Classification of civil engineering materials

Civil engineering materials can be classified in several ways.

1. On the basis of origin

• Natural materials: stone, timber, sand, clay, bamboo, bitumen (natural asphalt).
• Manufactured (artificial) materials: brick, tile, cement, lime, glass, steel, paint, plastics.

2. On the basis of composition

• Metallic: steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper, brass (ferrous and non-ferrous).
• Non-metallic: stone, brick, cement, timber, glass, bitumen, plastics.

3. On the basis of use

• Structural: concrete, steel, brick, stone, timber.
• Finishing: paint, varnish, tiles, plaster.
• Protective and insulating: bitumen, damp-proofing and thermal insulation materials.

4. On the basis of structure

• Crystalline: metals and many rocks.
• Amorphous: glass, bitumen, plastics.

5. On the basis of behaviour

• Ductile / brittle, elastic / plastic, organic / inorganic materials.