---
title: "Factors for selecting construction materials"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:factors-selection-construction-material"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/factors-selection-construction-material
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Factors for selecting construction materials

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 1: Introduction to Civil Engineering Material

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 3 marks; 2080 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2080 Baisakh, 2 marks; 2078 Kartik, 2 marks; 2079 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2075 Asoj, 2 marks; 2073 Shrawan, 2 marks; 2081 Baisakh, 2 marks; 2081 Baisakh (new course), 1 marks (asked 9 times)
- Video: [How to Choose the Right Construction Materials for Your Project: Expert Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46bQob3AbNo) — Engineers Blueprint
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/factors-selection-construction-material
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-1

## Question

What are the factors to be considered while selecting construction materials? Explain.

## Short answer

Construction material selection balances performance, cost and availability for safe, durable and economical structures. Essential factors include: strength under loads, durability against weathering and fire, low initial and life‑cycle cost, local availability, workability, good appearance, thermal and acoustic insulation, light weight, low maintenance, and compliance with standards and local conditions.

## Answer

The selection of a construction material is a decision that balances performance, cost and availability so that the structure is safe, durable and economical.

1. **Strength and stability:** the material must carry the expected loads (compression, tension, bending, shear) with a proper factor of safety.
2. **Durability:** it should resist weathering, moisture, chemical attack, insects and fire for the design life.
3. **Cost and economy:** both initial cost (purchase, transport, labour) and life-cycle cost (maintenance, repair) should be low.
4. **Availability:** locally available materials reduce transport cost and construction time. In Nepal, for example, locally available river sand, bricks and stone are usually preferred.
5. **Workability:** the material should be easy to cut, shape, place and finish with the available tools and skills.
6. **Appearance and finish:** important for exposed surfaces such as facing stone, tiles and paint.
7. **Thermal and acoustic properties:** insulation, thermal conductivity, sound absorption and fire resistance affect comfort and safety.
8. **Weight:** lighter materials reduce dead load and foundation cost.
9. **Maintenance:** materials needing little upkeep are preferred.
10. **Environment and standards:** the material should comply with the relevant standards (Nepal Standards, IS, ASTM), be eco-friendly, and suit the local seismic and climatic conditions as per NBC.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which cost should be considered when selecting a construction material?
   A. Both initial cost and life-cycle (maintenance and repair) cost
   B. Only the purchase price
   C. Only the transport cost
   D. Only the labour cost
   Answer: A. The answer says both initial cost (purchase, transport, labour) and life-cycle cost should be low. (Key point: Cost)

2. Why are locally available materials preferred?
   A. They are always stronger
   B. They reduce transport cost and construction time
   C. They need no standards
   D. They never need maintenance
   Answer: B. Local availability cuts transport cost and time, e.g. river sand, bricks and stone near the site in Nepal. (Key point: Availability)

3. Why is a lighter material often preferred?
   A. It increases the factor of safety automatically
   B. It improves fire resistance
   C. It reduces dead load and foundation cost
   D. It removes the need for durability
   Answer: C. Lighter materials lower dead load, so foundations can be cheaper. (Key point: Weight)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Precautions while applying cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aprecautions-applying-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 3×
- [Insulating materials in brief](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Ainsulating-materials) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 3×
- [Why pozzolanic materials are used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Awhy-pozzolanic-materials-used) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Scope of materials in transportation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Ascope-materials-transportation) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1
- [Selecting an appropriate type of mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aselect-appropriate-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 3×
- [Polymers in building construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apolymer-properties-uses-building) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Factors in selecting construction equipment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aequipment-selection-factors) — Construction Management, chapter 4, asked 6×
- [Factors for selecting roof covering](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-covering-factors) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Factors in selecting a gauging station site](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fengineering_hydrology%3Agauging-site-factors) — Engineering Hydrology, chapter 4, asked 4×
- [Factors for selecting a motor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Futilization_of_electrical_energy%3Afactors-selecting-motor) — Utilization of Electrical Energy, chapter 2, asked 2×