THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
CVNG 1005 -

COSTRUCTION MATERIALS

INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Lecture aims:

Provide a definition of matter and a basic knowledge of some fundamental

physical and chemical properties of materials.

Explore and list the range of material types used in the construction
industry.

Provide a basic knowledge of some environmental aspects of current

construction materials

The Oxford English Dictionary defines matter as:

..a physical substance in general as distinct from mind and
spirit
and;
..that which has mass and occupies space
Everything, from your classroom walls floor and roof to the air we breath is matter.

Matter makes up everything including living things like plants, insects birds fish,
domesticated and wild animals and people.
Matter also makes non-living things such as tables and chairs. Things as big as an
elephant or as tiny as a grain of sand on a beach are matter.

Matter exists in three different states:

solid,
liquid and
gas.

States of matter
Under most conditions, matter can exist as a solid, liquid or gas, each of which has
certain distinct characteristics. Under certain extreme conditions of heat matter can exist

in fourth state, termed plasma. Such conditions, naturally found in the suns interior, can
be created artificially.
On a fundamental level it is believed that all matter consists of tiny particles called atoms.
Atoms are made up of 3 types of particles electrons, protons and neutrons. These
particles have different properties. Electrons are tiny, very light particles that have a
negative electrical charge (-). Protons are much larger and heavier than electrons and
have the opposite charge, protons have a positive charge (+). Neutrons are large and
heavy like protons, however neutrons have no electrical charge. Each atom is made up of
a combination of these particles, evidence for which comes from consideration of the
reactions and properties of solids, liquids and gases. The movement of particles is
explained by the Kinetic Theory of Matter, (KTM)
The Kinetic Theory of Matter (KTM)
Definition:
The Kinetic Theory of Matter (KTM) states that matter is composed of a large number a
small particles that are in constant motion. The Kinetic Theory of Matter helps to explain
(a) the flow or transfer of heat and
(b) The relationship between pressure, temperature and volume properties of
gases.
(c) The temperature of a body as a measure of the average kinetic energy of
it particles.
(d) the differences between the different states (or phases) of matter
Assumptions
The Kinetic Theory of Matter assumes that:
Particles are small and widely separated.
They collide and exchange energy.

If Matter is everything, therefore everything exists in THREE states as a solid, a liquid, or

a gas.
Properties of matter

Each state (Solid, liquid and gas) has specific properties

Solids
Molecules in solids maintain fixed positions, giving the material a definite shape and a
fixed volume. The tightly packed molecules (a molecule is defined as the smallest unit of

substance that retains the properties of that substance) are held together by bonding
(usually covalent or ionic).

The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid is called its melting point. At this
point, the random motion, or vibration, of the molecules, which is increased by heat,
causes them to become excited and break loose the bonds that keep them in place. The
particles have low kinetic energy and although they vibrate around their fixed positions
they cannot move from one place to another (Figure 2).

Figure 2 - movement of particles in the solid state

Liquid
A liquid has a definite volume but no definite shape (i.e. it will usually assume the shape
of the container in which it is held). It is a state of matter in which the molecules are
loosely bound by intermolecular forces and are slightly further apart than in a solid. They
have a higher kinetic energy and can move freely (Figure 3). The temperature at which a
liquid becomes a solid is its freezing point, and the temperature at which it becomes a
gas is its boiling point (Figure 4).
Solids
Molecules in solids maintain fixed positions, giving the material a definite shape and a
fixed volume. The tightly packed molecules (a molecule is defined as the smallest unit of
substance that retains the properties of that substance) are held together by bonding
(usually covalent or ionic).

The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid is called its melting point. At this
point, the random motion, or vibration, of the molecules, which is increased by heat,
causes them to become excited and break loose the bonds that keep them in place. The
particles have low kinetic energy and although they vibrate around their fixed positions
they cannot move from one place to another (Figure 2).

Figure 2 - movement of particles in the solid state

Liquid
A liquid has a definite volume but no definite shape (i.e. it will usually assume the shape
of the container in which it is held). It is a state of matter in which the molecules are
loosely bound by intermolecular forces and are slightly further apart than in a solid. They
have a higher kinetic energy and can move freely (Figure 3). The temperature at which a
liquid becomes a solid is its freezing point, and the temperature at which it becomes a gas
is its boiling point (Figure 4).

Figure 3 - movement of particles in the liquid state.

Gases
Gases have no fixed shape or volume. The force of attraction between the molecules of a
gas is small because of the relatively large distances between the molecules (Figure 4).
As a result the molecules are always in motion and will continually collide with each
other or the walls of the container that they are in, creating what is known as gas
pressure. The volume of a gas is affected by changes in temperature and pressure. The
temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas is called its boiling point; the boiling point
also depends on the pressure exerted. The temperature at which a gas becomes a liquid is
called its condensation point.

BOYLES LAW

..

Figure 4 - movement of particles in the gas state

Figure 5 Behavior of matter with change in temperature

Plasma
Plasma is a form of matter that initially exists as a gas and then becomes ionized (i.e. an
atom which carry a positive or negative charge) and consists of free moving ions and
electrons. It exhibits different properties from any of the other states of matter.

Sublimation.
A change of state directly from a solid to a gas or a gas to a solid (i.e. without going
through a liquid phase is termed sublimation.

Classification of matter
Matter can be classified into three groups:

Elements
Compounds
Mixtures

Describe what is
element..

.
A compound is a substance composed of two or more elements chemically combined in a
definite proportion. They can be broken down into their constituent elements only by
chemical change.
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that retain their individual
properties. They are held together by physical rather than chemical mechanisms and
include soil, seawater and rock. Examples of a mixture include solutions and
suspensions. A solution is a mixture that is uniform throughout (homogenous) and
contains the very smallest particles (ions, atoms or molecules) of two or more substances

Matter

Elements

Compounds
(Homogeneous)

(Homogeneous)
metals

Mixtures

Non-metals

Covalent

(Can be homogeneous
or heterogeneous)

Ionic
Types of mixtures

One element
mixed with one or
more other
elements

One compound
mixed with one or
more other
compounds

Figure 1 - Elements, compounds & mixtures: relationships

One or more
elements mixed
with one or more
compounds

Extend figure 1 to show that the elements are the building blocks of all materials:

Physical properties of matter

. Some properties are dependent upon the amount of substance that is being
observed such as volume and mass. Those that are not dependent include; density,
colour, hardness, strength, taste, odour, boiling point, melting point, thermal conductivity
and elasticity.

E.g.
Table 1 - Freezing and boiling points of common substances
Substance
Iron
Mercury
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Water

Freezing point (oC)

1535
-39
-209
-218
0

Boiling point (oC)

2750
357
-196
-183
100

Table 2 - Densities of common substance at 20oC

Density (kg/m3)
Substance
Aluminum
Copper
Iron
Gold

2700
8960
7870
19320

Silver
Lead

10500
11350

Chloroform
Ethyl Alcohol
Mercury
Water

1490
790
13550
1000

Helium
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen

0.1663
0.0837
1.331
1.165

Materials in the Construction Industry

It could be argued that Construction, whether building or civil engineering, is primarily

involved with the movement and assembly of materials. The following shows the main
material types used in construction along with some of their applications

Metals
Although it is predominantly steel, in all its forms, that is the most widely used metal in
construction, other metals such as copper, lead, aluminum and zinc also used. Uses
include: Structural steelwork, scaffolding, formwork, cladding, concrete reinforcing bar,
wall ties, fasteners, plant & tools, sheet piling, trench support, pipes, roofing,
wiring/electrical components and architectural furniture.

Wood

Find from the literature different types of wood and their application in construction
industry

Soils/rock
Generally refers to quarried, dredged or excavated material and includes sands and
gravels, crushed rock, topsoil, uses include: fill material, stone cladding, roof tiles,
landscaping, building blocks, bricks, blocks, sea defence, embankments, sub-base
material, aggregates and cement production.
Cementitious/concrete products

.
Concrete is produced when mixed with fine and coarse aggregate.

Uses include:

Foundations, floors, roads, pre-cast (e.g. lintels etc), piles, blockwork, screeds, structural
reinforced concrete, grouting and soil stabilization, dams, reservoirs, sea defence,
retaining walls and mortars.
Bituminous materials

The title is generally taken to include natural asphalt, coal tar, and bitumen from crude
petroleum (Petroleum bitumen). They can generally be described as non-crystalline
solid/viscous material containing complex hydrocarbons. It softens when heated, has
adhesive properties and softens when heated.

It can be natural or derived.

Road

construction (asphalt), roofing, waterproofing applications, paints and adhesives.

Polymers
Polymers are compounds with very large molecules made up of repeating molecular units
(long chains). Monomers are small molecules from which polymers are made. Polymers
can be natural such as cellulose, starch and rubber or artificial such as plastics and
nylons. Uses include: sealants, concrete additives, adhesives, pipework, sheeting, foams,
cable insulation, composite materials (carbon fibre), fiberglass, geotextiles, window
frames, Expansion joints and surface coatings.

Type
Minerals
Metals
Plastics
Paints
Timber products

Materials
included
Crushed rock and gravel
Steel, copper, brass, aluminium and other
metal alloys
PVC,
polyethylene,
polystyrene,
polyurethane
Paints, emulsions and varnishes
Plywood and particleboard

Annual
Consumption (t)
254,000,000
3,350,000
>550,000
410,000
3,850,000m3

Table 3
Quantities of materials used in UK construction (CIRIA, SP116, 1995)
Environmental Considerations

Environmental impacts
The construction industry arguably has a number of negative impacts on the environment
with construction materials forming a significant part of those impacts.
Some of these impacts can be listed as follows:

Manufacturing produces pollution and waste, including toxic waste (e.g. cement
production is a significant contributor to national carbon dioxide, CO2, emissions)

Some materials, once installed, can release toxic gases which can affect occupant
health (i.e. sick building syndrome)

Disposal of materials can waste materials, which could be re-used, requires

landfill space and can degrade groundwater.

This has resulted in legislation and initiatives (e.g. Environ mental Protection Act, 1990)
and the increased use of green construction materials.
Generally, green materials are selected for their low consumption of scarce raw
materials, low pollution associated with its production, delivery, use and disposal, low
maintenance, long life and potential for recycling and re-use. To determine whether a
material is green, a technique called whole life cycle assessment is used. In this,
environmental impact of the material is considered in terms of :

..

..

..

In the United Kingdom and other developed countries, the governments have adopted the
concept of sustainable development at both a national and local level. Sustainable

development can be defined as development, which aims to meet the needs of the present
without compromising the needs of the future. Its broad aims are:
a)
b)

c)

...

..

..

The construction industry has been identified as playing an important part in such
development by addressing what it builds, where it builds and how it builds. The
subject of materials is highlighted as being of particular importance, particularly in the
areas of waste disposal and consumption of new resources
Increased usage of recycled materials will result in a reduction in the use of primary
materials and the production of less waste.
Examples of recyclable materials include:
Reclaimed bricks, china clay waste, crushed concrete for use as an aggregate in concrete,
colliery spoil, demolition rubble, foundry sand, pulverized fuel ash (PFA), Blast furnace
slag, timber, topsoil, railway ballast, sewage slag, rubber, roofing tiles, steel and other
metals.
Further reading
Selected reading of CIRIA publications referred to in the text (available through the
Construction Information Database accessible via the Learning Centres website)
TAYLOR, G.D. (2001) Materials in constructionan introduction. 3rd Ed. Harlow:
Pearson Education Ltd. Ch. 1.