CIE 043

Construction Materials and

Testing

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 SYLLABUS

PEN CODE: CIE 043 Credit: 3 units

PEN Subject Title: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING Prerequisite: CIE 113

I. Subject Description:

The course deals with the physical properties of common construction materials primarily metals,
plastics, wood, concrete, coarse and fine aggregates, asphalt and synthetic materials; examination of
material properties with respect to design and use of end product, design and control of aggregates,
concrete and asphalt mixtures, principle of testing; characteristics of test; properties of materials and
materials testing equipment.

II. Course Objectives:

1) Explain relevant properties of common construction materials;

2) Conduct experiments on common construction materials according to international standards
such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM);
3) Evaluate the results of the test of common construction materials.

III. Subject Outline and Time Allotment:

Lesson Topic Week

Orientation
1
1 Overview of Constructions Materials and Testing
2 Construction Materials
2
3 Other Construction Materials
4 General Properties of Materials Part 1 3
5 General Properties of Materials Part 2
Common Apparatus and Equipment used in Testing of 4
6
Materials
st
1 PERIODICAL EXAMINATION 5
7 Stone
6
8 Cement and Concrete Part 1
9 Cement and Concrete Part 2 7
10 Metals
8
11 Timber
2ND PERIODICAL EXAMINATION 9
12 Mortar
10
13 Parts and Function of UTM
14 Testing of Construction Materials Part 1
11
15 Testing of Construction Materials Part 2
16 Testing of Construction Materials Part 3
12
17 Testing of Construction Materials Part 4
RD
3 PERIODICAL EXAMINATION 13

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 SYLLABUS

PEN CODE: CIE 043 Credit: 3 units

PEN Subject Title: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING Prerequisite: CIE 113

IV. Grading System

The Final Grade is computed as follows:

Final Grade = 0.2P1 + 0.2P2 + 0.2P3 + 0.4FE > 60%

1st Periodical Grade = (Class Standing + 1st Periodical Exam)/2 = 50%CS + 50%Exam
Class Standing = 60% Quiz + 40% Class Participation
Class Participation = Seatwork, Assignment, Recitation, Problem set

2nd Periodical Grade = (Class standing + 2nd Periodical Exam)/2

Class Standing = 60% quiz + 40% class participation
Class Participation = Seatwork, Assignment, Recitation, Problem set

3rd Periodical Grade = (Class standing + 3rd Periodical Exam)/2

Class Standing = 60% quiz + 40% class participation
Class Participation = Seatwork, Assignment, Recitation, Problem set

V. Textbooks/ References

1. American Society for Testing and Materials International Standards

2. Basic Construction Materials 2002, Theodore W. Marotta

VI. Course Requirements

• There will be four periodic examinations: Preliminary Exam (P1 Exam), Midterm Exam (P2 Exam),
Semifinal Exam (P3 Exam), and Final Exam. Passing > 60%.
• Students who miss a quiz or an exam with a valid reason (ex. A student who fails to take the exam
because of health reasons shall first present a valid medical certificate to justify his condition) will
be allowed to take a make-up quiz or examination which will be given within five days after the
original date of the quiz or examination but also within the period of encoding of grades.
• A student who incurs a failing grade in the Final Examination gets a Final Grade of INC. The
student is required to file a completion form before qualifying for a removal examination. The final
examination grade will be set to 60 once the student gets a perfect score in the removal
examination. If in one academic year the student fails to change his/her grade from an INC to a
passing grade, he/she will be given a grade of No Credit (NC).

VII. Contact Information

Name:
Contact number:
Email:

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #1

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: OVERVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND Materials:

TESTING Black Ballpen
Lesson Objectives: References:
At the end of the module, you should be able to [Link]
1) Define Construction Materials and Testing ding-materials-types-and-uses-in-
2) Identify Building Materials construction/

“ Plan ahead. Make sure to keep track of your

activities according to urgency and difficulty to
have a more organized schedule. “
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)
❖ Construction Materials & Testing – deals with the physical properties of common construction
materials primarily metals, plastics, wood, concrete, coarse and fine aggregates, asphalts and
synthetic materials; examination of material properties with respect to design and use of end
product, design and control of aggregates, concrete and asphalt mixtures, principles of testing;
characteristics of test; properties of materials and materials testing equipment.
❖ Construction materials – is any material used for construction purpose such as materials for
house building. Wood, cement, aggregates, metals, bricks, concrete, clay are the most common
type of building material used in construction. The choice of these are based on their cost
effectiveness for building projects.
❖ Material testing – refer to the evaluation of almost any kind of building material that impacts the
project at hand. It is important because it allows inspectors and builders to identify faults before
an actual stress test, where personal and environmental safety is at risk.
❖ Furthermore, engineering students should know basic civil engineering since they need
interaction with civil engineers in their routine construction works. Hence all-important aspects
of civil engineering are taught as elements of civil engineering in all over the world. Defining
basic Civil Engineering construction materials and testing is of equal importance. Nonetheless,
to determine how to choose the best Construction Materials for a building.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #1

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) What is Construction Material and
Testing?

b) List some example of construction

materials you recognized?

c) How to choose the best construction

materials for a project?

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ Building material is any material that can be used for construction purposes. It commonly
includes wood, concrete, steel, cement, aggregates, bricks, clay, metal, and so much more. In
the olden times, people have been using pure bricks, or wood, or straw. But in this modern age,
engineers have learned to mix and match the right materials to come up with higher quality
structures. Of course, the choice is always based on the client’s budget and the effectiveness of
the materials in building projects.
❖ As we just mentioned, many natural substances were used in construction like wood, sand, clay,
rocks, wood, and even twigs and leaves. Some of these are still widely used in the modern
construction scene, especially in America, where most houses are still made of wood.
❖ Many man-made materials came out in the previous years and some are synthetic. Although not
natural, some are used to make eco-friendly houses like 3D houses that actually pass the green
construction standards.
❖ It’s also a good thing that lumber is decreasingly used in construction these days, hence, saving
Mother Earth. Most building materials today are being manufactured. And the industry is a well-
established one in many countries. This only proves that the construction industry is healthy and
keeps on growing year after year.
❖ Other related specialty trades are also benefiting from the building materials manufacturing, such
as tiling, plumbing, roofing, carpentry, and insulation works.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #1

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

❖ All building materials can be used to create a quality structure. But that depends on how they
are used in construction. This is why project managers and field engineers need to carefully
analyze the material they need in their projects.
❖ The right building materials have a big impact on the quality of the structure. No matter how
proficient a construction team is when the materials are cheap and substandard, the building will
still see many problems and won’t last long.
❖ Sadly, the selection of right building materials is often overlooked. Many project planners tend
to cut corners and push aside the use of the best quality materials. Often, cost is the reason for
choosing alternative materials that aren’t as good as the original choice. But clients need to
consider that they can deliver the highest quality building to their tenants by using the most
suitable materials. This also ensures the safety and durability of the building.
❖ The construction industry in modern times has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Construction projects are done left and right and with the employment rate growing in different
industries until 2026, more constructions are expected to happen.
❖ Following this, the building material harvesting industry is also growing and evolving. To meet
the standards of modern buildings, new types of construction materials are being invented.
❖ Since environmental concerns are becoming a worldwide concern, natural building materials like
wood are limited. If not, they come with the special condition of the industry planting its trees to
harvest.
❖ This led the industry to develop modern alternatives where these new materials’ production and
use won’t hurt the environment. 3D printing, for instance, uses construction scraps as raw
material.
❖ The choice of building materials greatly affects the success of a construction project. They can
make or break your project, so the planners need to analyze which materials will work best for
the project during the planning stage.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL TESTING

❖ Construction Materials Testing (CMT) is the testing of materials used to build new projects, add
to existing projects, or amend existing construction projects. The services involved in a
comprehensive CMT process greatly depends on the project, the land, and the scope of
services. Testing services can generally be divided into two areas: Field Testing and Laboratory
Testing.
o Field testing CMT services take place at the site. Roadways, airports, utility projects,
building developments: All typically involve CMT processes carried out by certified
professionals.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #1

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o When Field Testing indicates further study is needed, Lab Testing is then recommended
as the next phase of a comprehensive CMT regimen. Laboratory testing is usually
performed on an as-needed basis. Common lab-tested construction materials include:
❖ Construction Material Testing is of utmost importance because it is critical for the viability and
safety of a construction project. CMT can reveal any number of issues related to construction
quality. It can highlight future risks, help classify a building site, and assist with engineering
decisions. Without CMT, engineers and builders may not know if the quality of the construction
meets the requirements.

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Enumerate 5 building materials and give a short description for each one and cite an example where they are
commonly used.
Example:
I. Concrete – is a mixture of cement, coarse and fine aggregates, and water.
a. Concrete Walls, Concrete Pavements, RC Columns, Beams, Slabs, and Foundation.

1. _____________________ –

a.

2. _____________________ –

a.

3. _____________________ –

a.

4. _____________________ –

a.

5. _____________________ –

a.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #1

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) What is Construction Material and
Testing?

b) List some example of construction

materials you recognized?

c) How to choose the best construction

materials for a project?

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: What is the importance of studying about construction materials and the respective testing for each
material? How does it affect your duties as a future civil engineer?

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

FAQs
1) How to Choose the Best Construction Materials for a Project?
a. Cost; The first thing that you’ll have to consider is the cost.
b. Aesthetics; It’s essential that as early as plausible, you already have an inkling on how you want
the building or structure to look like.
c. Durability; The toughness of materials varies from one another. Some may last longer than others.
2) What Construction materials last the longest?
a. Stone is a construction material that's been used for centuries and has proved its ability to hold
up over time.

Answer Key
Answers may vary.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Black Ballpen
At the end of the module, you should be able to References:
1) Identify various materials used in construction. [Link]
2) Determine the advantages and disadvantages of every m/what-types-of-construction-building-
material. materials/

“ Take breaks. “
Breaks combat stress and maximize your productivity.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)
❖ There are many types of building materials used in construction such as Concrete, Steel, Wood and
Masonry. Each material has different properties such as weight, strength, durability and cost which makes
it suitable for certain types of applications. The choice of materials for construction is based on cost and
effectiveness to resisting the loads and stresses acting on the structure. As a structural engineer, you
should work with your clients to decide on the type of materials used in each project depending on the
size and use of the building.
❖ The manufacturing of building materials is a well-established and standardized industry capable of
providing a reliable supply of high-quality materials for structures. The production of structural-grade
building materials is subject to quality control procedures that involve inspection and testing according to
national standards and scientific testing methods.
❖ Part of the structural engineer’s responsibilities is to prepare the project specifications including all
building materials and applicable standards and provision to comply with. This is a crucial part of any
project to specify the quality and properties of materials to be used.
❖ Building materials can generally be divided into two categories: Natural building materials such as stone
and wood, and Man-made building materials such as concrete and steel. Both categories usually require
a certain level of preparation or treatment before the use in a structural application. Below is the list of
materials used the most in engineering consulting projects.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) What is Concrete? Cite examples
where concrete is used in
construction.
b) What is Steel? Cite examples where
steel is used in construction.

c) What is Wood? Cite examples where

wood is used in construction.

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

CONCRETE

❖ Concrete is a composite material made from mixing cement, aggregates such as sand and
crushed stone and water. The properties of concrete depend on the ratios used in the mix design.
Therefore, it’s a standard practice for concrete suppliers to provide material properties and test
results for each concrete patch.
❖ Fresh concrete can be poured into form works to take any shape or form and takes time to
harden into a stone-like material. It takes up to 7 days for concrete to reach the majority of its
strength and will need special attention to curing to avoid cracking or reduction in capacity.
Concrete is very versatile and is my go-to material for applications that require a combination of
strength and durability. For example, concrete is an excellent material for building foundations
where the weight of the structure meets the ground. This requires strength to carry the load and
also durability to withstand the contact with the surrounding soil.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

❖ Concrete is very strong when exposed to compression stresses however, it’s brittle and has
limited tensile strength. Combined with steel rebar, reinforced concrete is stronger and more
suitable for a wide range of structures such as tall multi-story buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels
and so many other applications.

STEEL

❖ Steel is one of the strongest building materials available with excellent strength capacity in both
tension and compression. Because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, it is ideal for structural
framework of tall buildings and large industrial facilities. Structural steel is available in standard
shapes such are angles, I beam and C-channels. These shapes can be welded together or
connected using high-strength bolts to build structures capable of resisting large forces and
deformations.
❖ Steel is a relatively expensive building material so it is the structural engineer’s responsibility to
choose economic sizes and shapes according to the actual loads on the building to avoid
overdesign. Because of the higher cost of steel, questions from clients arises asking if there is
a way to reduce the weight and size of some of steel members in the structure. This can be done
if the loads can be reduced on the members and/or additional vertical supports can be
introduced. The installation of steel is less time consuming compared to concrete and can be
installed in any type of environment.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

WOOD

❖ Wood has been used as a construction material for thousands of years and if properly
maintained can last for hundreds of years. It is a readily available and economically feasible
natural resource with a light weight and highly machinable properties. It also provides good
insulation from the cold which makes it an excellent building material for homes and residential
buildings.
❖ Wood pieces used in construction are machine-planed and sawn into certain dimensional
specifications. Dimensional lumber comes in widely available sections such as 2”x4”, 2”x6”, etc.
This is commonly used in the construction of walls and floors. Believe it or not, a 2”x4” is actually
1 ½” wide x 3 ½” high. Wood that comes in larger dimensions are referred to as timber or beams
and are commonly used to construct the frames of large structures such as bridges and multi-
story buildings. Engineered wood is another type of wood used in construction that consist of
various forms of wood glued together to form a composite material suitable for specific
construction applications. Examples of engineered wood is glued laminated wood (glulam),
plywood and fiberboard.
❖ Because of its light weight, wood is not the most suitable construction material to support heavier
loads and not ideal for long spans. Wood is rarely used for foundations and basement walls, as
it needs to be pressure treated because of its contact with soil/moisture which can be fairly
expensive. In a wood framed house, the foundations and basement walls are usually constructed
with reinforced concrete.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

MASONRY

❖ Masonry construction is using individual units to build structures that are usually uses mortar to
bound the units together. The most common material used in the design of masonry structures
is concrete block, with vertical steel reinforcing if required. Masonry is strong in resisting
compression loads/stresses which makes it ideal to use for the construction of load bearing
walls. Other masonry materials include brick, stone and glass block. Masonry is a highly durable
and fire-resistant material; however, it can be sensitive to mortar and workmanship quality.
❖ There has been an increase in the use of masonry as load bearing walls for the design of multi-
story buildings in my office. The structural system typically consists of concrete floors supported
on a combination of masonry and reinforced concrete walls depending on the number of floors
and amount of load on the walls. Masonry walls with windows or openings need horizontal
beams or lintels to span the weight of the wall above across the opening. Masonry is not as
accommodating to large openings in walls as concrete or steel framing is, but can be an
economical choice if the framing and opening sizes are reasonable and length of wall segments
are not too short.
❖ Load bearing masonry walls can be stacked up on top of one another to build multi-story
buildings. The load on the first-floor masonry wall is the accumulation of all the weight of the
floors above it. Therefore, the bottom floor wall must be stronger than the upper floor walls. This
can be achieved by reinforcing the voids in the bottom masonry walls with steel bars and
concrete grout. More steel bars closer spacing of grouted cores equals stronger masonry walls.
If a load bearing masonry wall does not extend all the way down to the foundation because of
required openings such as parked drive aisles, large concrete or steel transfer beams are
required to support the wall above the opening.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Identify which material is being described in the following statements. Write A for Concrete, B for Steel, C for
Wood, and D for Masonry.

_______________ 1. It takes at least seven days to cure.

_______________ 2. It’s high-cost relative to other metals.
_______________ 3. It is relatively lightweight and easy to standardize in size.
_______________ 4. Its versatility, cost, and strength make it the ideal material for a house foundation.
_______________ 5. It can be susceptible to corrosion if improperly installed or maintained
_______________ 6. It can be poured into a form to take virtually any shape and harden into a material similar
to stone.
_______________ 7. It a good material for load-bearing walls.
_______________ 8. Its strength varies depending on the mix.
_______________ 9. It has high strength-to-weight and strength-to-size ratios.
_______________ 10. It is readily available and an economical natural resource.
Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) What is Concrete? Cite examples
where concrete is used in construction.

b) What is Steel? Cite examples where

steel is used in construction.

c) What is Wood? Cite examples where

wood is used in construction.

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: Which construction material interests you the most? Give some reasons why? On which scenarios
do you think this material is most suitable to use?

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #2

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

FAQs
1) What are other things to consider in choosing the Best Construction Materials for a Project?
a. Availability; It’s recommended that you only purchase products that are readily available. This
guarantees that you won’t have to wait for an extended period of time before you get your hands
on the materials. This rings especially true if you will be making repairs or replacements—you
want the materials to be instantly on your doorstep so you can proceed with the restoration at
once.
b. Installation or Construction; Keep in mind the installation or construction process is also vital,
since this will influence other factors, such as the costs of the endeavor.
c. Performance; Performance isn’t merely about quality, but also the overall execution of the
materials. For this, you’ll need to consider how the end product will affect the people who will stay
in the structure. Will they be comfortable and safe?
d. Maintenance; The best materials are the ones that can be easily maintained. Maintenance is
imperative, since it allows the structure to constantly look crisp and pristine. You want to make
sure that the structure will last for a long time, and one way of doing this is by regular and proper
maintenance.

Answer Key
Activity 3
1. A 6. B
2. B 7. D
3. C 8. A
4. B 9. B
5. A 10. C
Activity 5
Answers may vary

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #3

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: OTHER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Black Ballpen
At the end of the module, you should be able to References:
1) Identify various materials used in construction. [Link]
2) Determine the advantages and disadvantages of every materials
material.

“ Eat healthy. A healthy diet which comprising of nutritious meals

will sustain more energy and make studying more productive. “

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) Aside from the aforementioned
construction materials, enumerate at
least 3 more construction material.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #3

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

What I Know Questions:

b) For each material, give at least 3

examples of where it is used.

c) Compare Steel, Aluminum, and

Bamboo. List down each of its
advantages and disadvantages.

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

OTHER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

❖ Engineered Wood
o A broad range of manufacturer products that use wood as a material. Some of these
products are simply designed to be cheaper alternatives to natural woods. Others are
designed to have superior strength to wood or have other desirable properties such as
improved rot resistance. Engineered wood can be designed to be a more sustainable
replacement for wood varieties that are often sourced from unsustainable sources that
result in the destruction of ecosystems.
▪ Example of uses include exteriors, interiors, flooring, roofs, decorative elements,
load bearing structures, landscaping, and fencing.
▪ Properties: A broad category of hundreds of products with different properties.
Many are designed to be cheaper, stronger, or more durable than natural wood.
❖ Bamboo
o Bamboo is a family of plants that is perceived as wood but is technically a grass. Bamboo
is viewed as a sustainable material due to its high rate of growth with some species
growing up to 1.5 inches an hour.
▪ Example of uses include scaffolding, load bearing elements of small structures,
flooring, and cabinetry.
▪ Properties: Generally speaking, bamboo has higher compressive strength and
tensile strength than wood and is lighter.
❖ Glass
o A durable but brittle material that is valued for its optical properties such as its ability to
refract, reflect, and transmit light. Glass is often designed to be transparent or translucent.
Most glass contains silicon dioxide and is manufactured in thousands of varieties. A

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #3

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

strong type of frameless glass known as structural glass can be used in load bearing
structures.
▪ Example of uses include windows, facades, walls, roofs, and floors.
▪ Properties: Glass is durable but brittle and is prone to fracture. Treatments such
as laminates can make glass less brittle.
❖ Ceramics
o Ceramics are a broad category of hard inorganic material manufactured using minerals.
Most traditional ceramics are non-metallic. However, some materials made from
combinations of metals and minerals are considered ceramics. Traditional ceramics
include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
▪ Example of uses include bricks, fireplaces, chimneys, mortars, decorative
features, sinks, countertops, tubs, bathroom and kitchen tiles.
▪ Properties: Ceramics are often hard, durable, water, heat, and fire resistant.
Modern engineered ceramics such as titanium carbide and tungsten carbide are
amongst the strongest known materials.
❖ Carbon Fiber
o Carbon fibers are a relatively new material that have interesting material properties for
construction including high tensile strength, chemical resistance, and low thermal
expansion.
▪ Properties: It has a far higher tensile strength than most known materials. For
example, its tensile strength is more than 5 times that of steel.
❖ Copper
o It is valued for its superior qualities in areas such as thermal conductivity and corrosion
resistance.
▪ Example of uses include roofs, gutters, pipes, wall cladding, building expansion
joints, wires, radio, frequency shielding, and lighting protection.
▪ Properties: Durable, corrosion resistant, low thermal expansion, low maintenance,
anti-microbial and highly recyclable.
❖ Aluminum
o A lightweight and durable material that has a large number of specialty uses.
▪ Example of uses include exterior panels, facades, and window frames.
▪ Properties: Light, ductile, malleable, corrosion resistant, nonmagnetic, thermal
conductor, electrical conductor.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #3

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

❖ Plastic
o Plastic is a category of synthetic material derived from petrochemicals or renewable
biomass sources. It is an inexpensive material that is formulated and shaped into a very
large number of construction products.
▪ Example of uses include pipes, flooring, siding, roofing, windows, doors, and
interior panels.
▪ Properties: Cheap and available in significant variety, lightweight, durable,
flammable, sensitive to temperature.
❖ Foam
o Foams are materials that include trapped pockets of liquid or gas. These are often sold
as panels, blocks, or sprays.
▪ Example of uses include insulation, sound dampening, and fire-retardant treatment
and barriers.
▪ Properties: Foam is a broad category of material that is often lightweight
❖ Plaster
o Plaster is a material that is applied as a decorative or protective coating of interior walls
and ceilings. Plasters are based on gypsum, lime, cement, or clay and are applied as a
paste that hardens.
▪ Example of uses include interior walls, exterior walls, ceilings, and fireproofing.
▪ Properties: Easily worked, molded, and finished. They are not strong and are easily
damaged. However, they also tend to be easy to repair.

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Identify which material/s are used in the following examples:
_____________________________________________ 1. Roofing
_____________________________________________ 2. Windows
_____________________________________________ 3. Flooring
_____________________________________________ 4. Walls
_____________________________________________ 5. Panels and Cladding
Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) Aside from the aforementioned
construction materials, enumerate at
least 3 more construction material.

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

b) For each material, give at least 3

examples of where it is used.

c) Compare Steel, Aluminum, and

Bamboo. List down each of its
advantages and disadvantages.

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: Why is it important to consider using sustainable materials in construction?

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

FAQs
1) Definition of terms:
a. Panel; a distinct portion, section, or division of a wall, wainscot, ceiling, door, shutter, fence, etc.,
especially of any surface sunk below or raised above the general level or enclosed by a frame or
border.
b. Cladding; it is used to provide a degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance, and to
improve the appearance of buildings.
c. Insulation; it is a material designed to prevent heat or sound from being transmitted from one area
to another. It's normally used to keep heat and/or sound in or out of your home, or to confine it to
certain parts of your house.
d. Façade; any predominantly vertical face of a building envelope, such as an external wall.
Consequently, a building may have more than one façade, such as the north façade, south façade
and so on.

Answer Key
1. Engineered wood, glass, copper, plastic 4. Engineered Wood, glass, plaster
2. Glass, aluminum, plastic 5. Copper, aluminum, plastic
3. Engineered wood, bamboo, glass, plastic

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #4

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: GENERAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS PART 1 Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Black Ballpen
At the end of the module, you should be able to References:
1) Identify the Different Types of Properties for Construction [Link]
Materials
2) Define the General Properties of Construction Materials

“Get enough sleep. A young adult needs at least 8

hours of sleep. Your brain will be thanking for the rest. “

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)

❖ Building materials or construction materials are the major requirement in this modern age of technology.
There are many types of building materials used for different construction works.
❖ For a material to be considered as building material, it should have required engineering properties
suitable for construction works. These properties of building materials are responsible for its quality and
capacity and helps to decide applications of these material. Such properties of building materials are
categorized as follows.
o Physical properties o Electrical properties
o Mechanical properties o Magnetic properties
o Chemical properties o Thermal properties

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) Enumerate at least 5 Physical
Properties of Construction Materials.

b) Enumerate at least 3 Thermal

Properties of Construction Materials.

c) Give a short definition for each 1 of

your chosen properties (1 for physical
and 1 for thermal)

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #4

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ These are the properties required to estimate the quality and condition of the material without
any external force. The physical properties of engineering materials are as follows.
o Bulk density o Weathering resistance
o Porosity o Spalling resistance
o Durability o Water absorption
o Density o Water permeability
o Density index o Hygroscopicity
o Specific gravity o Coefficient of softening
o Fire resistance o Refractoriness
o Frost resistance
❖ Bulk Density of Building Materials
o Bulk density is the ratio of mass to the volume of the material in its natural state that is
including voids and pores. It is expressed in kg/m3. Bulk density influences the
mechanical properties of materials like strength, heat and conductivity etc.
❖ Porosity of Building Materials
o Porosity gives the volume of the material occupied by pores. It is the ratio of volume of
pores to the volume of material. Porosity influences many properties like thermal
conductivity, strength, bulk density, durability etc.
❖ Durability of Building Materials
o The property of a material to withstand against the combined action of atmospheric and
other factors is known as durability of material. If the material is more durable, it will be
useful for longer life. Maintenance cost of material is dependent of durability.
❖ Density of Building Materials
o Density is the ratio of mass of the material to its volume in homogeneous state. Almost
all the physical properties of materials are influenced by its density values.
❖ Density Index
o Ratio of bulk density of material to its density is termed as density index. Hence it gives
the volume of solid matter in the material. In nature, fully dense material is not available
so, density index is always less than 1 for any building material.
❖ Specific Gravity of Building Materials

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o Specific gravity is the ratio of mass of given substance to the mass of water at 4oC for
the equal volumes. Specific gravity of some materials is listed below.
❖ Fire Resistance of Building Materials
o The ability to withstand against fire without changing its shape and other properties. Fire
resistance of a material is tested by the combined actions of water and fire. Fireproof
materials should provide more safety in case of fire.
❖ Frost Resistance
o The ability of a material to resist freezing or thawing is called frost resistance. It is
depending upon the density and bulk density of material. Denser materials will have more
frost resistance. Moist material have low frost resistance and they lose their strength in
freezing and become brittle.
❖ Weathering Resistance
o The property of a material to withstand against all atmospheric actions without losing its
strength and shape. Weathering effects the durability of material. For example, corrosion
occurs in iron due to weathering. To resist this paint layer is provided.
❖ Spalling Resistance
o The ability of a material to undergo certain number of cycles of sharp temperature
variations without failing is known as spalling resistance. It is the dependent of coefficient
of linear expansion.
❖ Water Absorption
o The capacity of a material to absorb and retain water in it is known as water absorption.
It is expressed in % of weight of dry material. It depends up on the size, shape and number
of pores of material.
❖ Water Permeability
o The ability of a material to permit water through it is called water permeability. Dense
materials like glass metals etc. are called impervious materials which cannot allow water
through it.
❖ Hygroscopicity
o Hygroscopicity is the property of a material to absorb water vapor from the air. It depends
on the relative humidity, porosity, air temperature etc.
❖ Coefficient of Softening
o Coefficient of softening of a material is the ration of compressive strength of a saturated
material to its compressive strength in dry state. It affects the strength of water absorbent
materials like soil.
❖ Refractoriness

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o The property of a material which cannot melts or lose its shape at prolonged high
temperatures (1580oC or more). Example: fire clay is high refractory material.

THERMAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ Thermal Capacity of Building Materials

o Thermal capacity is the property of a material to absorb heat and it is required to design
proper ventilation. It influences the thermal stability of walls. It is expressed in J/N oC and
it is calculated by below formula. Thermal capacity, T = [H/(M(T2 - T1))] Where H =
quantity of heat required to increase the temperature from T1 to T2 T1 = Initial
temperature T2 = Final temperature M = Mass of material in N.
❖ Thermal Conductivity
o The amount of heat transferred through unit area of specimen with unit thickness in unit
time is termed as thermal conductivity. It is measured in kelvins. It depends on material
structure, porosity, density and moisture content. High porous materials, moist materials
have more thermal conductivity.
❖ Thermal Resistivity
o It is the ability to resist heat conduction. And it is the reciprocal of thermal conductivity.
When it is multiplied by thickness of material it gives thermal resistance. Thermal
resistivity of soil varies from 30 to 500 0C-cm/W.
❖ Specific Heat
o Specific heat is the quantity of heat required to heat 1 N of material by 1 oC. Specific heat
is useful when we use the material in high temperature areas. Specific heat values of
some engineering materials are given below.

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Select 5 building materials from the previous modules and give at least 3 of their properties based on the given
properties. (Select which properties are appropriate for the material chosen.)

I. Steel
a. Density – 7750 to 8050 kg/m3, Specific Gravity – 7.75 to 8.05,
Specific Heat – 460 to 510 J/(kg-K)

1. _____________________ –

a.

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Student Activity Sheet #4

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

2. _____________________ –

a.

3. _____________________ –

a.

4. _____________________ –

a.

5. _____________________ –

a.

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) Enumerate at least 5 Physical
Properties of Construction Materials.

b) Enumerate at least 3 Thermal

Properties of Construction Materials.

c) Give a short definition for each 1 of

your chosen properties (1 for physical
and 1 for thermal)

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: Why is it important to know the properties of construction materials?

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #4

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

Answer Key

Answer may vary.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #5

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: GENERAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS PART 2 Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Black Ballpen
At the end of the module, you should be able to References:
1) Identify the Different Types of Properties for Construction [Link]
Materials
2) Define the General Properties of Construction Materials

“Prioritize. Knowing you have student and family duties, make sure
your parents are informed of your schedule for school works and
chores at home. “

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)

❖ It is necessary for an engineer to be conversant with the properties of engineering materials. Right
selection of materials can be made for a construction activity only when material properties are fully
understood. Some of the most important properties of building materials are grouped as follows.

Group Properties

Physical Shape, Size, Density, Specific Gravity etc.,

Strength, Elasticity, Plasticity, Hardness, Toughness, Ductility,

Mechanical
Brittleness, Creep, Stiffness, Fatigue, Impact Strength etc.,

Thermal Thermal conductivity, Thermal resistivity, Thermal capacity etc.,

Chemical Corrosion resistance, Chemical composition, Acidity, Alkalinity etc.,

Optical Color, Light reflection, Light transmission etc.,

Acoustical Sound absorption, Transmission and Reflection.

Physiochemical Hygroscopicity, Shrinkage and Swell due to moisture changes

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #5

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) Give a short definition of 3 Mechanical
Properties of Construction Materials.

b) What are the optical and acoustical

properties of a material?

c) Differentiate Chemical and

Physiochemical properties.

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ Mechanical properties of the materials are found out by applying external forces on them. These
are very important properties which are responsible for behavior of a material in its job. The
mechanical properties are,
o Strength o Impact strength
o Hardness o Abrasion resistance
o Elasticity o Creep
o Plasticity o Ductility
o Brittleness o Stiffness
o Fatigue o Toughness

❖ Strength of Building Materials

o The capacity of a material to resist failure caused by loads acting on it is called as
strength. The load may be compressive, tensile or bending. It is determined by dividing
the ultimate load taken by the material with its cross-sectional area. Strength is an
important property for any construction materials. So, to provide maximum safety in
strength, factor of safety is provided for materials and it is selected depending on nature
of work, quality of material, economic conditions etc.
❖ Hardness of Building Materials

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o The property of a materials to resist scratching by a harder body. MOHS scale is used to
determine the hardness of a materials. Hardness is most important to decide the usage
of particular aggregate. It also influences the workability.
❖ Elasticity of Building Materials
o The capacity of a material to regain its initial shape and size after removal of load is known
as elasticity and the material is called as elastic material. Ideally elastic materials obey
Hooke’s law in which stress is directly proportional to strain. Which gives modulus of
elasticity as the ratio of unit stress to unit deformation. Higher the value of modulus of
elasticity lowers the deformations.
❖ Plasticity
o When the load is applied on the material, if it will undergo permanent deformation without
cracking and retain this shape after the removal of load then it is said to be plastic material
and this property is called as plasticity. They give resistance against bending, impact etc.
Examples: steel, hot bitumen etc.
❖ Brittleness
o When the material is subjected to load, if it fails suddenly without causing any deformation
then it is called brittle material and this property is called as brittleness. Examples:
concrete, cast-iron etc.
❖ Fatigue
o If a material is subjected to repeated loads, then the failure occurs at some point which is
lower than the failure point caused by steady loads. This behavior is known as fatigue.
❖ Impact Strength
o If a material is subjected to sudden loads and it will undergo some deformation without
causing rupture is known as its impact strength. It designates the toughness of material.
❖ Abrasion Resistance
o The loss of material due to rubbing of particles while working is called abrasion. The
abrasion resistance for a material makes it durable and provided long life.
❖ Creep
o Creep the deformation caused by constant loads for long periods. It is time dependent
and occurs at very slow rate. It is almost negligible in normal conditions. But at high
temperature conditions creep occur rapidly.
❖ Ductility
o It is the property of a material which enables it to be drawn out or elongated to an
appreciable extent before rupture occurs.
❖ Toughness

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o It is the property of a material which enables it to be twisted, bent or stretched under a

high stress before rupture.
❖ Stiffness
o It is the property of a material which enables it to resist deformation.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ The properties of materials against the chemical actions or chemical combinations are termed
as chemical properties. And they are
o Chemical resistance
o Corrosion resistance
❖ Chemical Resistance of Building Materials
o The ability of a construction materials to resist the effects by chemicals like acids, salts
and alkalis is known as chemical resistance. Underground installations, constructions
near sea etc. should be built with great chemical resistance.
❖ Corrosion Resistance
o Formation of rust (iron oxide) in metals, when they are subjected to atmosphere is called
as corrosion. So, the metals should be corrosive resistant. To increase the corrosion
resistance proper measures should be considered. Otherwise, it will damage the whole
structure.

OTHER PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS

❖ Electrical Properties of Building Materials

o The properties of a material to conduct or to resist electricity through them are electrical
properties of material. For example, wood have great electric resistance and stainless
steel is a good conductor of electricity.
❖ Magnetic Properties of Building Materials
o The magnetic properties of materials like permeability, hysteresis etc. are required in the
case of generators etc. iron is magnetic material and aluminum is non-magnetic material.
❖ Optical
o Color
o Light reflection
o Light transmission
❖ Acoustical
o Sound absorption

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Student Activity Sheet #5

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o Transmission
o Reflection.
❖ Physiochemical
o Hygroscopicity
o Shrinkage
o Swell due to moisture changes

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Complete the puzzle below.

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #5

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) Give a short definition of 3 Mechanical
Properties of Construction Materials.

b) What are the optical and acoustical

properties of a material?

c) Differentiate Chemical and

Physiochemical properties.

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: Why is it important to consider a Factor of Safety when dealing with the strength of materials used
in construction?

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #5

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

Answer Key
1. Abrasion
2. Impact strength
3. Strength
4. Fatigue
5. Elasticity
6. Toughness
7. Hardness
8. Ductility
9. Creep
10. Stiffness

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #6

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: COMMON APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN Materials:

TESTING OF MATERIALS Black Ballpen
Lesson Objectives: References:
At the end of the module, you should be able to [Link]
1) Identify common apparatus and equipment used in testing of
materials
2) Define the following testing equipment

“Ask questions. Your modules are given ahead of time before your
synchronous classes. If you saw a topic you are confused with, ask
your instructor during discussions. “

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (5 mins)

❖ Some materials testing lab equipment include:

1. Sieve Set 14. Vicat Apparatus
2. Balance 15. Electric Oven
3. Graduated Beaker 16. Stop Watch
4. Calculator 17. Electric Fans
5. Slump cone 18. Funnels
6. Various Molds 19. Wire Basket
7. Hydrometer 20. Brushes
8. Universal Testing Machine 21. Hydraulic Jack
9. Concrete Mixer 22. Steel Pan
10. Pressure Gauge 23. Shovel
11. Tamping Rod 24. Trowel
12. Thermometer 25. Wheel Barrows
13. Vibrator

Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (2 mins)

Review

What I Know Questions:

a) What is a Universal Testing Machine?

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #6

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

What I Know Questions:

b) What is the purpose of a Sieve Set?

c) What is the purpose of a Slump cone?

[Link] LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (30 mins)

COMMON APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN TESTING OF MATERIALS

❖ Sieve Set
o A sieve, or sifter, is a device for separating wanted elements from unwanted material or
for characterizing the particle size distribution of a sample of (aggregates, sand, and other
soil particles)
▪ Sieve analysis helps to determine the particle size distribution of the coarse and
fine aggregates. This is done by sieving the aggregates as per IS: 2386 (Part I) –
1963. In this we use different sieves as standardized by the IS code and then pass
aggregates through them and thus collect different sized particles left over different
sieves.
❖ Slump Cone
o A metal mold in the form of a truncated cone with a top diameter of 4"(102mm), a bottom
diameter of 8"(203mm), and a height of 12"(305mm), used to fabricate the specimen for
a slump test. A 2 ft (610 mm) long bullet nosed metal rod, 5’’’ (16 mm) in diameter.
▪ The concrete slump test is an empirical test that measures the workability of fresh
concrete. More specifically, it measures the consistency of the concrete in that
specific batch.
❖ Various Molds
o Three types of molds use in material testing lab for preparation of Concrete specimen.
o Cube Molds
▪ Size of Cube Molds: 150 mm x 150 mm x150 mm, 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm,
70.6 mm x 70.6 mm x 70.6 mm
o Cylinder Molds
▪ Size of Cylinder Molds: 6 x 12 in. (15.2 x 30.5 cm), 4 x 8 in (10 x 20 cm)

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o Beam Molds
▪ Size of Beam Molds: 100x100x400, 100x100x500, 150x150x600
❖ Hydrometer
o A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity (or relative density)
of liquids; that is, the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water.
❖ Universal Testing Machine
o An instrument so designed that it is capable of exerting a tensile, compressive, or
transverse stress on a specimen under test. Further, it can be adapted for the
determination of Brinell hardness, ductility, cold bend, and other properties. The machine
consists essentially of three systems: loading, weighing, and indicating, the loading being
applied either mechanically or hydraulically.
❖ Concrete Mixer
o A concrete mixer (also commonly called a cement mixer) is a device that homogeneously
combines cement, aggregate such as sand or gravel, and water to form concrete. A
typical concrete mixer uses a revolving drum to mix the components. For smaller volume
works portable concrete mixers are often used so that the concrete can be made at the
construction site.
❖ Pressure Gauge
o Many techniques have been developed for the measurement of pressure instruments
used to measure pressure are called pressure gauges
o Types of pressure Gauge
▪ Standard pressure gauges ▪ Red-green pressure gauge
▪ Integrated pressure gauge ▪ Plug-in pressure gauge
▪ Flange pressure gauge
❖ Tamping Rod
o Tamping rods are dimensionally accurate rods used to tamp fresh concrete into cylinder
molds and slump cones to eliminate voids and excess air.
❖ Thermometer
o It is an instrument for measuring and indicating temperature, typically one consisting of a
narrow, hermetically sealed glass tube marked with graduations and having at one end a
bulb containing mercury or alcohol which extends along the tube as it expands.
❖ Vibrator
o A vibrator is a mechanical device to generate vibrations. The vibration is often generated
by an electric motor with an unbalanced mass on its driveshaft.
❖ Vicat Apparatus

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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

o It is used to find out the consistency, initial setting time and final setting time of the cement.
In the normal consistency test, we have to find out the amount of water to be added to
the cement to form a cement paste of normal consistency.
❖ Electric Oven
o Laboratory ovens are ovens for high-forced volume thermal convection applications.
These ovens generally provide uniform temperatures throughout. Process applications
for laboratory ovens can be for annealing, die-bond curing, drying, Polyimide baking,
sterilizing, and other industrial laboratory functions.

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (5 mins + 5 mins checking)

Based on the given common materials testing laboratory equipment given, identify the following:

1) 2) 3)

4) 5) 6)

7) 8) 9)

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
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Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

10) 11) 12)

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (3 mins)

Questions: What I Learned

a) What is a Universal Testing Machine?

b) What is the purpose of a Sieve Set?

c) What is the purpose of a Slump cone?

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Question: Why is it important to be oriented and to know more about the different apparatus and equipment
used in material testing?

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)
1) What is the most important thing that you have learned today?
2) Which part of today’s lesson do want to learn more about?
3) What topic was difficult for you to understand?

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 CIE043: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Student Activity Sheet #6

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Class number: ______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

You are done with your session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3
0 1 2 3 Q1 4 5 6 P1 7 8 Q2 9 10 11 P2 12 13 14 15 Q3 16 17 P3

Answer Key
1. Calculator
2. Stopwatch
3. Graduated Beaker
4. Shovel
5. Balance
6. Funnel
7. Wire Basket
8. First Aid Kit
9. Hydraulic Jack
10. Wheel Barrow
11. Trowel
12. Steel Pan

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