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CVEN20080

Academic Year 2024/2025

Construction Materials (CVEN20080)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Ciaran McNally
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course will cover the manufacture and performance of key structural materials such as concrete, timber and steel.
Concrete topics covered include cement manufacture, aggregates, water, admixtures, concrete production, rheology, compliance and durability, self-compacting concrete, site practice.
For timber we will cover timber classification, its nature, moisture content and density, shrinkage and swelling, strength grading, durability and preservation, timber and wood-based products, behaviour in fire.
For metals we will study the use of metals in civil & structural engineering applications, structure of metals, deformation of metals, strengthening mechanisms, behaviour under working conditions.
Students will present their understanding of these materials through assignments and project work.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module the students should:
1. Understand the key requirements and performance criteria that a construction material must satisfy.
2. Appreciate the properties of various construction materials and how these impact on their use in service.
3. Apply this knowledge through a series of assignments.

Indicative Module Content:

This module introduces students to 3 core construction materials - concrete, steel and timber. Each material is covered over approximately 4 weeks and a number of topics relating to each material is covered.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

24
Small Group

24
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; lab/studio work; enquiry & problem-based learning; student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Open Book): An in-class exam addressing the topic of "Timber" Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Group Work Assignment: A group-based assignment that utilises all of the construction materials encountered Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): An essay addressing various aspects of concrete practice Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Exam (Open Book): An in-class exam addressing the topic of "Metals" Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Construction Materials by Marious Soutsos and Peter Domone

Name Role
Dr Atteyeh S. Natanzi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Hamza Tariq Tutor
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