MODULE 1

NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Overview
The construction industry uses a variety of building materials for different aspects of a home build. Page | 1
Architects consult with structural engineers on the load-bearing capabilities of the materials with which
they design, and the most common materials are concrete, steel, wood, masonry, and stone. Each has
different strength, weight, and durability, which makes it right for various uses. There are national
standards and testing methods that govern the use of building materials in the construction industry, so
that they can be relied on for providing structural integrity. Architects also choose materials based on
cost and aesthetics.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the student is expected to:
 Explain relevant properties of common construction materials;
 Conduct experiments on common construction materials according to international standards
such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); and

Content
INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
 Classification and general properties of common construction materials;
 Material Standards and Standard Test Method
 Familiarization with apparatus & Equipment used in testing of Materials

Discussion
INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
In the Philippines, construction materials are fairly common, especially since construction and engineering
projects occur on a daily basis, whether it be in the province, in the heart of the metro, in a commercial hub, or in
a residential area. That is, they’re virtually everywhere, and those living in the Philippines are already used to
seeing construction materials gingerly lining up the pavements.
That being said, it can’t be denied that they are essential to humans. Just one glance at your surroundings
reveals this. Everywhere around you, there will always be vestiges of these building materials—from your home,
to the structures you see outside, and so on.
They are, in other words, also extremely versatile, since they can be used in several industries and applications.
Not to mention that there are numerous types of construction materials out there, which ensures that you will find
something that best suits your project’s needs.

I- What are Construction Materials?

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

 Page | 2

A construction material, as the name suggests, is any material that is used for construction. Various raw
substances such as clay, sand, wood, rocks, and twigs have been utilized for building.

Aside from naturally-occurring substances, there is also a vast array of artificial and man-made products that are
used for construction, such as plastic and steel from the Philippines.

These materials are employed in different projects, such as carpentry, plumbing, roofing, and insulation work. As
you might expect, every task requires its own specific materials.

Construction materials are often used as the foundation of habitats and structures, such as homes, and it’s no
wonder that upon mentioning the phrase construction materials in the Philippines, people will most likely
associate it with the creation of houses.

A Brief History of Construction Materials

A construction project’s success primarily lies in using only materials that can deliver results. One of the relevant
factors to consider is their durability, especially when they’re tested against time.

Construction materials have been around for a long, long time. In fact, their beginnings can be traced to as early
as 400 BC.

Listed below is the brief history of some of the most common construction materials in the Philippines.

 Wood. North America and Europe were teeming with vast forests. This encouraged the construction of
homes that employed timber frames. Other countries also realized the endless possibilities of wood and
decided to make the most out of it. The best thing about wood is that it’s a natural resource that could
be acquired effortlessly. Since then, it’s a material that has literally become a necessity in construction
projects.
 Concrete. According to records, the Romans were the earliest users of concrete. Its versatility also
attracted the industry, because it meant that it was still subject to various developments and
innovations. Soon enough, concrete became a material that was used as a foundation in buildings. Its
main purpose is to stabilize structures—which remains true until today.
 Steel. Steel is an extremely exhilarating material to work with. For one, it can be seamlessly customized
to the needs of your project, but without sacrificing the material’s robustness and stability. This material
is utilized both in small-scale projects and in more major ones.

The Most Common Construction Materials in the Philippines

As mentioned earlier, construction materials can be divided into two categories: naturally-occurring and man-
made.

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

Natural materials that are unprocessed or barely processed are lumber and glass. Synthetic materials, on the
other hand, are largely used nowadays, especially in industrial settings.

Listed below are some of the most common building materials.

 Mud and Clay these are two of the most frequently used materials for constructing buildings and
homes. Mud and clay have been around for centuries, and the structures built using these materials Page | 3
were still fit for human habitation even after hundreds of years. The primary advantage of soil and clay
is that they have an excellent thermal mass, which means that they have no problem sustaining
temperature at a constant level. That being said, homes built with these materials adapt to their
surroundings—during the scorching heat of summer, they remain cool, and during the colder season,
they manage to maintain some warmth.
 Rock. Rock has been around for a long time. The best thing about it is that it is readily available, which
makes it an extremely reliable construction material. There are different kinds of rocks available, each of
them with their own respective attributes. In general, rocks are incredibly dense, which makes them a
robust material for construction. However, this can also serve as its drawback, since it makes the
material bulky and difficult to handle. Aside from homes, rocks have also been utilized in some of the
most renowned structures in history, such as the Pyramids in Egypt, the Aztec pyramids, and so on.
 Aside from rocks, wood is also another material that dominates the construction industry. Like rocks, it
has been around since time immemorial. As you might know, wood is product of trees and plants. They
are usually pressed into lumber and timber; after that, they are now ready to be employed in various
applications. One of the most splendid attributes of woods is its versatility—that is, it can be used in
practically any construction project, regardless of the climate in which the structures belong to. It is also
exceptionally flexible, managing to maintain its strength even while bent or compressed. The quality of
wood often depends on the tree species, and, needless to say, some species of wood are better-suited
for applications than others. In earlier periods, wood was used in its unprocessed form, and it was only
recently when lumber finally came into prominence—when mechanized saws were invented. This, then,
allowed the mass production of lumber and other processed wooden materials.
 Brick and Block. Bricks are fashioned from kiln-fired materials (such as clay and shale). They were
extensively used in the 18th to the 20th century, mainly because they were economical to produce.
 Concrete Concrete is a combination of paste and aggregates (or small rocks). The paste, which
comprises of cement and water, coats the surface of the aggregates. A chemical reaction called
hydration allows the paste to harden and eventually transform into concrete. In essence, concrete is a
rock-like mass that is characterized by its durability (when it hardens) and flexibility (when it’s still newly
mixed). These traits make it an exemplary material for all sorts of structures, including soaring
skyscrapers, bridges, superhighways, dams, and, of course, homes.
 Steel or Metal. Metal is one of the most common artificial construction materials. It serves as a
structural framework for massive edifices, such as skyscrapers. Like concrete, steel is also marked by
its flexibility and strength. Its major nemesis has something to do with longevity—corrosion. In
the Philippines, steel production requires substantial human labor, since ample amounts are usually
required for construction projects.
 Glass. The primary purpose of glass windows is twofold—to let light penetrate into the room and to
keep the outside breeze from entering. Glass is made from a blend of sand and silicates, which results
to this material’s fragility.
 Ceramics. Ceramics are typically used as fixtures and coverings (such as tiles). In the recent years,
ceramic tiles have been gaining a steady popularity. They aren’t limited to floorings anymore, and have
also been integrated into walls, countertops, and ceilings. In some instances, in fact, they are also
utilized as roofing tiles.
 Plastics. Plastics are another famous synthetic material. They are used in all imaginable industries, and
are practically ubiquitous. In the construction sector, they’re commonly used as pipes for apartments
and other buildings.
 Cement Composites. Cement composites constitute of hydrated cement paste that combines wood,
fibers, and so on.

How to Choose the Best Construction Materials for Your Projects?

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

With the myriads of construction materials available in the Philippines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and
confused, especially if it’s your first time plunging into this industry. With a vast array of materials to choose from,
how on earth will you know which ones are the most suitable for your projects?

As with many other endeavors, preparation is the key to make smart decisions. You need to be knowledgeable
about materials, building, and the intricacies of your undertaking.
Page | 4
 Cost

The first thing that you’ll have to consider is the cost. How much money are you willing to
allocate for your construction materials? And if you want to make sure that you’ll only get something
with impeccable quality, then you may have to opt for materials that are priced a bit higher. Of course, if
you buy something incredibly cheap, then don’t expect it to last for years. Aside from the actual price of
a material, you also need to estimate how long its lifespan might be. It definitely won’t be worth it if you’ll
need to replace or renovate your structure every so often—the costs will be much greater in the long
run.

 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. If it’s your home, then identify the kind of residence you will be most
comfortable living in, and start from there. Your preferences, coupled with your budget, will ultimately be
a huge bearing on the materials that you will buy.

 Durability

The toughness of materials varies from one another. Some may last longer than others; some
may be more impervious to environmental hazards; and some might be more susceptible to wearing
away after a certain period of time. When it comes to durability, you will have to consider the weather
condition of your area. If your vicinity frequently suffers from typhoons, then the materials you select
need to be resilient enough to withstand these natural disasters. Additionally, you also need to consider
what the purpose of the final output will be—that is, are you choosing construction materials for a
bathroom, for a commercial center, or for a high-rise building? These factors will make it easier for you
to determine the most suitable materials for your project.

 Supplier

The importance of picking a superb supplier can never be stressed enough. After all, the
supplier will dictate the quality of the materials you’ll be getting. Aside from that, you should also opt for
a supplier that features a brilliant customer service, which includes the transportation of the materials to
your job site.

 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.

 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.

 Performance

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

 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?

 Maintenance

The best materials are the ones that can be easily maintained. Maintenance is imperative, Page | 5
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.

Select Only the Finest Materials for Your Construction Needs

Whatever project you have in mind, whether it’s a family residence or something more large-scale, such as
massive infrastructures or towering skyscrapers, it’s vital that you select only the finest materials for your
construction needs.

If you want something that ensures durability, even when tested against time and various environmental hazards,
then Regan Steel is here for you.

As discussed, steel is one of the major materials being used in construction ventures. Here at Regan Steel, we
provide our clients and customers with only the optimum steel from the Philippines. Our products are suited for
various applications, be it manufacturing, construction, mining, and other industries. More than that, they’re also
guaranteed to feature the marks of an excellent steel product—that is, the perfect blend of strength and
versatility.

What are the engineering requirements of materials?

The "four elements" of the field of materials engineering are:

 processing (how a material is created);

 structure (the arrangement of a material's components);
 properties (such as electrical, magnetic or thermal properties);
 and performance (whether a material meets the intended requirements).

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

Several materials are required for construction. The materials used in the construction of Engineering Structures
such as buildings, bridges and roads are called Engineering Materials or Building Materials. They include Bricks,
Timber, Cement, Steel and Plastics. The materials used in Civil Engineering constructions can be studied under
the following types.

1. Traditional materials
2. Alternate building materials Page | 6
3. Composite materials
4. Smart materials

II- General Properties of Common Construction Materials

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.,
Mechanical Strength, Elasticity, Plasticity, Hardness, Toughness, Ductility, Brittleness, Creep, Stiffness,
Fatigue, Impact Strength etc.,
Thermal Thermal conductivity, Thermal resistivity, Thermal capacity etc.,
Chemical Corrosion resistance, Chemical composition, Acidity, Alkalinity etc.,
Optical Colour, Light reflection, Light transmission etc.,
Acoustical Sound absorption, Transmission and Reflection.
Physiochemical Hygroscopicity, Shrinkage and Swell due to moisture changes

III- Material Standards and Standard Test Methods

Materials Testing
 Measurement of the characteristics and behavior of materials such as metals, concrete, ceramics or plastics
under various conditions. The data this obtained can be used in specifying the suitability of materials for various
applications. (E.g. building or aircraft construction, machinery and packaging etc.)
 It is breakdown to 5 major categories:
 Mechanical testing
 Testing for thermal properties
 Testing for electrical properties
 Testing for resistance to corrosion, radiation and biological deterioration
 Non-destructive testing
 National and International bodies such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) with
headquarters in Geneva and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) established these standard test
methods.

Test carried out on Different Construction Materials

1. Aggregates
a. Sieve Analysis
b. Water Absorption
c. Aggregate Impact Value
d. Aggregate Abrasion Value
e. Aggregate Crushing Value
2. Bitumen
a. Determining bitumen content
b. Determining flash and fire point of bitumen
c. Determining penetration of bitumen
d. Determining softening point of bitumen
e. Determining specific gravity of bitumen
f. Determining ductility of bitumen

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

 g. Determining marshal stability of bitumen
3. Cement
a. Fineness Test
b. Soundness Test
c. Consistency Test
d. Setting Time Test
4. Concrete Page | 7
Test of Fresh Concrete
a. Slump Test
b. Compacting Factor Test
c. VeBe Test
d. K-Slump Test
Test of Hardened Concrete
a. Compression Strength Test
b. Flexural Strength Test c. Rebound Hammer Test
d. Ultrasonic Pulse velocity Test
5. Steel Reinforcement
a. Tensile Strength Test
b. Bend Test
c. Re-bend Test
d. Shear Test
e. Brinell Hardness Test
f. Impact Test g. Torsion Test
What is meant by ASTM standards?

ASTM- American Society for Testing and Materials. In short, ASTM is one of the largest voluntary standards
developing organizations in the world. Meaning they create Standards, which are documents that give
manufacturers information about procedures and regulations in their specific industry. ASTM International,
formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that
develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products,
systems, and services.

Who sets ASTM standards?

Who develops ASTM standards? ASTM has over 30,000 volunteer members from more than 140 countries
around the world who are producers, users, consumers and general interest parties. These members
write ASTM standards through their service on one or more of our 140-plus technical committees.

Who uses ASTM?

ASTM standards are used and accepted worldwide and cover areas such as metals, paints, plastics, textiles,
petroleum, construction, energy, the environment, consumer products, medical services, devices and electronics,
advanced materials and much more.
Are ASTM standards mandatory?
Standards are widely used by scientists, engineers, architects, and government agencies to ensure quality and
consistency of materials. While these standards are voluntary, they are mandatory when cited in contracts,
government codes, regulations, or laws.

5 types of standards recognized by ASTM?

List of ASTM International standards

 A = Iron and Steel Materials.
 B = Nonferrous Metal Materials.
 C = Ceramic, Concrete, and Masonry Materials.
 D = Miscellaneous Materials.
 E = Miscellaneous Subjects.
 F = Materials for Specific Applications.
 G = Corrosion, Deterioration, and Degradation of Materials.
What do ASTM numbers mean?

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

ASTM specifications represent a consensus among producers, specifiers, fabricators, and users of steel mill
products. ASTM's designation system for metals consists of a letter (A for ferrous materials) followed by an
arbitrary sequentially assigned number. ... For example, ASME-SA213 and ASTM A 213 are identical.
What is ASTM standard for steel?
ASTM steel grades are those that meet the exacting standards for specific grades of steel developed by the
American Society for Testing and Materials. The standards include mechanical properties and steel chemistries
and specify the testing methods to be used. Page | 8
What are the various ASTM tests required for concrete?

TYPICAL FRESH CONCRETE TESTS

ASTM C 172 Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
ASTM C 1064 Temperature of Freshly Mixed Concrete
ASTM C 143 Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
ASTM C 231 Air Content of Fresh Concrete by the Pressure Method
ASTM C 173 Air Content of Fresh Concrete by the Volumetric Method (Roll-o-meter)
ASTM C 138 Density (Unit Weight), Yield and Air Content of Concrete
ASTM C 31 Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field

IV- APPARATUS & EQUIPMENT USED IN TESTING OF MATERIALS

Material Testing Lab Equipment’s

1.Sieve Set 13.Vibrator
2.Balance 14. Vicat Apparatus
3.Graduated Beaker 15. Electric Oven
4.Calculater 16. Stop Watch
5.Slump cone 18. Funnels
6. Various Moulds 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.Themometer 25. Wheel Barrows

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

 Page | 9

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

 ASSESSMENT TASK

Answer the following:

1. It is defined as mass per unit volume. It is expressed as kg/m3.

2. It is the ratio of density of a material to density of water.
3. The term porosity is used to indicate the degree by which the volume of a material is occupied by pores. Page | 10
It is expressed as a ratio of volume of pores to that of the specimen.
4. Strength of a material has been defined as its ability to resist the action of an external force without
breaking.
5. It is the property of a material which enables it to regain its original shape and size after the removal of
external load.
6. It is the property of the material which enables the formation of permanent deformation.
7. It is the property of the material which enables it to resist abrasion, indentation, machining and
scratching.
8. It is the property of a material which enables it to be drawn out or elongated to an appreciable extent
before rupture occurs.
9. It is the property of a material, which is opposite to ductility. Material, having very little property of
deformation, either elastic or plastic is called Brittle.
10. It is the property of the material which enables it under constant load to deform slowly but progressively
over a certain period.
11. It is the property of a material which enables it to resist deformation.
12. The term fatigue is generally referred to the effect of cyclically repeated stress. A material has a
tendency to fail at lesser stress level when subjected to repeated loading.
13. The impact strength of a material is the quantity of work required to cause its failure per its unit volume.
It thus indicates the toughness of a material.
14. It is the property of a material which enables it to be twisted, bent or stretched under a high stress
before rupture.
15. It is the property of a material which allows conduction of heat through its body. It is defined as the
amount of heat in kilocalories that will flow through unit area of the material with unit thickness in unit
time when difference of temperature on its faces is also unity.
16. It is the property of a material to withstand the action of acids, alkalis gases etc., which tend to corrode
(or oxidize).

Well…Well…why are you sleeping now? We have

just discussed about Classification and general
properties of common construction materials;
Material Standards and Standard Test Method
Familiarization with apparatus & Equipment used
in testing of Materials What can you say about it?
Do you think it’s a tedious task? Well. You don’t
have a choice don’t you?

Here’s your task for this lesson…

1. Research on the APPARATUS & EQUIPMENT USED IN TESTING OF MATERIALS. With
details and specification. (at least 5)
2. Go to https://www.astm.org. , choose one material standard test, (example ASTM C 143) copy
the content, methods and procedure.

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE

References
https://sunlabtech.com/concrete-testing-lab-equipment/

https://www.astm.org
Page | 11
https://reganindustrial.com/construction-materials-philippines/

https://www.astm.org/Standards/laboratory-testing-standards.html

https://www.gppb.gov.ph/laws/laws/CPESGuidelines2011/Annex12.pdf

JENELYN E. DELGADO, MAED, MSCE