Challenges imposed by infrastructure decay and undersupply, climate change and limited resources require a rethinking of construction. Particularly, the use of energy-intensive and environmentally-taxing construction materials should be revisited, along with the reuse of existing buildings. This module enhances your knowledge about structural engineering by exploring timber as a carbon-sink alternative for construction, as it is the outcome of the collection of atmospheric CO₂ as trees grow. Also, you will be introduced to Masonry, which is employed in most legacy and currently being built dwellings in Britain, thus allowing for a discussion about retrofitting old building stock to extend its lifetime.

This module presents standards for design and quality control for civil engineering use of timber and masonry. Hence, you will be introduced to the Eurocode 5, part 1 and, Eurocode 6, part 3 specifications for structural design, along with laboratory testing for material properties of both masonry and timber elements according to EN 13183, EN772, EN408 and ENG1052 part 1. The learning experience will be further enhanced by performing two visits to neighbouring industrial facilities, a sawmill, and a glulam factory. This will allow you to appreciate the manufacturing process of timber from raw material extraction until the elaboration of structural elements. Particularly, our industrial partners will present their processes for minimizing their environmental footprint, whilst they advance a locally sourced, economically viable carbon-sink construction material. Thereby,  by engaging in both, theoretical and practical sessions, you will acquire a foundation to start a discussion about retrofitting the current building stock instead of considering demolition, leading to the implementation of a circular economy paradigm in civil engineering, with scope for assessment of traditional and local construction practices.

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

ILO #1: Demonstrate detailed knowledge of engineering properties for a range of construction materials

ILO #2: Demonstrate knowledge of manufacturing processes for a range of construction materials

ILO #3: Evaluate a range of materials, assess their strengths and weaknesses and select
an appropriate material for a given use case

ILO #4: Perform code-based design of structures using timber and masonry

ILO #5: Demonstrate knowledge of properties, characteristics and construction processes for niche structural materials such as glass and FRP

ILO #6: Understand how durability and strength requirements influence material selection

ILO #7: Understand how sustainability considerations and embodied carbon influence material choice

ILO #8: Communicate clearly and effectively, producing code-based designs that can be readily reviewed by a checking engineer

• Review of mechanics properties – stress, strain, stiffness, elastic, plastic and visco-elastic behaviour, Young’s modulus, strength (yield, ultimate, proof), strain capacity:
• Basis of design for timber and masonry (Partial Factor Approach, effects of uncertainty in material properties and long-term behaviour)
• Manufacturing of timber, and masonry pieces. Overall material properties and mortar specifications.
• Sustainability: CO2 emissions of construction materials – embodied carbon based on production processes. 
• Timber: Basis of structural analysis, Ultimate Limit States. Serviceability Limit States
• Masonry: Basis of structural analysis, Ultimate Limit States. Serviceability Limit States
• Timber: Connections with metal fasteners, Components and assemblies, Structural Detailing and Control
• Simplified methods for the design of Unreinforced Masonry Structures
• CLT: Cross Laminated Timber
• Introduction to circular economy paradigms for building construction.

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%.

Reading list for this module: