2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CIVE5454M Concrete Production, Processes, Applications and Construction Practice
30 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Dr Salim Barbhuiya
Email: s.barbhuiya@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2020/21
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 provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the principles underpinning the production of concrete for structural as well as non-structural purposes and the construction processes for its application in small and large scale construction practice.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:
• To acquire a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the production and placement of different types of concrete.
• To develop an in-depth awareness of the problems regarding concrete production and construction processes posed by the specific circumstances of different applications.
• To understand the complex relations between the properties of raw materials, mix design, fresh and hardened state performance of concrete, and to develop the ability of critically evaluating them in relation to the construction processes required in different applications.
• To develop the skills needed to apply engineering analysis methods to solve complex problems related to the production and placement of structural and non-structural concrete.
• To develop a coherent understanding of the fundamentals of concrete science and technology to be able to apply it to the research and investigation of new and emerging construction solutions.
• To become proficient in the collection and analysis of information from various sources to make informed decisions regarding the definition of concrete production processes even in the case of incomplete data or specifications.
• To understand the high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in engineering, and in particular within the concrete manufacturing industry.
• To acquire a comprehensive understanding of the social, economic and commercial aspects relevant to the production and application of concrete, in particular regarding management and cost-benefit considerations.
• To understand the sustainability implications of the different production and construction processes applicable to concrete structures, and to be able to quantitatively compare alternative solutions.
• To develop an awareness of the regulatory requirements that are applicable to construction with concrete, with a particular emphasis on health and safety aspects.
• To understand the advantages as well as limitations of alternative concrete production processes and to develop a rigorous yet creative approach to solve problems in different applications.
• To understand the roles of the different agents involved in the production and placement of concrete and the interactions between them.
Transferable skills:
• Confidence to work independently, or as part of a team, to research, collate and synthesise information;
• Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct
• 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
1. How to ensure sustainability in concrete construction?
2. Processes and technologies for special concrete (High strength concrete, Fibre reinforced concrete, Self-compacting concrete, Ultra high-performance fibre reinforced concrete)
3. Methods, practices and design of concrete formwork
4. What are the various types and methods horizontal/vertical finishes in concrete?
5. Approaches in designing road and slab thickness
6. What are the defects in constriction of road, floor screeds and toppings?
7. Principles of reinforcement and pre-stressed concrete.
8. How to determine joint location and reinforcement in concrete?
9. What are the remedial measures for common concrete application?
10. Carbon foot printing and life cycle assessment in concrete construction
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| On-line Learning | 2 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| On-line Learning | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 2 | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| Group learning | 1 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 112.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 153.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 | ||
Private study
This 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 four recorded lectures by the programme leader.The learning process will be achieved via the completion of group-based and individual assignments set by the programme leader, in consultation with University Tutors. 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 for group assignments one student in each group will be assigned as a group leader. Each assignment group will receive technical and moral 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.
The group and individual assignments will be complemented by online MCQs. These will be designed to test deeper level thinking than conventional MCQs, by introducing “assertion-reason” style questions, or enabling calculation based questions. The introduction of these MCQs has been considered so as to provide instant feedback to students and guide them through their learning and potential gaps in their knowledge.
Information required to contribute to group assignments will come from independent online learning and private study. In addition to the group assignments, which will form the basis of formative feedback to students, there will be an individual assignment, 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 via a number of routes. Firstly, students are encouraged to use each module¿s online discussion board. Engagement is then followed by regular assessment through the semester, with an assessment timetable developed so as to offer regular feedback to students while also monitoring student engagement and progress. A typical timetable is given below:Week 1 Group Assignment set
Week 3 Individual component submission of Group Assignment
Weeks 4-5 MCQ 1
Week 5 Feedback on Individual component of Group Assignment
Week 6 Individual Assignments set
Week 8 Group Assignment submission
Weeks 9-10 MCQ 2
Week 10 Feedback on Group Assignment
Week 11 Submission of Individual Assignment 1
Late December Feedback on Individual Assignment 1
Week 12 Submission of Individual Assignment 2
Late January Feedback on Individual Assignment 2
Note that the weeks are indicative of teaching weeks rather than calendar weeks, such that students also have the Christmas vacation to complete their individual assignments.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Group Project/Project/Dissertation | 5,000 word assignment | 0.00 |
| Essay | 3,000 word assignment | 40.00 |
| Essay | 3,000 word assignment | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 80.00 | |
Resit: 50% Essay; 50% Essay.
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online MCQ | 0 hr 00 mins | 10.00 |
| Online MCQ | 0 hr 00 mins | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 20.00 | |
Resit: 50% Essay; 50% Essay.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 10/08/2020 08:33:56
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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