CE25201 Construction Materials and Technology – Semester II – Civil / Env / Civil(Env) / EST – R-2025

Subject Code & Name: CE25201 – Construction Materials and Technology

Regulation: R-2025

Semester: II (Second Semester)

Branch: B.E. Civil Engineering (Civil) / B.E. Environmental Engineering (Env) / B.E. Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Civil(Env)) / B.E. Environmental Science and Technology (EST)

Credits / L-T-P: 3 Credits | L-T-P: 3-0-0

Course Objectives

• To impart fundamental knowledge of traditional and modern building materials used in construction.
• To introduce methods of construction such as masonry, formwork, scaffolding, plastering, and joints.

Full Unit-wise Syllabus

Unit I – Stones, Bricks and Concrete Blocks

Stone as building material, Criteria for selection, Tests on stones, Deterioration and preservation of stonework. Bricks, Classification, Manufacturing of clay bricks, Tests on bricks, Compressive strength, Water absorption, Efflorescence, Bricks for special uses, Refractory bricks. Concrete blocks, Types, Hollow and solid blocks, Lightweight concrete blocks, Applications.

Activities: Visit to brick / block manufacturing plant.

Unit II – Lime, Cement, Aggregates and Mortar

Types, Preparation of lime mortar, Applications. Cement, Ingredients, Manufacturing process, Types and grades, Properties: hydration, compressive and tensile strength, soundness, consistency, setting time. Fine aggregates, River sand, crushed stone sand (M and P-Sand), Properties. Coarse aggregates, Crushing strength, impact strength, flakiness and elongation index, abrasion resistance, Grading. Mortar, Cement and lime mortars, Uses and proportions.

Activities: Virtual Demonstration of Cement Manufacturing.

Unit III – Timber, Metals and Other Materials

Timber, Market forms, Industrial timber, Plywood, Laminated panels. Metals, Steel, Aluminum, Composition, properties, Market forms, Mechanical treatment, Aluminum composite panels. Surface finishes, Paints, Varnishes, Distempers, Bituminous products. Sealants for joints, Insulating materials, Acoustic and thermal insulation, Fire protection, Damp proofing, Ventilation, Air conditioning.

Unit IV – Construction Technology and Construction Practices

Masonry construction, Brick and stone masonry. Formwork, Centering, shuttering, Scaffolding, Shoring, Underpinning. Construction joints, Contraction, construction and expansion joints. Plastering, Pointing, Cavity and diaphragm walls.

Activities: Virtual Demonstration of different types of masonry works.

Unit V – Advanced Materials

Advanced materials, Glass, Solar Panels - Ceramics, Clay products, Refractories, Fibre reinforced plastics, Fibre textiles, Geomembranes, Geotextiles. Composite materials, Types, Laminar composites, Applications in construction.

Activities: Visit to Construction sites, virtual demonstration of FRP.

Unit VI – Construction Equipment and Planning

Construction equipment, Selection for earthwork, concreting, material handling, dewatering and pumping. Construction planning.

Activities: Case Study in Concrete Mixing Plan.

Course Outcomes (COs)

• CO1: Explain the properties, classifications, and applications of conventional and advanced building materials.
• CO2: Evaluate the quality and suitability of stones, bricks, cement, lime, aggregates, and mortar using standard tests.
• CO3: Apply knowledge of construction practices such as masonry, formwork, scaffolding, joints, and finishes in building works.
• CO4: Utilize construction planning techniques (CPM, PERT, network models) and equipment selection for effective project execution.

Assessment Pattern (Quick Note)

• Weightage: Continuous Assessment 40% | End Semester Examinations 60%
• Internal methodology: Quiz (10%), Assignments (40%) and Internal Examinations (50%)

Source: Official Anna University – B.E. Civil Engineering R-2025 Syllabus
Last Updated: September 2026