Continuing from the Materials Engineering taught in years 2 and 3, the aim of this module is to extend the scope of the subject to include the understanding of advanced, novel and innovative developments within the realm of construction material, using, as much as possible, case studies and forensic engineering principles to develop wider appreciation of the materials engineering. CEN standards and sustainability issues to be addressed, as a requirement, throughout the teaching of this module.
1. Concrete: High performance concrete, high consistence and self-compacting, high and ultra-high strength, high durability i.e. chloride and sulfate resistant, self-cure; fibre-reinforced concrete pumped concrete. Light-weight concrete; heat-resistant concrete; high-density and radiation-shielding concrete; sprayed concrete; underwater concrete; concreting large pours; alternative reinforcement for concrete; recycled concrete. Coatings for concrete. Specific requirements examination of reinforced concrete durability. Design life prediction in hostile climates and quality control processes. Explore the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures, the methods of inspection, testing and repair to extend the service life and restore the value of the asset. Include asset management principles as related to engineering more life from existing structures to improve the sustainability footprint.
2. Composites: Develop the principles of materials to develop composite solutions for the new-build or the strengthening of existing structures by use of resin-fibre composites. Examine composite structures made using pultruded or extruded resin fibre structural elements reinforced with glass, aramid or carbon fibre and options to build bridges or bridge enclosures with these materials. Explore the strengthening of structures using bonded plates of glass or carbon fibre bonded to steel, concrete or other surfaces to increase strength. Examine the properties of the resins (principally epoxy) to make the composites and understand their limitations
3. Structural Protection: Building on the knowledge of resins, examine the specification and performance for the surface protection systems (hydrophobic, impregnating and film-forming) for concrete structures, including silane, acrylic, epoxy, polyurethane and other materials commonly used to protect concrete. Exposure environments will include protection against attack from carbonation, chloride ingress, sulphate attack and high specification systems for acid/chemical resistance, crack bridging and reinforcing coatings and elastomers.
4. Specialist Materials: develop the applications for structural aluminium and structural glazing and composites and explore the structural properties of the materials. Refresh the properties of ceramics, including masonry, and cast stone.
5. Sustainability: develop the knowledge of sustainability and apply the knowledge to reduce life cycle impacts of complex material design and selections. The module also develops further the capability of GRANTA Edu Pack software, providing advanced materials properties and performance towards environmental impacts, including sustainability.
6. Group Project/Laboratory Work: Supported by laboratory work, students to undertake a series of coordinated small projects covering various aspects of the taught course.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Describe, evaluate and assess specialist concretes and surface protection systems.
Describe, evaluate and assess critically specific requirements of concrete and concrete durability for applications in aggressive environments.
Appraise and select appropriate methods of material inspection, testing and repair to extend service life and restore values of different civil engineering assets.
Explain and evaluate the main properties of composites and how these properties can be altered, both short term and long term, and how this impacts design considerations
Describe and evaluate how different composite materials are specified and how they are tested in order to ascertain whether it complies with the specification.
Evaluate, assess and explain appropriate specification and performance of surface protection systems, aimed at protection against different environmental exposures.
Use, apply and evaluate information repositories (e.g. CES EudPack software and appropriate updates) to provide advanced materials properties and performance, including sustainability
Undertake appropriate laboratory work to assess, evaluate and appraise the behaviour of selected materials.
Assessment
29659-03 : Module Mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: 2hr Centrally Timetabled Written Unseen Exam (50%) Coursework - Design and calculations file + design sketches (50%) Reassessment: