2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5454M Concrete Production, Processes, Applications and Construction Practice

30 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr. Emilio Garcia-Taengua
Email: e.garcia-taengua@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or approved prior learning (certified or experiential).

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module contributes to students' comprehensive understanding of range of concretes that can be used in constructions, their methods of manufacturing, application areas and special considerations given for their placement, curing and maintenance. It is aimed at students and current construction professionals involved in production, use, quality control or learning activities associated with concrete construction.

Objectives

The aim of the module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the key construction methodologies associated with concrete buildings and infrastructure and the range of types of concretes that can be used for different applications. It also aims to introduce the concept of durable and sustainable constructions with the use of novel cementitious systems, non-ferrous reinforcement and sustainable forms of concrete constructions. Students will be able to develop the ability to appraise practical situations and make informed decisions regarding the use of different types of concretes for different applications in practice.

Learning outcomes
Successful completion of the course will lead to the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Different types of concretes and their methods of manufacturing;
• Different types of horizontal/vertical finishes and associated methodologies;
• Materials, practices and design of formwork;
• The principles of structural design, including the principles of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete;
• Knowledge of approaches for determining road and slab thickness, flatness, bay size, joint locations and reinforcement requirements;
• Understanding of defects encountered in the manufacture and construction of road, floor screeds and toppings;
• Knowledge appropriate remedial measures for common concrete applications;
• Understanding of, and ability to discuss, relevant British and European specifications.

Practical skills:

• Ability to provide guidance on the selection and application of a range of concretes that can be used for different concrete constructions;
• Ability to provide project-specific guidance on related design and specification issues pertaining to civil engineering structures;
• Ability to carry out life cycle analysis and carbon footprinting.

Transferable skills:

• Confidence to work independently to research, collate and synthesise information;
• Ability to derive solutions to engineering problems;
• Ability to reflectively evaluate one's own learning and personal development;
• Apply subject-specific knowledge to generic engineering challenges;
• Ability to collate complex information in a concise and effective manner in the form of a report.

Skills outcomes
Please see learning outcomes.

Syllabus

The module will cover the following broad topics:

• Sustainability
• Special concretes, processes and technology
• Concrete roads
• Industrial floors
• Formwork
• Concrete plants
• Principles of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete
• Exposed concrete finishes
• Sustainability, carbon footprinting and life cycle analysis.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	3	1.00	3.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	0	0.00	0.00
Group learning	2	28.00	56.00
Independent online learning hours			112.00
Private study hours			129.00
Total Contact hours			59.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

The module will be delivered via distance learning and will involve no conventional lectures or seminars, but will be based on the concept of self-learning, coordinated by the programme leader and invited University tutors (as appropriate). The module will be introduced through 3 numbers of recorded lectures by the programme leader.

The learning process will be achieved via the completion of two internet group-based assignments set by the programme leader, in consultation with University Tutors. The discussion between learners will be facilitated through the VLE. These assignments will be based on reference text books made available to students specifically for this self-learning module, together with relevant online resource materials as appropriate. Assignment topics will be both topical and challenging, designed to provide revision, updating and an advanced understanding of concrete technology against the prescribed modules learning objectives. Each assignment will last approximately 4 weeks and will be undertaken on a group-basis, with one student in each group assigned as a group leader. Each assignment group will receive technical support from an appointed academic member of staff or invited University tutor as appropriate. Assignment-specific discussion forums will also be created on VLE to allow open communication between students and enable input/review by the module coordinator/tutors. For each assignment, the team leader will be responsible for organising the group's work and posting the final report online and to deadline, via the course website.

Information required to contribute to group assignments will come from independent online learning and private study. In addition to the two group assignments, which will form the basis of formative feedback to students, there will be TWO individual assignments, which will be assessed by the programme leader and the University Tutor, and will form part of the summative assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored at every week by the programme leader by closely monitoring the group discussion forum. In addition, each group of four to five students is expected to submit a group assignment at the end of a four week period for the two group assignments and the two individual assignments towards the middle and end of the module period. All these will allow closely monitor each student's contribution to and performance in the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project/Project/Dissertation	5,000 word assignment	0.00
Group Project/Project/Dissertation	5,000 word assignment	0.00
Group Project	3,000 word assignment	50.00
Assignment	3,000 word assignment	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/04/2016

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