CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS &
TESTING
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. JERMAINE BENJCH NADALA MUTUC

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 P RO P E R T I ES O F
M AT E R I A L S U S E D I N
B U I L D I N G CO N ST R U C T I O N

MODULE 1

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PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL &
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF
MATERIAL USED IN
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS
These are the properties required to estimate the quality and condition of the
material without any external force. The physical properties of engineering
materials are as follows.
• Bulk Density
• Porosity 
• Durability
• Specific Gravity
• Fire Resistance
• Weathering Resistance
• Water Absorption
• Water Permeability

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
BULK DENSITY
BUILDING MATERIAL BULK DENSITY (kg/m3)
Bulk Density is the ratio of mass to the volume of
SAND 1450-1650
the material in its natural state that is including
voids and pores. It is expressed in kg/m3. Bulk STEEL 7850
density influences the mechanical properties of
HEAVY CONCRETE 1800-2500
materials like strength, heat and conductivity etc. LIGHT CONCRETE 500-1800
bulk density values of some of the engineering
materials are given as shown.

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY

Porosity gives the volume of the material occupied by

pores. It is the ratio of volume of pores to the volume of
material. Porosity influences many properties like thermal
conductivity, strength, bulk density, durability etc.

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
DURABILITY

The property of a material to withstand against the

combined action of atmospheric and other factors is known
as durability of material. If the material is more durable, it
will be useful for longer life. Maintenance cost of material is
dependent of durability.

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
( R E L AT I V E D E N S I T Y ) MATERIAL SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Specific Gravity (Relative Density) is the ratio of
STEEL 7.82
mass of given substance to the mass of water at
4°C for the equal volumes. Specific gravity of some CEMENT 3.15
materials is listed as shown.
WATER 1.00

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
F I R E R E S I S TA N C E

The ability to withstand against fire without changing its

shape and other properties. Fire resistance of a material is
tested by the combined actions of water and fire. Fireproof
materials should provide more safety in case of fire.

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
W E AT H E R I N G R E S I S TA N C E

The property of a material to withstand against all

atmospheric actions without losing its strength and shape.
Weathering effects the durability of material. For example
corrosion occurs in iron due to weathering. To resist this
paint layer is provided..

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
WAT E R A B S O R P T I O N

The capacity of a material to absorb and retain water in it is

known as water absorption. It is expressed in % of weight of
dry material. It depends up on the size, shape and number
of pores of material.

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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
WAT E R P E R M E A B I L I T Y

The ability of a material to permit water through it is called

water permeability. Dense materials like glass metals etc.
are called impervious materials which cannot allow water
through it.

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 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS
Mechanical properties of the materials are find out by applying external forces on them.
These are very important properties which are responsible for behavior of a material in its
job. The mechanical properties are,
• Strength
• Hardness
• Elasticity
• Plasticity
• Brittleness
• Fatigue
• Impact strength
• Abrasion resistance
• Creep

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 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
STRENGTH

The capacity of a material to resist failure caused by loads acting on it is

called as strength. The load may be compressive, tensile or bending. It is
determined by dividing the ultimate load taken by the material with its
cross sectional area. Strength is an important property for any
construction materials. So, to provide maximum safety in strength, factor
of safety is provided for materials and it is selected depending on nature
of work, quality of material, economic conditions etc.

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 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Compressive Strength of any material is defined as the resistance to

failure under the action of compressive forces. Especially for concrete,
compressive strength is an important parameter to determine the
performance of the material during service conditions.

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 TENSILE STRENGTH

The capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to

elongate. Ultimate tensile strength is measured by the maximum stress
that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before
breaking.

PLASTIC ZONE

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 TENSILE STRENGTH

1. Proportional Limit Highest stress at which stress is directly proportional to strain. It is

the highest stress at which the curve in a stress-strain diagram is a straight line.
Proportional limit is equal to elastic limit for many metals.

2. Elastic Limit is lowest stress point at which permanent deformation can be measured.

3. Yield Point is the point in the stress-strain curve at which the curve levels off and
plastic deformation begins to occur.

4. Ultimate Stress is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to

elongate.

5. Rupture Stress the stress at which a specimen fails via fracture. This is usually
determined for a given specimen by a tensile test.
PLASTIC ZONE

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 TENSILE STRENGTH

ELASTIC ZONE
The region of the stress-strain curve in which the material returns to the
undeformed state when applied forces are removed is called the elastic region.
PLASTIC ZONE
The region in which the material deforms permanently is called the plastic
region.

1. Yield Zone

2. Strain Hardening

PLASTIC ZONE 3. Necking

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
HARDNESS

The property of a materials to resist scratching by a herder body, MOHS

scale is used to determine the hardness of a materials. Hardness is most
important to decide the usage of particular aggregate. It also influences
the workability.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ELASTICITY

The capacity of a material to regain its initial shape and size after removal
of load is known as elasticity and the material is called as elastic material.
Ideally elastic materials obey Hooke's law in which stress is directly
proportional to strain. Which gives modulus of elasticity as the ratio of
unit stress to unit deformation. Higher the value of modulus of elasticity
lower the deformations.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICITY

When the load is applied on the material, if it will undergo permanent

deformation without cracking and retain this shape after the removal of
load then it is said to be plastic material and this property is called
as plasticity. They give resistance against bending, impact etc.
Examples: steel, hot bitumen etc.

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 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
BRITTLENESS

When the material is subjected to load, if it fails suddenly without causing

any deformation then it is called brittle material and this property is called
as brittleness.

Examples: concrete, cast-iron, glass, ceramics etc.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
FAT I G U E

If a material is subjected to repeated loads, then the failure occurs at

some point which is lower than the failure point caused by steady loads.
This behavior is known as fatigue.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
I MPAC T ST R ENGT H

If a material is subjected to sudden loads and it will undergo some

deformation without causing rupture is known as its impact strength. It
designates the toughness of material.

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 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
A B R A S I O N R E S I S TA N C E

Abrasion resistance refers to the ability of a material to withstand wear

and tear caused by rubbing, scraping, or other mechanical actions that
can cause damage to its surface. It is a critical property for many
materials, including textiles, plastics, metals, and ceramics, as it
determines their durability and longevity in various applications.

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
CREEP

Creep the deformation caused by constant loads for long periods. It is

time dependent and occurs at very slow rate. It is almost negligible in
normal conditions. But at high temperature conditions creep occur
rapidly.

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 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS
The properties of materials against the chemical actions or chemical
combinations are termed as chemical properties. And they are

• Chemical resistance
• Corrosion resistance

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 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
C H E M I C A L R E S I S TA N C E

The ability of a construction materials to resist the effects

by chemicals like acids, salts and alkalis is known as
chemical resistance. Underground installations,
constructions near sea etc. should be built with great
chemical resistance.

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 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CO R R O S I O N R E S I STA N C E

Formation of rust (iron oxide) in metals, when they are

subjected to atmosphere is called as corrosion. So, the
metals should be corrosive resistant. To increase the
corrosion resistance proper measures should be considered.
Otherwise it will damage the whole structure.

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THERMAL PROPERTIES
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

The amount of heat transferred through unit area of

specimen with unit thickness in unit time is termed as
thermal conductivity. It is measured in kelvins. It depends
on material structure, porosity, density and moisture
content. High porous materials, moist materials have more
thermal conductivity.

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THANK YOU

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