Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers

A basic function of civil and construction engineering is to provide and maintain
the infrastructure needs of society. The infrastructure includes buildings, water
treatment and distribution systems, waste water removal and processing, dams, and
highway and airport bridges and pavements. Although some civil and construction
engineers are involved in the planning process, most are concerned with the design,
construction, and maintenance of facilities. The common denominator among these
responsibilities is the need to understand the behavior and performance of materials.
Although not all civil and construction engineers need to be material specialists, a
basic understanding of the material selection process, and the behavior of materials,
is a fundamental requirement for all civil