Course Details

1. Identify the basic construction materials and their applications, describe the physical and mechanical properties of construction materials and analyse the atomic structure of materials.
2. Describe the concept of Hydraulic Cements, give emphasis to Portland cement, and evaluate the factors that affect the strength of Hardened Cement Paste. Also describe the types of aggregates and the most common classification methods.
3. Define concrete constituent materials, analyse the properties of fresh and hardened concrete, describe the most common tests, and evaluate the chemical admixtures used in concrete technology.
4. Describe the types of metals used in construction industry, analyse the properties of metals and describe the most common tests of steel. Evaluate steel as concrete reinforcement and steel as a structural material, and describe aluminium properties and alloys, and analyse their applications.
5. Describe the types of timber the most common classification methods, and explain the properties of timber and describe the most common tests.
6. Describe the primary masonry materials used in construction, analyse the properties of stone, bricks and concrete masonry units, and the most common classification methods.
7. Analyse the constituent materials of bituminous mixes, describe the properties of bituminous mixes in their fresh and hardened state, and describe the testing methods of fresh and hardened material.
8. Describe the recent trends of research in construction materials, the applications of modern construction materials, and analyse the importance of the development and use of sustainable construction materials.

Introduction: Basic construction materials and their applications. Most common ways of materials loading. Basic units used in the material science.

Material Properties: Physical, mechanical and chemical properties of construction materials. Terms of Bearing Capacity, Density, Specific Gravity and Modulus of Elasticity. Principle of the probabilistic assessment of properties. Atomic structure of materials. Types of atomic bonds and special lattices. Terms of micro- and macro-structures.

Cements: Concept of Hydraulic Cements and give emphasis to Portland cement. Process of manufacture of Portland cement. Chemical composition of Portland cement. Process of hydration of cement. Structure of Hardened Cement Paste (HCP). Factors that affect the strength of Hardened Cement Paste.

Aggregates: Types of aggregates and the most common classification methods. Role of their shape and texture in the properties of a concrete mix. Evaluate their role as fillers. Terms of size gradation, sieve analysis and grading curves. Strength and durability of aggregates and most common tests.

Concrete: Concrete constituent materials. Properties of fresh and hardened concrete and most common tests. Chemical admixtures used in concrete technology. Principles of developing High Strength Concrete mixtures. Durability principles and durability properties of concrete. Testing procedures of fresh and hardened material on site. Concrete mix design. Concrete applications.

Metals: Types of metals used in construction industry. Properties of metals and most common tests of steel. Steel as concrete reinforcement and steel as a structural material. Durability issues of steel and maintenance methods. Aluminium properties and alloys, and their applications.

Timber: Types of timber and most common classification methods. Properties of timber and most common tests. Applications of timber as a structural material. Durability issues of timber and the required maintenance applications. Principles of timber processing in order to be used as a construction material.

Masonry: Primary masonry materials used in construction. Properties of stone and the most common classification methods. Properties of bricks and the most common classification methods. Properties of concrete masonry units (CMU) and the most common classification methods. Advantages and disadvantages of masonry construction and the structural behaviour. Properties of masonry materials and the most common testing methods.

Bituminous: Constituent materials of bituminous mixes. Properties of bituminous mixes in their fresh and hardened state. Durability issues of bituminous materials. Testing methods of fresh and hardened material. Methods of production and principles of mix design. Fundamental applications of bituminous materials.

• “Construction Materials: Their Nature and Behaviour”, edited by Illston and Domone, Spon Press; 1994.

• “Civil Engineering Materials”, Jackon and Dhir, Palgrave Publishers, 1996.
• “Properties of Concrete”, Neville, Longman, 1997.
• “Δομικά Υλικά”, Α.Χ. Τριανταφύλλου, Εκδόσεις Παπασωτηρίου, 2008.