CE1CCS-Construction Science

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Mehdi Shahrestani
Email: m.shahrestani@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces the fundamental concepts of Construction Science through an examination of the physical properties and mechanics of construction materials and the physics of heat, fluids, light sound and electricity. The application of these concepts is described in the CE1CCT Construction Technology Module delivered in the Autumn Term and the concepts are reinforced through the experimental elements of the CE1CES Empirical Science Module which is delivered in the Spring Term. This integrated approach enables the theories and concepts learnt in CE1CCS to be used in other modules, thus helping to reinforce knowledge and understanding and develop critical analysis.Ìý

Aims:
Overall:

􀀕 To provide an understanding of the scientific and engineering principles of construction materials, the internal environment and environmental services.
􀀕 To enable the scale of forces, heat loads, Illuminance and sound to be calculated.
􀀕 To develop knowledge of water based and electrical engineering systems.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student should be able to:

􀀕 Understand the characteristics and performance of different construction materials.
􀀕 Appreciate how components are configured and incorporated into buildings.
􀀕 Appreciate the environmental implications of materials use.
􀀕 Calculate tensile and compression forces in simple structures and trusses.
􀀕 Calculate buckling loads and apply bending moments diagrams for loaded beams.
􀀕 Appreciate the basic principles of building heat losses.
􀀕 Understand the factors associated with human response to heat, air movement and comfort conditions.
􀀕 Understand the technology used in the services of simple low-rise buildings.
􀀕 Be able to explain basic systems used in low-rise buildings for cold and hot water supply.
􀀕 Understand the nature and provision of surface water and foul drainage.
􀀕 Comprehend the basic physical laws of light, sound and electr icity.
􀀕 Understand the way electricity is supplied and distributed for power and light.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

• Structure, composition, properties and performance of building materials (concrete, masonry, metals, timber, plastics, glass, bituminous and paints).

• Testing and regulations of building materials.

• Basic concepts of stresses and strains of simple structures.

• Calculation of shear forces, bending moments and deflection of fabrics.

• Moisture, its sources, movement and control in buildings.

• Basic p rinciples of human comfort requirements.

• Principles of fluid flow in pipes and ducts and pressure losses.

• Physical principles of sound, its transmission in rooms and noise levels.Ìý

• Physics of light, its measurement and methods of calculating lighting levels in buildings.

• Principles and basic calculations of drainage and discharge systems for foul and surface water.

• Water supply and cold-water dist ribution systems.

• Basics principles of electricity, its generation, distribution and types of power supply.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, Tutorials and Private Study