This document provides information about a course on construction materials. It outlines the course credits, marks distribution, topics covered, recommended textbooks and definitions. The key topics covered in the course include classification of materials, properties of concrete, metals, natural stones, bricks, timber, plastics and other materials. It also discusses the importance, uses and classification of construction materials. Their physical and mechanical properties are defined. Common building materials like stones, cement, steel and aggregates are also introduced.

1. Code CE-109
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

2.  Credit hours Theory. Pr.
2 1
Marks distribution Mid final sessional
30 50 20
Practical marks 100
total subject marks 200

3. Course outline:-
 Classification and general aspects of construction
materials, overview of materials used in construction,
general aspects related to weight, density, specific gravity,
strength, hardness, durability, workability and cost of
materials, classification of materials, ceramics, metals and
organics. Concrete materials, introduction to concrete,
manufacturing, types and properties of cement, types and
properties of fine and coarse aggregates, quality of water,
mixing transportation and placing of concrete, mix design,
quality control, additives and admixtures, air entrainment,
lightweight concrete, hot and cold weather concrete.
 Metals and alloys: composition, manufacturing,
properties and uses of ferrous metals and their alloys, pig
iron, cast iron, wrought iron and steel, types of steel, effect
of heat treatment of steel, steel sections and bars,
corrosion and methods of its prevention.

4.  Natural stones: general characteristics, varieties
and uses of building stones. Bricks and tiles;
manufacture varieties, properties and uses of
bricks and tiles.
 Timber: varieties, properties and uses of timber,
grain and moisture in wood, methods of sawing,
defects, decays and insect attack, seasoning and
its methods, preservation and its methods, glued
laminated timber, plywood, hardboard, chipboard,
particle board, fiber board.
 Rubber, plastics and bituminous materials:
composition, varieties, properties and uses of
bitumen, asphalt glass, rubber laminates,
adhesives, asbestos, fiber glass, paints and
varnishes.
 Insulating materials: waterproofing and heat
insulating materials, acoustical materials.

5. Recommended books:-
 Text Books
 Engg. Materials bySurindra Singh
 Reference Books
 1- Construction Material and Design by
N.P.Gopal
 2- Construction Material and Design by F.T.Ceeny
 3- Matreials of construction by S.Z.H. Syed

6. Definition of construction
material
 The material which we used for the construction
purposes are called the construction material.
The construction material may be used for
providing strength, hardness, durability and
beauty.

7. Importance and uses of construction
material:
 The basic concern of a civil engineer is the
design,construction,supervision and maintenance of
different types of structures such as
buildings,bridges,canals,tubewells,water tanks, roads
etc.
 A key element in field practice is to deal with different
types of materials. This entails drawing up detailed
specifications, selecting the
materials,storage,sampling,testing,maiintaining
material inventories etc.

8. Materials used in the construction of
civil engineering works:-
Following are the construction material.
1. Brick 2. Sand
3. Cement 4. Steel
5. Aggregate 6. Timber
7. lime 8. Paints
9. Plastic 10. Glass
11.Cocrete 12. Mortar
13. Stone

9. Classification of materials:
One method of classification is based on the chemical
composition. this can further be divided into two
groups:
1. Organic
2. Inorganic
 The organic group contains carbon as the basic
element and includes materials like
timber,plastics,asphalt,bitumen etc.
 In the inorganic group come the silicaceous
materials essentially containing silica, calcareous
materials containing calcium compounds and
argillaceous materials like clay. Some common
building materials are matals:elemnets like iron,
copper ets,and alloys of different elements.

10. An other way of classifying materials is based on
their use:
 Solid building materials like stone, bricks etc.
 Building materials like
cement(silicaceous),lime(calcareous),clay(argilac
eous),bitumen(organic) etc.
 Finishing materials like paints,varnish,distemper
etc.
 Insulating materials
likerockwool,glasswool,expanded clays,etc.

11. Materials could be classified as:
 Naturally occurring such as
stones,timber,metals,etc.which need to be
recovered and processed.
 Manufactured materials ,such as plastic ,concrete
, mortar, etc.

12. Properties of materials:-
 Properties of various materials have to be
ascertained for purposes of specifying them for
particular use , classifying them and testing them
for acceptance.
The properties of materials basically fall under two
groups.
 Physical properties
 Mechanical /strength properties

13.  Density:-
It is defined as the mass of a material per unit of
its volume.
ˠ = W/V
 Specific Gravity
It is the ratio of the weight of material per unit
volume(not including air holes and pores) to the
weight of an equal volume of water under
standard conditions.
Sp. gr. = weight of the substance / weight of an
equal volume of water at 4 centigrade

14. Bulk density or unit weight:-
It is defined as the total weight including solids and
voids of any granular material per unit of its total
volume.
Porosity:-
It is the ratio of volume of voids in a material to the
total volume of granular material.
Water absorption:-
It is the property of material by virtue of which it
absorbs water from the ambience. This property is
important in the case of stones , bricks etc.
Hygroscopicity:-
It is the property whereby material absorbs water
present in the ambience, as in the case of salt, sugar
etc. .Timber is a hygroscopic material.

15. Permeability:-
It is the property whereby a material allows
water to pass through its pores It is important in
the case of soils.
FIRE RESISTANCE:-
Some materials like petrol , are
inflammable(readily catch fire) while others are
combustible (can be burnt but may not readily
ignite).

16. Thermal properties:-
 The following are important:
Heat capacity:-
It is defined a the amount of heat required to raise
the temperature of a unit mass of the substance
by one degree.
Thermal resistivity:-
It is the reciprocal of thermal conductivity and is
defined as the time taken for a unit of heat to be
transferred under the above condition.

17. Sound transmission properties:-
The transmission of sound , which is a form of
energy ,can be studied by measuring energy
levels at different locations .
The decibel, which is one-tenth of a bel ,is
used to define sound intensities , which vary
according to logarithmic scale.
Sound absorption, is the property generally of
porous materials whereby sound reflected by
their surface is appreciably reduced.
Sound insulation, is a characteristics of
various forms of construction , for instance
walls whereby the transmission of sound
through them ids reduced.

18.  Corrosion:-
Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a metal or
alloy due to chemical process such as oxidation.
 Durability:-
It is the resistance of a material to destruction by
natural agencies.
 Soundness:-
It is the resistance of a material to its
deterioration due to heat , alternate freezing ,
thawing etc.

19. Mechanical properties:-
 Theses refer to properties whereby the materials
resist various straining actions or forces.
Elasticity:-
It is the property of a material where by it tends to
regain it shape after the removal of an applied load.
Plasticity:-
It is the property of a material whereby it retains a
change in shape or size after removal of the load.
Toughness:-
It is the property of a material whereby it absorbs
energy du eto straining actions by undergoing plastic
deformation.
Resilience:-
The ability of a material to recover its size and form
after deformation.

20.  Hardness:-
The resistance offered by any material to indentation
, scratching ,cutting, or wear by abrasion.
 Brittleness:-
It refers to the tendency of a material to shatter on
receiving a shock.
 Ductility:-
It is the capacity to undergo large plastic deformation
before actual failure.
 Fatigue:-
It is the failure of a material by cracking resulting from
repeated straining actions.
 Creep:-
It is the property of a material whereby it undergoes
deformation with respect to time under a constant
load.

21.  Abrasive resistance:-
It is the ability of a material to resist wearing due to
contact with another surface moving with respect to it
.
 Impact strength:-
It refers to the ability of a material to withstand shocks
Strength properties:-
(a) Tensile strength:-
i.e. The maximum stress a material can withstand
under a tensile load before failure.
(b) Compressive strength:-
Compressive strength is the capacity of a material to
withstand axially directed pushing forces. When the limit
of compressive strength is reached, materials are
crushed.
(c) Shear strength:-
i.e. The maximum stress at failure under a shearing load
( a load parallel to the cross section of the member

22. Building stones:
Definition:
stone is a natural material and is obtained from
quarries. Stones that are used for construction of
structures are known as building stones.

23. Classification:
 Stones are obtained from rocks. Rock forms
portion of earth’s crust having no definite shape
or chemical composition. It is naturally a mixture
of two or more minerals and is not homogenous.
 Rocks from which stones can be had for building
purposes are classified in the following three
different ways:
I. Geologically: depending upon how the rock was
originally formed.
II. Physically: depending upon what its structure
is.
III. Chemically: depending upon its chemical

24. Geological classification:
There are three classes of rocks:
1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks
1- Igneous rocks:
These rocks are formed from the solidification
of molten matter called “Megma".The
Solidification may occur in the surface of the
earth or above it and known as granite.

25. 2- Sedimentary rocks:
These rocks are the result of accumulation of
weathered deposits of igneous rocks. Sand
stones and lime stones belong to this class.
3- Metamorphic rocks:
These are either igneous or sedimentary rocks
whose physical and chemical properties have
been altered by the action of intense heat

26. Physical classification:
 Physically rocks are classified as:
I. Stratified rocks showing distinct layers along
which it can be easily split into thin slabs e.g.,
slate ,sand stone and lime stone.
II. Unstratified rocks which show no sign of
stratification and can not be easily split into thin
layers e.g., Granite, Basalt and Trap.

27. Chemical classification of rocks:
 Chemically rocks are classified on the basis of
chief constituent mineral as:
I. Argillaceous , where the principal constituent is
clay as in slate and laterite.
II. Siliceous ,where the chief constituent is sand
as in quartzite and granite.
III. Calcareous, where the chief constituent is lime
as in lime stone and marble stone.

28. Uses of building stones:
 Stones are extensively used for following:
i. As stone ballast( broken stone) for railway track, for road
construction, for preparing cement concrete required for
foundation, flooring, hollow and solid blocks,R.C.C.
ii. As crushed stone (stone dust) is used as substitute for
sand.
iii. As blocks in the construction of
buildings,lintels,arches,walls,columns,abutments and
piers of bridges, in weirs and dams etc.
iv. As blocks and slabs ,for face work of buildings requiring
architectural treatment.
. As thin slab for roofing and flooring of building and
pavements.
vi. As limestone ,it is used in the manufacturing of lime
,cement and various chemical processes.
Vii . Thin slab of impervious stones are used for laying damp
proof courses in buildings.

29. Characteristics of good building
stones:
A good building stone should essentially have
following qualities:
i. Appearances: for the face work of buildings.
this property is of extreme importance. From
architectural point of view color of the stone
should be such as to go well with the
surroundings. Stones should be of uniform
color and free from clay holes, bands or spot of
colors.
ii. General structure: stones when broken in a
direction should not give dull appearance. It
should show uniform texture. it must be either
crystalline in structure of homogenous and
close-grained.it should be free from cavities,

30. iii:Heaviness: heavier varieties of stones are more
compact, less porous and have greater specific
gravities.
iv: Strength: in usual constructions the stones used
are quite strong to withstand the forces likely to
be encountered.
v:Hardness: it is the resistance of the stone to
abrasive forces caused by much wear and friction
as in floors and pavements. Stones that are used
at such places should be hard.
vi: toughness: it is the measure of the impact that a
stone can withstand. Stones used at places
subjected to vibrations of machinery and to
moving loads should be tough. Stones used in
the construction of roads should be hard and

31. vii:Ease of working: the ease with which a stone can
be worked upon i.e. cut,dressed,carved and molded
is an important consideration from economic point of
veiw.but this property is opposed to strength,
durability and hardness.
viii:Porosity and absorption: more porous building
stones are unsuitable for use in construction
specially for exposed surfaces of structure. Stones
should be tested for porosity and care should be
taken to use more porous stones.
ix: Weathering: It is the extent to which the face of the
stone resist the action of weather. Stones with good
weathering properties only should be used in
construction of important buildings.
x: Resistance to fire: Fire resistant stones should be
free from calcium carbonate and oxides of iron and
be composed of minerals with different co efficient of
thermal expansion.

32. Common building stones:
 Common building stones are as follows:
Granite: It is an igneous rock composed of
quartz,feldsper and mica and having the
following characteristics.
Characteristics:
1) It is hard, strong, and durable Unstratified
stone.
2) It is crystalline and fine to coarse grained.
3) It is heavy(sp. Gravity varies from 2.63 to 2.75)
4) Usual color being white to light gray and pink.
5) It cracks badly under fire.

33.  Blast and Trap: it is an igneous stone. It consist
of feldsper,alumina,silica and other minerals.
Characteristics:
1. It is hard, compact and durable Unstratified
stone.
2. It gives fairly good surface on dressing
3. It is heavier then granite having sp.gravity 2.64.
4. It can not generally be obtained in large blocks.
5. It is used for paving, road matelling as
aggregate in concrete and for ordinary building
construction.

34.  Slate: it is metamorphic stone with following
characteristics:
Characteristics:
1. A good slate is hard and tough. It gives metallic
ringing sound when struck with hammer.
2. It is fine grained and less absorbent.
3. Good slate is uniform in color and free from
patches.
4. Sp. Gravity is 2.6 to 2.8.
5. It is mostly used for roof
covering,flooring,dampo proofing, mantel
pieces, electric switch boards.

35.  Lime stone: It is sedimentary ,stratified rock. It
consist of caco3 with small portion of silica
magnesium carbonate, iron and clay.
Characteristics:
1. It is east to work upon and is fairly good building
stone but unsuitable for use in industrial areas.
2. Its texture is bedded, granular and fine grained.
3. Good qualities of it are fairly durable.
4. Its usual color is
white,grey,pink,red,yellow,black,green.
5. It is used in manufacturing of lime and cement,
bleaching and tanning.

36.  Marble: it is metamorphic rock.
Characteristics:
1. It is available in many colors like white
,green,red,grey,black,blue,yellkow,etc.
2. It is fine to coarse grained, massive crystalline
and granular in texture.
3. It is quite hard and takes a fine polish.
4. Good marble is extremely durable.

37.  Kankar: it is impure form of lime stone containing
about 30% of clay and sand.
Characteristics:
1. It is found either in solid layers or as irregular
shaped nodular(small rounded lump).
2. Nodular Kankar is grey or khaki in color and has
porous structure.
3. Block kankar is hard. And is used in building
construction.