CIV2235 - Structural materials

Overview

This unit introduces you to fundamental concepts in the common structural materials including concrete, steel, timber, and masonry. The major topics include concrete technology and the durability of concrete structures, the handling and placement of concrete components, the mechanical properties of different steels and steel connectors (bolts and welds), the behaviour of steel materials under fire, and the mechanical properties of timber and masonry materials. Additionally, you will gain knowledge about various structural loads and load combinations. Finally, you will learn about some significant case studies of structural failures which will reinforce the importance of material behaviours on structural safety.

Offerings

S2-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

S2-01-MALAYSIA-ON-CAMPUS

Requisites

Prerequisite

Prohibition

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Dr Phu Nguyen

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Phu Nguyen

Associate Professor Sudharshan Raman

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

Describe types of cements, aggregates, and admixtures in concrete and their effect on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.

Design concrete mixes for various applications.

Describe the properties and behaviour of structural steel, unreinforced masonry and timber for structural design.

Formulate the main loads and load combinations relevant to structural design.

Explore the structural behaviour of material specimens and communicate findings through team-based reporting.

Estimate material quality based on statistical theory (sampling distributions), through hypothesis testing and formulation.

Teaching approach

Active learning

Assessment summary

Continuous assessment: 50%
Final assessment: 50%

This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment

1 - Weekly practice class

2 - Project

3 - Tests

4 - Final assessment

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Laboratories

Practical activities

Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Learning resources

Required resources

Recommended resources

Other unit costs

The following item is mandatory for practical aspects of the unit and should be purchased at your own cost as you will be reusing them throughout your course.

Calculator

Availability in areas of study

E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Civil engineering
E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - Specialisation: Civil engineering
Minor: Civil engineering