NG1S118 - Construction Materials 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2022 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG1S118
Module Title: Construction Materials
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built Environment and Civil Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Civil Engineering
Module Leader: Jonathan Oti
Module Team: Blessing Adeleke, Emma McGivern, John Kinuthia, Jerome Daly, David Baxter, Phil Young, Sarah Moses
First Intended Intake: MAY 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100149 - construction
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2022

Module Aims

To introduce the fundamental properties of cement and concrete and their influence on concrete durability and mix design.

To appreciate the properties of timber as a construction material.

To establish the basic principles of rock and soil properties and illustrating their application to practical situations in the field.

To appreciate the properties of steel as a construction material.

Content Summary

Prior to studying the module students are expected to carry out independent study to familiarise themselves with the module content and technical terminology.

Cement and concrete

History, manufacture and properties of Portland Cement; Environmental concerns related with the manufacture of PC; Hydration of Portland Cement; Setting and hardening of concrete; Properties of fresh and hardened concrete; Concrete mix design; Statistical analysis of the test results. Durability of concrete, including sulphate attack and alkali-aggregate reaction. Chloride attack, corrosion and prevention of corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete. The use of aggregates as engineering material.

Timber

Properties; Structure and Uses; Defects.

Rocks & Soils

Nature and origin of rocks & soils.

Soil structure; use the soil model to illustrate and determine the basic soil properties.

Soil classification and permeability; Standard classification methods and techniques for coarse and fine grained soils. Coefficient of permeability for various types of soils and methods for determining permeability.

Shear strength and failure criteria; Peak, ultimate (and residual) shear strength parameters of various soil types; effective and total stress parameters. Influence of clay minerals.

Steel

Steel properties and Steel types in construction.

This module will facilitate the development of Personal Development Planning through the delivery of the key skills identified below in the module descriptor.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Practical classes and workshops 15
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 65
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate competence in laboratory/practical work on cement, concrete, timber, rock, Soil and Steel through experimentation, recording and analysing results and the production of a laboratory report
LO2 Appreciate and demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and properties of cement, concrete, timber, rock, soil and Steel.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 Laboratory coursework 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Examination 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Burland J; Chapman T and Brown M,. 20012. ICE Manual of Geotechnical Engineering Volume 1 and 2. Thomas Telford limited, london. ISBN: 9780727736529(two volume set).

Illston, J. H. (2001), Construction Materials, 3rd Edition, E&FN Spon; ISBN 0419258604

Craig C. F. (2004), Soil Mechanics 7th ed, Spon Press; ISBN 0415327032

Desch, H. E. &Dinwoodie, J. M. (1996) Timber: Structure, properties, conversion and use, Macmillan Press Ltd., ISBN 0333609050 (6th Edition)

Taylor G.D., 2000. Materials in construction, an introduction. Lomgman. ISBN 9780582368897

Neville, A. M., 2011. Properties of Concrete, 5th edition, Pearson; ISBN 9780273755807

Ford M, 2009. ICE Manual of Construction Materials, Volume 1 and 2. Thomas Telford limited, london. ISBN:978-0-7277-3597-3 (two volume set).