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AR40419: Sustainable concrete technology

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2017/8
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Technical report (CW 20%)
  • Examination (EX 80%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To equip students with the knowledge and understanding of the role of concrete and its constituent materials in the provision of a sustainable urban infrastructure and theoretical and practical knowledge on how to mix, specify and design sustainable concrete.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the course the student will be able to demonstrate:
* How to design sustainable concrete and how concrete characteristics can vary in structures for a nominally similar specification.
* The effect of different cements, aggregates, and additives on the characteristics of both fresh and hardened concrete.
* How different environmental conditions affect the types of concrete to be used and mixing procedures to follow.
* What factors limit mix design of concrete with reinforcement or in aggressive exposures.

Skills:
Intellectual skills
* Ability to apply the concepts and principles of concrete technology.
* To understand taught material taught
Professional/Practical skills
* To deal with architectural engineering issues in a systematic yet creative way, and to communicate the conclusions clearly.
Transferable/key skills
* Ability to collect, analyse, synthesise and present technical information.
* To demonstrate communication and team working skills.
* Ability to do simple research on the internet and use published information to digest, marshal and sort facts relevant to future design.

Content:
The unit will overview the importance of concrete in the delivery of sustainable construction including the impact of construction on the environment, concepts for sustainable concrete construction, appropriate use of materials, appropriate concrete design and a review of constituent material availability.
Specific topics will cover:
Cement science: Portland cement, environmental considerations, fuels, low energy cements, cement hydration
Low carbon cements: blended cements, additions, ettringite-based cements, alkali-activated binders, new technologies
Natural and recycled aggregates: source and properties of natural aggregates, manufactured aggregates, recycled concrete aggregates, use of locally available materials, concept of urban quarries, establishing suitability for use in concrete.
Chemical admixtures: admixture selection and use, superplasticizers, air-entraining agents, corrosion inhibitors, other admixtures, effect on concrete properties, pumpable concrete, underwater concrete
Special concretes: lightweight and foamed concrete, heavyweight concrete, self-compacting concrete, polymer impregnated concrete, latex modified concrete, fibre reinforced concrete, high strength concrete
Mix design: mix proportioning, minimising cement content, particle packing, alternative designs for sustainability, service life and durability, concrete specifications, design for minimum waste.
Formwork systems: Fabric formwork, controlled permeability formwork, formwork pressures, architectural use, effects on concrete properties
Mixing, handling and placing: minimising waste in concrete production, noise and dust emissions, low energy concrete practices, reuse of waste water, leaching.
Strength and durability of sustainable concrete: mechanical properties of concrete, permeability, corrosion of reinforcement, design for durability.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

AR40419 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • UEAR-AFM03 : MEng(Hons) Civil and Architectural Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEAR-AKM03 : MEng(Hons) Civil and Architectural Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEAR-AFM07 : MEng(Hons) Civil Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEAR-AKM07 : MEng(Hons) Civil Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes: