DE4201                                    MATERIALS (CIVIL)

Level 4                                             Credits 15                                            Version July 2010

LEARNING TIME

RECOMMENDED PRE-REQUISITE

Nil

RECOMMENDED CO-REQUISITE

Nil

AIM/PURPOSE

To introduce the fundamentals of geological and geomorphological processes and the properties and application of a range of civil engineering materials.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.         Identify and describe the composition of minerals and rocks, and discuss soil and rock formation processes

2.         Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical and structural geology and interpret geological maps

3.         Describe the causes and effects of earthquakes

4.         Describe and evaluate the properties and applications of concrete, metals, timber and new materials in Civil Engineering

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• Common rock forming minerals, Formation and properties of rocks
• Mechanical and chemical weathering, erosion, deposition, land slides
• Structural geology, geological maps
• Earthquake terminology, magnitude, plate tectonics, effects of earthquakes, case studies
• Concrete: cement, aggregates, concrete manufacture, properties, testing, admixtures, hot and cold weather concreting, mix designs and masonry.
• Metals: engineering properties of steel (tensile strength, modulus, hardness, ductility), reinforcing steel.  Applications of other metals (aluminium, alloys).  Corrosion – causes, effects, protection against.  Jointing methods, welding, bolting.
• Timber: strength, durability, conversion, moisture state, seasoning, defects, grading, classification, preservation, wood based products, jointing.
• Geosynthetics, plastics.