BeginnerTopic 6 of 112Civil & Structural
Construction materials
Concrete, steel, timber, masonry and composites chosen for strength, cost and durability.
In depth
Concrete is strong in compression and cheap; steel is strong in tension and compression; timber is light and renewable; masonry is durable in compression; composites and aluminium serve special needs. Choice depends on strength, stiffness, durability, cost, constructability and environmental impact.
Key points
- Strength-to-weight
- Embodied carbon
- Fire and corrosion behaviour
ExampleSkyscrapers often use steel frames or reinforced concrete cores.
Material choice affects strength, durability, cost and the carbon footprint of a structure, so it is a central design decision.
What is Construction materials?
Concrete, steel, timber, masonry and composites chosen for strength, cost and durability.
Why is it important to understand construction materials?
Material choice affects strength, durability, cost and the carbon footprint of a structure, so it is a central design decision.
What is the main strength of concrete?
It resists compression very well and is cheap, durable and versatile, but it is weak in tension, so steel reinforcement is added.
Why do engineers use composites?
Fibre-reinforced polymers give high strength to weight and corrosion resistance, which suits repairs and specialised structures.
How is Construction materials used in practice?
Typical applications include selecting concrete for a foundation that will be exposed to groundwater, choosing steel for a fast-build frame with long spans and using timber in a low-rise housing project for lower embodied carbon.
What should I learn before Construction materials?
Study "Types of structures" first (topic 5 of 112 in Civil & Structural). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Construction materials?
Strength-to-weight. Embodied carbon. Fire and corrosion behaviour.
Can you give an example of Construction materials?
Skyscrapers often use steel frames or reinforced concrete cores.
What comes after Construction materials?
The next topic is "Cement and its types", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Construction materials?
It is classed as Beginner in Civil & Structural (topic 6 of 112). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.