Construction Materials

Description
This course introduces the student the basic knowledge of materials used during construction of civil engineering structures (aggregates, water, cement additives, concrete, wood, stone, glass, asphalt, geosynthetics, etc.), including its properties, uses, cost, design and quality control.

Course Learning Outcomes
This course looks to involve the student in the design, management and quality control of materials used in construction of Civil Engineering Structures, to develop an approach on their use in line with the specific conditions and characteristics of projects.

Objective #1: Recognize and distinguish the materials used during construction of civil engineering structures.
Outcomes:
1.1. Identify the different materials used in civil engineering structures according to their characteristics and properties and in accordance with the requirements for each engineering project.
1.2. Select the most appropriate materials consistent with the conditions of work and the site where each project is being built.

Objective #2: Establish the most important physical, chemical and mechanical properties for construction materials.
Outcomes:
2.1. Take advantage of the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of construction materials in order to reach the best cost-effective relationship in the construction project.

Objective #3: Value the importance of quality control of materials and laboratory testing.
Outcomes:
3.1. Be familiar with national and international standards applied to the management of building materials in civil works
3.2. Properly apply the techniques of materials testing in the laboratory.
3.3. Develop new techniques to improve the performance of materials based on quality control.

Objective #4: Build up an investigative attitude towards construction materials.
Outcomes:
4.1. Read and interpret technical articles relating to topics covered in the course in English and Spanish.

Objective #5: Environmental considerations.
Outcomes:
5.1. Research and develop new technologies in construction materials that are environmentally friendly and will not incur additional costs for the engineering projects.

Objective #6:
Develop in students, communication skills through oral and written presentations, workshops and cases.
Outcomes:
6.1. Express orally and in writing the results of their analysis on materials testing.

Topics Covered
Materials used in construction of civil engineering projects:

• Cementing Materials
• Masonry
• Woods
• Metals
• Asphalts
• Other Materials

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO MEETING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
The civil engineer during his professional performance, designs, builds and supervises different structures that contribute to human welfare: buildings, roads, aqueducts, dams and sewers, among others. Much of the success of these projects depends on proper selection and handling of materials, so as to achieve a technically appropriate performance at a reasonable cost.

Textbooks

• SÁNCHEZ DE GUZMÁN. Diego. Tecnología del Concreto y el mortero. Bhandar Editores. Cuarta Edición. 2000.
• SHAN SOMAYAJI. Civil Engineering Materials. 1995
• SANDINO PARDO. Alejandro. Materiales para estructuras.
• JUNTA DEL ACUERDO DE CARTAGENA. Manual del Grupo Andino para la preservación de maderas. Cuarta Edición. Carvajal. 1984.
• MUÑOZ MUÑOZ. Harold AIberto. Construcción de Estructuras. Instituto del Concreto. Asocreto. Colección Básica del Concreto 2. Tercera Edición 1998. Segunda Reimpresión 1999.
• INSTITUTO DEL CONCRETO, INSTITUTO COLOMBIANO DE PRODUCTORES DE CEMENTO. Construcción de Pavimentos. Asocreto. Colección Básica del Concreto 5. Tercera Edición, 1999. Segunda reimpresión, 2000.