Description
Objectives
To provide students indepth knowledge on structural materials (concrete, steel and timber), mortars and injection grouts, addressing the following topics: characterization of the materials, standardisation; selection criteria, application on construction field, safety and health in construction; durability, Construction Products Directive; CE label; sustainability and recycling of the materials. This approach will be supported on experimental work, contact with materials, and analyses of case studies.
Syllabus
Construction Products Directive. CE label, sustainability, recycling, safety and health in construction. Constituents and formulation of concrete, mortars and grouts. Aggregates, additions, cement types, admixtures, pigments. Characterization on fresh and hardened state, in lab and in situ. “Special” mortars and “special” concretes” (colouring, self-compacting, light weigh, high performance, recycled aggregates, gunite, polymeric and fiber reinforced). Production, transport, placing, compacting and curing of concrete., EC2, EN206 and related standards, mainly NPEN13670. Steel for structural puprposes (steel profiles, reinforcing bars and prestressed steel): mechanical properties, chemical composition, thermal and mechanical hardening processes. EC2, EC3, NPEN10025+A1, EN10080, EN10138-1 and LNEC Specifications. Timber: Mechanical properties, strength, deformability, creep and strength classes. Glued laminated timber. EN338, NPEN1194, EC5.
Prerequisites
Attendance of the following subjects/courses: General Chemistry (LEC) and Construction Materials I (LEC)
Cross Competence Component
The CU allows the development of transversal competences on Critical Thinking, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving Strategies, Decision Making, and Social and Civic Responsibility, during the lessons and within the assessment components, by promoting students to undertaken critical reflection on the relative performance of different structural materials in terms of mechanical behavior, response to external actions, sustainability, recyclability, safety and health in construction. The assessment percentage associated with these competences should be around 10%.
Laboratorial Component
The CU includes laboratory classes that allow students to direct contact with the production and experimental characterisation (fresh and hardened state) of mortars, grouts and concretes, and their constituintes. The following experimental modules are planned: characterization of aggregates; production and characterisation of mortars, production and characterisation of several types of concrete; production and characterisation of grouts. These lessons intend to promote conditions for students to work in group, exploring their interpretation ability, critical thinking and initiative spirit.
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work. In any assessment, every students shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every students shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.