Course code BūvZ2001

Credit points 3

Building and Construction I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8

Number of hours for laboratory classes8

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation30.08.2011

Responsible UnitInstitute of Civil Engineering and Wood Processing

Course developer

author lect.

Ilmārs Preikšs

Mg. sc. ing.

Course abstract

In lectures: students gain knowledge about the levels of cognition of material structure: classification of materials by function, by structure; macro and microstructure of materials, the internal structure of the substance; structural, surface defects and their significance; material properties (mechanical, physical, chemical, acoustic, etc.); loading of materials - products (bending, pressing, tensioning), the collapse of materials (force, deformation, stresses, etc.). Gains knowledge of the most widely used building materials and construction products (binders - mineral, air-curing, hydraulic; special types of cement, mortars, concretes, reinforced concrete and structures thereof, building ceramics, glass and other fused rock products, thermal insulation and acoustic materials, bitumen, tar and building materials based on them, metals, polymer building materials, varnishes and paints, timber). Construction product circulation regulation, testing standards and Latvian construction standard. Elements of buildings, their meaning and function. Introduction to the Building Information System (BIS).
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: Knowledge of the structure, manufacture, properties, application of building materials, normative materials, as well as practical techniques for testing building materials (knowledge assessment: tests are written). Ratings with marks.
Skills: skills to choose the best material for a specific application to obtain the required result (skills assessment: defended laboratory and practical work reports - protocols - summaries). Ratings with marks.
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). Ratings with marks.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time intramural studies:
1. Lecture: Material structure, physical, physicochemical, chemical properties - 1 h. Laboratory works: Introductory instruction and determination of substance density - 1 h. Practical work: Obtaining powdered material – 1 h.
2. Lecture: Mechanical properties, properties depending on the production technology, standardization of technological properties - 1 h. Laboratory works: Determination of density and bulk density of a substance - 1 h. Practical work: Introduction to the morphology of powdered material – 1 h.
3. Lecture: Mineral binders, air-curing, hydraulic binders - 1 h. Laboratory work: Sand tests - 1 h. Practical work: Introduction to porosimetry – 1 h.
4. Lecture: Mineral binders and special cements - 1 h. Laboratory work: Crushed stone tests - 1 h. Test: 1st, 2nd and 3rd lecture subject volume. Practical work: Determination of modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio – 1 h.
5. Lecture: Construction mortars and products based on mineral binders - 1 h. Practical work: Visit to the exhibition of construction, building materials and construction technology – 1 h.
6. Lecture: Concretes and standards applicable to them - 1 h. Practical work: Report on the visit to the Exhibition of Construction, Building Materials and Construction Technology – 1 h.
7. Lecture: Reinforced concrete and structures from it - 1 h. Laboratory work: Cement sample tests - 1 h. Practical work: Remote visit of cement and reinforced concrete plants (digitally).
8. Lecture: Building ceramics - 1 h. Laboratory work: Calculation of heavy concrete - 1 h. Test: 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th lecture subject volume. Practical work: Preparation of a report on remote visits of cement and reinforced concrete plants. – 1 h.
9. Lecture: Glass and other molten rock products. Fireproof materials - 1 h. Laboratory work: Production of heavy concrete and tests of cement samples - 1 h.
10. Lecture: Thermal insulation and acoustic materials - 1 h.
11. Lecture: Bitumen, tar and building materials based on them - 1 h.
12. Lecture: Metals and articles / structures thereof - 1 h. Test: 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th lecture subject volume.
13. Lecture: Polymer building materials - 1h. Laboratory work: Determination of average strength and class of heavy concrete - 1 h.
14. Lecture: Varnishes and paints – 1 h.
15. Lecture: Timber - 1 h.
16. Lecture: Elements of buildings, their meaning and function. Introduction to the Building Information System (BIS) – 1 h. Test: 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th lecture subject volume.
Part time extramural studies:
All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

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, which is submitted one week before the session. In order to obtain an assessment, a folder of defended laboratory and practical work must be submitted and tests must be successfully written.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: determination of substance density - 1 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
2. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: determination of substance density and bulk density - 1 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
3. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Sand tests - 1 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
4. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Sand tests - 1 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
5. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Crushed stone tests - 1 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
6. Development of a report on the visit to the Construction, Building Materials and Construction Technology Exhibition - 2 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
7. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Cement sample tests -1,5 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) – 1,5 h.
8. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Tests of cement samples and calculation of heavy concrete – 1,5 h. Preparation of a report on visits to cement and reinforced concrete plants – 1,5 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
9. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Calculation and production of heavy concrete - 2 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
10. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Production of heavy concrete - 2 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
11. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Testing of cement samples - 2 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
12. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
13. Preparation for laboratory work - literature studies, development of conspectus for the topic: Determination of the average strength and class of heavy concrete - 2 h. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
14. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
15. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
16. Lecture material studies (preparation for the test) - 2 h.
NOTE: the student independently prepares handwritten conspectuses 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. Conspectuses should be made on an A4 format sheet, which is then placed in a common folder (the student can prepare copies of the abstract, which will be handed over to the lecturer).

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.

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

Compulsory course Professional Higher Education Bachelor Study Programme "Environment and Water Management" (full time and part time studies)