Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit TitleMODERN CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS
Course Unit CodeCEM215
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated5
Learning Outcomes of the course unitBy the end of the course, the students should be able to:
  1. Describe special concretes and their applications, analyse the principles of mix design and specify the most important properties of novel concretes.
  2. Explain the concept of composite materials, describe the mechanical and durability advances of composite materials and list examples and applications of composite construction materials.
  3. Analyse the advantages of FRP composites, explain the role of fibres as reinforcement and polymers as matrix, analyse the types of fibres and matrices used, and explain their properties.
  4. Analyse the mechanical and durability properties of FRP composites, describe manufacturing techniques, list examples of their applications in construction industry and explain the fundamental principles of design with FRP composites.
  5. Analyse the parameters that can contribute to the achievement of enhanced microstructure in cementitious composites, explain the properties and role of silica fume and dispersing agents in UHPFRCCs, and explain the importance of high temperature curing conditions in the process of manufacture of UHPFRCCs.
  6. Explain the role of the type of fibres, their volume fraction and fibre aspect ratio in the behaviour of UHPFRCCs, analyse the bridging action of fibres and identify the importance of fibre distribution and orientation.
  7. Describe the basic characteristics, mechanical and durability properties of UHPFRCCs, describe manufacturing techniques, explain the constitutive model of UHPFRCCs and identify applications of UHPFRCCs in construction industry.
  8. Identify heat insulating and sound isolating composite materials and explain their properties, analyse their importance and applications in construction industry, describe methods of calculating heat insulation and sound isolation of materials and structures.
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
PrerequisitesCEM213Co-requisitesNONE
Recommended optional program componentsNONE
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
  • “Construction Materials: Their Nature and Behaviour”, edited by Illston and Domone, Spon Press; 1994.
References
  • “Civil Engineering Materials”, Jackon and Dhir, Palgrave Publishers, 1996.
  • “Properties of Concrete”, Neville, Longman, 1997.
  • “Fibre Reinforced cementitious Composites (Modern Concrete Technology)”, Bentur, Taylor & Francis Publishers, 2 edition, 2006.
  • “FRP: Strengthened RC Structures”, Teng, Wiley Publishers, 2002.
  • “Δομικά Υλικά”, Α.Χ. Τριανταφύλλου, Εκδόσεις Παπασωτηρίου, 2008.
Planned learning activities and teaching methodsThe 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
Assignments10%
Tests40%
Final Exam50%
Language of instructionEnglish
Work placement(s)NO

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