Classification of Building Materials

Classification of Building Materials

(As per SSC JE / RRB JE – Civil Engineering syllabus)

Building materials are classified based on origin, manufacturing process, chemical composition, and structural use.

1. Classification Based on Origin

1.1 Natural Materials

Materials obtained directly from nature with minimum processing.

Examples & Uses

Material	Use
Stone	Foundations, masonry, roads
Timber	Doors, windows, formwork
Sand	Mortar, concrete
Clay	Bricks, tiles

Key Features

• Easily available
• Low cost
• Less uniform in quality
• Require seasoning or treatment

1.2 Artificial (Manufactured) Materials

Materials made by processing natural materials.

Examples & Uses

Material	Use
Cement	Binding material
Bricks	Wall construction
Concrete	Structural work
Steel	Reinforcement

Key Features

• Uniform quality
• Higher strength
• Better durability
• Costlier than natural materials

2. Classification Based on Chemical Composition

2.1 Metallic Materials

(A) Ferrous Metals – contain iron

Material	Use
Mild steel	RCC reinforcement
Cast iron	Pipes, manhole covers

Properties:

• High strength
• Magnetic
• Prone to corrosion

(B) Non-Ferrous Metals – no iron

Material	Use
Aluminium	Doors, windows
Copper	Electrical wiring
Zinc	Roofing sheets

Properties:

• Corrosion resistant
• Light weight
• Expensive

2.2 Non-Metallic Materials

Material	Use
Cement	Binding
Bricks	Masonry
Glass	Windows
Plastics	Pipes

Properties:

• Corrosion free
• Light weight
• Low tensile strength

3. Classification Based on Manufacturing Process

3.1 Burnt / Kiln-Processed Materials

Material	Process	Use
Bricks	Burnt in kiln	Walls
Tiles	Fired	Flooring
Cement	Calcined	Concrete

3.2 Cast / Molded Materials

Material	Process	Use
Concrete blocks	Cast in molds	Walls
RCC	Cast in formwork	Structural members

4. Classification Based on Structural Use

4.1 Load Bearing Materials

Materials that carry structural loads.

Material	Use
Stone	Foundations
Brick masonry	Load bearing walls
Concrete	Beams, columns
Steel	Frames

4.2 Non-Load Bearing Materials

Used only for enclosure or finishing.

Material	Use
Glass	Windows
Gypsum board	Partitions
PVC panels	False ceilings

5. Classification Based on Binding Property

5.1 Binding Materials

Help in joining other materials.

Material	Type
Cement	Hydraulic binder
Lime	Air / hydraulic binder
Bitumen	Flexible binder

5.2 Non-Binding Materials

Material	Use
Bricks	Masonry
Stone	Foundations
Timber	Carpentry

6. Classification Based on Durability

6.1 Durable Materials

Material	Life
Stone	Very long
Concrete	Long
Steel	Long (with protection)

6.2 Less Durable Materials

Material	Limitation
Timber	Decay
Mud bricks	Water damage

7. Classification Based on Modern Usage

7.1 Traditional Materials

• Brick
• Stone
• Timber
• Lime

7.2 Modern / Advanced Materials

Material	Special Use
Fly ash bricks	Eco-friendly
AAC blocks	Light weight
FRP	High strength
Geotextiles	Soil stabilization

8. Important SSC JE Exam Notes

One-line facts

• Cement → Artificial, non-metallic, binding material
• Steel → Artificial, metallic, load-bearing
• Timber → Natural, non-metallic, structural
• Bricks → Artificial, non-metallic, masonry
• Bitumen → Binding + waterproofing material

9. Frequently Asked SSC JE MCQ Areas

1. Classification of cement
2. Difference between natural & artificial materials
3. Ferrous vs non-ferrous metals
4. Load-bearing vs non-load-bearing materials
5. Examples of modern materials

10. Quick Revision Table

Basis	Types	Examples
Origin	Natural / Artificial	Stone / Cement
Composition	Metallic / Non-metallic	Steel / Brick
Use	Load / Non-load	RCC / Glass
Binding	Binding / Non-binding	Cement / Stone
Technology	Traditional / Modern	Brick / AAC block