48352 Construction Materials
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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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): ((60101 Chemistry and Materials Science OR 65111 Chemistry 1) AND 33230 Mathematics 2)
Description
As part of the learning outcomes in this subject, students engage with the engineering properties of construction materials and apply this knowledge to predict the behaviours of these materials in application. Students also obtain experimental data from Australian Standard test methods to determine the relevant properties of materials and ascertain their behaviours. They then apply this knowledge to design and meet specification requirements and sustainable and service life criteria, which are impacted by the effects of the environment and failure modes of these materials. By developing professional problem solving and design skills in this subject, students acquire the ability to select the most appropriate material to meet prescriptive and performance-based requirements and be able to justify their choice of selection. Through this subject, students acquire an array of analytical and reflective skills to contribute to construction material analysis, design and development.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify and analyse factors contributing to the properties of construction materials in structural and civil engineering design. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Predict the behaviour of construction materials and synthesise appropriate solutions for selecting materials that address specification, sustainable environment and service life criteria, and apply Australian Standard test methods for the testing of construction materials. (C.1) |
| 3. | Reflect on the lifecycle of a segment of a construction project to develop a construction materials specification that documents solutions for prescriptive and performance-based requirements to an engineering team. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning experiences in the subject will be facilitated through a combination of face-to-face, online, and out of class activities. Workshops that integrate a combination of teaching activities, including lectures and laboratory, and assessment task briefing, drop-in and feedback sessions, will be used as the main basis to establish fundamental knowledge of the discipline. Each workshop will be supplemented by weekly subject material made available on Canvas. Engaging with the learning materials prior to class will prepare students to effectively participate in asking questions and understanding contextual examples.
The lecture activities will introduce the subject matter and delve into the application areas of construction materials. Students will also explore the practical implications of the discipline in a laboratory environment, which involves engaging with their knowledge of construction materials by observing, measuring, problem solving and interpreting data, and understanding and applying experimental methods. As part of laboratory groupwork activities, students will also undertake self, peer, and group evaluations to provide technical reasoning in the selection of their preferred material choice. The assessment task briefing, drop-in and feedback sessions will focus on addressing the criteria for each assessment task. These sessions will be guided by student questions, ensuring that students can seek feedback on assessment tasks both before and after their submission dates.
The assessment tasks covered in the subject are specifically designed to strengthen competency development in design thinking, decision making, analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving methodologies. Opportunities will be provided for students to author professional reports in developing and recommending solutions that address design scenarios and requirements criteria. Students will also critically self-review their proficiency of the learnt concepts within this subject and share their reflections as multimedia presentations with their peers. Students are welcome to use these professional reports and multimedia presentations when applying for jobs in professional practice to demonstrate their level of competency development.
Content (topics)
Topics include:
- Mechanical behaviour of metals
- Connections, corrosion, and structural steels
- Concrete making materials
- Concrete mix design concepts
- Fresh and hardened properties of concrete
- Deformation and durability of concrete
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Concrete Design Report
| Intent: | To analyse the factors contributing to and controlling the material properties of concrete, in order to provide conclusions and recommendations addressing the design requirements of an engineered structure |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | The total length of the report should not exceed 8 pages. |
Assessment task 2: Steel Materials Report
| Intent: | To analyse the inherent factors contributing to and controlling the material property criteria of steel, in order to provide conclusions and recommendations addressing the design requirements of an engineered structure. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | The total length of the report should not exceed 10 pages |
Assessment task 3: Concrete testing report
| Intent: | To evaluate standard testing methodologies used in civil engineering practice, in order to ascertain relevant construction material properties and provide conclusions and justifications in preferred material choice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | The total length of the report should not exceed 8 pages. |
Assessment task 4: Design for durability report
| Intent: | To communicate an understanding of topics pertaining to the application of concrete durability in a civil engineering field structure. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | The total length of the report should not exceed 10 pages. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
There is no standard textbook used in this subject.
A list of textbooks have been recommended below in the References section to help improve students’ understanding of content taught in this subject. The textbooks referenced are also available in the UTS library.
References
- Shackelford, J. F., Introduction to Materials Science for Engineers (Eighth Edition, 2015), Prentice Hall, Pearson, pages 1-601, UTS Library Open Collection 620.11 SHAC (ED.8)
- Mamlouk, M. S., and Zaniewski, J. P., Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers (Fourth Edition, 2016), Prentice Hall, Pearson, Pages 1-650, UTS Library Open Collection 624.18 MAML
- Claisse, P. A., Civil Engineering Materials (First Edition, 2015), Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann, Elsevier, Pages 1-496, UTS Library Open Collection 624.18 CLAI
- Mehta, M., Scarborough, W., and Armpriest, D., Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems (Third Edition, 2018), Prentice Hall, Pearson, Pages 1-989, UTS Library Open Collection 690 MEHT (ED.3)
- Taylor, G. D., Materials in Construction: An Introduction (Third Edition, 2000), Longman, Pearson, Pages 1-334, UTS Library Open Collection 624.18 TAYL (ED.3)
- Young, J. F., The Science and Technology of Civil Engineering Materials, Prentice Hall, Pages 1-384, UTS Library Open Collection 624.18 YOUN
- Neville, A. M., and Brooks, J. J., Concrete Technology (Second Edition, 2010), Prentice Hall, Pearson, Pages 1-442, UTS Library Open Collection 666.893 NEVI (ED.2)
- Cement, Concrete & Aggregates Association of Australia, A Guide to Concrete Construction (Second Edition, 2002), Cement and Concrete Association of Australia, Standards Australia, Pages 1-204, UTS Library Request Library Retrieval System 693.5 GUID (ED.2)
- Mindess, S., and Young, J. F., Concrete (First Edition, 1981), Prentice Hall, Pages 1-671, UTS Library Open Collection 666.893/11
- Teychenné, D. C., Marsh, B. K., Franklin, R. E., and Erntroy, H. C., Design of Normal Concrete Mixes (Second Edition, 1997), Building Research Establishment, British Cement Association, Construction Research Communications, Pages 1-38, UTS Library Open Collection 624.1834 TEYC (ED.2)
Other resources
The subject will utilise Microsoft Teams/Zoom as an online platform for discussion where students can ask questions and post ideas related to the learning material. Teaching staff will contribute to the Microsoft Teams platform and provide regular updates about the teaching activities and the return of marked assessment, and answer queries and questions relating to the learning material. The Microsoft Teams/Zoom platform will also serve as the primary source of communication and feedback for all students undertaking the subject.
Subject material (e.g., notes, pre-recorded materials etc.) will be made available on Canvas.