PART I

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING Non-destructive test

Materials testing - It is a kind of testing and analysis technique used to

evaluate the properties of materials, components, structure
❖ Refers to measurement of the characteristics and or system for characteristic differences or welding defects and
behavior of materials to be used in specifying the discontinuities without causing damage to the original part.
suitability of materials to various applications.

❖ Examination of materials properties with respect to

Construction material
design and use of product.
❖ An item, material or supply consumed or used in a
construction project and incorporated in the
constructed building or structure.
Categories of materials testing
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
1. Mechanical Testing
• BRICKS AND BRICKWORKS
2. Testing for thermal properties
• FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS METAL
3. Testing for electrical properties
• AGGREGATES
4. Testing for resistance to corrosion, radiation, and
biological deterioration • BITUMENS
5. Non-destructive Testing • CEMENT
Mechanical testing • CONCRETE
- aims to find out properties of the materials such as the yield BRICKS AND BRICKWORKS
strength or hardness, toughness where the materials are
physically tested to destruction. - Originally, bricks were hand-mounded from moist clay and
then sunbaked, as is still the practice in certain arid climates.
Ductility –ability to be stretched into a wire. The firing of clay bricks dates back well over 5000 years and is
Toughness -ability to absorb energy and now a sophisticated and highly controlled manufacturing
plastically deform without fracturing. process.
Brittleness -break easily or suddenly without any plastic
deformation first. FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS METAL
Hardness -measure of how easily a material can be FERROUS METAL- any metal that contains iron, such as
scratched or indented. stainless steel. They are known for their tensile strength,
Plasticity -the quality of being easily shaped or molded which makes them ideal for architectural and structural uses
Elasticity -ability of a material to return to its original such as the tallest skyscrapers, as well as bridges, railways and
form. more.
Strength-Compressive and tensile strength.
Ex. alloy steel, carbon steel, cast iron and wrought iron.
Testing for thermal properties
NON-FERROUS - every metal and alloy that does not contain
- It is a method of testing a material’s ability to operate safely iron.
at different temperatures.
Ex. aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, and zinc
Testing for thermal properties
- refer to a material's ability to conduct electric current.
AGGREGATES
Testing for resistance to corrosion, radiation, and
biological deterioration - is broad category coarse- to medium-grained particulate
material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed
- Testing for breakdown or deterioration of materials under stone, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates.
exposure to a particular type of environment. Aggregates are the most mined materials in the world.

BITUMEN'S

-refers to a substance produced through the distillation of

crude oil. Bitumen is known for its waterproofing and
MGSD
 PART I
adhesive properties and is commonly used in the construction Test of Hardened Concrete
industry, notably for roads and highways.
• Compression Strength Test
• Flexural Strength Test
• Rebound Hammer Test
CEMENT
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
- refers to materials which act as adhesives.

- is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that

STEEL REINFORCEMENT
sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them
together. • Tensile Strength Test
CONCRETE • Bend Test
• Re-bend Test
- is a composite material composed of fine and coarse • Shear Test
aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement (cement • Brinell Hardness Test
paste) that hardens cures over time. • Impact Test
• Torsion Test

STANDARD-SETTING AGENCIES
TESTS CARRIED OUT ON DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS ASTM standards are formal, technical requirements that
establish quality specifications for a wide range of materials,
AGGREGATES
products, systems, and services; they serve as the basis for
a) Sieve Analysis manufacturing, procurement, and regulatory activities
b) Water Absorption worldwide. ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and
c) Aggregate Impact Value Materials.
d) Aggregate Abrasion Value
Example.

ASTM C150 for Portland cement, used in making

BITUMEN concrete-are found throughout building codes and
construction specifications, where they are used as a
a) Determining bitumen content precise shorthand for describing the quality of
b) Determining flash and fire point of bitumen materials or the requirements of their installation.
c) Determining penetration of bitumen
d) Determining softening point of bitumen
e) Determining specific gravity of bitumen
American Association of Highway and Transportation
f) Determining ductility of bitumen
Officials (AASHTO) is a nonprofit association that represents
highway and transportation departments across the nation.
AASHTO works to educate the public and key decision makers
CEMENT about the critical role that transportation plays in securing a
good quality of life and sound economy for our nation.
a) Fineness Test
b) Soundness Test
c) Consistency Test
d) Setting Time Test

CONCRETE

Test of Fresh Concrete

• Slump Test
• Compacting Factor Test
• VeBe Test
• K-Slump Test

MGSD