Civil Engineering: Building Materials Properties and Testing

Civil engineering refers to a professional engineering discipline that is primarily concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. The types of structures formed in civil engineering include canals, pipelines, roads, structural components of buildings, bridges, airports, railways, dams and sewage systems. There are a wide range of building materials utilized in construction such as wood, concrete, masonry and steel. These materials have unique properties like durability, weight, cost and strength. These properties are appropriate for specific applications in construction. The testing of building materials aids in construction by revealing any flaws that could lead to future deformities. Testing can be done through two different ways which include laboratory testing and field testing. Some of the types of tests used in this field are non-destructive testing, mechanical testing and fire testing. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of civil engineering. It elucidates various building materials and testing methods used in this field. For all those who are interested in civil engineering, this book can prove to be an essential guide.