MATL06004 2019 Civil Engineering Materials

Describe the constituent materials in concrete and evaluate how their properties influence the behaviour and performance of the resulting concrete

Specify and design concrete mixes for typical applications and perform quality assurance testing on the concrete in the fresh and hardened state.

Describe types, production methods, properties and performance of metals, timber, bituminous materials and polymers

Perform as a team member in the execution, compilation and analysis of laboratory experiments

Compile and report, in both written and oral form, the results and conclusions of laboratory work

A combination of lectures and practical classes 

1. 1 hour MCQ exam mid-semester

2. 2 hour written final exam

3. Laboratory practical copy and oral presentation

Learners may re-sit the terminal exam in autumn and,if required, re-submit practical copy before autumn repeats.

CONCRETE

1. Concrete Making Materials:  Cement, manufacture of cement, types of cement and uses, fundamentals of cement chemistry. Hydration. Secondary cementitious materials, ggbs, pfa and silica fume.  Aggregates, types, production, properties, EN 12620, significance of aggregate properties in concrete manufacture. Recycled aggregates. Water for concrete making.  Admixtures.
2. Fresh concrete: Water-cement ratio, properties of fresh concrete, consistence. Problems arising in fresh concrete. EN 12350. Readymixed concrete. EN 206
3. Formwork and Reinforcement:  Materials used and components of formwork, requirements of formwork. Reinforcement.
4. Compaction and curing. Concreting in cold weather / hot weather
5. Properties of hardened concrete, strength and factors influencing strength. EN 12390. Durability, mechanisms of deterioration of concrete.
6. Specifying concrete. Concrete Mix Design
7. Precast and prestressed concrete. Precast concrete production. Pretensioning and post-tensioning.  High-performance concrete. Lightweight concrete. Self-compacting concrete

METALS

1. Introduction. Environmental considerations. Structure of metals. Dislocations. Malleability and ductility. Hardness
2. Forming metals. Joining metal components
3. Ferrous metals. Influence of carbon content. Brittleness. Ductility. Weldability. Low-carbon steels. Steel alloys
4. Heat treatment
5. Non-ferrous metals. Aluminium, zinc, copper, lead. Alloys.Corrosion of metals.  Practical precautions against corrosion.

TIMBER

1. Structure and properties. Production.
2. Properties:  Strength. Effects of variations in moisture content. Distortions.
3. Durability: Insect damage. Fungal growth. Treatments and remediation.  Preservatives. Behaviour in fire.
4. Timber composites. Sheet materials, plywood, chipboard, OSB, MDF. Glued laminated sections.

 BITUMEN & BITUMINOUS MIXTURES

1. Introduction:  Manufacture and handling. Health & safety aspects.
2. Physical Properties:   Viscosity, adhesion. Temperature susceptibility. Stiffness. Bitumen emulsions
3. Types and applications of bituminous mixtures:   Asphalts. Macadams. Surface dressing. Defects in bituminous pavements.
4. Bitumens in construction industry:   Roofing. Damp-proofing. Sealing and water-proofing

 POLYMERS

1. Introduction: Polymer types. Production. Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics
2. Properties: Density. Mechanical behaviour. Thermal properties. Permeability. Durability.
3. Polymers in civil engineering:   Structural plastics and composites. Pipes.    
4. Coatings and adhesives

Indicative Practicals/Projects

1. Determination of the moisture content of an aggregate.
2. Determination of the gradings of a coarse and fine aggregate and fines content
3. Determination of flakiness index
4. Determination of Los Angeles Abrasion
5. Determination of particle density and water absorption of an aggregate.
6. Concrete mix design
7. Determination of consistence using slump and flow tests.
8. Preparation and testing of concrete cube
9. Effects of using supplementary cementitious materials and admixtures in concrete