Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
AR50147 Materials construction and skills |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: To understand the physical and chemical properties of traditional building materials and the causes of their erosion and decay.
Learning Outcomes: To have knowledge of the skills used in the application of traditional building materials and to be able to specify their use on conservation projects. Skills: Intellectual: * To inspect, analyse and make reports that are intelligible to specialist and non-specialist readers. Professional, practical: * To make critical evaluations, cohesive arguments and judgements, and communicate clearly to specialists and non-specialists. * To operate within the appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the professions and the environment. Transferable/Key * To carry out or commission research, analysis and recording of the historic environment * To be able to work autonomously and with other professionals to develop strategies appropriate to historic buildings, and to recognise when advice should be sought. These skills are taught, facilitated and assessed. Content: The following materials are considered in terms of their physical and chemical properties and how they decay, their availability and sourcing, the skills required for their application and the impact they have on the environment. * Wall materials - stone, brick, lime products. * Roof coverings - slate, stone, thatch, terracotta. * Timber - timber frame buildings, roof trusses, joists, joinery, damp and beetle attack, dry rot, wildlife conservation. * Metals - lead, cast and wrought iron * Finishes - ornamental plaster, limewash and rendering, paints and colour. * Hands-on days - visits may include experience of visiting a stone mine, woodworking with traditional tools, lime and render, stone walling, ornamental plasterwork, thatching, hand-made brick manufacture, cast and wrought ironwork. |