Study information

Civil Engineering Materials - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLECivil Engineering Materials CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENGM006 MODULE CONVENERDr Yongde Xia (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Challenges imposed by infrastructure decay and undersupply, climate change and limited resources require a rethinking of construction. Particularly, the use of energy-intensive and environmentally-taxing construction materials should be revisited, along with the reuse of existing buildings. This module enhances your knowledge about structural engineering by exploring timber as a carbon-sink alternative for construction, as it is the outcome of the collection of atmospheric CO2 as trees grow. Also, you will be introduced to Masonry, which is employed in most legacy and currently being built dwellings in Britain, thus allowing for a discussion about retrofitting old building stock to extend its lifetime.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module presents standards for design and quality control for civil engineering use of timber and masonry. Hence, you will be introduced to the Eurocode 5, part 1 and, Eurocode 6, part 3 specifications for structural design, along with laboratory testing for material properties of both masonry and timber elements according to EN 13183, EN772, EN408 and ENG1052 part 1. The learning experience will be further enhanced by performing two visits to neighbouring industrial facilities, a sawmill, and a glulam factory. This will allow you to appreciate the manufacturing process of timber from raw material extraction until the elaboration of structural elements. Particularly, our industrial partners will present their processes for minimizing their environmental footprint, whilst they advance a locally sourced, economically viable carbon-sink construction material. Thereby, by engaging in both, theoretical and practical sessions, you will acquire a foundation to start a discussion about retrofitting the current building stock instead of considering demolition, leading to the implementation of a circular economy paradigm in civil engineering, with scope for assessment of traditional and local construction practices.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module: 
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of designs to structural engineering problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts (M7);  

2. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of engineering properties and manufacturing process for a range of construction materials; 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

3. Perform code-based design of structures using timber and masonry; 
4. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations (M13); 

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge: 

5. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems (M12); 

6. Communicate clearly and effectively, producing code-based designs that can be readily reviewed by a checking engineer.

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • Review of mechanics properties – stress, strain, stiffness, elastic, plastic and visco-elastic behaviour, Young’s modulus, strength (yield, ultimate, proof), strain capacity:
  • Basis of design for timber and masonry (Partial Factor Approach, effects of uncertainty in material properties and long-term behaviour)
  • Manufacturing of timber, and masonry pieces. Overall material properties and mortar specifications.
  • Sustainability: CO2 emissions of construction materials – embodied carbon based on production processes. 
  • Timber: Basis of structural analysis, Ultimate Limit States. Serviceability Limit States
  • Masonry: Basis of structural analysis, Ultimate Limit States. Serviceability Limit States
  • Timber: Connections with metal fasteners, Components and assemblies, Structural Detailing and Control
  • Simplified methods for the design of Unreinforced Masonry Structures
  • CLT: Cross Laminated Timber
  • Introduction to circular economy paradigms for building construction.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 44 Guided Independent Study 106 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and Teaching 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and Teaching 8 Tutorial
Scheduled learning and Teaching 4 Field Visits
Scheduled learning and Teaching 10 Laboratory Practice
Guided Independent study 106 Private study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Supervision of Laboratory Practice Continuous during lab sessions All Answer to questions, verbal feedback
Field Visits 4 to 6 hours, depending on transport All Engaging with industrial partners, and dialectic discussions with academic staff and experts. 
Tutorials Continuous during tutorial All Verbal feedback
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Laboratory Reports 30 1 hour 1-6 (M7, 12, 13)  Verbal and written
Written Exam - closed book 70 2 hours 1-4, 6 (M7, 13)  Written
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Exam (100% - 2 hours) (M7, 12, 13) Referral/deferral period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

British Standards Institution BSI (2014) Eurocode 5 – Design of timber-structures – Part 1-1: general – common rules and rules for buildings. BSI, London, UK.  

British Standards Institution BSI (2021) Eurocode 6 – Design of masonry-structures – Part 3: Simplified calculation methods for unreinforced masonry structures. BSI, London, UK.  

US Department of Agriculture (2021) Wood Handbook. Wood as an Engineering Material. General Technical Report FPL-GTR-282 Washington D.C.  

 

Web-based and electronic resources:  

https://www.thinkwood.com/  

https://www.world-housing.net/ 

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 22nd March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 20th September 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.