This document provides an overview of a module on Materials in Construction for a National Diploma in Industrial Technician for Civil Engineering. The module is 60 hours over 2 hours per week. The aims are to make students aware of manufacturing processes and properties of construction materials used in Sri Lanka, provide understanding of factors in selecting materials, and identify physical properties and how to apply them in practice. The module will cover topics on binding materials like cement and lime, bricks and blocks, timber, and metals used in construction. Assessment consists of assignments and an end of module test.

1. National Diploma for Industrial Technician
Civil Engineering
Module : Materials in Construction
Module No : C 1-4
Module Value : 01
60 Hours (02 Hours per Week)
Rational : This module will provide the basic knowledge and skills to communicate
and receive technical ideas without ambiguity.
Assessment Method : AE
Aim of the module :
a) To make students aware of the general manufacturing processes, general
and engineering properties of the construction materials used in Sri Lanka.
b) To provide Students with a comprehensive understanding on the factors
involved in selecting materials for a particular construction situation.
c) To identify the principal physical properties of construction materials and to
extend the students' knowledge in applying these properties in practice,
given appropriate consideration to their physical and structural
performance.
d) To provide students with a clear awareness on the specific aspects to be
considered in selecting construction materials. Under situations where a
heavy inflow of new or substitute materials in the market for selection.
Special Notes: The properties of engineering materials and their identification is much
appreciated in teaching of this subject. The intention is to make students
familiarise with the engineering properties of materials.
Mode of assessment:
The suggested model of assessment consists of 1:3 or 4 assignments
together with an end of unit test. For final assessment, 40% should be
counted from assignments whereas the remaining 60% to be counted from
the end test.
The student will be able to
MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION Unit No: C 1-4
C

2.  Classify readily available and manufactured construction materials
 Select appropriate materials in various construction applications
 Select transporting methods according to type and requirement, following necessary safety measures
 Select stocking methods and handling methods according to type and availability
 Identify and perform required testing for conformity according to requirements
MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION
MODULE CONTENT:
The unit topic areas and the general and specific objective:; are set out
below. The unit topic areas, General and Specific objectives are prefixed
by capital letters, non- decimal numbers respectively-
- The general objectives give the teaching goals and the specific
objectives the means by which the student demonstrates his
attainment of them.
- Teaching staff should design the learning process in order to achieve
the general objectives.
On completion of this unit, the student should be able to:
A. ITRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
1. Develop an understanding of the different types and varieties of construction
materials in use in Sri Lanka.
1.1 Classify the construction materials used in Civil Engineering and building industry
according to building materials, binding materials and finishing materials.
1.2 Identify the use at these materials, with reference to their application in industry.
1.3 Describe the prime factors affecting on the selection of materials for a particular
work.
a Durability b Strength properties
c Aesthetic aspects d Economical aspects
e Health and environmental properties
B. BINDING MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION
2. Develop an understanding on the manufacturing process of ordinary
Portland cement, its constituent compounds and the important properties
2.1 Name different types or binding materials used in Building Construction work
explaining their specific setting and binding processes
a) Clay b) Lime C) Cement
2.2 Name the important stages involved in manufacturing process of ordinary Portland
cement.

3. 2.3 Name the constituent compounds present in OPC describing how the properties
of OPC vary according to the presence of these compounds.
2.4 Describe the properties of OPC and their importance,
a Chemical composition.
b Fineness
c Hydration
d Setting
e Hardening
f Soundness.
2.5 Describe the appropriate British standard tests and field test for measuring the
properties mentioned in 2.4 .
British standard tests
a Setting time test (Initial & Final)
b Fineness test
c Soundness test.
d Compression test
e Tensile test
Field test
a Feeling test
b Pat test
c Bottle test.
d Sight test
e Tensile test
2.6 Explain the setting and hardening process in cement and the influence of humidity
and temperature on hydration.
2.7 Method of storing cement at worksite.
2.8 Discuses the deferent methods of making lime and their applications; general
safety requirement in site; substitute materials for lime paste.
2.9 Name other different types of cement in industry, discussing the specific uses of
these types.
2.10 Outlining the manufacturing process of lime in Sri Lanka, discussing the use of
lime, as a binding material, in construction of buildings.
2.11 Explain the setting and hardening process of lime, referring to chemical
composition.

4. 2.12 Compare the merits and demerits of using lime in place of cement as binding
materials in construction work
2.13 Name different types of mortar used as binding material
a) Cement mortar
b) Lime mortar
c) Gauge mortar
2.14 Discusses the method of preparations of above mortar
a Hand mixing
b Machine mixing
C. BRICK, BLOCK AND STONES
3. Understand the manufacturing process, properties and defects of bricks and cement
blocks used in Sri Lanka.
3.1 Outline the manufacturing process of common clay bricks in Sri Lanka as a rural
industry
3.2 Describe the use of engineering bricks making references to other types of bricks
a Bricks with frog b Perforated bricks
c Cellular bricks d Facing bricks
3.3 Explain the classification system of bricks, making reference to type of
manufacture density, strength and water absorption.
3.4 Explain the importance of porosity, density, presence of open and closed pores,
upon the properties of bricks.
3.5 Describe the tests for the determination of compressive strength of bricks, water
absorption, and geometrical properties, making references to sampling method
too.
3.6 Discuss the use of cement blocks in place of clay bricks, making reference to the
advantages and disadvantages.
3.7 Describe the manufacturing process of cement blocks by manual and machines.
3.8 Discuss the importance of adhering to SLS specification in selecting cement
blocks for construction.
3.9 Explain that the effectiveness of wall construction, derives from the quality of use
of appropriate mortar mix and good workmanship.
3.10 Classify different types of mortar mixes used in structural, masonry with reference
to their strength properties.
3.11 Discuss the importance of appropriate mortar type, to be in compliance with the
strength properties.
3.12 Describe the effect of water content on the workability of a mortar mix making
references to the use of admixtures to increase workability.

5. 3.13 Discuss the probable defects encountered in brickwork with special reference to
the “Efflorescence”.
3.14 Discuss the probable defects encountered in block work
3.15 Explain the influence of exposure conditions, upon the durability of brickwork.
3.16 Discuss the quarrying process used to obtaining the stones for construction
processes.
a Wedging method
b Heating method
c Explosive method.
D. TIMBER
4. Develop an understanding on the use of timber in construction industry the general
structure of timber and the different varieties in use.
4.1 Discuss different uses of timber in construction work for structural, finishing and
construction (temporary and permanent ) purpose.
4.2 Describe, with sketches. the structure of timber the relevance to cell formation a
pattern,. Growth etc.
4.3 Describe the timber classification system used in Sri Lanka.
4.4 Differentiate between. Hard wood. and. Soft wood .
4.5 Describe the “hygroscopic” and “Anisotropic” nature of timber, making reference to
the influence of these properties to the applications in construction industry .
4.6 Name the common types of timber, used in Sri Lanka, tor structural and
constructional purposes.
5. Develop an understanding or. the conversion of timber for constructional
purposes, the defects in timber, timber related materials and the substitute timber-
like materials.
5.1 Describe the process of timber conversion for constructional purposes.
5.2 Explain the influence of moisture content, on the functional uses of timber
in construction.
5.3 Discuss the importance of timber seasoning and the methods used for seasoning
5.4 Discuss the importance of timber preservation, types of timber preservatives and
the methods of application.
5.5 Describe various types of defects, encountered in timber.
a) Defects developed in growth.
b) Defects developed after conversion
c) Insect attack
d) Defects due to growth of micro- organisms

6. 5.6 Discuss the following factors, giving their acceptable standards, when selecting
timber for structural uses
a Knots b Fissures c Slope of grain
d Wane e Rate of growth f Distortion
5.7 Outline the manufacturing process of plywood
5.8 Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of using plywood In place of solid
timber
5.9 Discuss the use of substitute materials, such as, chip boards, MDF boards, and
laminated timber, for construction and finishing work.
5.10 Describe the common practice of handling and storing timber at work sites.
E. METALS AND ALLOYS
6. Develop an understanding of the general and engineering properties various types
of metals and alloys used for structural and non-stru purposes in the construction
industry.
6.1 Name different types of metals and alloys used in construction industry, giving
examples of application.
6.2 Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, with respect to tensile
strength and stiffen
6.3 Describe general engineering properties of ferrous metals used in construction.
a Cast iron b Wrought iron
c Mild steel d High tensile steel
6.4 Describe general engineering properties of non-ferrous metals, extensively used
in construction industry, such as, Aluminium, Copper etc.
6.5 Discuss the present tendency for using metals and alloys, for constructional and
the decorative purposes in building work, evolved in consequence to the scarcity
of timber.
6.6 Discuss the most likely defects encountered with the metals and alloys discussed
in 11.3 and 11 4, describing the remedial measures that can be employed.
6.7 Discuss the electric corrosion.
6.8 Discuss the Harding of iron.
F. PLASTICS
7. Understand the Use of plastics in building construction and civil engineering work,
in relation to their physical and engineering properties.
7.1 Discuss various applications of plastics in building and construction work.

7. 7.2 Differentiate between “Thermoplastics" and “Thermosetting plastics“, giving
example of products normally used.
- Phenol formaldehyde resin - Polyethylene
- Polypropylene - Polyvinyl chloride
- Polystyrene
7.3 Discuss physical modifications of plastics.
7.4 Discuss the important aspects considered in selecting plastic materials for various
applications in construction
- Dimensional stability
- Weather resistance
- Fire safety Resistance to water and water vapor
- Thermal insulation /Sound insulation
- Thermal expansion
- Brittleness
7.5 Distinguish between PVC and PVC.
7.6 Discuss the use of. Cellular plastics" Building construction
7.5 Discuss the repairing in plastic work.
G. FINISHING MATERIALS
PLASTER
8. Develop an awareness on the expected purposes, and types of mixes used for
plastering in buildings.
8.1 Discuss the purposes expected of a plaster finish in walls reference to the
applications in various situations.
8 2 Name different types of mixes used for different specific situations.
8.3 Compare the use of lime, cement, lime and cement, and gypsum as the binding
material for a plaster mix.
8.4 Discuss the use of admixtures in plaster mixes, to increase the workability etc.
8.5 Discuss the use of plaster boards and similar substitute materials available in
market , in place of the traditional materials.
measures that can be employed redress them.
PAINTS
9. Understand the purposes of the use of paints, as a finishing material in various
applications in construction industry.
9.1 Describe various applications of paints in buildings. Making references to the
purposes related to these specific applications.
9.2 Discuss the main constituent materials in paints and the purposes expected of
them.

8. 9.3 Name different types of paints, based on the main ingredients.
9.4 Differentiate between "Convertible paints” and “Non- convertible paints”
9.5 Name the types of paints. based on their final finish referring to the importance of
the finish, various situational applications.
9.6 Discuss the selection of paint type and the method of application. indicating the
specific aspects to be considered, for different types of surfaces and situations.
Ex. - Concrete surfaces, - Plastered surfaces
- Ferrous metal surfaces - Non-ferrous metal surfaces - Floor
surfaces - Timber surfaces - Use in
exterior surfaces - Use in interior surfaces. .
- Brush application - Roller application
- Spray application etc.
9.7 Discuss the occurrence of normal failures in paint finish surfaces.
9.8 Discuss .the highly competitive nature existing in paint industry, which has
contribute tremendously, to progressive researches and inventions in the
manufacture of paints.
H
 Discuss preservation methods of construction materials mention above.
 Quality control of construction materials.
 Standards of material testing.