Lectures
Laboratory practicals
Project work
Private study
Module Aim:
The aims of this module are:
(1) to provide students with a working knowledge of concrete as a material;
(2) to instruct students in the discipline of standard testing of concrete.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
prepare, interpret, carry out &/or supervise: -
(a) aggregates grading curves;
(b) standard concrete mixes;
(c) standard concrete workability tests;
(d) standard tests on hardened concrete and to evaluate the results;
(e) the mixing, placing and compacting of a batch of concrete.
LO2
describe, identify & evaluate: -
(a) the properties of aggregates & the importance of grading of aggregates in concrete;
(b) the different compounds of cement, types of binders & the factors that affect the Heat of Evolution of Cement;
(c) the environmental impact/sustainability of concrete & its constituents;
(d) the different types of defects in concrete, how to prevent them &/or repair them;
(e) the methods of finishing & importance of curing concrete.
LO3
identify the factors that affect the properties of both fresh & hardened concrete;
LO4
use appropriate software tools to present findings from standard tests;
LO5
verbally present basic technical information on concrete, its constituents &/or concrete properties.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
(1) Aggregates
(a) Processing
(b) Grading
(c) Influences of particle size
(d) Recycled aggregates
(e) Physical properties.
(i) Particle Size analysis
(ii) Bulk Density
(iii) Flakiness Index
(iv) LA Abrasion
(f) Laboratory on Aggregates
(i) Sampling
(ii) Quartering & Riffling
(iii) Particle Size analysis
(iv) Bulk density
(v) Flakiness index
(vi) Fines Content
(vii) Moisture Content
(viii) LA Abrasion
(a) Compressive/ tensile strength
(b) Characteristic strength
(c) Factors influencing strength
(d) Strength testing
(e) Laboratory on Hardened Concrete
(i) Destructive Testing of Concrete
• Measuring Cubes
• Crushing Cubes – 7, 28, 56 day Tests
• Modulus of Rapture Test
• Effects on Concrete
o Curing – 0, 3, 7, 28 days in water
o Compaction – Not compacted in both stiff & wet mix and properly compacted
(6) Concrete Practice
(a) Mixing and transporting
(b) Placing, compacting and finishing
(c) Curing
(d) Defects
(e) Formwork and moulds
(f) Reinforcement
(g) Joints
(h) Weather conditions
(i) Safety
(j) Laboratory on Fresh Concrete
(i) Workability – Slump Test, Flow Table Test, Compaction Test, Vebe Test
(ii) Making Cubes
(iii) Demoulding Cubes
(iv) Curing Cubes
(7) Sustainability of Concrete
(a) Cement Replacements;
(b) Reduce, reuse, recycle of concrete constituents, life cycle assessments;
(c) embodied carbon;
Assessment Breakdown
%
Project
100.00%
No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Project
No Description
1,2,3,4,5
100.00
n/a
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment