CE1CCT-Construction Technology

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 term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: CE1CES Empirical Studies and CE1CCS Construction Science
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Tabarak Ballal
Email: t.ballal@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This is a core technology module in which students explore alternative construction technologies used for low-rise built facilities. It is designed to enable students to comprehend the impact of choice of construction methods and materials on important issues including health and safety, sustainability and the environment.

Aims:
This module aims to develop studentsô€€’ knowledge and understanding of the various materials, technologies and systems employed in the construction of low rise buildings with a particular focus on the decision making processes associated with choosing the most suitable of these in the light of technical, environmental and legal constraints.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should:

• Understand the sequence of feasibility, design and construction for low-rise buildings.


• Be able to explain the technology used in the construction of simple low-rise buildings.


• Be capable of recounting how elements are constructed.


• Describe the advantages and disadvantaged of alternative construction methods.


• Understand the importance of building control, impact of legislation and constraints imposed by the Building Regulations on methods, materials and design.


• Acknowledge the variety of materials and construction techniques used in different parts of the world.


• Understand the concept of sustainable construction and how new technologies can be incorporated in the construction of sustainable low-rise buildings.

Additional outcomes:
The module aims to provoke students' critique of construction methods, materials and technologies in relation to their impact on sustainable construction.

Outline content:

The module covers;

• Pre-construction activities and decisions


• Nature and behaviour of forces acting on buildings


• Primary and secondary elements of buildings


• Construction systems and subsystems including methods and materials used


• Foundations


• External envelope – roofs, walls, external doors and windows


• Primary internal components - floors, stairs and loadbearing partitions


• Secondary internal components - finishes, non-loadbearing partitions


• Sustainable construction

Global context:
Reference to alternative construction techniques and materials in different parts of the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The delivery of this module will be based on a mixture of teaching and learning methods. These include informal face-to-face delivery; video-aided tutorials; Ìýand self- learning opportunities.