作为社会基础设施的建设者，土木工程师需要对与土木工程相关的材料特性有深刻的了解。应力，应变，剪切和变形的特性适用于多种工程材料，包括金属，混凝土，木材和复合材料。这些材料的知识使土木工程师可以选择合适的建筑材料。强调此领域的土木工程师为将来的应用力学研究做准备。
As builders of the infrastructure of society, civil engineers need a strong understanding of the property of materials as they relate to civil engineering. Properties of stress, strain, shear, and deformation are applied to a wide range of engineering materials, including metals, concrete, wood, and composites. Knowledge of these materials allow a civil engineer to select appropriate building materials. A civil engineer emphasizing this area is prepared for future study in applied mechanics. As builders of the infrastructure of society, civil engineers need a strong understanding of the property of materials as they relate to civil engineering. Properties of stress, strain, shear, and deformation are applied to a wide range of engineering materials, including metals, concrete, wood, and composites. Knowledge of these materials allow a civil engineer to select appropriate building materials. A civil engineer emphasizing this area is prepared for future study in applied mechanics.