Construction materials are essential for building structures and include wood, concrete, steel, and asphalt, each with specific properties like strength and durability. A variety of materials, such as different types of stones, bricks, lime, and mortars, are utilized depending on their applications, with each material having unique characteristics suitable for specific construction needs. Understanding the properties and classifications of these materials is crucial for effective use in construction projects.

1. by Er. Ankaj Kumar

2. What are the Construction Materials?
• Construction materials are the materials used to construct
buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. Common
construction materials include wood, concrete, steel, and
asphalt.
• Construction materials must be strong and durable to
withstand the forces of construction and use. They must
also be able to resist weathering and other environmental
effects.
• The construction materials list includes cement, steel, sand,
concrete, ready-mix concrete, binding wires, aggregates,
bricks, blocks, etc. apart from these, various eco-friendly
construction materials are also used in building
construction

3. Properties of Construction Materials
• Construction materials have many properties that make them
suitable for different applications. Some of the most important
properties include strength, durability, stiffness, and resistance to
fire, water, and pests. Different materials have different
combinations of these properties, so it’s important to choose the
right material for the job.
• Construction materials are designed to withstand various loads and
stresses. Strength is the ability of a material to resist forces that try
to break it. Stiffness is the ability of a material to resist deformation
when force is applied. Toughness is the ability of a material to
absorb energy without breaking. Durability is the ability of a
material to resist wear and tear over time.
• For example, concrete is very strong and durable, but it’s not very
stiff, so it’s not ideal for building bridges. Steel is much stiffer than
concrete, making it a better choice for bridges.

5. STONE
• Many types of stones are available such as basalt,
marble, limestone, sandstone, quartzite,
travertine, slate, gneiss, laterite, and granite
which can be used as construction materials. The
stones used for building construction should be
hard, durable, tough, and should be free from
weathered soft patches of material, cracks, and
other defects that are responsible for the
reduction of strength and durability. Stones for
construction purposes are obtained by quarrying
from solid massive rocks.

9. 10 Types of Stones Used for Building
Constructions
1. Basalt
• Basalt stone, which is also known as traps, is commonly
used in road construction, as aggregate in concrete
production, rubble masonry works for bridge piers,
river walls, and dams. The basalt stone structure is
medium to fine grained and compact.
• The compression strength of this stone type ranges
from 200MPa to 350Mpa, and its weight is between
18KN/m3 and 29KN/m3. Basalt has good resistant to
weather, impervious to moisture, very hard, and very
difficult to dress in fine shapes. The color of basalt
changes from dark gray to black.

12. 2. Granite
• The application of granite in building construction
involves bridge piers, retaining walls, dams, curbs,
stone columns, as coarse aggregate in concrete, ballast
for railways, as damp-proof course and external
cladding of walls, and monumental utilizations. The
structure of granite is crystalline, fine to coarse grain.
• It is considerably hard and durable, and its
compression strength ranges from 100MPa to 250MPa.
It also has low absorption value, least porosity, good
resistance to frost and weathering but it has poor
resistance to fire. It takes polish well, and the color
varies from light gray to pink. The polished granite can
be used as table tops, cladding for columns and walls.

15. 3. Sandstone
• Sandstones in combination with silica cement are
used in the construction of heavy structures. It is
also employed in masonry works, dams, bridge
piers, and river walls. It is composed of quartz
and feldspar and found in different colors such as
white, grey, red, buff, brown, yellow, and dark
gray. The compressive strength ranges between
20MPa and 170MPa, and specify gravity varies
from 1.85 to 2.7. It should be known that
weathering sandstone makes it unsuitable for
building construction.

17. 4. Slate
• Slate shows great variation in its building
properties which depend on the thickness of
the sheets and the color of the rock. It is used
as roofing tiles, slabs, and pavements. It
consists of quartz, mica, and clay minerals.
The compression strength of slate changes
from 100MPa to 200MPa, and its color can be
dark gray, greenish gray, purple gray to black.
The structure of slate is fine grained and its
specific gravity is 2.6 to 2.7

19. 5. Limestone
• All Limestones are not useful for building construction.
Undesirable types are rich in clay or are considerably
soft and practically not suitable for construction works.
However, dense, compact, and fine textured types
which are free from cavities and cracks can be easily
dressed and take a very fine polish.
• Limestone is used for flooring, roofing, pavements and
as a base material for cement. The use of limestones as
facing stones should be avoided in areas where the air
is polluted with industrial gases and also in coastal
regions where saltish winds can attack them

21. 6. Laterite
• Laterite is used as building stone, but its outer
surface needs to be plastered. It contains a
high percentage of iron oxide and can be
easily cut into blocks. Laterite occurs in soft
and hard varieties and the compressive
strength of laterite is between 1.9MPa and 2.3
MPa, and its strength is increased with
seasoning. Laterite color may be brownish,
red, yellow, brown and grey.

23. 7. Marble
• It is used for facing and ornamental works in
columns, flooring, and steps. The compressive
strength of marble varies from 70MPa to
75MPa. Marble stones are quite strong,
uniform in texture, least porous, and take an
excellent polish. It can be easily cut and
carved into different shapes. Marble is
available in different colors like white and
pink.

25. 8. Gneiss
• This type of stone is used for minor
construction since the presence of deleterious
substances in its constituents makes it
undesirable for building construction.
However, hard varieties of gneiss stone may
be employed in construction works. The
compression strength varies from 50MPa to
200MPa. It has fine to coarse grains, and its
color may be light grey, pink, purple, greenish
gray and dark grey.

27. 9. Quartzite
• It is used as building blocks, slabs, and as
aggregate for concrete. The structure of
quartzite is fine to coarse grain and mostly
granular and branded, and mainly composed
of feldspar and mica in small quantities. The
crushing strength is between 50MPa to
300MPa.They are available in different colors
like white, gray, yellowish.

29. 10. Travertine
• It is used for paving, garden paths, and
courtyards. Its specific gravity is 1.68 and
compressive strength varies from 80-120 MPa.
The stone is characterized by pitted holes and
troughs in its surface which means that it has
a porous surface and concentric texture. It can
be polished to a smooth, shiny finish, and
comes in a variety of colors from grey to coral-
red.

31. BRICKS
• Different types of bricks are used in masonry
construction based on material such as clay,
concrete, lime, fly ash etc. Filed field
identification of bricks for their properties, uses
and suitability for different construction works
are important. A brick is an important
construction material which is generally available
in rectangular shape manufactured from clay.
They are very popular from olden days to modern
days because of low cost and durability.

32. Types of Bricks used in Masonry
Construction
Based on the manufacturing process, bricks are
broadly classified into two types,
1. Sun-Dried or unburnt bricks
2. Burnt bricks

33. 1. Sun-Dried or Unburnt Clay Bricks
• Sun-dried or unburnt bricks are less durable
and these are used for temporary structures.
Unburnt bricks preparation involved in 3 steps
they are preparation of clay, molding and
drying. After molding, bricks are subjected to
sunlight and dried using heat from sun. So,
they are not that much strong and they also
have less water resistance and less fire
resistance. These bricks are not suitable for
permanent structures

35. 2. Burnt Clay Bricks
• Burnt bricks are good quality bricks but
however they also consist some defected
bricks. So, burnt bricks are classified into four
types and they are
• First class bricks
• Second class bricks
• Third class bricks
• Fourth class bricks

36. First Class Bricks
• First class bricks are good quality bricks
compared to other classes. They are molded
by table-molding and burnt in large kilns. So,
these bricks contain standard shape, sharp
edges and smooth surfaces. They are more
durable and having more strength. They can
be used for permanent structures. However,
because of their good properties they are
costly than other classes

38. Second Class Bricks
Second class bricks are
moderate quality bricks and
they are molded by ground-
molding process. These bricks
are also burnt in kilns. But
because of ground molding,
they do not have smooth
surfaces as well as sharp
edges. The shape of bricks
also irregular due to
unevenness in ground. These
also will give best results in
strength and durability.
Smooth plastering is required
on the brick structure.

39. Third Class Bricks
Third class bricks are
poor quality bricks
which are generally
used for temporary
structures like unburnt
bricks. These are not
suitable for rainy
areas. They are
ground-molded type
bricks and burnt in
clamps. The surface of
this type of bricks are
rough and they have
unfair edges.

40. Fourth Class Bricks
Fourth class bricks are very
poor quality bricks and
these are not used as
bricks in the structure.
They are crushed and used
as aggregates in the
manufacturing of concrete.
They are obtained by over
burning, because of this
they gets overheated and
obtains brittle nature. So,
they can break easily and
not suitable for
construction purpose.

41. 3. Fly Ash Bricks
• Fly ash bricks are manufactured using fly ash and
water. These bricks have better properties than clay
bricks and great resistant to freeze thaw cycles. These
bricks contains high concentration of calcium oxide
which is used in cement production, thus it is also
called as self-cementing brick. Fly ash bricks are
lightweight and thus it reduces self weight of
structures. The advantages of fly ash bricks over clay
bricks are that they have high fire insulation, high
strength, uniform sizes for better joints and plaster,
lower water penetration, does not require soaking
before use in masonry construction. Read More on Fly
Ash Bricks and Comparison with Clay Bricks

42. 4. Concrete Bricks
• Concrete bricks are manufacturing using concrete with
ingredients as cement, sand, coarse aggregates and
water. These bricks can be manufactured in sizes as
required. The advantages of using concrete bricks over
clay bricks are that they can be manufactured at
construction site, reduces quantity of mortar
required, can be manufactured to provide different
colors as pigmented during its production. Concrete
bricks are used for construction of masonry and framed
buildings, facades, fences, and provide an excellent
aesthetic presence.

43. 5. Engineering Bricks
• Engineering bricks have high compressive
strength and are used special applications
where strength, frost resistance, acid
resistance, low porosity is required. These
bricks are commonly used for basements
where chemical or water attacks are prevalent
and for damp proof courses.

44. 6. Sand Lime or Calcium Silicate Bricks
• Calcium silicate bricks are made of sand and
lime and popularly known as sand lime bricks.
These bricks are used for several purposes in
construction industries such as ornamental
works in buildings, masonry works etc.

48. LIME
• Lime is one of the basic building material used mainly as lime
mortar in construction. Properties of building lime, advantages, and
uses in construction is discussed. The broad category of lime is non-
hydraulic and hydraulic lime. The non-hydraulic lime is called as
quick lime, fat lime or white lime or as lump lime. Hydraulic lime
sets under water and non-hydraulic lime do not set under water.
Quick Lime is a form of lime is manufactured by the burning of
stone that has calcium carbonate within it. The burning temperature
varies, say 900 degree Celsius and above for several hours. This
process is called as calcination. The solid product that remain after
the removal of carbon dioxide in the calcium carbonate is called as
the quicklime.
• CaCO3 (Calcium carbonate) --> CaO (Calcium Oxide – Quick
Lime) + CO2

52. CEMENT
• A cement is a binder substance used for
construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to
other materials to bind them together. Cement is
one of the most widely used materials in
existence and is only behind water as the planet’s
most-consumed resource. Cement materials can
be classified into two distinct categories: non-
hydraulic cement and hydraulic cement according
to their respective setting and hardening
mechanisms.

57. METAL

59. TIMBER
• Wood is one of the most used natural building
materials in the world. A number of valuable
properties such as low heat conductivity, small bulk
density, relatively high strength, amenability to
mechanical working etc. makes wood as famous
building material. Timber can be used in most
economical way without wasting any of the derivative
of it. Even the saw dust obtained during wood sawing
can also be used to make fiber boards, paper etc. In
this article, we are going to discuss about the
Classification and structure of tree and also about the
Processing of timber from felling of tree to
preservation of timber.

60. Structure of a Tree

64. SAND

67. What is an Aggregate?
• Aggregates are the important constituents of
the concrete which give body to the concrete
and also reduce shrinkage. Aggregates occupy
70 to 80 % of total volume of concrete. So, we
can say that one should know definitely about
the aggregates in depth to study more about
concrete.

72. MORTAR
• Different types of mortars used in masonry
construction based on application, binding
material, density and purposes. Mortar is a
workable paste prepared by adding water to a
mixture of binding material and fine
aggregate. This plastic paste is useful to hold
building materials such as stone or brick
together. Different types of mortars used in
masonry construction are presented below.

73. Types of Mortars Used in Masonry
Construction
Following are the types of mortars based on
different factors:Based on Applications
• Based on Binding Materials
• Based on Bulk Density
• Based on Strength (ASTM C270)
• Based on Special Purpose of Mortars

76. 1. Bricklaying or Stone
Laying Mortar
This type of mortar
used to bind bricks
and stones in masonry
construction. The
proportions of
ingredients for
bricklaying or stone
laying mortar is
decided based on kind
of binding material
used

77. 2. Finishing Mortar
Finishing mortar is used for
pointing and plastering
works. It is also used for
architectural effects of
building to give aesthetic
appearances. The mortar
used for ornamental
finishing should have great
strength, mobility and
resistance against
atmospheric action like
rain, wind, etc.

78. 3. Cement Mortar
Cement is used as a
binding material in this
type of mortar and sand is
employed as aggregate.
The proportion of cement
and sand is decided based
on the specified durability
and working conditions.
Cement mortar will give
high strength and
resistance against water.
The proportion of cement
to sand may varies from
1:2 to 1:6.

79. 4. Lime Mortar
In this case, lime is used as
binding material. There are
two types of limes namely fat
lime and hydraulic lime. Fat
lime in lime mortar requires 2
to 3 times of sand and it is
used for dry work. Hydraulic
lime and sand in 1:2 ratios will
give good results in damp
conditions and also suitable
for water logged areas.
Finally, the lime mortar has a
high plasticity so it can be
placed easily. The pyramids at
Giza are plastered with lime
mortar

80. 5. Gypsum Mortar
Gypsum mortar
consists of plaster
and soft sand as
binding material
and fine aggregate.
Commonly, it has
low durability in
damp conditions

81. 6. Gauged Mortar
• In gauge mortar combination of lime and
cement is employed as a binder material, and
sand used as fine aggregate. Gauge mortar is,
essentially, lime mortar which its strength
increased by adding cement. Consequently,
the mortar will have high plasticity of the lime
and high strength of the cement. The ratio of
cement to lime ranges from 1:6 to 1:9, and it
is cost effective

82. 7. Surkhi Mortar
In surkhi mortar, lime
is used as binder
material and surkhi is
employed as fine
aggregate. The surkhi
is finely-powdered
burnt clay which
provides more
strength than sand
and cheaply available
in the market.

83. 8. Aerated Cement Mortar
• Basically, it is cement mortar to which air
entraining agent is added to increase plasticity
and workability. The resulted mortar is termed
as aerated cement mortar.

84. 9. Mud mortar
In this type of mortar, mud
is used as binding material
and saw dust, rice husk or
cow-dung is used as fine
aggregate. Mud mortar is
useful where lime or
cement is not available.
The use of mud mortars in
the Middle-East and
central Asia, and American
cultures of the south-
western USA is well
documented

85. 10. Heavy Mortar
• If the mortar having bulk density of 15
KN/m3 or more then it is called as heavy
mortar. Generally heavy quartzes are used as
fine aggregate in this type of mortars.

86. 11. Lightweight Mortar
• If the mortar having bulk density of less than
15 KN/m3 then it is called as light mortar.
Lightweight mortar is prepared by mixing lime
or cement as binder, sand, and saw dust, rice
husk, jute fibers, coirs, or asbestos fibers.
Cinder mortar is a variety of light-weight
mortars. Lightweight mortar is generally used
in the soundproof and heat proof
constructions. Based on Strength (ASTM C
270)

87. 12. Type M Mortar
It is the highest strength
mortar minimum 17.2 MPa
(2500 psi). It is used for
exterior masonry work and
at or below grade
application where
substantial gravity or
lateral loads are exerted.
load bearing wall, footing,
retaining wall are examples
of below grade
applications.

88. 13. Type S Mortar
It is a medium-strength
mortar minimum 12.4 MPa
(1800 psi) with high
bonding ability. it is used
for grade applications with
normal to moderate
loading. Type S mortar has
great durability that is why
it is highly suitable for
locations where the
masonry is in contact with
the ground, such as paving
or shallow retaining walls.

89. 14. Fire Resistant Mortar
Fire resistant mortar is
prepared by mixing
aluminous cement to
the fine powder of fire
bricks. If there are any
fire warnings to the
structures in a
particular zone, then
fire resistant mortar
will be used which
acts as fireproof shield

90. 15. Sound Absorbing Mortar
• In sound absorbing mortar, cement, lime,
gypsum, or slag used as binding materials and
pumice, cinders as fine aggregate. It is used to
reduce the noise level and acts as sound proof
layer.

91. 16. X-ray Shielding Mortar
• To provide protection against ill effects of X-
rays, the X-ray room walls and ceilings are
plastered by X-ray shielding mortar. This is
heavy type mortar with bulk density around
22KN/m3. Fine aggregates from heavy rock
and suitable admixtures are used to prepare
this type of mortar

92. 17. Chemical Resistant Mortar
• It is generally used where there is a chance of
chemical attack on the structures. There are so
many types of chemical resistant mortars can be
prepared but the selection of mortar is
dependent on expected damage by particular
chemical or group of chemicals. The additives
added may not resist all the chemical attacks. For
example, silicate type chemical mortar resists
nitric, chromic, Sulphuric or any acidic damages
but it cannot prevent the structure against
damage by alkalies of any concentration.

93. CONCRETE
• Concrete is a construction material composed of cement,
fine aggregates (sand) and coarse aggregates mixed with
water which hardens with time. Portland cement is the
commonly used type of cement for production of concrete.
Concrete technology deals with study of properties of
concrete and its practical applications.
• In a building construction, concrete is used for the
construction of foundations, columns, beams, slabs and
other load bearing elements.
• There are different types of binding material is used other
than cement such as lime for lime concrete and bitumen
for asphalt concrete which is used for road construction

98. THANK YOU