A practical field guide for testing materials used in construction.
This classic laboratory manual leads readers through hands-on methods for handling, testing, and interpreting the behavior of common building materials. It frames theory with concrete procedures and emphasizes precise observation, repeatable techniques, and comparison with standard specifications.
Built for students, instructors, and practitioners, the book presents a self-contained laboratory curriculum from Purdue University’s testing laboratory. It covers metal, wood, cement, aggregates, and concrete, with instructions for operating testing machines, performing a range of tests, and evaluating results. The approach blends demonstrations of material response under stress with practical calculations and reporting guidance.
- Step-by-step procedures for tension, compression, bending, and impact tests on metals and timber.
- Methods for preparing specimens, applying loads, and recording and analyzing deflections and fractures.
- Techniques for measuring moisture, specific gravity, voids, and other material properties.
- Guidance on reporting results, comparing with standards, and using test data in design and inspection.
Ideal for readers who want a clear, classroom-tested reference that translates theory into laboratory practice.