This textbook for undergraduate civil and structural engineering students presents an entry-level primer on materials for building construction. Divided into three sections, the work begins with an overview of construction materials concepts and proceeds through a detailed examination of several key building materials such as wood, steel aluminum and concrete and concludes with a discussion of engineering testing methods for each group of materials. Each chapter includes numerous illustrations, photographs and formulas as well as sample test questions. This third edition of the text includes numerous chapter updates as well as new information on materials and methods developed or adopted since the last printing. Mamlouk is a professor of civil and environment engineering at Arizona State University and Zaniewski is a professor of civil engineering at West Virginia University. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)