FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍAS

ESCUELA PROFESIONAL DE INGENIERÍA CIVIL

MATERIALS OF
CONSTRUCTION
DR. MILAGROS FRANCO GUEVARA

2023-2
 PURPOSE OF THE SESSION

The purpose the lesson plan today is understand specific technical

word information from texts in English .

 COMPETENCE OF THE
SESSION

Listening.
Oral Communication.

Reading Comprehension.

Written Expression.
MATERIALS OF
CONSTRUCTION
• A construction building material is any
substance used in building a structure.
There are various kinds of materials used for
building in the construction industry. We use
different materials depending on their
structural capabilities. In different regions,
local and national standards govern
building materials in construction. On the
other hand, Architects choose construction
materials based on aesthetics and cost.
Picking the suitable material for your project
means enhancing and lengthening a
project’s lifetime. Some of the most
common construction materials are as
discussed below.
CONCRETE

Concrete is one of the most common

construction materials. It is a composite
material from fine and coarse aggregate
mixed with a binder like cement and
water. The mixture is then left to cure and
set over time. Concrete takes seven days
to cure and an average of 28 days to
attain maximum strength. Reinforced
concrete is most common in
construction, whereby steel is embedded
in the concrete to increase the structural
tensile strength. Concrete comes in many
forms, with examples such as lightweight
concrete and waterproof concrete. The
project type dictates the type of
concrete used. One of the most
significant advantages of concrete is
that it can be poured into any shape
and hardened into a stone-like material.
STEEL

Steel is a composite material made

from alloys of iron and carbon. Steel has
high strength and functionality. It is also
lightweight, easy to work with, and
cheaper to ship than other building
materials. Steel does not easily deform
unless we place a tremendous amount
of weight on it, and it retains its
structural properties even when it is
bent. Due to its structural stability, we
use steel to make tall modern buildings'
structural frameworks.
WOOD

Wood is arguably the oldest

construction material as it has been
in use. It is naturally available and
cost-efficient, strong and durable,
and flexible in all senses. It can be
bent, molded, or cured into desirable
shapes. Other than its durability,
wood is an environmentally
sustainable material. We can use
wood for commercial and residential
buildings, and it works well with other
materials. It functionally works well
with steel, marble, and aluminum.
Compared to other construction
materials, wood is relatively light and
easy to standardize in size. It has high
tensile strength and is good in
soundproofing and insulation.
STONE

Stone is the longest-lasting building material. The

most ancient buildings in the world are made of
stone. We commonly use stone in walls and floorings,
and the texture makes it versatile. Stone comes with
smooth finish textures to rough ones and also comes
in many different colors. Examples of stones used in
construction are sandstone, granite, and marble.
Ordinary stone is cheap, but the prices go up for
unique finishes. For marble countertops, quality and
color increase the production time and cost.
Stone has a few drawbacks. Its density affects its
workability due to its weight, thus making it difficult
to move it. Stone is also a terrible insulator therefore
ineffective for insulation in cold environments.
 Masonry uses bricks which are rectangular blocks, and they are
later bound with mortar. Bricks were traditionally made from
heated and dry clay. They have a high compression resistance, but
BRICK/ they can break easily. The most vital bricks in existence now are
concrete blocks which are reinforced using steel. Masonry is fire-
MASONRY resistant and durable. Due to its high compressive strength, we use
it to construct load-bearing walls. Masonry can support multi-story
buildings when reinforced with concrete, thus providing an
economical building choice.
BAMBOO

It can also create planks and sheets for

flooring, carpentry, and furniture.
ALUMINIUM

Aluminum is increasing in demand,

especially with the scarcity of timber in
construction. It is an eco-friendly
material with a minimal effect on the
ecosystem compared to other
construction materials.

Aluminum is not as strong and is mixed

with other alloys like copper and
magnesium to increase its strength.
Different aluminum grades have
different strengths, and the selection of
the material depends on its application.
GLASS

Glass is made from liquid sand

and is used in most buildings to
construct facades. It is also
used for flooring and internal
building partitions. Glass has a
lower weight than brick and
masonry and has a better
aesthetic appearance.
The thickness of the glass is
selected according to the
applied loads and is designed
to comply with the design
standards.
CEMENT

It’s a construction material composed

of a powdered substance that, mixed
with water or another substance, forms
a soft paste that hardens in contact
with water or air. It covers or fills gaps
and is a binding component in
concrete blocks and mortar.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE
CORRECT MATERIALS

Material selection is fundamental in any building project or

renovation. Though most contractors already have a
contract sum in mind, it is best to consider the suitability of
materials in a project despite the cost. Below are some of
the importance of selecting the right materials in a
construction project.
• The Importance of selecting the correct materials

The durability of a material affects the defects

liability period and the timeframe of warranty
within the project. It is also best to ensure the
durability of construction materials to ensure the
stability of a structure. Durable construction
materials won’t need frequent repairs and
replacements; therefore, one can distribute the
The durability of the material raw materials, and environmental and energy
impacts over time.

Sometimes buildings are modified for reasons

that do not concern their structural integrity, and
durability planning maps out a reasonable
service life target of a building.
• The Importance of selecting the correct materials

The cost of materials is a vital discussion

point between engineers, the client,
and the architect. However, looking for
the most affordable product without
Costs of materials considering its lifespan and utility is not
always desirable.
Correct building materials will serve you
long-term and be more cost-effective in
your project.
• The Importance of selecting the correct materials

The choice of construction materials is primarily

made on cost, structural, and thermal
properties. However, building materials have
environmental implications, such as pollution
and energy consequences in the
manufacturing processes.
Environmental impact of a
Poor quality construction materials also increase
material waste issues throughout the stages of
construction. Construction materials affect the
lifecycle and recycling options during a
project’s expected life.

If you have the option to select an ecologically

friendly material that doesn’t sacrifice quality, it
is encouraged to apply it.
• The Importance of selecting the correct materials

Improper selection of materials can

affect your material management
Better adherence to project system and sequence of
milestones construction activities. Quality
materials will minimize the required
repairs and make it possible to
deliver a project within the
stipulated timelines.
 NATURAL MATERIALS

They are those that are used in constructions

practically
just as they come from Nature, that is, without
undergoing changes in its chemical
composition or physical constitution, even if it
has been altered his natural physical form. For
example, crushed stone It is a natural material,
whose shape has been altered by being
crumbled
 LIMES

Construction lime is a complement to

cement, very useful for construction or
other similar work. It is an alkaline
product, extracted through the
decomposition of limestone rocks.
Another of its qualities is good
adhesion, which allows easy painting
on the surface.
 PLASTERS

This material is the favorite for covering

walls, moldings and ceilings in most
buildings due to its smooth finish,
elasticity and decorative function.
Likewise, its elasticity allows it to be
molded very easily, to create
decorative elements at a very low cost,
which is another of its advantages.
 TYPES OF PAINTINGS

Paint is part of the protective coatings of

a
building at the same time that it serves to
give it color or a certain appearance.
At the same time, it determines the
aesthetics of the building as it is the visible
face of the structure.
examples
• Temper.
• Plastic paint.
• Greasy enamel.
• Synthetic enamel.
• Cement paint.
• Lime paint.
• Lacquered.
• decorative paintings