MABY4800 Advanced Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Structures Course description

This course will focus on advanced materials, primarily emphasizing concrete, and their key strength and durability properties, as well as their future outlook for improving the sustainability and resilience of structures. Lessons developed for this course will cover a wide range of high-performance construction materials and steel developed for different applications. Further to detailed discussions on the performance and pros/cons of such materials, this course will deliver in-depth knowledge of their main physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties.

While the traditional curricula primarily cover only conventional concrete and steel materials for building and bridge applications, the current course provides a state-of-the-art knowledge of the advanced concrete and steel materials, including 3D concrete, high-strength concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete, and fiber-reinforced concrete, as well as high-strength and corrosion-resistant steel. By completing this course, the students will be inspired to consider innovative applications of high-performance concrete and steel materials in their future research investigations and/or industry endeavours.

Language of instruction: English

Type of assessment:

Project report, max 5000 words appendices excluded, collaboratively prepared by the same group of the pitch presentation, weighted 100%

An individual project report is not accepted. To pass the course, a minimum grade of E is required. The exam grade can be appealed.

In group work, the students' different contributions must be reflected in the submitted work. Normally, all members of the group receive the same grade, but in exceptional cases, individual grades may be assigned within groups after further assessment. In such cases, all students in the relevant group will be informed that grades will be given individually before the grades are published.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, an oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

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 has:

• state-of-the-art knowledge of the application of different types of advanced concrete and steel materials, such as high-performance concrete and steel
• in-depth knowledge to select the optimal material in a construction
• knowledge to design structures with innovative materials
• in-depth knowledge of physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of innovative concrete and steel materials
• knowledge about the effect of the application of innovative materials on the life cycle of structures
• knowledge about the environmental impact of using innovative materials.

Skills:

The student

• is capable of conducting experimental tests on standard specimens using different types of innovative concrete
• is capable of conducting experimental tests on standard specimens using different types of innovative steel
• can assess the needs and propose the optimum innovative materials for certain design cases
• can describe the difference between conventional and innovative steel and concrete in a different context
• can carry out the basics of life cycle analysis.

General Competence:

The student is able to:

• design structures with innovative materials.
• reduce the environmental impact of construction materials
• assess the need for the application of advanced steel and concrete
• use different types of reviews of scientific articles/reports to gain an overview of the latest developments in advanced steel and concrete
• characterize the properties of high-performance concrete and steel materials.

The teaching consists of lectures, in-class individual and group discussion and exercises. In addition, students will carry out a project assignment and school exam. The project assignment shall be presented in the form of a scholarly report.

In this course, we'll explore how buildings are similar to living organisms, experiencing, during its lifespan, aging and environmental and anthropological deterioration problems. This course explores the principles and practices related to rehabilitation work in the built environment. It will provide technical guidelines to students on the methodologies of site inspections, evaluation of existing buildings, causes and agents of deterioration, measurement and monitoring techniques, identification of the actual defects, repair methodology and materials for rehabilitation. The context of building technology, standards, evolving building techniques, planning and implementation, procurement cost, climate resilience and designing an energy rehabilitation of existing buildings will be explored.

Language of instruction: English

The examination is divided into two parts:

1) Individual written exam (60 minutes), weighted 70%. This part will be multiple choice questions and questions requiring short responses.

2) Project report, prepared by groups of up to 4 students, approx. 5000-6000 words, weighted 30%.

In group work, the students’ different contributions must be reflected in the submitted work. Normally, all members of the group receive the same grade, but in exceptional cases, individual grades may be assigned within groups after further assessment. In such cases, all students in the relevant group will be informed that grades will be given individually before the grades are published.

Both parts 1 and 2 must be awarded a passing grade (E or better) for the student to pass the course.

The exam can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, an oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

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 should have knowledge of:

• challenges facing the built environment
• causes, agents of deterioration and the impact of repair materials on the overall performance of the building
• standards, inspection techniques and rehabilitation practices
• environmental impact assessments and sustainable practices in rehabilitation.

Skills

The student is able to:

• define rehabilitation measures and plan
• select inspection techniques and repair materials
• develop cost estimates and budgets for the rehabilitation plan
• maximize returns on investment in the field of building's rehabilitation
• apply in-depth knowledge to a case study

General Competence:

The student can:

• conduct thorough market research, or literature to gather data and information
• write clear, detailed, and technically sound reports outlining the rehabilitation plan
• work effectively in a team and skillfully deliver a compelling pitch.

A combination of lectures, in-class individual and group study, and project work. The project will be defined by the student based on a real-world case study on rehabilitation in the built environment. Collaboration with Norwegian or international companies is encouraged, adding a real-world dimension to the project. It could also involve reviewing, analyzing and evaluating previous rehabilitation projects to suggest improvements or more sustainable and cost-effective approaches.

The following coursework requirement should be completed and approved for the student to take the exam:

• Pitch presentation (max 20min) of the selected project delivered in groups of 2-5 students. Dates of the presentations will be communicated on Canvas
• Group presentations (max 15min) will be based on the assigned in-class individual and group study. Students will work in groups of 2-5 students, formed during each lecture, and 1-2 presentations will take place in every lecture. Every student is required to join a group and to present at least once in 6 different lectures over the duration of the course.
• Leading an individual in-class oral discussion (approx. 30min) on an assigned topic. 2 students will be selected randomly and assigned as discussion leaders in each lecture. They will have the responsibility to (1) prepare and share the discussion questions related to the reading list, and (2) lead the in-class discussion on the assigned day shared on canvas. Each leader is required to serve as a discussion leader only once during the course.

If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit/present again by the given deadline shared on Canvas.

Mahdi Kioumarsi and Sarra Drissi