Material science

• Explain the properties of the most important building materials
• Carry out simple qualitative estimations as well as detailed calculations in relation to porous construction materials
• Define porosity, solid density and dry density and calculate porosity by use of the porosity formula for porous construction materials
• Explain basic concepts such as mass, volume, density and porosity, in order to calculate water content and mass ratios for materials in different states.
• Describe materials based on their load displacement curves by, among other things, identifying strength and stiffness
• Explain the basic moisture mechanics concepts in porous materials
• Calculate changes in strength, stiffness and dimension of various materials caused by changes in temperature and moisture content
• Explain relevant degradation mechanisms for selected materials, caused by e.g. through moisture, corrosion or frost
• Explain environmental challenges related to the use of different materials
• Describe important materials testing methods used in the laboratory and interpret the results

Lectures: The first lectures in the course review basic principles and the most important material properties for building materials in general. The focus will then be on specific materials, where the general principles are made concrete, seen in relation to the use of the individual material. The lectures support the learning of the course topics based on the assigned literature, with example calculations and perspectives on real-life problems.
Assignments: After the lecture, the student works with planned tasks that will help to practice the general understanding of the day’s curriculum. The teachers and teaching assistants are present to help with understanding.
Active participation in lectures and assignment calculations is a prerequisite for learning the course curriculum

Lecture and exercise.