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AR50470: Natural building materials

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 10      [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 200
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Synopsis: Develop your knowledge and understanding of how natural building materials can be used for low-impact construction. This will include bio-based materials such as timber and inorganic materials such as natural stone and earthen construction.
Intended Learning Outcomes: Develop a fundamental understanding of the properties of natural building materials and how they can be used in the design of sustainable buildings.

Select appropriate natural building materials for use in specific applications.
Content:
  • Introduction to structural timber design;
  • Structural timber beam, column and connection design;
  • Manufactured timber (Glulam, Cross-lam, LVL etc).
  • Introduction to natural materials;
  • Geomaterials: Natural Stone; Lime in construction; Earthen construction;
  • Bio-based: Straw Bale; Hemp-lime; Bamboo; Natural fibres;
  • Concepts of strength testing, vapour permeability, moisture buffering;
  • Specifications for natural materials;
  • Case study projects.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

AR50470 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • TEAR-AFM31 : MSc Civil Engineering: Innovative Structural Materials

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.