65601 - Chemistry and Technology of Materials (A-K)

Learning outcomes

During the course, the basic principles of chemistry and stoichiometry, of the chemical and structural characteristics of matter and of the energetic and kinetic aspects of chemical transformations will be illustrated. The course also aims to provide the necessary tools for the rational evaluation of the uses of building materials in the building process: the student will acquire knowledge of the main physical-mechanical characteristics of building materials, finalizing the choice of materials, as well as their performance, also to the durability of the work.

Course contents

A prior knowledge and understanding of the Chemistry Unit is required to attend with profit the Materials Technology Unit.

Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study material will be in Italian.

Course Contents

Chemistry Unit (40 h)

Atomic structure of matter. Electronic structure of atoms; periodic table of the elements and periodic properties. Chemical bonds: ionic, covalent and metallic bonds. Weak interactions. Molecular structure and polarity of molecules. Nomenclature of inorganic compounds. Chemical reactions, redox. and stoichiometry. States of matter: gases, liquid and solid state. Solutions and measures of concentration. Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium. Fundamentals of chemical kinetics. Phase equilibria: Gibbs' rule and one and two component state diagrams. Ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions. Acids and bases and pH determination. Fundamentals of electrochemistry and organic chemistry.

Materials Technology Unit (50 h)

1. Main characteristics and performances of structural and non-structural materials for civil engineering.

   Definition of Materials’ microstructure. Microstructure of metal alloys. Microstructure of porous materials: open and close porosity, water absorption and related properties. Mechanical properties of materials: stress-strain diagram, elastic and plastic deformation, Young’s modulus, yield and rupture strength, characteristic strength, fracture, creep and relaxation.

2. Metal alloys. Technology of steel and cast iron. Fe-C phase diagram. Structural steels: characteristics, performance standards and laws. Welding. Thermal treatments. HSLA (High-strength low-alloy) steel. Stainless steel. Cast iron. Non-iron alloys for civil engineering. Metal alloys and resistance to corrosion.
3. Binders. Air and hydraulic lime. Gypsum. Portland cement: technology, clinker composition, false setting and role of gypsum, hydration reactions, durability and environmental impact. Types of cements according to UNI EN 197-1 classification. Durability of cements. Pozzolanic cement and blast furnace slag cement. Strength of cements (standard mortar).
4. Concrete. Aggregates: characteristics and requirements. Concrete: formulation, manufacturing and casting technologies, properties at the fresh and hardened state (workability, mechanical strength and durability). Environmental exposure classes according to UNI EN 206-1. Performance-based supply specifications of concrete. Tests on fresh concrete in the building site. Standards on cement, aggregates and concrete; Italian "Norme Tecniche per le costruzioni". Light and heavy concrete. Short overview of self-compacting concrete.
5. Ceramic materials: manufacturing technologies, performance and standards. Bricks. Tiles: raw materials, performances and uses. Ordinary and safety glasses.
6. Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymeric materials: characteristics, performances and fields of application in constructions.

Reference to the issues of sustainability are made in all the subjects listed above.

Readings/Bibliography

Modulo di Chimica

R.A. Michelin, A. Munari - " Fondamenti di Chimica ", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2019.

R.A. Michelin, P. Sgarbossa, M. Mozzon, A. Munari - "CHIMICA, Test ed Esercizi", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2018.

Modulo di Tecnologia dei Materiali

Alunno Rossetti V., Il Calcestruzzo. Materiali e tecnologie, McGraw-Hill Libri Italia, s.r.l. Milano, 2007

Bertolini L., Carsana M., Materiali da Costruzione, Volume I, CittàStudi Edizioni, Torino, 2014

(In English: Illston M., Construction Materials. E & F Spoon London 1994)

Materiale caricato sulla piattaforma Virtuale:

• slide e lavagne di lezione (che devono comunque intendersi come un supporto agli argomenti trattati a lezione e non come testi didattici)
• riferimenti a capitoli specifici ai libri di testo, per approfondimenti
• test di autovalutazione, la cui correzione viene effettuata in aula e caricata su Virtuale

Teaching methods

Chemistry Unit: The course is composed by theory and exercises; in the latter, students will be helped in solving exercises regarding stoichiometric calculations, balancing of redox reactions, calculation of reaction heat to cite some examples.

Materials Technology Unit: Frontal lessons in which both the room board and slides will be used. References to practical applications of materials and to examples are made during the lessons, also using brief numerical exercises. The attendance of the lessons is warmly recommended. A strong interaction between professor(s) and students during the lessons is used to improve the understanding of the topic and solve possible doubts.

Training sessions in laboratory take place during the lessons, on cements and concrete. To join these practical lessons, it is necessary to take the courses on safety online (modules 1 and 2).

Assessment methods

The exam of Chemistry unit  is a written test. It is composed by quiz (typically 32), theory questions and exercises on topics covered by the program. The final test aims to evaluate:

- the knowledge of the atomic structure and relevant properties in three states of matter, with special focus on solid state

- the knowledge of resolution methods for fundamental chemistry problems

The grade of the written test is based on the evaluation of theoretical answers and exercises resolution.

The final test of Materials Technology unit is based on an oral examination, which aims to evaluate:

- the knowledge of the physical-microstructural, mechanical and durability characteristics and performances of the most used building materials, aiming at their selection and correct employment.

The grade of the oral test is based on the evaluation of all the answers.

The final grade is calculated by CFU-weighted average of the grades obtained in the two different units (Chemistry unit + Technology of Materials unit).

The test dates for the whole year and the registration lists are available on-line on the official AlmaEsami website (the lists are closed 48 hours before each exam date).

 

Teaching tools

Frontal lessons with the use of blackboard and computer (images and videos are used to support lessons). 1-2 laboratory classes will be organized in the Materials Technology Unit.

In the Materials Technology unit, tests and exercises will be given during lessons for students' self-evaluation purpose.

Slides and other documents are available at: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Nadia Lotti

See the website of Elisa Franzoni

See the website of Lucia Ferrari

See the website of Maria Bignozzi