CE 406

Introduction to
Construction Materials
and Testing
What are construction
materials?

It is defined as the materials, supplies,

fixtures, or equipment, any combination
of such items, and any other leased or
purchased articles when the materials,
supplies, fixtures, equipment or articles
are to be utilized or consumed during
construction or are to be incorporated
into construction work pursuant to a
bonafide written construction contract.

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Types of Common
Construction Materials

The following are listed on the next few

pages.
1. Steel
Steel is a metal alloy of iron and carbon and often other
alloying material in its composition to make it stronger and
more fracture-resistant than iron.

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2. Aggregates
Construction aggregate is a broad category of particulate material
used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag,
recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates. Aggregates are
the most mined materials in the world. They are divided into two
categories—fine aggregates and coarse aggregates.

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3. Cement
Cement, in general, adhesive substances of all kinds, but,
in a narrower sense, the binding materials used in building
and civil engineering construction. Cements of this kind
are finely ground powders that, when mixed with water,
set to a hard mass.

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4. Bitumen
A black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons obtained
naturally or as a residue from petroleum distillation. It is
used for road surfacing and roofing.

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5. Concrete
Concrete is a composite material made of fine and coarse
aggregate (think gravel, crushed stone, recycled concrete,
and geosynthetic aggregates) bound together by a liquid
binder such as cement that hardens or cures over time.

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6. Asphalt
Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates, binder and filler, used
for constructing and maintaining roads, parking areas,
railway tracks, ports, airport runways, bicycle lanes,
sidewalks and also play- and sport areas.

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7. Masonry
Masonry construction uses individual units (such as bricks)
to build structures that are usually bound together by
some kind of mortar. The strongest and most commonly
used masonry unit now is a concrete block, which may be
reinforced with steel.

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What is materials
testing?

Materials testing is a respected and

established technique which is used to
ascertain both the physical and
mechanical properties of raw materials
and components. It can be used to
examine almost anything from human hair
to steel, ceramics or composite materials.

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Five major categories of materials testing

Testing for resistance

Mechanical Testing Testing for Thermal Testing for Electrical to corrosion, radiation Non-destructive
Properties Properties and biological testing
deterioration

Also known as destructive Testing for thermal Materials are subjected to Testing for breakdown or A testing and analysis
testing, reveals the properties is used to electrical stresses under a deterioration of materials technique to evaluate the
properties of a material measure materials’ ability variety of controlled under exposure to a properties of a material,
under dynamic or static to transfer heat since it conditions, including liquid particular type of component, structure or
force. Designed to ensure differs with each substance contaminants, dust and environment has greatly system for characteristic
that materials are suitable and may depend on fog, dry air electrical arc, increased in recent years. differences or welding
for their intended structure, density, or high voltage dielectric defects and discontinuities
applications. humidity, pressure and breakdown conditions. without causing damage to
temperature. the original part.

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Tests carried out on different construction materials

Aggregates Bitumen Cement

a. Sieve Analysis a. Determining bitumen content a. Fineness Test

b. Water Absorption b. Determining flash and fire b. Soundness Test
point of bitumen
c. Aggregate Impact Value c. Consistency Test
c. Determining penetration of
d. Aggregate Abrasion Value bitumen d. Setting Time Test
e. Aggregate Crushing Value d. Determining softening point
of bitumen
e. Determining specific gravity of
bitumen
f. Determining ductility of
bitumen
g. Determining marshal stability
of bitumen

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Tests carried out on different construction materials

Hardened Steel
Fresh Concrete
Concrete Reinforcement
a. Slump Test a. Compression Strength Test a. Tensile Strength Test
b. Compacting Factor Test b. Flexural Strength Test b. Bend Test
c. VeBe Test c. Rebound Hammer Test c. Re-bend Test
d. Ultrasonic Pulse velocity Test d. Shear Test
e. Brinell Hardness Test
f. Impact Test
g. Torsion Test

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 Why is CMT
important?
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.

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 CE 406

Thank You!
References:
https://www.mtcopeland.com/blog/five-building-materials-commonly-
used-in-construction
https://www.definitions.net/definition/construction+aggregate
https://www.britannica.com/technology/cement-building-material
https://www.element.com/materials-testing-services/mechanical-testing-
services#:~:text=Designed%20to%20ensure%20that%20materials,resistance
%2C%20fracture%20toughness%20and%20fatigue.
http://info.shieldengineering.com/blog/why-is-construction-materials-
testing-important