CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
The National Building Code Of The Philippines provides that “materials for
building construction must have a certain quality and physical properties to
be structurally sound”
1. The materials must be able to carry load or weight without changing in
shape permanently
2. Deformation of materials may occur when the load is applied but must
return to its original position when load is removed.
• If the material is non-elastic and deformation is present in the structure
after the removal of the load, repeated loading and unloading will eventually
increase deformation to the point where the structure would become useless.
• All structure materials must possess elasticity within a certain defined
range of loading. If the loading is increased above that range, two types of
behavior may occur brittle or plastic.
• When brittle, the material will break suddenly. When plastic, the material
will flow to a certain load that will ultimately result to fracture.
• The ultimate strength of a material is measured by the stress at which
fracture, or failure occur.
RELEVANCE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
The three important principles to be consider in civil engineering work in
relevance to construction materials and testing:
• SAFETY
• DURABILITY
• ECONOMY
MOST COMMON BASIC CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
CONCRETE:
A composite material made from cement, water, and aggregates (sand and
gravel or crushed stone)
Uses:
Foundations, slabs, walls, pavements, and structural elements due to its high
compressive strength.
CEMENT:
A fine powder made from calcined limestone and clay, which hardens when
mixed with water.
Uses:
Foundations, slabs, walls, pavements, and structural elements due to its high
compressive strength.
AGGREGATES:
Granular materials such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone.
USES:
Provide bulk and strength to concrete and asphalt; used in road construction
and as drainage materials.
WOOD:
A natural material derived from trees, available in various forms (lumber,
plywood, etc.).
USES:
- Framing, flooring, roofing, cabinetry, and finishing materials
MASONRY UNITS:
Building blocks made from materials like clay, concrete, or stone (e.g.,
bricks, concrete blocks)
USES:
Walls, facades, and other structural elements; known for durability and
aesthetic appeal.
ASPHALT
• A viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum used as a binder in road
construction.
USES:
Pavements, roofing materials, and waterproofing applications.
GLASS:
• A transparent or translucent material made from silica and other additives.
USES:
- Windows, facades, and decorative elements; provides natural light and
aesthetic appeal.
INSULATION MATERIALS:
- Materials used to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency
(e.g., fiberglass, foam board, cellulose).
- USES:
Walls, roofs, and floors to enhance thermal performance and energy
Efficiency.
GYPSUM BOARD (DRYWALL):
A panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of heavy
paper.
USES:
Interior walls and ceilings; provides a smooth surface for painting and
finishing.
ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS:
Substances used to bond materials together or seal joints and gaps
USES:
• Various applications in construction, including flooring, roofing, and
windows.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING
Is the process of evaluating the quality and performance of materials used in
construction. It’s important to ensure that materials meet building standards
and are strong enough to prevent accidents and structural failures.
TYPES OF MATERIALS TESTED
• Concrete: Strength, composition, and durability assessments.
• Soil: Compaction, permeability, and shear strength evaluations.
• Asphalt: Mixture composition, density, and performance under load.
• Aggregates: Gradation, specific gravity, and soundness testing.
TESTING METHODS
Destructive Testing:
Involves physically altering or destroying the material to assess its properties
(e.g., compressive strength tests).
Non-Destructive Testing:
Evaluates material properties without causing damage (e.g.. ultrasonic
testing, rebound hammer tests).
ACCREDITATION AND STANDARDS
• Laboratories must comply with standards such as ASTM (American Society
of Testing and Material), AASHTO(American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials), ACI (American Conccrete Institute) and local
building codes.
• Regular audits and certifications ensure testing accuracy and reliability.
BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL TESTING SERVICES
• Access to advanced technology and methodologies for accurate results.
• Timely reporting and analysis to keep projects on schedule.
• Expertise from certified professionals in construction materials testing.
Materials Engineering Concepts
Materials Engineers
Responsible for the selection, specification, and quality control of materials
to be used in a job
Classes of Criteria (Ashby and Jones 2005)
Economic factors
Mechanical Properties
Non-mechanical properties
Production construction considerations
Aesthetic properties
Environmental quality
Economic Factors
Availability and cost of raw materials
Manufacturing costs
Transportation
Placing
Maintenance
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
- response of the material to external loads
- Depends on its properties, magnitude and type of loads, geometry of the
element
- Loading conditions
=> static loading
=> dynamic loading – generate shock or vibration can be periodic, random,
or translunt.
* Consider THICKNES of roof when buying (CaLiPER)
-Stress-Strain Relations
=> Materials deform in response to loads or forces
=> Hooke’s Law
-Elastic Behavior
=> must have an instantaneous response (deformation)
To load, & most return to its original shape when the load is removed.
Young’s modulus of elasticity
Poisson’s Ratio
