University of Technology Sydney

16103 Materials Science

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces students to the properties, behaviour and testing of construction materials and the principles of heat, light and sound as they apply to building design. Students explore the important link between ecologically sustainable design and construction material choice during the design process. This includes an examination of the durability and life-cycle of construction materials and the embodied energy and energy efficiency of various design options and construction methods.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the properties and behaviour of commonly used construction materials, their interaction and the methods used for testing and grading construction materials
2. Have an understanding of the principles of heat, light and sound as they apply to building design and the principles of embodied energy of materials in the built environment
3. Apply the principles for selecting sustainable construction materials and components during the design process and to enhance sustainable development including durability, re-use and recycling

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Apply a variety of communication skills and technologies in professional contexts. (C.1)
  • Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice. (P.2)
  • Contribute to the effective acquisition and management of assets throughout their life cycle. (P.9)
  • Critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project. (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly on campus: 2hr lecture and 1hr tutorial or material lab, supplemented by online learning.

The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of face-to-face lectures, tutorials, and online teaching strategies. Lectures involve face-to-face content delivery employing the use of media and electronic resources to enhance the theoretical delivery of the subject. Guest lectures and material lab demonstrations may be utilised to enhance the practical applications of subject content. Independent student reading will be complemented by tutorial sessions to enhance student understanding of the subject. Reading material and lecture notes will be provided through UTS Online.

Content (topics)

The content of this subject covers the following topics:

  • Overview of the relationship between construction material and building performance.
  • Overview of construction material properties.
  • Typical material defects in construction projects. Case examples.
  • Principles of heat, light and sound in building design and their impact on sustainable design.
  • Properties and performance of metals. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of timbers. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of cement & mortars. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of concrete. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of clay & bricks. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of ceramics, tiles, glasses, plastics, adhesives, and paints.
  • Interaction of different materials. Case examples.
  • Properties and performance of rammed earth, COB wall, straw bales and earth home. Case examples.
  • Environmentally sustainable design and construction material selection.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: In-class or Online Quizzes based on lecture content

Intent:

Assessment task 1 will assess student’s individual knowledge of the materials covered in class. The completion of the in-class or online quizzes will offer students formative feedback that will both help them understand how well they are able to understand, describe and apply the knowledge they have learned in class, as well as understand how they can improve their responses for the final exam.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

P.2

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Demonstrate understanding of the properties and performance of construction materials 100 1 P.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: A study of impact of building materials on building performance

Intent:

To assess knowledge gained in first half of semester in terms of how materials are selected and used in real construction projects. To assess understanding of the compromises made in the selection of construction materials in terms of cost, structural properties, aesthetics, availability, constructability, durability, environmental concerns etc. To encourage development of good teamwork, communication and organisational skills. To develop the ability to produce a professional standard report.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.12, C.1, P.2, P.9 and R.2

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Demonstrate ability to produce a well structured, organised professional report Demonstrate a basic understanding of commonly used construction materials 20 1 C.1
Demonstrate a basic understanding of buildings science and how material choice influences on building performance 20 2 P.2
Demonstrate an understanding of the embodied energy content of various standard construction materials 20 2 .12
Demonstrate an understanding of the long term/in-use properties of construction materials, including understanding of how basic defects can be caused and ability in extent and relevance of research 20 3 R.2
Demonstrate an understanding of the various factors that have to be taken into account in selecting construction materials 20 3 P.9
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Formal Examination 2 hour closed book examination covering all subject content

Intent:

To assess individual's knowledge of materials science gained over the semester, in a controlled environment. The exam will include questions based on course assessment tasks and lecture-based exercises. Practice questions will be provided online.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 2

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.12 and P.2

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Demonstrate an understanding of the properties and performance of construction materials 50 1 P.2
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of buildings science 50 2 .12
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

To pass this subject, students must gain a total minimum mark of 50%. Attendance at lectures is strongly advised in order to be able to answer online quiz questions.

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Recommended texts

Textbook

Ash Ahmed and John Sturges, (2014), Materials Science in Construction: an Introduction

An online copy will be available in the library.

Other essential text will be put on to UTSOnline. Students are required to check UTSOnline regularly to download the lecture slides and reading material.

Recommended additional texts

Ward-Harvey, Ken (1997) Fundamental Building Materials (3rd Edition)
The Royal Australian Institution of Architects

McMullan, R. (2007), Environmental Science in Building, Palgrave Macmillan

If your mathematics skills are a bit rusty, I recommend you get a copy of
Baker, R and Virdi, S. (2006), Construction Mathematics, Elsevier.

It's available at the Co-Op Bookshop and Amazon and is an excellent introduction to the basic maths needed by construction professionals, with real-life examples. It will also be useful for subjects such as Structures.