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

Learning outcomes

Attending this course, students learn a basic knowledge of chemistry and become familiar with chemistry processes related to Civil Engineering.

Moreover, students learn the main physical and mechanical properties of main building materials, how to select them as function of their durability and working life in different environments.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

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

 

Technology of Materials Unit (50 h)

Types and performances of structural and non-structural materials for civil engineering. Physical-mechanical performances of materials: microstructure (porosity and water absorption) stress-strain diagram, Rck, Young modulus, elastic and plastic strain, fracture, creep and relaxation test methods according to Italian laws (Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni) and European standards.

Binders. Hydrated and hydraulic lime. Gypsum. Portland cement and cements according to UNI EN 197-1. Ordinary and high-performance concrete: mix design, production technologies, fresh and hardened-state properties, casting. Tests on fresh concrete in building site. Environmental exposure classes according to UNI EN 206-1. Standards on cement, aggregates and concrete. Brief references to self-compacting concrete.

Metals: cast irons and steels. Phase diagram Fe-C, steel thermal treatments and mechanical performances, weldability, corrosion resistance. Steel for civil engineering,  HSLA (High-strength low-alloy) steel, stainless steels and main non-iron alloys for civil engineering.

Ceramic materials: technologies, materials performance and standards. Bricks. Tiles. Ordinary and security glasses.

Polymeric materials (thermoplastic and thermosetting): characteristics, mechanical performances and field of application in constructions.

Readings/Bibliography

Chemistry Unit

 

R.A. Michelin, A. Munari - Fondamenti di Chimica - CEDAM, Padova, 2008.

R.A. Michelin, M. Mozzon, A. Munari - Test ed Esercizi di Chimica - CEDAM, Padova, IV Ed., 2005.

 

Technology of Materials Unit

 

V. Alunno Rossetti, Il Calcestruzzo. Materiali e tecnologie, McGraw-Hill, Milano, Terza edizione, 2007.

L. Bertolini, M. Carsana. Materiali da Costruzione, Volume primo, Struttura, proprietà e tecnologie di produzione. Citta' Studi Edizioni, De Agostini Scuola SpA, Novara, Terza edizione, 2014.

N. Jackson (Ed.) Civil Engineering Materials. Macmillan Press London 1983

M. Illston (Ed.) Construction Materials. E & F Spoon London 1994

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons. Exercises. Laboratory.

Assessment methods

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

- the knowledge of the physical-microstructure characteristics of the most used building materials in Europe

- the knowledge of the mechanical properties of the most used building materials in Europe

 

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. 1-2 laboratory classes will be organized for the Technology of Materials Unit.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Manzi

See the website of Nadia Lotti