Preface to the Second Edition
The second edition of this book deals with properties of building materials and techniques for
their manufacturing. Applications of building materials have been presented with emphasis
on engineering and economic approaches for determining the optimum kind of materials, best
suited to specific conditions of service in buildings. This edition provides a thorough and
practical groundwork for students of civil, architecture and construction technology. The
expanded and updated text can also serve as a refresher and reference for practicing civil
engineers, architects, contractors, and other workers who must be aware of new building
materials and techniques.
The building materials industry is in continual development, the range of products is being
expanded, and novel techniques for optimizing production processes are being introduced.
The main purpose of the book is to present a basic course of study with a detailed coverage of
basic theory and practice of the manufacture of building materials. The present edition embodies
material change in the chapters dealing with lime, cement, concrete, and many other minor
revisions.
Since concrete (Chapter 10) is the most widely and extensively used building material, its
production, properties, and testing have been thoroughly revised and discussed in more
details and depth. Chapter 11 on mix design has been introduced to make the used understand
better the manufacture and properties of concrete. Standards laid by Bureau of Indian Standards
have been followed.
Extensive addition in Chapter 20, miscellaneous materials, include elaboration of geotextiles,
new types of cements and concretes—their properties and production processes.
All this was possible due to the suggestions, and comments received form many individuals
and students. I would like to thank all of them. Acknowledgement is also made to New Age
Publishers for publishing the second edition.
S.K. Duggal