor tiles. The samples were characterized by water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength, and sliding wear. The morphological analysis of the sand-plastic interfaces was covered under the umbrella of this study. The maximum compressive and flexural strength were found to be 46.20 N/mm2 and 6.24 N/mm2, respectively, with the minimum water absorption and sliding wear rate of 0.039% and 0.143 × 10–8 kg/m, respectively. The study suggests the workability of the developed floor tiles in non-traffic areas of public places. Thus, the study provides a green building material through recycling waste plastics for sustainable development.

Review of Research Progresses and Application of Geothermal Disaster Prevention on Large-Buried Tunnels

Geothermal disaster caused by high geotemperature is a commonly encountered geological problem in tunnel engineering, especially in large-buried tunnels, which is directly related to the safety, technology, and economy of tunnel construction. It seriously affects the personnel security and the performances of construction equipment and building materials, greatly increasing the construction difficulty, and extending the total construction period, which has become a major issue to be urgently solved in the tunnel construction. This paper first briefly introduces the formation mechanism of the high-geotemperature environment of a large-buried tunnel and analyzes the significant influences of high-temperature on personnel, equipment, and materials in the construction process of tunnel engineering. Then, the worldwide research progress of rock mechanics in high-temperature large-buried tunnels is systematically described, including the thermo-mechanical properties of rock mass, the thermo-mechanical properties of shotcrete, and the rheological mechanism and control technology of surrounding rock. Subsequently, the previous geothermal disaster classification of large-buried tunnels is summarized and evaluated. Finally, the research findings of the key technologies of geothermal disaster prevention and control are presented in detail from three aspects of temperature reduction, thermal insulation, and personal protection, which are of great theoretical and practical significance for ensuring the safety design and construction of tunnels in similar geological environment.

Nanotechnology in Residential Building Materials for Better Fire Protection and Life Safety Outcomes

Residential fires are the main source of fire deaths and injuries both in the United States and globally. As such, better fire-resistant building materials are needed to bolster fire protection and to enhance life safety. This is during a time when fewer materials are being used to construct homes. Nanotechnology may be a solution if it can overcome its current barriers to widespread adoption in residential construction, namely economy, sustainability, and safety. This research effort includes a critical examination of the literature from a safety perspective to address fire deaths and prevent personal injuries and illnesses by targeting fortification of residential construction building materials via the use of nanotechnology. The paper reviews nanotechnology for building materials by material type, known toxicity of various nanomaterials used in construction, and a discussion on a way forward through assessing materials by their ability to satisfy the requirements of sustainability, economy, and safety- both as a material designed to reduce fire injury and death and from a toxicological hazard perspective.

Rice-Husk and Sugarcane-Bagasse Ash as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Self-Compacting Concrete

The necessity for reasonable and sustainable different construction materials to cement in emerging countries cannot be underrated. However, cement among the constituent material in concrete production is broadly identified to be the most costly. Therefore, in developing countries, research into the use of alternative materials for civil and building construction is necessary due to the increasing cost of construction materials like cement. Alternative construction materials like agro and industrial wastes etc., are nowadays employed to substitute cement in concrete production. In this paper, Rice-Husk Ash (RHA) and Sugarcane-Bagasse Ash (SBA) as agro-wastes were used to replace cement partially in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) in order to determine their influence on the mechanical properties of the SCC hardened specimens. The percentage replacements used were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the ashes in the corresponding concrete mixes. Concrete cubes and prism specimens were cast, cured and their mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strengths) were evaluated at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The results show that remarkable strength values of compressive and flexural strengths were manifested, when compared with the control specimens. In conclusion, it was established that 5% cement replacement of the ashes used was found to be a favorable value among the percentage replacements considered. Moreover, the study demonstrated the use of agro-wastes which may enhance the reduction of cement usage and will pave the way of innovative and sustainable construction.

Fabrication of Sound Absorption Gypsum/Hempcrete Composite with Robust Antistatic Electricity by Taguchi Optimization Method

ABSTRACT Hempcrete is a sustainable bio-composite consisting of the woody component of hemp stalk, and lime blended with water. Hempcrete has been considered as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction building materials. This study has fabricated hempcrete composite consists of gypsum and hemp shives for sound absorption, and graphite was incorporated to improve the antistatic electricity. Three controlled factors: the length of hemp, the content of hemp, and graphite with four levels for each factor were chosen. Taguchi method based on orthogonal array L16 was employed to conduct the experiments. According to the results of Taguchi’s orthogonal array L16, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the effects of various factors. The determination of optimal production parameters of gypsum/hempcrete composite was also investigated. According to the analysis, it has indicated that hemp content and graphite were the two most effective parameters on sound absorption, where hemp content exhibited a significant effect at 99% confidence level, and the confidence level of graphite is 95%. The antistatic electricity of gypsum/hempcrete composite is highly related to the incorporation of graphite with 99% confidence level.

Fabrication of Metasurfaces on Building Construction Materials for Potential Electromagnetic Applications in the Microwave Band.

Energy self-sufficiency, as well as optimal management of power in buildings is gaining importance, while obtaining power from traditional fossil energy sources is becoming more and more expensive. In this context, millimeter-scale metasurfaces can be employed to harvest energy from microwave sources. They can also be used as sensors in the microwave regime for efficient power management solutions. In the current study, a simple spray printing method is proposed to develop metasurfaces in construction materials, i.e., plasterboard and wood. Such materials are used in the interior design of buildings; therefore, the implementation of metasurfaces in large areas, such as walls, doors and floors, is realized. The fabricated metasurfaces were characterized regarding their electromagnetic performance. It is hereby shown that the investigated metasurfaces exhibit an efficient electromagnetic response in the frequency range (4–7 GHz), depending on the MS. Thus, spray-printed metasurfaces integrated on construction materials can potentially be used for electromagnetic applications, for buildings’ power self-efficiency and management.

MODERN MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES USED IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Introduction: The article addresses the possibility of using universal energy-efficient engineering and technological solutions in mass housing construction, regardless of the climatic region of construction, with account for modern development in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) and Münster (Germany). The article not only considers improvements in building technologies used in modern housing construction but also offers an overview of the latest energy-efficient materials and structures. Purpose of the study: We aimed to introduce energy-efficient solutions in housing construction using innovative technologies and materials. In addition to theoretical materials, practical calculations will be presented, clearly showing the advantages and disadvantages of various engineering and technical solutions. Methods: In the course of the study, we used a) a comparative analysis of physical and thermal properties as well as strength characteristics of building materials used in mass housing construction; b) a problem-logical method to analyze possible typical space-planning and structural solutions for the design and construction of buildings, with account for climatic conditions and geographical features of the construction region, in compliance with the basic principles of modern sustainable construction, energy and environmental standards, economic efficiency of the solutions used, in accordance with international European LEED and BREEAM and Russian GREEN ZOOM standards. Results: We propose to introduce, along with the already well-known and time-tested ones, innovative patented solutions in materials and construction technologies both in private and mass housing construction in the countries under consideration: Russian Federation and Germany. Discussion: The discussion of field tests and implementation of the latest building materials in housing construction clearly demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in this field at various levels. As a consequence of the growing volume of housing construction and energy consumption, there emerge new stricter requirements and standards for the quality of materials produced and their technical characteristics, as well as a variety of decorative solutions enabling the construction market to be competitive and meet the over-demand requirements of the rapidly developing industrial society, while necessarily taking environmental protection measures, including those on conservation and mindful use of natural resources.

Investigating the Energy-Efficient Structures Using Building Energy Performance Simulations: A Case Study

The use of energy efficient structures in the local construction industry assists in promoting green building concepts, leading to economical and eco-friendly solutions for self-sustained structures. The main aim of this study was to examine and compare the energy performance of various local buildings. Detailed 3D building models (house, office, and warehouse buildings) were constructed and investigated for their cost and energy savings using building energy simulation tools (green building studio and insight). Moreover, the effects of various building materials for walls, window panels, and roof construction were explored, and a life-cycle cost analysis was performed. It was observed that the effect of the window-to-wall ratio was less severe in term of energy use in office buildings compared to normal houses due to the larger amount of space available for air circulation. Furthermore, the most efficient location for windows was found to be at the middle of the wall in comparison with the top and bottom positions. The effect of the orientation mainly depended on the symmetry of the building. More symmetric buildings, i.e., tested warehouse buildings (rectangular structure), showed an energy use difference of around 7 MJ/m2/year for a 360° orientation change. Tested house buildings exhibited an energy use difference of up to 25 MJ/m2/year. Three-pane glass windows also showed major improvements, and the total energy consumption for houses was reduced to 14%. Furthermore, wood walls showed comparable energy performance with brick walls without the use of insulation. According to US-LEED guidelines, the tested house, office, and warehouse buildings achieved 79, 89, and 88 points, respectively. The cost recovery period for house, office, and warehouse buildings was estimated to 54, 13, and 14 years, respectively, including running and maintenance costs. It can be argued that the Insight and Green Building Studio packages can assist construction stakeholders to determine the energy efficiency of the modeled building as well as to help in the selection of materials for optimized and improved design.

An energy-efficient form-stable phase change materials synthesis method to enhance thermal storage and prevent acidification of cementitious composite

• Proposed a procedural modification to prepare form-stable PCM composite. • Proposed procedure increased PCM percentage and energy efficiency of the process. • Capric Acid PCM caused acid attack when leaked into the cementitious composite. • Acidification test was recommended to prepare PCM integrated cementitious composite. • Introduced loading rate as a new factor for form shape stablized PCM composite synthesis. Integration of Form-Stable Phase change materials (FSPCM) in building construction materials has been reported to have significant potential to improve building energy efficiency and reduce emissions from this sector. Previous studies on FSPCM only focused on increasing the PCM absorption rate as the performance criteria of FSPCM without considering the energy required to produce such composites. Moreover, the existing leakage performance test used while developing FSPCM is not 100 % reliable in detecting PCM leakage in cementitious materials, which may cause an acid attack and reduce concrete strength. Therefore, this study proposed a modification of existing FSPCM synthesizing methods to improve thermal storage, minimize the embodied energy of FSPCM composites and an acidification test to detect PCM leakage. The proposed method resulted in 75 % absorption of Capric acid PCM in porous hydrophobic expanded perlite (HEP). Moreover, the thermal storage of the prepared CAHEP PCM composite was found to be higher (ΔHm = 136.9 J/g, ΔHs = 134.4 J/g) due to higher PCM absorption. The prepared CAHEP form-stable PCM composite was chemically and thermally stable as observed from a series of standard characterization tests. The loading factor (the ratio of PCM absorption and energy consumed by the process) was found to be three times the existing methods making the proposed method more energy efficient. The compressive strength of CAHEP incorporated cementitious composite and its thermal conductivity increased with increasing PCM absorption. However, at 75 % CA absorption, both the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of the cementitious composite decreased due to acid attack by leaked CA PCM as observed in the acidification test, although the standard leakage test did not show any sign of leakage. No such acid attack was observed for the paraffin PCM composite.

Wood in buildings: the right answer to the wrong question

Reducing the embodied emissions of materials for new construction and renovation of buildings is a key challenge for climate change mitigation around the world. However, as simply reducing emissions is not sufficient to meet the climate targets, using bio-based materials seems the only feasible choice as it permits carbon storage in buildings. Various studies have shown that bio-based materials allow turning overall life cycle impacts negative, therefore, having a cooling effect on the climate. In recent years, scholars and policy makers have focused almost exclusively on the advancement of wooden buildings. Timber structures stand out as they can be prefabricated and used for high-rise buildings. Yet, one important aspect seems to be overlooked: the consideration of supply and demand. Large forest areas that allow sustainable sourcing of woody biomass only exist in the Northern hemisphere, notably in North America and Europe. In these regions, though, urbanization rates are mostly stagnating, meaning new construction rates are low. The largest amount of material requirements in these regions are derived from the refurbishment of the existing stock. Moreover, in areas where structural material is needed for new construction, in Asia, Africa and South America, rain forests need to be protected. Therefore, we need to rethink the desire to find one solution and carelessly implement it everywhere. Instead, we need to consider locally available material and know-how for grounded material choices. This paper explores the supply of a range of bio-based materials and matches it against the material demand of global building stocks. It is based on various previous studies by the authors, of South Africa, China, Portugal, and more. The analysis divides between structural materials for new construction, such as wood and bamboo, and thermal insulation materials for the refurbishment of existing buildings, such as straw and hemp. The results emphasize the need for diversifying bio-based material solutions.

Synthesis of ternary binders and sand-binder ratio on the mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymer foamed concrete

The development of sustainable construction building materials with a lower environmental impact throughout both the manufacturing and operation phases of the material lifecycle is capturing the attention of the global housing and construction sectors. Recent advancements have resulted in the development of geopolymer foam concrete, which combines the performance and energy savings associated with lightweight foam concrete with the cradle-to-grave emissions reductions associated with the use of a geopolymer binder composed of supplementary cementitious materials (by-products). The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of sand to binder ratio and by-product materials, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, palm oil fuel ash, palm oil clinker powder and bottom ash on structural grade geopolymer foamed concrete with a density of 1700 kg/m3. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, rupture modules, and static and dynamic modules of elasticity were investigated; microstructure investigations using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were also reported. The results show that geopolymer foamed concrete (GFC) with a structural grade concrete of compressive strengths ranging from 27 to 39 MPa could be produced. The use of fine sand improved the geopolymer foamed concrete's mechanical and microstructural characteristics. The tensile strength, modulus of rupture, and elasticity modulus were found in the ranges of 0.9 – 2.53 MPa, 1.35 – 4.28 MPa, and 3.54 – 6.86 GPa, respectively. The non-uniform distribution of the voids of ternary composites geopolymer foamed concrete and the formation of calcium aluminosilicate hydrates C-(N-) A-S-H gel are found.

Evaluating the quality of electrical wires used for residential building wiring in Delta State, Nigeria

The utilization of counterfeit and substandard building materials for residential building construction had become a major concern, due to the hazards the occupants of those buildings are being subjected to. This research was carried out to appraise the quality of electrical wires used for residential building wiring in Delta State, Nigeria, and to also investigate the reasons why property developers still use these substandard materials despite the glaring negative consequences. Three commonly used electrical wire sizes (1.5, 2.5 and 4 mm2) for residential building electrical wiring were randomly selected within the Delta state, and their electrical properties (electrical resistance and electrical resistivity) and mechanical properties (area, tensile strength, and tensile strain) were determined following the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 400), Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS), and America Standard Testing Material (ASTM) International recommended procedures; also, well-structured questionnaires were administered to four groups of respondents. The findings indicated that the mechanical and electrical properties of most electrical wires, used for residential building wiring in Delta State failed to meet NIS standards. Across the five sampling locations, the mean electrical resistivity of the 1.5 mm2 wire ranged between 2.04±0.07x10-7 and 2.09±0.08x10-7 Ωmm, while the 2.5 mm2 wire's mean electrical resistivity varied from 1.90±0.06x10-7 to 1.97±0.13 x10-7 Ωmm, and the 4 mm2 wire’s mean electrical resistivity varied from 1.75±0.08 x10-7 to 1.87±0.06 x10-7 Ωmm. Also, across the five sampling locations, the mean tensile strength of the 1.5 mm2 wire ranged between 144.1 and 163.3 MPa, while the 2.5 mm2 wire's mean tensile strength varied from 163.2 to 177.4 MPa, and the 4 mm2 wire’s mean tensile strength varied from 169.4±20.6 to 185.4±17.2 MPa. Furthermore, the analysis of variance indicated that sampling location had no significant effect on the wires' mechanical and electrical properties (p≤0.05); portraying that this fraudulent practice is widespread across the state. The analysis of the questionnaire results confirmed that financial constraints and inappropriate actions of many building contractors were the major contributing factors to the utilization of substandard wires for residential building wiring in Nigeria. Based on this study's findings, it is recommended that standard regulatory agencies should step up their efforts against substandard building materials, to avoid its impending danger in Nigeria.