Construction Materials Classification and Properties

Classification by Origin

Materials are classified based on how they are obtained:

• Natural Materials: These are found in nature and are fit to be employed directly or require only selection operations, unfolding, and processing, without changing or compromising their molecular structure. Examples: sand, clay, lumber, and gravel.
• Artificial Materials: These result from industrial development, where changes occur in their composition and structure before they are applied in a work. Examples: ceramic products, binders, and reconstituted light wood.
• Combined Materials: These result from the combination of other natural and artificial materials. Examples: concrete, mortar, metal alloys, and fiberglass.

Basic and Simple Materials

These are materials that generally have only one stage of obtaining, whether natural or artificial. Examples: sand, binders, gravel, wood, metals, and ceramics.

Composite Materials

While there is no general rule regarding the number of stages, composite materials are known to be originating materials that have been combined. Examples: concrete, mortar, and metal alloys.

Technical, Economic, and Aesthetic Criteria

Technical Criteria

This involves the standardized forms of materials and the limits of variability of these forms. It is always necessary to be diligent in following the guidelines of the NBR (Brazilian National Standards Organization).

Economic Criteria

This considers the value of the materials, quality, and quantity, as well as the cost for the implementation of the material, including facilities and tools. These characteristics apply to both permanent works and temporary works.

Aesthetic Criteria

This includes the type of material, workmanship, application, finishing, conservation, isolated appearance, hygiene, colors, and arrangements.

Main Properties of Bodies

• Scope (Extension): Any body that occupies a place in space.
• Impenetrability: Two or more bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time.
• Inertia: The initial state of rest or motion of a body cannot be modified by itself.
• Attraction: Matter attracts matter, according to the law of attraction for the masses.
• Porosity: The property of matter that is not continuous, featuring gaps between the masses known as pores.
• Divisibility: The property of matter that allows it to be divisible.
• Indestructibility: The property of matter that makes it indestructible.