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Construction materials testing

Entry requirements

Direct Entry: Minimum of a Grade 12 School Certificate with passes in English,Mathematics and Science or Physics and Chemistry

Mature entry: Grade 12 School Certificate with a pass in Science or Physics and Chemistryand a minimum of five (5) years experience in a construction related field.

Course objectives

The course is designed for students interested in construction. It emphasizes teamworkand involves collection of information from local state agencies and local industry

regarding materials, design and specification requirements. The course objective is to

develop technical competence in the following topics:

Behavior of materials used construction projects including soil-aggregate mixtures, asphaltbinders and mixtures and Portland cement concrete.

Role of material properties in design. Testing methods, selection Criteria, and standard specifications.

Required Modules

Construction Material science

Familiarizes students with lab and testing procedures for testing construction materials.

Properties of construction materials, including steel, soil, concrete, bitumen and timber.

Production of construction materials and standard specifications.

Prerequisites: noneConcrete TechnologyThis course presents the basic knowledge required to select materials for concrete production,

design a concrete mix, and conduct quality control tests on concrete. The course is delivered

through lectures and laboratory sessions. Topics include cements, water/cement ratio,

admixtures, concrete properties, manufacturing, placing, finishing, curing, and inspection

techniques.

Prerequisites: Construction material scienceSoil Mechanics

This course presents the basic principles of soil mechanics and testing procedures through

lectures, problem-solving sessions, and laboratory work. Topics include mass/volume

relationships, soil classification, compaction tests atterberg limits sieve analysis, relative densityand Soil stabilization.

Prerequisites: Construction material scienceAsphalt Technology

This course teaches students how to select suitable materials for asphaltic concrete design using

the Marshall method equipment. Topics include penetration bitumen, emulsions, asphaltic

cement testing, aggregate testing, and binder extraction. Laboratory sessions include making

specimens, testing specimens, and analyzing test results.

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Prerequisites: Construction material scienceEntrepreneurship

This course presents the basic principles of entrepreneurship. Topics include applying

entrepreneurship skills, developing entrepreneurship competencies and attitudes, establishing

business enterprises, applying enterprise management skills and sustaining an enterprise.

Prerequisites: noneSafety, Health and EnvironmentThis course teaches students how to apply safety and environment protection. Topics include

applying health practice, demonstrating safety procedures, applying environment protection

measures and applying quality control practices.

Prerequisites: noneInformation communication and technology

This course teaches students how to communicate effectively using information and

communication technology. The topics will include introduction to word, excel and email.

Prerequisites: noneClass/laboratory schedule

Class lectures Field visits to an asphalt plant, soil laboratory on site and a ready mix concrete plant. Laboratory tours to discuss concrete, soil and asphalt testing equipment. Laboratory experiments

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component

This course contributes primarily to the individuals knowledge of engineering topics, and does

provide hands on testing experience.

Programme objectives:

On completion of the programme, the trainee will be able to:

Carry out materials sampling and testing procedures both in the laboratory and in thefield

Determine properties and quality of different types of construction materials Maintain high standards of safety, health, environment while carrying out tests in the

laboratory and in the fields.

Apply entrepreneurship skills Use information and communication technology. Communicate effectively both internally and externally

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

Student assessment

Students will be assessed as follows:

1. Continuous Assessment 40% Assignments per module 20% Oral tests 20%

2. Final Examination 60% Pass mark 50%