MABY4500 Sustainable Concrete Structures Emneplan

The course deals with the sustainability and durability of important concrete infrastructures, like bridges, quays, dams, foundations etc, often exposed to severe environment and with a service life requirement of 100 years and more. Concrete is the most used construction material in the world. However, its large quantity leads to massive energy use, and the cement contributes to climate changes as ordinary portland cement stands for about 8% of the global greenhouse gas emission. In the design stage of reinforced concrete structures, reduced CO2- emission can be achieved by use of so-called "low-carbon concrete" and by smarter design resulting in reduced concrete volume. Designing for durability and long service life will contribute to reduced greenhouse-gas emission as well. Structural health monitoring, regular maintenance together with optimal repair and upgrading will prolong the service life of the structure, and accordingly contribute significantly the lower CO2- emission in the atmosphere. 

The course provides in-depth studies in topics such as:  

• Low-carbon concrete
• Transport and degradation mechanisms of reinforced concrete
• Service life calculations and service life design of concrete structures
• Inspection and non-destructive testing
• Condition assessments and residual service life of existing concrete structures

Analysis and design of concrete structures.

Admission requirements.

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 advanced knowledge of low-carbon concrete for application in reinforced concrete infrastructures.  

·        has advanced knowledge of relevant degradation mechanisms for steel and concrete and consequences for the service life and load-bearing capacity of structures.

·         has in-depth knowledge of strategies, methods and calculation models used to achieve the prescribed service life (working life) of reinforced concrete structures.

·         has in-depth knowledge of the structural consequences of reinforcement corrosion on the load-bearing capacity of concrete structures.

·         is capable of assessing various measures to extend the service life and of using various calculation methods and models to estimate the remaining service life and capacity of existing concrete structures.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

·         designing structures that fulfill the Eurocode 2 requirements for durability and service life.

·         carrying out service life predictions for concrete structures in marine environments.

·         assessing the condition of and estimating the remaining service life and capacity of a relevant concrete structure.

·         proposing measures to extend the service life of and repair methods for a relevant concrete structure

·         carrying out capacity control of a damaged concrete structure or component.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

·         acquiring new knowledge in the field and communicating it orally and in writing.

·         understanding and analyzing scientific publications on the topics related to sustainability and durability of concrete structures.

·         applying theories in practice based on scientifically justified choices of relevant sustainable solutions.

The teaching consists of lectures and exercises. In addition, the students will carry out a major project assignment in which they perform analyses and calculations of the service life and capacity of a concrete structure (or components thereof) exposed to relevant degradation mechanisms. The project assignment shall be presented in the form of a scholarly report. Detailed guidelines for the project assignment will be published on Canvas.

Three of four compulsory exercises must be approved in order for students to be able to take the exam. Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity before the exam.

Type of assessment:  

1) Oral exam, individual or in group, weighted 40 %

2) Project report, prepared by groups of 2-3 students, approx. 20-25 pages - weighted 60 %.

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) in order for the student to pass the course. Students must be awarded an E or better on their project report to be allowed to take the oral exam. 

Assessment part : 1) cannot be appealed and 2) can be appealed

Assessment part: 1) all aids, 2) all aids.

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used in connection with the final assessment.

1) and 2): Two internal examiners.

External examiners are used regularly.