Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
AR50357 Sustainable construction materials |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Modular: no specific semester |
| Assessment: EX30CW70 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: To provide a comprehensive understanding of construction materials; a critical awareness of their contribution to environmental impact and their contribution to low carbon building performance.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the Unit the students will have demonstrated the ability to: * critically and systematically evaluate and compare the environmental impact of a range of construction materials, products and systems using life cycle assessment procedures; * select, design and specify sustainable construction materials creatively and with confidence. Skills: Critical assessment of the effect of building materials on the environmental and holistic performance of buildings. Written and oral communications. These skills are facilitated and assessed. Content: Life cycle assessment; life cycle costing; environmental impact of construction materials; modern use of traditional materials; concrete; steel; masonry; timber; renewable crop based materials; polymers; insulation products; retrofitting; thermal mass; breathing wall construction; building health. |