INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

• Construction Materials

  • materials or supply brought to the site by the contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work
• Traditional Construction Materials


  • Materials that have been used for centuries, often locally sourced and based on traditional knowledge and techniques.
• Modern Construction Materials


  • Newer materials that have emerged in the construction industry, which provide innovative solutions for construction challenges such as strength, durability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Importance of Construction Materials

  • Strength and Durability
  • Safety
  • Aesthetics
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Sustainability
  • Innovation
• Natural Construction Materials

  • Wood
  • Stone
• Man-made Construction Materials

  • Concrete
  • Steel
  • Brick
  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Asphalt
• Mechanical Properties

  • Hardness
  • Toughness
  • Ductility
  • Stiffness
  • Durability
  • Elasticity
• Chemical Properties

  • Corrosion Resistance
  • Fire Resistance
  • Chemical Resistance
• Physical Properties

  • Density
  • Specific Gravity
  • Dimension
  • Porosity
  • Void Ratio
  • Water Absorption
• Destructive Testing


  Evaluation that determines how a component will behave under pressure
• Non-Destructive Testing


  Evaluation that determines how a component will behave without permanently damaging the object
• Destructive Tests


  • Compression Test
  • Tensile Test
  • Flexural Test
• Tests on Aggregates


  • Sieve Analysis
  • Water Absorption
  • Aggregate Abrasion Value
  • Aggregate Crushing
  • Aggregate Impact Value
• Tests on Cement


  • Fineness Test
  • Soundness Test
  • Consistency Test
  • Setting Time Test
• Steel Reinforcement Tests


  • Tensile Strength
  • Bend Test
  • Re-bend Test
  • Shear Test
  • Brinell Hardness Test
  • Impact Test
  • Torsion Test
• Standard-Setting Agencies

  • ASTM-American Society for Testing and Materials
  • AASHTO- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
  • AISC- American Institute of Steel Construction
  • ASCE-American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ACI- American Concrete Institute
  • ISO- International Organization for Standardization
• Wood is commonly used as it is readily available, renewable, biodegradable, and has good insulation properties.
• The main disadvantage of wood is its susceptibility to fire, rot, insect damage, and warping due to moisture content changes.
• Stone

  • used for its aesthetic appeal and resistance to weather and fire
  • used for walls, flooring and decorative features, can be cut, polish for a smooth finish
• Concrete

  • composite material made of cement, aggregates, and water
• Steel

  • high-strength material, used for its durability, resistance to weather and fire, and versatility in construction
  • used for structural framing, roofing, and cladding
• Brick

  • fire clay or concrete block
  • used for its durability, insulation, and fire resistance
  • used for walls, chimneys, and decorative features, can be made in various sizes and colors
• Glass

  • transparent material
  • used for its aesthetic appeal, natural light, and energy efficiency
  • used for windows, doors, facades, and decorative features, tempered or laminated for safety
• Plastics

  • versatile and lightweight material
  • insulation, moisture resistance, and flexibility
  • for piping, insulation, roofing and can be made from recycled materials for sustainability
• Asphalt

  • petroleum-based material
  • used for its durability, waterproofing, and flexibility
  • used for paving roads, parking lots, and driveways
• Compression Test

  • under compressive pressure
• Tensile Test

  • determines yield strength and ductility of a metallic material by pulling up to its breaking point
• Flexural Test

  • evaluates the tensile strength of concrete directly
  • tests the ability of unreinforced concrete beam or slab to withstand failure in bending
  • modulus of rupture
• Hardness

  • ability to resist indentation
• Toughness

  • ability to absorb energy and plastic deformation without fracturing
• Ductility

  • ability to deform in plastic range without breaking
• Stiffness

  • ability to resist deformation within linear range
• Durability

  • ability to last over time without wearing or significant deterioration
• Elasticity

  • property of material which makes it return to its original dimension when the load is removed
• Corrosion Resistance

  • ability to withstand corrosion damage caused by oxidation
• Fire Resistance

  • ability to prevent or delays the passage of excessive heat and fire
• Chemical Resistance

  • ability to withstand the action of acids, alkali, seawater and gases
• Density

  • ratio of mass to its volume
• Specific Gravity

  • ratio of density of a substance to density of water
• Dimension

  • measurement in one direction of a physical object