Reference no: EM133168996
N5E03 Science and Materials
Learning Outcome 2: Discuss the environmental and sustainability factors which impact on and influence the material choices for a construction project
Learning Outcome 3: Present material choices for a given building using performance properties, experimental data, sustainability and environmental consideration
Assignment Brief 2:
Scenario
You have recently been employed as a civil engineering technician by a local contractor. The company has recently appointed a new Managing Director. As well as improving the health and safety record of the company the MD believes that future success will depend on ensuring the work and materials used are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Tasks
To highlight the importance of this the MD has requested that you produce a report.
Section 1
Select a suitable construction material and investigate its environmental impact over its full lifecycle. Consider its embodied energy and explain the benefits of environmental product declarations and certification (BREEAM, LEED etc). Finally, produce a waste management plan for a project which involves a range of different waste materials.
Section 2
Investigate construction material performance properties, behaviour and consider their use.
(a) Material Testing
(1) highlight the mechanism, rationale and the British Standard guidance for the following ‘fresh' concrete
tests;
• Taking a sample
• The slump test
• The flow test
• The degree of compactibility test
• The process of making test cubes
(2) The following test results have been submitted from recent concrete cube tests (N/ mm2) at 28 days with required strength of 35 N/mm2
Based on this data provide the following information;
• Mean and standard deviation of the samples respectively.
• Interpretation of results using graphs (e.g. normal distribution curve etc.)
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38.3
38.2
39.7
40.4
37.7
38.9
41.6
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37.9
38.4
39.2
40.7
40.9
37.9
39.2
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37.0
38.2
37.9
40.0
38.5
37.8
38.8
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38.9
40.4
37.9
38.1
40.2
36.9
40.5
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(3) A tensile test was carried out on a specific material.
The Loadings have been recorded on an excel document however it is incomplete.
Complete the required calculations and enter your results in an excel spread sheet and plot the load/extension graph.
Using your results identify or determine: (Appendix 1)
• The elastic and plastic region
• The yield stress
• The ultimate or maximum stress
• The Modulus of elasticity of the material (Young's Modulus)
(4) Calculate the density of the supplied samples of materials based on measurement and weight. Record all your results.
Compare your results with researched published density information. (NOTE tutor to supply range of material samples)
(b) Materials used for the construction and refurbishment of projects within our industry can be categorised as follows:
• Metals and Alloys e.g. iron, steel, zinc, copper, brass, aluminium, lead etc.
• Timber and Timber products e.g. timber, plywood, MDF, particle board etc.
• Clay Products e.g. bricks, tiles etc.
• Cements and Concrete e.g. OPC, RHPC, SRPC, concrete etc.
• Plastics and other artificial materials
• Coatings and finishes e.g. paints, clear finishes, wood treatments
From the categories select two (2) materials.
The materials selected must be from different categories.
For each of the materials selected, describe the properties and identify where and why they could be used within a construction project.
(c) All building structures have to carry loads. What is important is how the structure will react to various types of load acting on different parts of the structure. Initially the strength of a building should allow it to carry loads without failure of the construction.
1. Define the various types of loads that a structure must resist.
When a member is loaded it is subjected to the following forces / effects.
2. Briefly describe, with the aid of sketches, how timber, steel and concrete are affected by the application of your identified loads/forces on a structure.