Course Details
Course Information Package
Course Unit Title | MODERN CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS | ||||||||
Course Unit Code | CEM215 | ||||||||
Course Unit Details | |||||||||
Number of ECTS credits allocated | 5 | ||||||||
Learning Outcomes of the course unit | By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
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Mode of Delivery | Face-to-face | ||||||||
Prerequisites | CEM213 | Co-requisites | NONE | ||||||
Recommended optional program components | NONE | ||||||||
Course Contents | Introduction: Revise of essential material from course Construction Materials (CEM213). Recent Advances in Concrete Science: Introduce special concretes and their applications. Explain the fundamental terminology related to mix design of concrete. Analyse the principles of mix design. Specify the most important properties of novel concretes. Provide the necessary quality assurance inspection. Analyse and develop solutions to everyday problems that are related to materials and mix proportioning. Modern Composite Construction Materials: Analyse the importance of composite materials in construction industry. Explain the fundamental terminology of composite materials. Specify the mechanical and durability advances of composite materials. Provide examples and applications of composite construction materials. Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP): Analyse the advantages of FRP composites. Explain the role of fibres as reinforcement and polymers as matrix. Analyse the types of fibres used, specify their properties and explain the most common fibres classifications. Specify the matrix materials used, specify their properties and explain the most common matrices classifications. Explain the difference between thermoplastic and thermoset matrices and analyse the properties of each type. Analyse the mechanical and durability properties of FRP composites. Describe the manufacturing techniques of FRP composites. Provide examples of applications of FRP composites in construction industry. Explain the fundamental principles of design with FRP composites. High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HPFRCCs): Identify the disadvantages of normal concrete and analyse the importance of dense microstructure in the behaviour of the material. Analyse the parameters that can contribute to the achievement of enhanced microstructure in cementitious composites. Explain the properties and the role of silica fume and dispersing agents in HPFRCCs. Explain the importance of high temperature curing conditions in the process of manufacture of HPFRCCs. Identify the role of the type of fibres, the volume fraction of fibres and the fibre aspect ratio in the behaviour of HPFRCCs. Analyse the bridging action of fibres and identify the importance of fibre distribution and orientation. Identify the basic characteristics, mechanical and durability properties of the most important HPFRCCs available. Describe the manufacturing techniques of HPFRCCs composites. Describe the constitutive model of HPFRCCs. Identify applications of HPFRCCs in construction industry. Modern Materials for Heat Insulation and Sound Isolation: Identify the heat insulating and sound isolating materials and their properties. Analyse their importance and applications in construction industry. Describe methods of calculating heat insulation and sound isolation of materials and structures and identify artificial and natural noise barriers. | ||||||||
Recommended and/or required reading: | |||||||||
Textbooks |
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References |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods | The course is delivered through theoretical lectures in class and experimental work in civil engineering laboratory. The lectures present to the student the course content and allow for questions. Part of the material is presented using visual aids. The aim is to familiarize the student with the different and faster pace of presentation and also allow the instructor to present related material (photographs, videos, etc.). The learning process is enhanced with the requirement from the student to solve relevant examples. Besides from the notes taken by students in class, all of the course material is available through the class website and also through e-learning platform. Finally the instructor is available to students during office hours or by appointment in order to provide any necessary tutoring. | ||||||||
Assessment methods and criteria |
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Language of instruction | English | ||||||||
Work placement(s) | NO |