UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Province of Rizal
Page 1 of 9

UNIT I – INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

Module 1- Introduction

Learning Objectives:

At the end this module, the student should be able to familiarize with the construction
process, the need for materials with various qualities, and the process of selecting
materials. Understand the concept of sustainability in building design.

Every construction project is intended to result in a finished structure which will perform
certain functions in conformance with the project design requirements. Whether or not
satisfactory results are achieved depends upon the materials selected and how they
are used. The designer, the builder, and the user must all understand construction
materials to produce the finished facility and to use it to best advantage. Knowledge
of design procedures, construction methods, and maintenance practices is needed.
Underlying all of these qualifications is a knowledge of materials. In order to be
completely satisfactory, each material used must perform its function well over a
sufficiently long time, and both original cost and maintenance expense must be
reasonable.

I. THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

The construction process is initiated when a person or organization, which may be

public or private, decides to improve the land with permanent or semipermanent
additions.

After a need is established, and financing has been obtained, the owner contracts with
a design professional. The architect or engineer prepares plans, called working
drawings, showing details and how the completed project will look. The plans indicate
and briefly explain the various materials required. The specific details related to
materials are covered in the specifications.

After completion of the contract documents, contractors use them to prepare their
estimates for bidding or negotiating purposes. The contractor, selected by bid on
public works projects, and by bid or negotiation on private projects, enters into a
contract with the owner to provide a completed project in accordance with the project
contract documents. The two most common contracts are lump sum and unit price,
depending upon the type of construction project.

Public highway construction typically uses the unit price system, where the owner
supplies all of the quantities to the contractor in the bid documents. The contractor
calculates cost factors for each material quantity unit as well as overhead and profit
values. Therefore, each item in the estimate includes a cost factor as well as overhead
and profit.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 2 of 9

It is a given in the industry that the construction process will be undertaken in a safe
manner. Therefore, project safety requirements are based on the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, as well as numerous other regulations,
and are the contractor’s responsibility. The contractor is also responsible for
maintaining a current Manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) file for all materials
used on the project.

The proper scheduling of a project enables the contractor to allocate resources such
as labor, money, equipment, and materials appropriately. The schedule created is
updated as the project progresses, thus enabling the contractor to reallocate job
resources as required. The schedule may also assist the contractor with cash flow
analysis. Figure 1–1 shows a typical schedule, which incorporates various
construction activities, starting and ending dates, activity duration, and critical
activities, which, if delayed, may impact the scheduled completion date.

Basic materials, such as wood, asphalt, stone, and manufactured products, such as
plywood sheets, cast iron pipe, and concrete masonry units (CMUs), must all be
specified. Combinations of materials are commonplace, such as trusses consisting of
glued laminated timber members in combination with steel members, cast iron pipe
with portland cement lining, concrete beams reinforced with prestressed steel wire, or

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 3 of 9

window and frame units containing glass, several kinds of metal, and plastic all in one
assembly.

An assembly is either fully built at the factory (shop assembled) or partially completed
in the factory and assembled in the field (jobsite assembled). Some of the types of
work performed in the field are also manufacturing processes; for example, the mixing
and placing of concrete and the cutting and welding of steel.

The contractor also has the responsibility of selecting materials for the project that
comply with the technical specifications, because nothing may be incorporated into
the project without the designer’s review and/or approval. The designer reviews the
submittals for specification requirements and approves or rejects the contractor’s
choices. The contractor places copies of the approved catalog cuts, shop drawings,
and, in some cases, approved material samples at the jobsite for construction use as
well as for inspection and testing.

The owner is represented during the construction stage by an agent, usually the
designer, who administers the contract impartially, by approving or rejecting materials
and workmanship, by approving final construction, and by determining the amount of
payment due. Inspectors are present at the jobsite to inspect the work in progress and
perform field tests as part of construction supervision. Laboratory testing and field
testing may be performed by an independent testing laboratory. The testing laboratory
reports whether or not materials comply with specifications.

Those who supply materials and partially or fully assembled components to be used
in construction are called suppliers or vendors; included are manufacturers, quarries,
sawmills, and others.

II. NEED FOR MATERIALS WITH VARIOUS QUALITIES

The construction of a simple building, such as a house, requires selection of materials

to perform the following tasks:

1. Footing

(a) Distribute the weight of the building to the soil

(b) Resist cracking despite uneven soil settlement

(c) Resist corrosive attack from soil and water

2. Basement floor

(a) Provide a smooth surface

(b) Resist wear

(c) Resist cracking despite upward water pressure or uneven soil settlement

(d) Keep moisture out

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 4 of 9

(e) Resist corrosive attack from soil and water

3. Basement walls

(a) Support the rest of the building

(b) Resist lateral side pressure from the earth

(c) Keep moisture out

(d) Resist corrosive attack from soil and water

4. Other floors and ceilings

(a) Provide a smooth surface

(b) Resist wear

(c) Support furniture and people without sagging excessively or breaking

(d) Provide a satisfactory appearance

(e) Clean easily

(f) Insulate against noise transmission

5. Outside walls

(a) Support floors and roof

(b) Resist lateral wind pressure

(c) Provide a satisfactory appearance inside and out

(d) Insulate against noise and heat transmission

(e) Keep moisture out

6. Partitions

(a) Support floors and roof

(b) Provide a satisfactory appearance

(c) Insulate against noise transmission

7. Roof

(a) Keep moisture out

(b) Support snow and other weights

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 5 of 9

(c) Resist wind pressure and wind uplift

(d) Provide a satisfactory appearance

(e) Insulate against noise and heat transmission

A building is used to illustrate the points that a construction project includes many
components that must perform various functions and that new materials must be
constantly analyzed. However, the same is true of any other construction project. A
project such as paving a street or laying a pipeline requires more kinds of material to
perform several different functions than the casual observer would expect. New
materials are continually available in these fields also.

III. SELECTING MATERIALS

The designer may select the material or assembly needed, or prepare specifications
describing the performance required and let the builder do the selecting within the
requirements of the specifications subject to the approval of the person supervising
construction.

If the designer specifies exactly what materials and assemblies are to be incorporated
into the project, she knows, either from past experience or from investigation, that they
will be satisfactory. She avoids the risk of using something new or unfamiliar. The
designer also misses the opportunity of using something that is more economical or
performs better. Specifications prepared this way are called material specifications.
Material specifications may be either open or closed depending upon the wording. A
closed or proprietary specification identifies specific products with no allowable
substitutions. An open specification will name a proprietary product but allow
substitutions, by adding the phrase “or approval equal.” The open specification puts
the burden on the designer to determine if the contractor’s substitute is equal to or
better than the named product.

If the designer specifies performance in terms of appearance, strength, corrosion

resistance, and other features, he has the benefit of the builder’s and vendor’s
experience in selecting the most economical materials. Specifications prepared this
way are called performance specifications. Performance specifications may also
include bonus and penalty clauses. In cases where highway pavement specifications
stipulate pavement density and/or air void content, the contractor’s work will be
evaluated using established testing procedures and payments will be adjusted based
on test results. They must be very carefully written to prevent any inferior products
from satisfying the specification requirements; and the builder’s selections must be
carefully investigated to be sure they are acceptable according to the specifications.
Both types of specification and various combinations of the two types are used.

The process of selection may include the following steps:

1. Analysis of the problem (e.g., performance required, useful life required, allowable
cost, and maintenance expense).

2. Comparison of available materials or products with the criteria of step 1.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 6 of 9

3. Design or selection of type of material, size, shape, finish, method of preserving,

and method of fastening in place.

The method used to select construction materials based on these criteria is often
referred to as a life cycle–cost analysis.

Though the method is not an exact science, if used correctly, the results will be of
value when making material or system selections. The application of life cycle–cost
analysis is usually limited to materials and systems that will be subjected to heavy,
continuous use. For example, a highway engineer may analyze asphalt concrete
pavements compared to portland cement concrete pavements, and a mechanical
engineer may analyze different heating and cooling systems. The intent of the analysis
in either case is to determine the most economical material or system, which will yield
the lowest cost over its useful life.

IV. SUSTAINABILITY

The concept of sustainability in building design and construction has grown out of
concerns about better utilizing material and energy resources, enhancing the
environment, and even creating jobs and lowering construction and operating costs.
“Green building,” “sustainability,” and “environmentally friendly design” are all terms
we may have heard, but what do these phrases actually mean and how do they
relate to a textbook about construction materials?

Sustainability in building design and construction does not seek to prevent new
building nor does it limit the choices we have in the materials we can use. The
fundamentals of sustainability are formed around several related concepts:

First, we must design and construct new and renovated buildings through the
most efficient use of finite material, energy, and labor resources. This includes
choosing construction materials which will promote the maximum useful life of the
building.

Second, we must seek to operate these facilities in a way that significantly

reduces energy consumption and the production of greenhouse gases which can
contribute to climate change. Material choices which improve natural ventilation and
help to control heat loss and gain are an example of this.

Third, we need to choose construction materials which can be recycled and

reused when facilities must be reconstructed.

Longevity. In selecting materials today, designers must be aware of their

appropriate use and inherent characteristics that will promote longevity of the buildings
where they will be used.

Energy Efficiency. All of the materials described in this text have properties
relative to their energy footprint. Asphalt, concrete, and steel products use significant
amounts of energy in their production. Wood products are, by contrast, a renewable
resource, but must be carefully managed.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 7 of 9

Reusability and Recycling. Concrete removed from demolished structures can

be crushed and stone aggregate removed for reuse. Reinforcing steel embedded in
the concrete is isolated using magnets and can be reprocessed to make new iron and
steel products. Asphalt paving can be remilled and used to create new paving. Most
state and municipal highway projects require a percentage of all new paving to be
remilled asphalt. Steel products are routinely recycled.

Sustainable design and construction principles are being widely adapted by

governments, designers, and builders worldwide. This is true, not only because of the
energy and material resource considerations, but also because green building has
been proven to be a growing source of employment. Moreover, sustainable practices
promote environmental health and safety of the public while significantly lowering
energy costs.

Self-assessment questions:

1. Explain the functions of independent testing laboratories in the construction

industry.

2. Explain how the material used for a basement floor and the material used for
a roof must be different.

3. Discuss the advantages of material specifications versus performance

specifications.

Answers to self-assessment questions:

1. Explain the functions of independent testing laboratories in the construction

industry.

Laboratory testing and field testing may be performed by an independent

testing laboratory. The testing laboratory reports whether or not materials comply with
specifications. Those who supply materials and partially or fully assembled
components to be used in construction are called suppliers or vendors; included are
manufacturers, quarries, sawmills, and others.

2. Explain how the material used for a basement floor and the material used for
a roof must be different.

Basement floor materials must provide a smooth surface, can resist wear and
cracking despite upward water pressure or uneven soil settlement. It must keep out of
moisture and must be resistant to corrosive attack from soil and water.

Roofing materials must also keep out of moisture and can support snow and
other weights. It must resist wind pressure and wind uplift. It should be insulated
against noise and heat transmission and must provide a satisfactory appearance.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 8 of 9

3. Discuss the advantages of material specifications versus performance

specifications.

The performance specifications allow the builders or vendors to choose the

most economical materials based from the specifications given by the designer. In the
material specifications, the designer specifies the exact materials and assemblies to
be incorporated in the project.

Activity

Questions:

1. Prepare an organizational chart depicting the construction process. Identify

the parties involved, their functions, responsibilities, and connections with each other.

2. Why must builder/contractor understand materials?

3. Make a list of the kinds of materials used in (a) a water distribution system,
(b) a city street pavement, (c) a sewage collection system, and (d) a roofing system.

4. Discuss at least three sustainable construction methods or materials used in

the Philippines today. Cite some examples.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity

 UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Page 9 of 9

Rubrics for Assessment:

Type of Satisfactor Unable to

Criteria Exemplary Competent Developing Beginning
exam y Begin
5 4 3 2 1 0
Has a Has a Not quite a Is not Lacks a No answer;
strong strong 4‐point related to central copies part of
central central idea essay, but the topic; idea; lacks the topic;
idea that is that is better than has a clear unable to
related to related to a 3‐point central organizatio construct
the the essay. Is idea that is n; is not sentence
question/ question/ not related presented related to clearly.
topic; topic; has a to the topic. in such a the topic;
provides clear, Is way that fails to
compelling logical substantiall the reader develop
support to organizatio y more or understand main
the topic; n with less than s the points, or
has a clear developed required writer's develops
Content of the major
Essay essay logical page purpose; them in a
organizatio points, but length. has one or repetitious
n with well- the two severe or illogical
developed supporting mechanica way; uses a
major evidence l or limited
points; free may not be grammatic vocabulary
of grammar especially al errors. Is in that
and vivid or substantiall chosen
mechanica thoughtful; y more or words fail
l errors few less than to serve
grammars required the writer's
and page purpose;
mechanica length.
l errors
Passes Identify 70 Identify 50 Identify 30 Identify 10 - Cannot
Define accurately with 90% - 80% of - 60% of - 40% of 20% of the identify any
Identification the terms being or above the terms. the terms. the terms. terms. terms or can
described. accuracy. identify less
than 10%.

DCC Code Revision Number Date of Effectivity