Course code BūvZ2056

Credit points 4.50

Building Materials I

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8

Number of hours for laboratory classes16

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation23.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Civil Engineering and Wood Processing

Course developer

author Būvniecības un kokapstrādes institūts

Andris Šteinerts

Dr. sc. ing.

Replaced course

BūvZB059 [GBUVB059] Building Materials I

Course abstract

In lectures: In lectures: in the study course, students gain basic knowledge in the most widely used building materials and construction products, their essential technical properties and use in construction. Theoretical knowledge is strengthened in practical classes, as well as in laboratory work, in which students get acquainted with the properties of some widely used building materials and their testing methods. The theoretical course is briefly discussed in the lectures. To acquire general topics, students are focused mainly on study literature. Lectures focus on new materials and their applications, which are not covered in textbooks.
In the laboratory works: before the laboratory works the students develop the summaries of the corresponding topic - theoretically get acquainted with the testing algorithm of the specific building material (testing methodology). During the work of the laboratory practically develops and observes (documents - records, photo fixation) the experiment - test process, analyzes the obtained results, provides written conclusions. Laboratory works and their summaries are developed, defended and filed in a common folder.
Practical works:
• students listen to the theoretical introduction and observe a practical demonstration of the corresponding process, perform documentation, develop a protocol (observation, analysis, conclusions). Protocols of practical work are developed, defended and placed in a common folder with laboratory work.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: upon completion of the study course, students must know the most important technical properties of construction materials and construction products commonly used in construction, their testing methods and application possibilities, be able to choose construction materials for specific construction works, know the basic rules of construction product circulation, as well as be competent to analyze the purpose of use. Assessment of knowledge: tests are written - theory questions, (tasks) problem-solving.
Skills: skills to choose the technological method for obtaining materials, guided by the required specific properties and application. Ability to choose the best material for a specific application to obtain the required result (skills assessment: defended laboratory and practical work reports - protocols - summaries).
Competence: is able to evaluate and rationally justify the choice of construction materials, apply construction norms and appropriate standards, use professional terminology (competence assessment: verbal defence of laboratory and practical work).
The final grade of the course is a test with a mark, which is the total grade of Knowledge + Skills + Competence.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introductory lecture: requirements for the acquisition of the study course, issuance of tests and individual tasks, explanation. - 2 h. Laboratory works: Introductory instruction and determination of substance density - 2 h. Practical work: Obtaining powdered material.
2. Lecture: Technical properties of building materials and methods of their determination; construction product testing standards (ICS group 91, Building materials and construction) - 2 h. Laboratory works: Determination of density and bulk density of a substance - 2 h. Practical work: Introduction to the morphology of powdered material.
3. Lecture: Natural stone materials - 2 h. Laboratory work: Determination of bulk density and sand tests - 2 h. Practical work: Introduction to porosimetry.
4. Lecture: Determination of density and bulk density of stone materials - 2 h. Laboratory work: Crushed stone tests - 2 h. Practical work: Determination of modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio.
5. Lecture: Metals used in construction, corrosion protection of metals - 2 h. Laboratory work: Heavy concrete production and tests - 2 h.
6. Lecture: Aggregates for concrete and mortar; sand and gravel testing - 2 h.
7. Lecture: Mineral binders, their types and main properties - 2 h.
8. Lecture: Plaster (gypsum) tests - 2 h.
9. Lecture: Concretes, their types and main properties; concrete classification and testing - 2 h.
10. Lecture: Reinforced concrete and reinforced concrete industrial construction products - 2 h.
11. Lecture: Building ceramic materials and products - 2 h.
12. Lecture: Glass and petroleum products - 2 h.
13. Lecture: Timber and wood products - 2h.
14. Lecture: Wood tests - 2 h.
15. Lecture: Tests of control samples made in laboratory works - 2 h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Protocols of laboratory and practical work have been developed and verbally defended. Developed laboratory and practical work summaries, reports. Successfully written tests. Laboratory and practical work materials are compiled in one folder. In order to pass the study course, a combined folder of laboratory and practical work must be submitted.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of abstracts for the topic: determination of substance density - 2 h. Studies of lectures and practical work material - 2 h.
2. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of abstracts for the topic: determination of substance density and bulk density - 2 h. Studies of lectures and practical work material - 2 h.
3. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of abstracts for the topic: sand tests - 2 h. Studies of lectures and practical work material - 2 h.
4. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of abstracts for the topic: crushed stone tests - 2 h. Studies of lectures and practical work material - 2 h.
5. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of abstracts for the topic: Heavy concrete production and tests - 2 h. Study of lecture material, a summary of individual questions - 2 h.
6. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
7. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
8. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
9. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
10. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
11. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
12. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
13. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
14. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
15. Studies of lecture material, a conspectus development of individual questions - 2 h.
NOTE: the student independently prepares a handwritten synopsis on the listed topics of laboratory work before the laboratory work, that is, arrives at a laboratory work lesson with a theoretical knowledge base on the task to be performed in the laboratory work. The abstracts should be made on an A4 format page, which is then placed in a common folder (the student can prepare copies of the abstracts for himself because the general works folder is handed over to the lecturer in the exam).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Practical and laboratory works are assessed by the lecturers in accordance with the assessment procedure and defined requirements (some pointers: calculated results and units of measurement must be presented; clearly, comprehensibly and legibly written; stripes (corrections) must be covered with a white proof-reader; ballpoint pen used as a pen, laboratory and practical work protocols must be signed). All works are designed in accordance with the Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering student work methodological instructions. Additional criteria for the assessment of study results: attitude, adequacy and correctness of information; demonstration of knowledge, skills and competence in defending laboratory work.

Compulsory reading

1. Popovs L. Būvmateriāli un būvizstrādājumi. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1990. 252 lpp.
2. Laboratorijas darbu praktikums būvmateriālos. RTU, LLU. Sast. I.Šulcs, V.Zvejnieks, A.Zīle, J.Skujāns, A.Šteinerts. Jelgava: LLU, 1994. 158 lpp.
3. Ashby M., Shercliff A., Cebon D. Materials engineering, science, processing and design. Oxford, UK; Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier, 2007. 514 p. E-grāmata. Resurss pieejams ar LLU IS lietotājkontu datubāzē “EBSCO eBook Academic Collection”

Further reading

1. Askeland D.R., Wright W. J. The science and engineering of materiāls. 7th edition. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2016. 870 p.
2. Chudley R., Greeno R. Building Construction Handbook. 10th edition. London; New York: Routledge, 2014. 966 p. ISBN13: 978-0-415-83638-8

Periodicals and other sources

1. Žurnāls “Būvinženieris”. Pieejams: http://www.buvinzenierusavieniba.lv/zurnals
2. Būvniecības nozares medijs. Pieejams: https://abc.lv/
3. Žurnāls “Construction and Building Materials”. Pieejams: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/construction-and-building-materials

Notes

Study course in the second professional higher education study programme Civil Engineering