Abilene Christian University Architecture Building Materials Report The assignment has two sections as attched in the documents. I need you to complete the

Abilene Christian University Architecture Building Materials Report The assignment has two sections as attched in the documents. I need you to complete them both BSc(Hons) Architectural Design Technology
BSc(Hons) Building Surveying
BSc( Hons) Construction Project Management
Module: Building Materials (TC40086E)
Assignment A1
Submission Date: Week 10 (Saturday 4th April 2020)
Weighting
Module leader:
50%
Indira Chauhan
Learning Outcomes of the module:
LO1 Demonstrate understanding of the structural properties and engineering performance of
a variety of building materials
LO2 Describe the failure mechanisms of the common structural materials and propose
methods to prevent or minimise such failures in structures.
LO3 Evaluate the embodied energy costs associated with the common building materials and
understand how it affects the environment by increased carbon footprints.
LO4 Understand types of loads on structures and implication of choice of materials on design.
NOTES FOR CANDIDATES:
This assessment report is a single piece of work that must be submitted to Turnitin before
the deadline. You will find a link to the Turnitin Assignment from the Assessments area of the
Blackboard course menu.
You will need to ensure that your assessment is uploaded as a single document, and in the
correct format (e.g. a Word document or PDF – the acceptable file formats are displayed on
screen when you come to submit via Turnitin).
Referencing: Support your work with in-text referencing. Sources of all images used, must be
acknowledged.
At the end of the assignment, all references must be listed in correct Harvard style
referencing adopted by UW
1|Page
TASKS
SECTION A
Lab work:
The laboratory work on will demonstrate the understanding of Slump Test and Concrete cube
testing.
You are expected to demonstrate the understanding of the tests as a part of the group within the
time allocated to you. Based on the lab tests, answer the following:
Include images of slump test being conducted in the concrete laboratory.
A. Slump Test
i. In practical setting up of the equipment, explain how the consistence of concrete was measured.
You must show all steps.
ii. Suggest the health & safety precautions needed during the test.
B. Concrete Cube test
List the steps to explain how the cubes were casted and tested.
SECTION B
Observational Case study
1. Using your observation skills and knowledge acquired during the lessons, you are expected to
identify and analyse two separate case studies of brickwork defects from the four defects that you
studied.
(Efflorescence, lime staining, frost attack and sulphur attack).
Each case study should include a picture (taken by yourselves) of the defect, including the location
of the defect stating clearly the name of the street.
You need to briefly discuss the possible causes of the defect and also the measures that could
rectify the defect. Acknowledge any sources of information in form of in-text referencing.
Total Word count for SECTION A and B is 1500+/- 10%
2|Page
SECTION C
Workshop on Sustainable materials
You are expected to research on the ‘Earthen Buildings’ to explore the use of earth as a material.
Working in pair (or a group of three) you will be researching on the material using information
principally from the Construction Website and any other relevant academic sources. You will be
given a set of tasks to complete during the workshop. The completed work during the workshop
will be added to A1.
Marking criteria:
Criteria
Issues
marks
Content
Demonstrate clear understanding of the
key procedures in Laboratory.
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Demonstrate knowledge acquired to be
able to identify and analyse two separate
case studies of brickwork defects.
Understand all key areas of use of earth
as a material.
The contents must clearly relate to the
area of study, and the learning outcomes
being tested, and demonstrate originality
and creativity.
Knowledge and understanding must
applied to practice.
Clarity
Areas must be clearly expressed,
articulate and fluent, whether written or
graphical, using appropriate technical
terminology.
15
Accurate spelling and grammar.
Organisation and
coherence
The work must be clearly structured and
presented.
20
3|Page
The introduction in each task must
explicitly identify the relevant arguments
and areas to be addressed.
These areas, once identified must be
followed up logically in the main body of
the task.
Analysis
Use of Literature and
References
There should be a clear critical analysis
and synthesis of issues, which are well
integrated and evaluated, as appropriate.
10
The study must demonstrate an
appropriate use of academic
literature/research, which is appropriate
to the study.
20
All key sources must be cited, and a
consistent and accurate use of Harvard
referencing system must be maintained
TOTAL MARKS
100
END
4|Page
Building Materials
Assignment 1
Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
Section A …………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….. Page 3 – 6
Lab work …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
A. Slump test ……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………….. Page 3
A.1. – PPE …..………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….. Page 3
A.2. – Materials ………………..……………………………………………………………….……………………….. Page 3
A.3. – Lab Equipment ………………..……………………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
A.4. – Slump Test Method .…..…………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 4
A.5. – Test results …..………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 6
B. Concrete cube test ……………………………………………………………………………………..…….. Page 6 – 8
B.1. – PPE ….………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….. Page 6
B.2. – Lab Equipment ………………………..……………………………………………………………………….. Page 7
B.3. – Concrete cube test Method .…………..…….………………………………………………………….. Page 7
B.4. – Test results ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 8
Section B …………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….….. Page 9 – 10
Observational Case study – Brick defects …………………………………….…………………………….. Page 9
B.1. – Case 1 – Frost Attack ………………………………………………………….…………………………….. Page 9
B.2. – Case 2 – Efflorescence ………………………….…………………………….…………………….…….. Page 10
References …………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….. Page 11
Introduction
The following report explains the procedures, equipment and health & safety precautions
needed for a Concrete Slump Test and a Concrete Cube Test according to the British
Standards EN 12350-2, Testing fresh concrete. Slump test; as well as an Observational Case
Study analyzing brickwork defects.
Section A
Lab work
A. Slump test
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A concrete slump test is used to determine the workability, assess the consistency of fresh
concrete and to ensure that the correct amount of water has been added to the mix. It can
be carried out on the construction site or in a laboratory providing immediate results.
The following describes the steps, equipment and health & safety precautions needed to
carry out a concrete slump test in a laboratory.
A.1. – Before entering the lab an appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be
worn which includes:
– Lab coat
– Hard hat
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
A.2. – Materials used for this test (picture 1):
– 5900g aggregates
– 3400g sand (contains around 10% water and needs to be dried in an oven before mixing)
– 1925g cement
– 1160ml water
Picture 1
A.3. – Lab Equipment needed:
– Mixing tray
Sampling scoop/spatula
– Steel slump cone and base plate
Steel rule
– Slump rod
–
A.4. – Slump Test Method:
Starting by mixing the concrete: putting the
5900g aggregate onto the mixing tray using
the spatula (Picture 2), adding the dried
3400g sand and mixing them (Picture 3).
The 1925g cement is added and mixed with the rest of the materials (Picture 4); the 1160ml
water is added (Picture 5) and mixed until obtaining a homogenous mixture (Picture 6).
3
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
4
Picture 6
After ensuring that the slump cone and the base plate are
clean
Picture 8
and damp, the metal plate is placed on a solid level base away
from vibration or any other disturbance. Then the cone (which is 30cm high, with 20cm base;
Picture 9) is placed on the plate and filled with fresh concrete in three equal layers (Picture
7). By using the slump rod, each layer is rodded 25 times to ensure compaction (Picture 8).
Picture 7
The cone is lifted straight up, leaving a heap of concrete that settles or ‘slumps’. The
distance measured is between the underside of the rod and the highest point of the
concrete – the true slump (Picture 9).
Picture 9
There are three kinds of slump:
– True – the concrete slightly subsides
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– Shear – the top part of the concrete shears off
– Collapse – the concrete collapses completely
Collapsed slump means that there is too much water added to the mix or that it is a high
workability mix, for which the flow test is more appropriate. If the sump collapses or sheares
the test has to be repeated with a fresh sample. Only the true slump is of any use in this test.
(British Concrete Association, 2008)
A.5. – Test Results
In this test the slump have sheared. (Picture 10)
Slump = 116mm
Picture 10
B. Concrete Cube Test
The concrete cube test provides information about the characteristics of the concrete, it is
vital for assessing the quality control and indicates the compressive strength when the
concrete is under standardized conditions. The main purpose is to verify that the concrete is
above a specified strength.
The following describes the steps, equipment and health & safety precautions needed to
carry out a concrete cube test in a laboratory.
B.1. – Although the dry cement powder has no harmful effect on dry skin, when it is mixed
with water alkali has been released and it can cause alkali burns, therefore precautions must
be taken as it can cause irritant contact dermatitis if repeated skin contacts wet cement.
Before entering the lab an appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn:
6
– Lab coat
– Hard hat
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
B.2. – Lab Equipment needed for Concrete Cube Test:
– 3 cube moulds 10cm X 10cm X 10cm
– Compression testing machine
– Vibrating table
– Cloth
– Curing tank (Picture 11)
– Concrete mix
B.3. – Concrete Cube test Method:
The concrete mix is prepared in advance and scooped into the 3 cube moulds (10cm X 10cm
X 10cm) and properly tempered. To ensure there is no air, as it can cause loss of strength,
the moulds are placed on the vibrating table
to be fully compacted (Picture 12). There
might be layer water on the top which should
be removed as well as the surplus concrete
and the moulds’ edges should be cleaned
with a damp cloth. The mould is covered by a
damp cloth and plastic sheet, and stored in a
room temperature (15-25°C). After 24 hours
the moulds are removed and the cubes are
moved into a water curing tank (Picture11),
where the temperature is controlled at 20°C ±
2°C. The process is 7 days long after which
the concrete cubes can be tested under
compression. (British Concrete Association,
2008)
The specimens are removed from the water tank after the specified curing time, excess
water is wiped out from their surface and the dry weight of the concrete cubes is measured.
After ensuring that the bearing surface of the compression machine (with a maximum
capacity of 3000 kN) is clean the cubes are placed one by one at the centre of the base plate
and compressed until they fail. (Picture 13)
7
Picture 11
Picture 12
B.4. – Test Results
Sample 1:
Concrete cube 10cm X 10cm X 10cm
Weight: 2306.40gr
Maximum load: 154.48kN
Stress: 15.45kn/mm²
Sample 2:
Concrete cube 10cm X 10cm X 10cm
Weight: 2308.10gr
Maximum load: 160.47kN
Stress: 16.02kn/mm²
Sample 3:
Concrete cube 10cm X 10cm X 10cm
Weight: 2310.20gr
Maximum load: 157.45kN
Stress: 15.75kn/mm²
Picture 13
8
Section B
Observational case study – Brick defects
Identifying the defects in brickwork is vital for the consideration of stability and durability
of load-bearing brick masonry walls and structures. They can be caused by poor design,
structure and standards of workmanship or weather.
There are many brick defects, the following report gives an example of frost attack and
efflorescence.
B.1. – Case 1 – Frost Attack – causes natural erosion, including chips and cracks. It occurs
through a combination of wet brickwork and freezing temperatures. Older bricks are more
likely to be affected and the one which are underburnt during the firing process. The
constant process of freezing and thawing is turning the water into ice, increasing its volume
and causing stress within the brick. Therefore the exposed areas are expected to start
spalling and the brick face flaking off. Mortar can be also a subject of frost attack. (IHBC,
2019)
The pictures below are showing examples of a building wall and arch crown affected by frost
attack.
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Location: The Park, Ealing, W5 5RF
Location: The Park, Ealing, W5 5RF
Prevention – existing walls can be protected from further frost attacks with treatments susch
as sillicone. Maintanence of the pointing and mortar can also help to reduce the water
accessing the individual bricks. For newly build boundry walls frost resistant bricks can be
taken under consideration. (J Radford Group, no date)
B.2. – Case 2 – Efflorescence – the presence of white powder on the brick surface. It is caused
by the alkalis presented in the bricks. When the bricks come in contact with moisture, water
is absorbed and the alkalis crystallize and the salts are occurring on the face of the
brickwork. Soluble salts that are not harmful but are left on the surface of the brickwork by
the water which has passed trough and evaporated.
10
Location: The Park, Ealing, W5 5RF
Prevention:
– During the manifacture process efflorescence can be minimized by selecting proper clay
materials.
– When storing bricks on site they should not be placed directly on the ground but kept clear
by palettes to avoid contamination and saturation.
– Newly built brickwork is vulnerable while the mortar cures and it should be kept dry free
from rain, but allowed to breathe with protective shielding applied (boards and hessian) for
the at least first seven days. (Hay, no date)
– By providing a damp proof course underneath the brickwork.
References
British Concrete Association (2008) Site sampling and testing of concrete. The slump test.
Available at:
https://www.brmca.org.uk/documents/BRMCA_TCC_Site_sampling_and_testing_of_concrete_May_
2008.pdf (Accessed: 11/04/2020)
11
British Concrete Association (2008) Site sampling and testing of concrete. Making cubes.
Available at:
https://www.brmca.org.uk/documents/BRMCA_TCC_Site_sampling_and_testing_of_concrete_May_
2008.pdf (Accessed: 11/04/2020)
Hay, S. (no date) Efflorescence, Lime staining and Good Site Practice. Available at:
http://www.bespokebrick.com/efflorescence-lime-staining/ (Accessed: 18/04/2020)
Institute of Historic Building Conservation (2019) Defects in Brickwork. Available at:
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Defects_in_brickwork (Accessed: 18/04/2020)
J Radford Group (no date) How to prevent frost attack on bricks. Available at:
http://www.jradfordgroup.com/news/how-to-prevent-frost-attack-on-bricks/ (Accessed:
18/04/2020)
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