Civil Engineering Materials - 2021 entry

This module focuses on developing both your in-depth knowledge of widely used civil engineering materials such as timber, masonry, pre-stressed and precast concrete as well as your awareness of more niche materials such as carbon fibre and structural glass and fibre-reinforced concrete. You will explore the various features and characteristics of these materials and gain an understanding of the principles applied when using them in design. After completing this module you will have a much broader appreciation for the materials at your disposal as a civil engineer and the issues to consider during their selection and use.

This module aims to build on your previous study of steel and reinforced concrete and to enhance your knowledge of other civil engineering materials, their properties, characteristics and related design procedures. You will develop skill in code-based design of masonry and timber structures while acquiring knowledge on the engineering properties and potential use cases for structural glass and fibre-reinforced polymers.

ILO #1: Demonstrate detailed knowledge of engineering properties for a range of construction materials

ILO #2: Demonstrate knowledge of manufacturing processes for a range of construction materials

ILO #3: Evaluate a range of materials, assess their strengths and weaknesses and select
an appropriate material for a given use case

ILO #4: Perform code-based design of structures using timber and masonry

ILO #5: Demonstrate knowledge of properties, characteristics and construction processes for niche structural materials such as glass and FRP

ILO #6: Understand how durability and strength requirements influence material selection

ILO #7: Understand how sustainability considerations and embodied carbon influence material choice

ILO #8: Communicate clearly and effectively, producing code-based designs that can be readily reviewed by a checking engineer

1: Review of mechanics properties – stress, strain, stiffness, elastic, plastic and vico-elastic behaviour, Young’s modulus, strength (yield, ultimate, proof), strain capacity:
Engineering Properties of Materials

2: Fracture and failure – yield, stress concentrations, fracture toughness, critical crack size:
Engineering Properties of Materials

3: Time dependent failure – fatigue and creep:
Engineering Properties of Materials

4: Sustainability: CO2 emission and embodied carbon:
Engineering Properties of Materials

5: The structure of timber – macroscopic, microscopic, molecular:
Timber

6: Durability and uses:
Timber

7: Timber design to Eurocode 5:
Timber

8: Glulam beams:
Timber

9: Theory of fibre reinforcement:
Fibre Reinforced Composites

10: Carbon fibre reinforced concrete:
Fibre Reinforced Composites

11: Fibre reinforced concrete structure design:
Fibre Reinforced Composites

12: Glass in construction: Production and history:
Glass

13: Properties and uses:
Glass

14: Overview of glass design:
Glass

As the module is assessed by the examination and coursework, the ref/def assessment will be by examination. The candidates will be awarded the ref/def examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Reading list for this module: