CVLE-321: Engineering Materials

 

Instructor: Wael Zatar

Fall 2005

 

Credit: 3 credits

Course: Monday and Wednesday11.00-11.50 a.m., GH5

Laboratory: Monday 2.00-4.50 p.m.

 

 


Course Description:

A study of the microscopic and macroscopic structures and properties of materials used in civil engineering construction with emphasis on the relationships of their physical and mechanical properties to engineering design and application. Aggregates, cements, concrete, bituminous materials, lumbar and timber, composites, and testing of materials will be covered.

 

Textbook:

Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers, Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, Pearson, 2nd edition, 2006.

 

References:

§      Annual Book of Standards, American Society for Testing and Materials, various volumes, 1998.

§      Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal Weight Concrete, ACI Committee 211.1, American Concrete Institute.

§      Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Portland Cement Association (PCA), Thirteenth Edition, ISBN 0-89312-087-1.

§      Civil Engineering Materials, Shan Somayagj, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition (2001).

§      Materials for Civil and Highway Engineers, Kenneth N. Derucher, George P. Korfiatis, and A. Samer Ezeldin, Prentice Hall, 4th edition.

§      Concrete, Sidney Mindess, J. Francis Young, and David Darwin, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition, 2003.

§      The Science and Technology of Civil Engineering Materials, J. Francis Young, Sidney Mindess, Robert J. Gray, and Arnon Bentur, Prentice Hall, 1998.

§      Class Handouts, Lecture Notes, and Supplied Compact Disc and Materials.

 

Prerequisites:

Strength of Materials, equivalent, or consent of instructor

 

Office Hours:

Monday          10.00 a.m. ~  11.00 a.m. & 1.00 p.m. ~ 2.00 p.m.

Wednesday    11.00 a.m. ~  11.00 a.m. & 1.00 p.m. ~ 2.00 p.m.

For those of you who will not be able to meet the instructor during the assigned office hours, the instructor has an open door policy, which means that you are welcome to come and ask him by appointment or at any appropriate time.      

Contact Information at WVU Tech: Professor: Wael Zatar

                                                      Department of Civil Engineering

                                                      Room 508 Engineering Building

                                                      Phone: (304) 442-3370

                                                      Fax:     (304) 442-3391

                                                      E-mail: Wael.Zatar@mail.wvu.edu

 

Objective:

The primary objective is the enable the students to develop a thorough understanding of appropriate mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of various materials commonly used in real civil engineering applications.  Materials to be discussed include, but not limited to, aggregates, cements, concrete, timber, asphalt, metals, and fiber reinforced plastic composites.  Weekly laboratory sessions complement the lectures and provide hands on experience with chemical, physical, and mechanical tests on metals, aggregates, cements, and concrete.

 

Outcomes:

With the successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

q     Recognize the industry standards and guidelines that are utilized in testing civil engineering and construction materials

q     Distinguish between various aggregate materials based on their physical properties

q     Determine appropriate aggregate gradations from sieve analysis and necessary blending proportions to meet desired specifications

q     Identify the basic raw ingredients used in cement and chemical compositions of the most common types

q     Design a concrete mix in accordance with ACI and/or PCA procedures

q     Distinguish between various admixtures and their effects on concrete mixtures

q     Distinguish between hard and softwood and list the important physical and mechanical properties of wood

q     Identify asphalt cements and distinguish between hot-mix asphalt, cutbacks and emulsions

q     Identify the basic requirements for a HMA design

q     Identify the primary differences between Marshall Mix Design and SuperPave design and testing procedures

q     Develop the ability to conduct laboratory experiments, record data, and perform appropriate calculations and analysis for civil engineering materials according to the associated ASTM standards and reporting procedures

q     Work as a team member and gain insight on the benefits of working together toward a common goal of accurately and timely project completion

q     Effectively communicate with team members during laboratory sessions, stressing appropriate safety procedures in handling equipment and performing work in and around a moving equipment

Topics: 

§      Class Introduction

§      Metals

§      Mineral Aggregates

§      Limes and Cement

§      Concrete and Mixtures

§      Asphaltic Cements / HMA / SuperPave

§      Composites and New Technologies in Materials

§      Timber

§      Construction Concerns

The instructor may slightly add or change the lecture topics.

 

Contribution to Program Outcomes: 

1.   an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

2a. an ability to design experiments

2b. an ability to conduct experiments

2c. an ability to analyze and interpret data

3.   an ability to design CE projects

5.   an ability to identify, formulate, and solve CE problems

7.   an ability to effectively communicate in oral, written and electronic formats

9a. a recognition of the need to engage in life-long learning

10. a knowledge of contemporary issues

11. an ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

12. an ability to apply sound safety practices in laboratory and design work

 

Computer Usage:

Excel Spreadsheets

Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word or WordPerfect)

AutoCAD Software

The World Wide Web

Research in library resources for references

Electronic mail for effective communication between the professor and students

Power Point Software

 

Accreditation Category Content:

Engineering Science:               2.5 credits       (83.3%)

Engineering Design :               0.5 credits       (16.7%)

Homework, Lab Assignments, Report, and Presentation:

Homework and laboratory assignments as well as a report will be made throughout the semester.  All homework must be submitted at the start of class or laboratory on the assignment date.  Late homework is not acceptable except for unusual circumstances, e.g., an excused absence. Checking of your e-mail is required on a daily-basis for any additional information.

      The students are required to submit a report that should be completed before the end         of the semester.  A presentation will be prepared and will be given before the final     exam.  The instructor will assign a presentation topic to each group of students.

           

Exams:

Two exams and a final will be given during the course of the semester.  Exams will be closed book and closed notes, with the exception that a portion of the 2nd and the final exams may be open.  No make­up exams will be given with the exception of unusual circumstances (severe injuries, family emergencies, etc.).

 

Grading Policy:              

Homework and presentation                           10%

Lab Assignments                                            10%

Reading Assignments and Report                   10%

Exam 1                                                            20%

Exam 2                                                            20%

Final Exam                                                      30%

 

Letter Grade Scale:

90-100                        A

80- 89                         B

70-79                          C

60-69                          D

0-59                            E

The instructor does reserve the right to slightly lower these numbers based on class groupings.

 

Engineering Ethics:

It will be assumed that each student subscribes to a professional code of ethics that is the basis for his behavior in class.  Any and every case where these ethics are violated will be dealt with according to the student handbook and the associated provisions of the university.

 

Additional Information:

[1]      Arrangements for inviting guest speakers from the academia or industry will be made. The specialty of the speakers will be in the area of concrete and/or asphalt.

[2]      The instructor will give presentations on the application of enhanced material properties on advancing the civil and bridge engineering practice and on the applications of new composite materials on advancing the CE practice.

[3]      A field trip to the WVDOH Materials Testing Laboratory, Charleston, will be arranged:       

[4]      There will be regular homework and lab assignments.  The students are required to work in preparing a report during the semester.  The completed report has to be submitted before the end of the semester.

[5]      You are expected to provide your homework in engineering papers - not a Xerox copy.

[6]      The purpose of the reading assignments is to stimulate interest in the subject matter.  Therefore, the instructor expects that you will read it thoroughly and prepare your questions.  You may ask the instructor during the office hours for any question or clarification.  This should in no way inhibit your asking questions at the end of the class.

[7]      Although you are expected to attend all classes, the instructor accepts your absence for one session provided that an advance notice will be given, unless this is unavoidable. Absence without an advance notice will lead to have a lower grade. 

 

 

Laboratory Exercises:

SESSION                                              TOPIC

                        1                      Introduction to lab safety and description of lab report format

                        2                      Introduction to statistical methods and measuring devices

                        3                      Tension tests of steel and aluminum

                        4                      Sieve analysis of coarse aggregates and of fine aggregates

                        5                      Specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates

                        6                      Specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregates              

                        7                      Making of fresh concrete and slump tests 

                        8                      Unit weight and yield of freshly mixed concrete

                        9                      Curing of concrete cylinders and preparing specimens for the flexural                                                           and shear tests            

                        10                    Compressive strength of cylinders (7-days)                

                        11                    Flexural tests of hardened concrete members

                        12                    Shear tests of hardened concrete members

                        13                    Compressive strength of cylinders (28-days) and introduction to                                                        composite materials

                        14                    Asphalt labs (will be carried out at WVDOH Materials Testing Lab)

The instructor reserves the right to slightly add or change the laboratory topics in order to achieve the maximum benefit of the course learning outcomes.