29 Best Books on Building Materials

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Building Materials, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Building Materials Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Building Materials below.

1. Building Construction and Materials

 
1."Building Construction" by B C Punmia and Ashok Kumar Jain
“Building Construction” Book review: This book provides comprehensive coverage of various topics related to building construction, including earthquake-resistant structures. It covers different construction methods, appropriate materials, stability, and performance. The book begins with an introduction to the basics of building construction, the types of buildings, and their components. It then delves into further chapters, explaining foundation, masonry, floors, partitions, and ongoing construction practices in India, including the latest norms and standards. The book is designed for undergraduate Civil Engineering, Architecture, and diploma students, with well-labeled diagrams, figures, and practice exercises at the end of each chapter.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
2."Building Materials" by S K Duggal
“Building Materials” Book Review: The book is an ideal resource for undergraduate civil engineering and diploma courses on concrete technology. It provides a thorough explanation of different building materials, including their mechanical and physical properties, factors influencing their properties, and remedies for any issues that may arise. The book covers new-age building materials, including rocks, stones, wood products, concrete, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, gypsum, polymers, ceramics, and paints. It also includes exercises, short answers, and objective questions to help students practice.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
3."Building Construction" by Varghese P C
“Building Construction” Book Review: This book is designed for undergraduate civil engineering students, diploma students, and professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge in the field of building materials. It covers all aspects of building materials and current practices in the construction industry. The book starts with the basics of building components, cost control, and site preparation, then moves to specific topics like foundation, masonry, waterproofing, RCC, plasters, acoustics, and building maintenance. It includes new topics like water supply and sewage disposal in buildings located far away from the main city. There are review questions at the end of each chapter for better understanding.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
4."Building and Construction Materials: Testing and Quality Control (Lab Manual Series)" by M L Gambhir and Neha Jamwal
“Building and Construction Materials:Testing and Quality Control (Lab Manual Series)” Book Review: This lab manual on “Building and Construction Materials” aims to develop readers’ ability to conduct tests on building and construction materials. It covers basic concepts of quality control, cement, building limes, and aggregates, and discusses topics like concrete mix design, pavement materials, bricks and tiles, infrastructural materials, metals, and investigative tests. The manual provides various tests that will be helpful for undergraduate civil engineering students, students doing diploma courses in architecture, and working professionals.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
5."Building Materials and Construction" by G C Sahu and Joygopal Jena
“Building Materials and Construction” Book Review: This book is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students of civil engineering and architecture and teachers in the field. It covers all the details on various materials required for building construction, including the methodology used. The book covers traditional and modern building materials, construction practices, and the post-construction stage. It includes many advanced materials like composites, geosynthetics, recycled aggregate, paper as building material, bacterial concrete, nano concrete, geopolymer concrete, and more. The book is useful for all students, with various figures, tables, review questions, and multiple-choice questions for better understanding.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
6."Building Material And Construction" by Islam Saiful
“Building Material And Construction” Book Review: This comprehensive book covers all aspects of building materials and construction practices. It introduces the basics of building construction, types of buildings, and their components. It also covers specific topics like design loads, soils, foundations, masonry, partition walls, woodwork joints, concrete construction, plastering, insulation, and protection techniques for fire control and earthquake protection of the building. The book is an excellent resource for undergraduate civil engineering and diploma students, with ample practice questions provided.

advertisement
advertisement
Buy-this-Book (India)
 
7."Building Construction 2e: Principles, Materials and Systems" by Mehta/ Scarborough/ Armpriest
“Building Construction 2e: Principles, Materials, and Systems” Book Review: The book is structured into two main sections. The first part encompasses the Principles of Construction, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the building process, construction standards, loads on the building, properties of materials, principles of joints and sealants, and sustainable construction. The second part deals with Materials and Systems of Construction, covering topics such as soils and excavation process, concrete construction, masonry materials, Light-Gauge Steel Construction, materials for exterior wall cladding, wood construction, ceilings, and floor coverings. The book offers a range of resources to assist students in their learning, such as numerous solved examples, margin notes, key terms, review questions, practice quizzes, and suggestions for further reading.

Buy-this-Book (India)
 
8."A Textbook of Building Construction" by S K Sharma
“A Textbook of Building Construction” Book Review: The book is aimed at undergraduate students of civil engineering and provides a comprehensive overview of the basic principles and current design practices used in building construction. The first chapter introduces the classification of buildings, building orientation and requirements, and other aspects of building construction. The following chapters cover specific topics such as design loads, soil investigation, foundations, masonry, partition and cavity walls, damp prevention, woodwork joints, doors and windows, lifts and escalators, roofs, concrete construction, plastering, thermal insulation, acoustics, sound insulation, noise control, fire control, and earthquake protection techniques.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
9."Building Material and Construction" by S S Bhavikatti
“Building Material and Construction” Book Review: This book is written for both undergraduate and diploma students in civil engineering. It covers topics such as building components and types of structures, as well as materials such as stone, mortar, timber, and others. It also includes information on earthwork for foundation, various types of masonry, ventilation windows, scaffolding and shoring, floor and roof construction, waterproofing, termite resistance, wall finishing techniques, and building maintenance. The book is illustrated with various figures and tables for better understanding, and each unit includes a large number of question sets for students to practice.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
10."Materials for Architects and Builders" by Arthur Lyons
“Materials for Architects and Builders” Book Review: The target audience of this book is undergraduate students studying building and construction materials modules. It provides an introduction to the different materials used in the construction industry, including their manufacturing, physical properties, specifications, and uses. The book is updated with the latest developments in materials and appropriate technologies, and it also addresses the ecological impact of building construction and lifetime use. Chapters on sustainability and governmental carbon targets are included to highlight these concerns. The book integrates changes from British to European building standards and is illustrated with colourful photographs and diagrams to help students understand the subject.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)


2. Advance Construction Materials

 
1."Construction Program Management (Best Practices and Advances in Program Management)" by Joseph Delaney
“Construction Program Management (Best Practices and Advances in Program Management)” Book Review: The book is designed for students, practitioners and stakeholders, providing insights on modern management techniques, and highlighting the difference between leadership and management skills. The chapters give a basic understanding of project management and program management, along with their applications, advantages, and disadvantages.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
2."Advances in Cement Technology: Chemistry, Manufacture and Testing" by S N Ghosh
“Advances in Cement Technology: Chemistry, Manufacture, and Testing” Book Review: This book on cement science is intended for material science students, chemists, and researchers. It covers useful aspects of science and technology related to cement, including thermoanalytical techniques, X-rays, mathematical modeling, and geology of limestone, raw materials, and concrete.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
3."Advances in Construction Materials 2007" by Christian U Grosse
“Advances in Construction Materials 2007” Book Review: This book on civil engineering is aimed at students, researchers, and scientists. It covers topics such as fiber composite, strengthening methods, corrosion, durability, and fire resistance. The book also explains the properties, modeling, and testing of fresh concrete and the mechanical and thermal properties of materials. The applications of non-destructive methods are also discussed.

advertisement
Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
4."Advances in Modern Cement and Concrete (Construction Materials and Engineering)" by Gritsada Sua-iam and Natt Makul
“Advances in Modern Cement and Concrete (Construction Materials and Engineering)” Book Review: This book on modern concrete technology is aimed at civil engineering students, researchers, and scientists. It is divided into five chapters covering the design and development of concrete, its properties and testing. Additionally, the book discusses different types of cement, such as self-compacting/consolidating concrete, green concrete, and nano cement.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
5."Earth Construction Handbook: The Building Material Earth in Modern Architecture: 10 (Advances in Architecture)" by Gernot Minke
“Earth Construction Handbook: The Building Material Earth in Modern Architecture: 10 (Advances in Architecture)” Book Review: This is a valuable guidebook for anyone interested in using earth as a building material. It is written by Gernot Minke, a well-known architect and expert in the field of sustainable construction. The book covers topics such as soil analysis, mixing and processing techniques, and various earth construction methods. It also provides detailed instructions for building with earth, including foundations, walls, roofs, and finishes. The book includes numerous illustrations and photographs that help to explain the concepts and techniques described.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
6."Advances in Construction Life Cycle Assessment Through Building Information Modelling" by Daniel Doran
“Advances in Construction Life Cycle Assessment Through Building Information Modelling” Book Review: This book on digital information management is intended for computer engineering students, researchers, and scientists. It covers the process of creating and managing digital information, including embodied impacts, measuring embodied impacts, building levels, and modelling life cycles. The book also includes examples, exercises, and projects to help readers understand the topics.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
7."Advances in Concrete Construction Technology" by D F H Bennett
“Advances in Concrete Construction Technology” Book Review: This is an informative book on modern concrete construction technology. The book provides valuable information on the design, development, properties, and testing of concrete. It also discusses different types of cement, including self-compacting/consolidating concrete, green concrete, and nano cement. The book is useful for civil engineering students, researchers, and scientists who want to learn more about modern concrete technology.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
8."Aluminium Structures: Advances, Design and Construction" by R Narayanan
“Aluminium Structures: Advances, Design and Construction” Book Review: This is a comprehensive guide for engineers and students interested in aluminium structures. The book covers various topics such as aluminium alloys, structural design principles, fabrication techniques, connections, and corrosion protection. It also discusses recent advances in aluminum structures, including new materials, joining methods, and numerical modelling techniques. The book provides a detailed description of the design and construction of different types of aluminium structures, including buildings, bridges, and offshore platforms. It is a useful resource for professionals and students working in the field of civil and structural engineering.

advertisement
Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
9."Advances in Construction ICT and e-Business" by Kirti Ruikar and Esther Obonyo
“Advances in Construction ICT and e-Business” Book Review: This book on information and communication technology (ICT) is designed for students and researchers. It discusses the applications of ICT, including BIM, virtual environments, and mobile technologies, in the construction industry. The book also includes examples, exercises, and short questions at the end of each chapter to help readers understand the topics.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
10."Ethnographic Research in the Construction Industry (Routledge Advances in Sociology)" by Sarah Pink and Dylan Tutt
“Ethnographic Research in the Construction Industry (Routledge Advances in Sociology)” Book Review: This book on ethnographic research is aimed at sociologists, anthropologists, and researchers. It covers the basic concepts of ethnographic research and provides a social science perspective. Additionally, the book helps readers understand the problems faced by industries and includes both theoretical and practical information on ethnography.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
11."Civil Engineering Materials" by Shan Somayaji
“Civil Engineering Materials” Book Review: This completely rewritten book on civil and construction engineering provides the latest developments in the field, both in approach and content. It includes newer illustrations of properties, applications, and analysis of important materials in the form of diagrams to make the topic more understandable. The book covers physical and mechanical properties of materials and includes a large number of solved numerical examples drawn from various university examinations. It is useful for students and researchers in the field of civil and construction engineering.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)


3. Construction Materials and Project Management Techniques

 
1."Building Construction" by B C Punmia and Ashok Kumar Jain
“Building Construction” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive guide for professionals in the construction industry, including civil engineers, architects, builders, and contractors. It covers the fundamental principles and current practices of building construction, including sound construction methods, materials, strength, stability, and performance. The construction features and designs are clearly and thoroughly explained. Additionally, this book focuses on the construction practices in India and provides the latest Indian standard recommendations.

Buy-this-book (US)
 
2."Building Materials" by Varghese P C
“Building Materials” Book Review: This book is intended for undergraduate and diploma students in civil engineering and architecture, and it focuses on the uses of materials commonly used in India. It provides an in-depth explanation of the basics and specifications of building materials, including concrete design and repair chemicals. The book covers both traditional and modern materials and includes tables, diagrams, and models. Review questions and Anna University model questions are available at the end of each chapter.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
3."Project Management: Techniques in Planning and Controlling Construction Projects" by Hira N Ahuja and S P Dozzi
“Project Management: Techniques in Planning and Controlling Construction Projects” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for project managers, site supervisors, and professionals in the construction industry. It explores the risk management associated with construction projects, discussing the probability and likelihood of occurrence of risks and arranging them according to their severity. The book covers various risks, including skilled labor risks, procurement risks, and operation risks. It also explains contract management risks, risk impact matrix, and overall risk assessment.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
4."A Study on Risk Management in Execution of Construction Projects" by Vijayran Manisha and Kumar Modish
“A Study on Risk Management in Execution of Construction Projects” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for project managers, site supervisors, and professionals in the construction industry. It explores the risk management associated with construction projects, discussing the probability and likelihood of occurrence of risks and arranging them according to their severity. The book covers various risks, including skilled labor risks, procurement risks, and operation risks. It also explains contract management risks, risk impact matrix, and overall risk assessment.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
5."Construction Project Scheduling and Control" by Saleh Mubarak
“Construction Project Scheduling and Control” Book Review: This book is an ideal resource for students of construction engineering. It covers scheduling and project control, explaining the concepts of CPM scheduling and precedence networks. The book also includes computer programs for construction and provides solved examples and unsolved questions for students to practice.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
6."Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book" by Duncan Cartlidge
“Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book” Book Review: This book is a compact guide to help construction project managers in their daily work. It covers topics such as project planning, procurement, contracts, risk management, and safety. The book provides practical advice and templates for project managers to use in their day-to-day activities. It also includes case studies and examples to illustrate key concepts. This book is suitable for both experienced project managers and those new to the field. The author, Duncan Cartlidge, is an experienced construction professional with over 25 years of experience.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
7."Project Management for Facility Constructions: A Guide for Engineers and Architects" by Alberto De Marco
“Project Management for Facility Constructions: A Guide for Engineers and Architects” Book Review: This book serves as a guide for project managers, focusing on the skills required for successful management, including leadership, negotiation, team building, and communication. It explains pre-construction activities, design management, and BIM. Additionally, the book covers environmental management systems, people skills, and occupancy activities.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
 
8."The Science and Technology of Building Materials" by Henry J Cowan and Peter Smith
“The Science and Technology of Building Materials” Book Review: This is is an informative book that covers a wide range of materials used in construction. It provides an overview of the properties, characteristics and applications of materials such as concrete, wood, steel, glass and plastics. The book is divided into eight chapters that cover topics including the structure of materials, the mechanical and thermal properties of materials, material selection and testing, as well as durability and sustainability. The authors use a clear and concise language, making the book accessible to students, researchers and professionals in the field of construction materials.

Buy-this-Book (India) Buy-this-book (US)
We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Building Materials and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Building Materials and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Building Materials books pdf download" request form for download notification.

advertisement
advertisement
Subscribe to our Newsletters (Subject-wise). Participate in the Sanfoundry Certification contest to get free Certificate of Merit. Join our social networks below and stay updated with latest contests, videos, internships and jobs!

Youtube | Telegram | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

Subscribe to his free Masterclasses at Youtube & discussions at Telegram SanfoundryClasses.