BYTS2100 Building Materials and Concrete Design Course description

The course consists of two parts. The building materials component provides basic theoretical and practically oriented knowledge about the most important building materials: concrete, steel and wood. The following subjects are covered: the composition and structure of materials, important material properties in relation to function and application, such as strength, building physics properties, durability, degradation processes, production and applications, material testing, environmental properties and choice of materials. In the concrete component, NS-EN 1992-1-1 (Norwegian Standard/Eurocode) is used to design the most common non-tensioned reinforced structural elements.

Elective courses are set up under precondition that there are enough students in the course.

None

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• is capable of explaining the geodetic basis for specifying the height and coordinates of markers in the terrain, as well as the main principles of the theory of errors
• knows the principles behind GNSS, total stations and other surveying equipment
• knows the theory behind practical calculations in surveying
• is capable of explaining key concepts of set theory, probability theory, parameter estimation, hypothesis testing theory and choice of model
• is capable of explaining normal, binomial, Poisson and exponential probability distributions, as well as typical problems to which they can be applied

Skills

The student is capable of:

• calculating the heights and coordinates of markers in the terrain, and of calculating the area of plots and closed traverses
• calculating the area of plots of land
• using a total station and level telescope
• drawing cross- and longitudinal sections and carrying out mass calculations
• applying statistical principles and concepts from his/her own professional field
• carrying out basic probability calculations and parameter estimation
• setting up confidence intervals and testing hypotheses for normally and binomially distributed data
• carrying out simple correlation/regression analyses

General competence

The student:

• understands and is capable of using geographic information for planning, execution and control of building activities using digital equipment such as a total station and GPS, and of using relevant software to interpret the results. The student is capable of using manual calculations to check the results.
• uses statistical approaches to engineering problems and communicates them orally and in writing
• is capable of solving problems in engineering by using probability calculations, statistical planning of trials, data collection and analysis

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 2 exercises in the field, including reports
• 5 assignments for submission, 10-20 pages

Individual written home exam, 3,5 hours + 0,5 hours to scanning and delivery.

The exam results can be appealed.

All aids is included, except communication with others.

Two internal examiner that examine 50% each. External examiners are used regularly.

Christian Nordahl Rolfsen

Non beyond admission requirements

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcome in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:Knowledge:

The student

• has recived the in-depth knowledge of how to identify and analyze challenges associated with the project initiation phase and knows important prerequisites for project success.
• has basic knowledge of the relationship between business, building design, technology use and support functions and how this is understood in a holistic perspective.
• understands the design process and its place in the overall construction process.
• has knowledge of products used for the design processes and what constitutes value in them.
• knows the complexity of modern building projects and the need for interdisciplinarity and interface management.
• understands the importance of professional management of the design process by considering the design process's impact in relation to the building’s suitability for its purpose.
• has in-depth knowledge of the most common time and cost estimation methods
• has in-depth knowledge of analysis methods such as life cycle cost analysis and stakeholder analysis.
• is able to describe the main categories of project organization structures (project, classic, and matrix) and can explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different models.
• has knowledge about different contract structures and project delivery models including new innovative and collaborative models.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

• setting good project goals and success criteria.
• illustrating the purpose of a Work Break Down Structure (WBS) and how it can be established.
• setting up various tools that can be used in an uncertainty -/risk- management process.
• solving challenges related to resource constraints in the project by means of equalization of resources, time spent, change of relationships, or use of flow/slack.
• using indexes (ex. cost and time indexes) for monitoring project status and for establishing future forecasts.
• Manage the building design process.

Competence:

The student is capable of:

• making the right decision to get the desired outcome within the defined cost and quality.
• evaluating and selecting appropriate project organization models based on project characteristics such as duration, size, and complexity.
• collaborating and contributing to interdisciplinary team, and able to relate prerequisites for success in project work to one's work situation.

The teaching consists of lectures, discussion, case study, and dialogue around the case project, with emphasis on active learning.