1.

House Construction –
To build a house means that the contractors construct and assemble the
different components of the house according to the construction
documents. The building process starts with clearing the ground where the
house will be located. Then, working horizontally, an excavator machine
digs the ground to lay the foundation. Next, the vertical columns and
exterior walls are placed on top of the foundation. The vertical
constructions are supported by connecting them with horizontal beams
called joists to form the mainframe of the house. Now that the mainframe
is ready, the contractor uses plywood to build the floor levels and the roof.
The doors and windows are installed in the final steps, and the house is
equipped with plumbing and electrical systems.

- Materials used in House Construction

1. CEMENT - It is used to binder the substance and set and harden them or bind

the other adheres to other materials together. It old an extensively used and
the oldest type of building material.

 Tests for Cements durability and effectiveness in construction;

 Fineness test
  Normal consistency test
  Initial and final setting time test
  Soundness test
 Compressive strength test
 Chemical composition test
 The heat of hydration test
 Tensile strength test

 Apparatus used in testing Cement;

 Sieve pan
 Vicat’s apparatus
 Stopwatch
 Le – Chatelier Apparatus
 Compression Testing Machine or Universal Testing Machine
 Calorimeter
2. FINE AGGREGATES - Are used in projects and concrete work where a smooth
yet highly compacted surface is desired. It is an important engineering material.
 Tests for Fine Aggregates;
 Fineness test
 Sieve analysis test
 Apparatus used in testing Fine Aggregates;
 Fine aggregate angularity

3. COARSE AGGREGATES - is widely used in construction due to its various

properties like abrasion resistance, hardness, elastic modulus and etc.
 Tests for Coarse Aggregates;
 Sieve analysis test or gradation test
 Apparatus used in testing Coarse Aggregates;
 IS sieve
 Oven
 Tray
 Brush

4. WATER – used for preparation of mortar, mixing of cement and aggregate, and
for curing work etc. during construction work.
 Tests for Water;
 pH value test
 Limits of acidity test and alkalinity test
 Apparatus used for testing Water;
 pH meter
 Water Test Kit

5. MUD - is used for the mud plaster in the rural areas for both interiors and the
exterior of the houses. It is a very cheap building material used in the
construction of houses in rural areas.
 Tests for Mud;
 Field tests
 Lab tests
 Apparatus used for testing Mud;
 Viscometer
 Rheometers

6.  BRICKS- are mainly used for the construction of walls and paving. They are
easy to handle, strong in compression, and also durable.
 Tests for Bricks;
 Crushing Strength Test
 Water Absorption Test
 Presence of Soluble salts or Efflorescence Test
 Dimensional Stability
  Apparatus used for testing Bricks;
 Watch glass

7. GLASS - is used in the windows mainly to cover the panel of the window so that
light enters the room.
 Tests for Glass;
 Resistance test
 Acid resistance test
 Neutral sat spray test
 Abrasion resistance test
 Machine used for testing Glass;
 Autorefractor

8.  FOAM - is used in the house as an insulator sandwiched between wood and

cement.
 This foam is for specific use in construction, so there’s no need to test.
9. CERAMICS - are such things as tiles, fixtures, etc. Ceramics are mostly used as
fixtures or coverings in buildings. Ceramic floors, walls, counter-tops, even
ceilings. 
 Test for Ceramics;
 Pendulum Impact Test
 Apparatus used for testing Ceramics;
 Pendulum Impact Test Machine

10. STEEL – is use to form a skeleton for the building or structure essentially the part

of the structure that holds everything up and together.
 Tests for Steel;
 Compression, Fatigue, and Impact Testing
 Apparatus used for testing Steel;
 Universal electromechanical and hydraulic machines

11. WOOD - used in the construction of walls, ceilings and floors, while softwoods
are often used to make doors, furniture and window frames. 
 Tests for Wood;
 Flexure Test
 Apparatus used for testing Wood
 Bend fixture for flexure test

12. RIBBED BAR - are the most common widely used reinforcing material for most
construction of various structures.
 Tests for Ribbed Bar;
 Bending test

 Apparatus used for testing Ribbed Bar;

 Bend test machine
13. STONES - Stone is commonly used in walls and flooring, and the texture makes
it versatile.
 Test in choosing the right stone to use;
 Impact test
 Hardness test
 Apparatus use in testing stone
 Knife
 Labeling

14. PLASTICS - are mainly used for seals, profiles (windows and doors), pipes,
cables, floor coverings, and insulation.
 Test for Plastics;
 Melt Flow Testing
 Apparatus used for testing Plastics;
 Melt Flow Indexer

15. FABRICS – used as the external facade, that provides protection from the
environment, as well as the main internal dividing walls.
 Test for Fabrics;
 Physical Testing
 Apparatus used for testing Fabric;
 Fabric Tensile Tester
 Elongation Test Machine

16. SEALANT – often used to cover gaps between places that are too small to be
filled with other materials like concrete, wood, or mortar.
 Test for Sealant;
 Rack Testing
 Apparatus used for testing Sealant;
 Sealant Testing Machine

17. GYPCRETE - is generally used in the building in a wood frame and

concrete construction with properties of fire ratings, sound
reduction, radiant heating, and floor leveling.
 In testing Gypcrete, drywall moisture meter is used.

18. GALVANIZED SHEET IRON - used to cover the house and protect its interior
against unfavorable weather conditions.
 Test for Galvanized Sheet Iron
 Bend Test
 Apparatus used for testing Galvanized Sheet Iron
 Bend test machine
19. PAINT - is used to decorate, protect and prolong the life of natural and synthetic
materials, and acts as a barrier against environmental conditions.
 Test for Paint;
 Testing for oil and dirt contamination
  Abrasion resistance test
 Alkali resistance test
 Cass test
 Accelerated aging of paint
 Conditioning test
 Water-resistance test
 Apparatus used for testing Paint;
 Slump test apparatus
 Cylindrical mold
 Graduated beaker
 Graduated cylinder
 Expansion index apparatus

20. CABLE AND WIRES- used for power distribution to transmit electricity from a
transformer or other source to an outlet, appliance, device, cable, switch,
distribution board, socket, and light fitting. 
 Test for Cable and Wires;
 Cable Test
 Apparatus used for testing Cable and Wires;
 Wiretest 3
 2. ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Road construction is the process of installing soil stabilizers, asphalt, concrete, and
other materials on a defined path to create a smoothed or paved surface that vehicles
can move on between two destinations.

This is a complex venture that involves paving, rehabilitation, and/or reclamation of

degraded pavements to create a motorable roadway. It can take months or years of
planning before work can begin depending on the size and type of the envisioned road.

- Materials used in Road Construction

1. SOIL - naturally tops the list of materials used in road construction. It is the
eventual point which supports the complete structure of the road. Indeed, soil is
the primary road material for the foundation, subgrade, or the pavement in the
case of low traffic rural roads. It provides the essential flat base that offers the
vital support for the road structure.
 Tests for Soil;
 Moisture content
 Specific gravity of soil
 Particle size distribution
 Proctor test
 California bearing ratio test
 Apparatus used for testing Soil;
 Soil sampler
 Cutter
 Extruder
2. ASPHALT- is one of the most commonly used materials for road
construction for a number of reasons. The first reason is that it is 100%
recyclable. Most construction companies make it a point to recycle all asphalt
gathered from a job site. Not only is that good for the environment, but it also
makes for stronger roads. 
  Test for Asphalt;
 Ductility test
 Flash and Fire point test
 Float test.
 Loss on heating test
 Penetration test
 Binding test
 Paving quality test
 Apparatus used for testing Asphalt;
 Ductility test machine
 Cleveland flash cup apparatus
 Float test apparatus
 Penetrometer
 Asphalt Binder testing
 Pavement quality testing

3. STEEL BARS - are more commonly known as reinforcing bars or rebar. It is a

mesh of steel wires used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and
masonry structures to strengthen and aid the base material under tension,
which is usually concrete.
 Test for Steel Bars;
 Tensile tests
 Apparatus used for testing Steel Bars;
 Tensile testing machine

4. CEMENT - It is used to binder the substance and set and harden them or bind

the other adheres to other materials together. It old an extensively used and
the oldest type of building material.
 Tests for Cements durability and effectiveness in construction;
 Fineness test
  Normal consistency test
  Initial and final setting time test
  Soundness test
 Compressive strength test
 Chemical composition test
 The heat of hydration test
 Tensile strength test

 Apparatus used in testing Cement;

 Sieve pan
 Vicat’s apparatus
 Stopwatch
 Le – Chatelier Apparatus
 Compression Testing Machine or Universal Testing Machine
  Calorimeter

5. FINE AGGREGATES - Are used in projects and concrete work where a smooth
yet highly compacted surface is desired. It is an important engineering material.
 Tests for Fine Aggregates;
 Fineness test
 Sieve analysis test
 Apparatus used in testing Fine Aggregates;
 Fine aggregate angularity

6. COARSE AGGREGATES - is widely used in construction due to its various

properties like abrasion resistance, hardness, elastic modulus and etc.
 Tests for Coarse Aggregates;
 Sieve analysis test or gradation test
 Apparatus used in testing Coarse Aggregates;
 IS sieve
 Oven
 Tray
 Brush

7. WATER – used for preparation of mortar, mixing of cement and aggregate, and
for curing work etc. during construction work.
 Tests for Water;
 pH value test
 Limits of acidity test and alkalinity test
 Apparatus used for testing Water;
 pH meter
 Water Test Kit
8. BASALT STONE - is also known as traps, is commonly used in road
construction, as aggregate in concrete production, rubble masonry works for
bridge piers, river walls, and dams. The basalt stone structure is medium to fine
grained and compact.
 Tests for Basalt Stone;
 Compressive (Crushing) Strength Test
 Flexural (Transverse) Strength Test
 Density and Porosity Test
 Water Absorption Test
 Apparatus used for testing Basalt Stone;
 Compression testing machine
 Flexural and Transverse Machines and Accessories
  Porosity and density meter 
 Permeometer
9. BRICKS – it became a great option for creating streets, because they were
extremely durable. Brick roads worked excellently because they allowed water
to absorb through them more naturally.
 Tests for Bricks;
 Crushing Strength Test
 Water Absorption Test
 Presence of Soluble salts or Efflorescence Test
 Dimensional Stability
 Apparatus used for testing Bricks;
 Watch glass

10. CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES – is used to improve the quality of concrete during

mixing, transporting, placement and curing.
 Test for chemical admixture;
 ASTM test (e.g. time of setting of concrete mixtures by penetration
resistance)
 No apparatus use, just observation.

11. MINERAL ADMIXTURES – is used to modify the concrete properties.

 No need to perform a test for this material

12. BITUMEN - is primarily used for industrial purposes. It can be found in the

construction industry where it is used to make roads, which is why it is
commonly called asphalt in this application. It also has waterproofing and
adhesive properties, which makes it a good product for roofing.
 Tests for Bitumen;
 Penetration and softening test
 Apparatus used to test Bitumen;
 Penetrometer

13. STEEL - in road construction, steel is generally used to build bridges and
tunnels. However, a smooth highway built in accordance with modern
requirements usually requires a lot of rolled steel products. Special systems
made of steel help to ensure traffic safety.
 Tests for Steel;
 Compression, Fatigue, and Impact Testing
 Apparatus used for testing Steel;
 Universal electromechanical and hydraulic machines

14. CULVERT - is a pipe or box structure generally used as cross drains for ditch
relief and to pass water under a road at natural drainage and stream crossings.
 Test done for culvert;
 Bearing test
 Apparatus used for testing Bearing;
 Bearing plate apparatus
15. WOOD – is replacing some of the road construction materials primarily due to
its low weight to strength ratio, which means that complete components can be
assembled rapidly on the construction site.
 Tests for Wood;
 Flexure Test
 Apparatus used for testing Wood
 Bend fixture for flexure test

16. ROAD MARKING PAINT - is the most favored material for road marking due to
it being hard-wearing and reflective, making it ideal for high-traffic roads and
highways. For extra surface friction and reflectivity, glass beads and fillers are
often added to the paint to improve safety.
 Test for Road marking paint;
 Testing for oil and dirt contamination
 Abrasion resistance test
 Alkali resistance test
 Cass test
 Accelerated aging of paint
 Conditioning test
 Water-resistance test
 Apparatus used for testing Road marking paint;
 Slump test apparatus
 Cylindrical mold
 Graduated beaker
 Graduated cylinder
 Expansion index apparatus

17. WELDED WIRE FABRIC (WIRE MESH) - improve the bonding of the concrete
to the mesh and to minimize the risk of concrete cracking.
 Test for wire mesh;
 Quasi-static test
 Apparatus used in testing welded wire fabric (wire mesh)
  hydraulic press
18. CONSTRUCTION FOAM - is used in buildings to curtail air infiltration and
provide thermal insulation.
 This foam is for specific use in construction, so there’s no need to test.

19. BINDING WIRE - is utilized for tying. It is widely used in the construction
industry to secure the rebars together at their joints in order to maintain the
integrity of the building.
 Tests for Binding wire;
 Tensile Test
 Bending Test
  Apparatus used for testing Binding wire;
 Tensile testing machine
 Bend test machine

20. FLY - ASH - is the inorganic residue of coal-burning which has been used
widely in the construction industries. Though, the fly ash is sensitive to the
water. As the amount of percent decides the compaction is going to be possible
or not which can be a key factor in the stability of the highway embankment or
the pavement.
 Test for Fly-ash

 Corrosion test
 Apparatus used for testing Fly-ash;
 Salt Spray Chamber