L 19

LECTURE – 19
MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION – QUALITY OF GOOD

BUILDING STONES – BRICKS – CONSTITUENTS, TESTING OF
BRICKS – LIME – CLASSIFICATION – TESTING OF LIME AND
MORTAR
Dr. R.Kiruthika,
Teaching Assistant
INTRODUCTION
• Bricks, stones, timber, steel, clay, sand, cement etc.

• Factors which affect the choice of materials: climatic
background and economic aspect
• Variety of requirements are placed on building materials:
strength at low and high temperatures, resistance to
ordinary and sea water, interior decoration.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Rock Materials:
•Compact rocks: Are stone blocks of differents materials like

limestone and granite that form paving stones, flagstones,...
•Coarse aggregates: Particles greater than 4.75 mm.eg

Gravel.
•Fine aggregates: Particles smaller than 4.75 mm eg. Sand
•Clay: Very small grains that absorb water. Less than 0.002
mm
BINDERS
• Mixed with water they become pasty.

• When they solidify they acquire rigidity.
●
Lime: It is obtained by the heating of limestone. Used in
masonry and decorative finishes.
●
Cement: It is the mostly used binder. There are various
kinds of cement: Ordinary portland cement, Rapid
hardening cement. Used in masonry
●
Gypsum: It is a mineral that is mixed with water. It is
used to make Plaster of Paris to cover walls.
CONCRETE
• Combination of cement, sand, coarse aggregate and
water
• 1:2:4
●
Reinforced concrete: It is a type of concrete usually
strengthened with iron bars.
●
Glass concrete: It is a type of concrete made with
recycled glass. It has a better long term strength and
better thermal insulation due to its better thermal
properties of the glass aggregates.
Pottery Materials
●
Pottery materials are pieces
fabricated with clay fired in a kiln.
●
Bricks: These are pieces of fired clay.
A brick of standard size is 190mm x
90mm x 90mm (as per BIS). Used in
masonry.
●
Stoneware: Stoneware is a vitreous
or semi-vitreous ceramic made
primarily from fire clay. Used to
make floors , walls, drainage pipes
●
Aluminum: Used in sides of windows, doors...
●
Woods: Used in roofs, doors, windows, floors..
Building Material Selection
Criteria
BASIC PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS
• Physical Properties of Materials
• Chemical Properties of Materials
• Thermal Properties of Materials
• Electrical Properties of Materials
• Magnetic Properties of Materials
• Optical Properties of Materials
• Mechanical Properties of Materials

v. Water absorption denotes the ability of the material to
absorb and retain water.
vi. Fire resistance is the ability of a material to resist the action
of high temperature without any appreciable deformation
and substantial loss of strength.
vii.Chemical resistance is the ability of a material to withstand
the action of acids, alkalis, sea, water and gases.
viii.Durability is the ability of a material to resist the combined
effects of atmospheric and weathering factors.
Characteristics of Good Building Stone
• Appearance: For face work it should have fine, compact

texture; lightcolored stone is preferred as dark colours
are likely to fade out in due course of time.
• Structure: A broken stone should not be dull in

appearance and should have uniform texture free from
cavities, cracks, and patches of loose or soft material.
Stratifications should not be visible to naked eye.
• Strength: strong and durable to withstand the
disintegrating action of weather. Compressive strength
of building stones in practice range between 60 to 200
N/mm2 .
• Weight: It is an indication of the porosity and density.

For stability of structures such as dams. Retaining walls,
etc. heavier stones are required, whereas for arches,
vaults, domes, etc. light stones may be the choice.
• Hardness: This property is important for floors,
pavements, aprons of bridges, etc. The hardness is
determined by the Mohr’s scale
• Toughness: The measure of impact that a stone can

withstand is defined as toughness. The stone used
should be tough when vibratory or moving loads are
anticipated.
• Porosity and Absorption: Porosity depends on the
mineral constituents, cooling time and structural
formation. A porous stone disintegrates as the absorbed
rain water freezes, expands, and causes cracking.
• Seasoning: The stone should be well seasoned.
• Weathering: The resistance of stone against the wear

and tear due to natural agencies should be high.
• Workability: Stone should be workable so that cutting,

dressing and bringing it out in the required shape and
size may not be uneconomical.
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LECTURE – 19

MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION – QUALITY OF GOOD

• Bricks, stones, timber, steel, clay, sand, cement etc.

•Compact rocks: Are stone blocks of differents materials like

•Coarse aggregates: Particles greater than 4.75 mm.eg

•Fine aggregates: Particles smaller than 4.75 mm eg. Sand

• Mixed with water they become pasty.

• Physical Properties of Materials

• Chemical Properties of Materials

• Thermal Properties of Materials

• Electrical Properties of Materials

• Magnetic Properties of Materials

• Optical Properties of Materials

• Mechanical Properties of Materials

• Appearance: For face work it should have fine, compact

• Structure: A broken stone should not be dull in

• Weight: It is an indication of the porosity and density.

• Toughness: The measure of impact that a stone can

• Weathering: The resistance of stone against the wear

• Workability: Stone should be workable so that cutting,

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