COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE TITLE: ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

YEAR OF STUDY: I
SEMESTER: I
COURSE CODE: DTCE 112
MODULE CREDIT: 3CU
Class hour: 1O – 13 hours, Every Saturday
Lecture Room: To be allocated
Lecturer: Mr.Ayebale Sam BSc. Civil Eng. 2023, Kabale University
Tel: +256772709560 (WhatsApp) /+256740070716
Email: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This module introduces the learner to Soils, Clay and its Products, Timber, Building Stones and
aggregates, Cement and lime, Mortars, Plasters, Concrete Technology, Metals (Ferrous and Non-
Ferrous Metals, Plastics, Paints & Painting, Bituminous Materials, Glass which eventually
equips a learner with the knowledge of building materials used in the construction industry, their
manufacture and properties.
Course Objectives
By the end of this module, learners should be able to select the suitable materials required for
specific job to meet the expected standard results in the construction industry.
Expected learning outcome
The learner:
• Classifies soils based on the properties.
• Stabilises soil and carries out standard tests.
• Tests soils for particle size using standard sieve meshes.
• Classifies clay soil based its characteristics.
• Describes the procedure followed to prepare clay ready for product making.
• Uses clay soil to mould bricks.
• Illustrates the timber structure using sketches.
• Describes the physical and mechanical properties of timber.
• Converts and seasons timber by natural methods.
• Treats timber against defects.
• Selects the suitable timber for the particular work.
• Cites the qualities of good building stones.

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 • Tests stones for salts presence.
• Converts stones into building aggregates by crushing using hammers and hard surfaces.
• Grades the aggregates by particle size to establish their suitability.
• Describes the constituent materials used for cement manufacture.
• Illustrate the dry and wet manufacturing processes of cement manufacture.
• Stores and uses cement and lime well.
• Slakes lime ready for use.
• Batches materials for mortar manufacture and to the correct ratios.
• Mixes building mortar to good workability and water retention.
• Prepares surfaces ready for plastering.
• Describes the procedure followed to plaster a surface.
• Plasters and finishes surfaces as designed.
• Manufactures and cures concrete.
• Moulds concrete units like bricks and blocks.
• Describes the properties of ferrous metals.
• Uses ferrous metals in construction.
• Prevents corrosion in metals by painting and providing concrete cover.
• Identifies the types of non-ferrous metals and their properties.
• Classifies plastics according to their properties.
• Enumerates the uses of plastics in the building industry.
• Uses and describes the types of paints.
• Analyses the difference between water and oil paints.
• Limits defects in paints.
• Describes the properties of bitumen.
• Uses bituminous materials in construction as damp proof course.
• Measures, cuts and fixes glass.
• Fixes glass onto final position using the glass putty and timber liners and beads.
Detailed course outline
Detailed Module Description Duration

Sub module 1: Soils 4 hours

• Soil classification systems, Casagrande’s soil classification system, British soil
classification system, soil structure and classification
• Properties of Soils: Volume Density relationship, Moisture movements, strength
of Soil
• Standard Tests of Soil: particle size distribution, liquid limit test, plastic limit
test, shrinkage test, organic matter test, compaction test, unconfined compression
test
• Soil stabilization: methods of soil stabilization, stabilizing agents, - cement,
lime, bitumen,

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Sub module 2: Clay and its Products 2 hours
• Formation of clay, properties, classification (based on mode of formation and
dominant characteristics)
• Common clay products for Building: Bricks, Blocks, Hollow blocks,
Max pans, pipes, roof & floor tiles
• Properties of clay products: Porosity, water absorption,
strength, efflorescence, density, moisture & thermal movements, fire resistance,
water resistance
• Manufacture of clay products
• Tests of Properties
• Durability, weather resistance & other properties
• Use of different clay products
Sub module 3: Timber 6 hours
• Timber structure
• Timber species & Classification: Soft woods & Hard woods
• Properties of Timber & their significance: Physical and Mechanical Properties
and their tests, Chemical properties
• Conversion of timber Methods of Converting timber, their advantages and
disadvantages; radial sawing & plain sawing
• Timber Seasoning and storage: Aims of Seasoning, methods of seasoning; their
advantages and disadvantages, air (natural) and Kiln (artificial) seasoning.
Storage of timber
• Timber defects: Natural defects; from abnormal growth, fungal and insect
damage during growth, conversion and seasoning defects
• Timber Diseases:
Dry rot ; its causes and methods of prevention
Wet rot: its causes and methods of prevention

Termites and their effects on timber

• Timber grading
• Preservation of timber: Aims of preservations, types of preservatives, where
applied and methods of application
• Utilization of timber: solid timber, plywood, Block board, Laminated timber,
Chip boards
Sub module 4: Building Stones and aggregates 4 hours
• Origin, physical, classification and qualities of good building stones
• Classification based on size, density, origin, sources,
properties/characteristics and their effect on properties of concrete
• Characteristics of quality aggregates

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Sub module 5: Cement and lime 6 hours
• Types and properties of Portland cement
• Composition and functions of constituent compounds
• Manufacture of cement (wet and dry process), hydration, setting and hardening
• Types of lime/ classification, manufacture, properties, sources and uses,
limitations and standard tests for lime

Sub module 6: Mortars 4 hours

• Composition & types of mortars
• Properties of mortars: workability, water retention, sulphate resistance
• Manufacturer of mortars, use of different types of mortars, mortar plasticizers

Sub module 7: Plasters 4 hours

• Composition and types of plasters: gypsum plasters, plaster boards
• Properties of Plasters; Shrinkage & expansion, strength development, cracking,
sulphate resistance
• Manufacturing process
• Use of different types of plasters
• Plastering process
Sub module 8: Concrete Technology 10 hours
• Basics of concrete technology,
• Properties of concrete
• Type of concrete & their applicability: plain concrete, Reinforce concrete,
precast concrete, prestressed concrete
• Batching, Mixing, Transporting concrete, Compaction of concrete; Curing of
concrete
• Slump test for workability
• Compacting factor test for workability
• Concrete products:
- Roofing tiles, pipes, bricks, blocks, etc.
Sub-Module 9: Metals (Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals) 6 hours
 Ferrous metals:
- Pig iron
- Cast iron
- Wrought iron
- Mild steel
- High tensile steel
- Stainless steel
 Properties of ferrous metals: strength, thermal movements, appearance,

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 density
• Corrosion and protection
• Nonferrous metals used in the building industry: copper, zinc, aluminium, lead,
brass and bronze
• Properties of common non-ferrous metals
• Common alloys, alloying agents, importance of carbon in steel
• Extraction of iron from ores
• Manufacturing process of steel items
• Heat treatment; reasons for heat treatment
• Casting
• Rolling: hot and cold rolling
• Drawing and extruding
• Common steel items used in buildings, steel sections, sheets/plates and bars
Sub module 10: Plastics 4 hours
• Classifications & Types of Plastics: Thermo plastics & thermosetting plastics
• Composition of plastics: plastic fillers and pigments
• Properties of plastics; Density, strength, thermal movements, durability, heat and
sunlight resistance
• Manufacture of plastics: extrusion, injection, moulding& casting
• Uses of plastics in the building industry; tiles, films, sheets, pipes, tanks, sanitary
appliances
Sub module 11: Paints & Painting 4 hours
• Constituents of paints and their properties; pigments, fillers,
• Types of paints and their uses; Oil and water paints, vanishes
• Paint systems; primer, undercoat, finishing coat.
• Use of paints according to different backgrounds; wood, metal, concrete, plaster
(internal or external walls), dry or moist walls
• Paint defects; Bleeding, cracking
• Standard Tests: Hardness test, drying time test, abrasion and alkali resistance

Sub module 12: Bituminous Materials 4 hours

• Types of bituminous materials used in construction; Bitumen, natural asphalt,
tars, cut backs
• Properties of Bituminous materials; Viscosity, Hardness (consistency), ductility,
softening
• Uses of bituminous materials in construction; road pavements, tanking, roof
protection, water proof skirting
• Standard tests & their significance: penetration, viscosity, ductility, softening
point, flash and fire point tests

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Sub module 13: Glass 2 hours
• Constituent materials
• Manufacture process
• Classification
• Commercial sizes
• Types of glasses
Mode of Delivery
The module will be taught by using discussions, demonstrations, illustrations, tutorials, assignments,
practical work and industrial visits.
Mode of Assessment
The module will be assessed through assignments, tests, practical reports, industrial visit
reports and module examination. Their relative contribution to the final grade is shown below:
Requirements Contribution
Assignments 5%
Tests 10%
Practical reports 25%
Final module examination 60%
Total 100%
Reading List
1. Wenda, C and Cao Dong. (2000), Building Project Materials, Beijing: Golden Shield
Press. Chen Z and Li Q. (2000). Civil Engineering Materials.
2. Haimei Z. and (2011), Building Materials in Civil Engineering. Science Press. Beijing
3. Murdock, L.J. and Brook, K.M. (1990), Concrete Materials and Practice. Edward
Arnold, London.
4. Neville, A.M and Brooks, J.J. (2010), Concrete Technology. British Library Cataloguing-
inPublication.
5. Edward, A., Joseph I.(2008).Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and
Methods, 5th Edition, ISBN: 978-0-470-07468-8

Instructional methods
In-class instructional methods will include: demonstrations, discussions, lectures, student-led
activities, cooperative activities, readings, problem solving, and video clips, etc. Each activity is
planned based on accessibility and availability of technological equipment/resources.

Attendance policy
Regular class attendance is highly required for proper grasp and comprehension of the course
contents. In the event that a student must miss a class due to illness or family emergency,

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arrangement should be made in advance with the instructor. This allows for accommodative
measures to be put in place.

Plagiarism and Academic honesty

UGANDA TECHNICAL COLLEGE policies on academic honesty apply to this course.
Unless otherwise stated, the assignments you hand-in are assumed to be your individual original
work. Students enrolled in this class are expected to behave professionally.

Disability Accommodations
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this course are
encouraged to have a conversation with the instructor to arrange for assistance. This class affirms
and respects students/individuals with any form of disability, ethnicities, cultures, age and gender
identities (male and female). It is every student’s responsibility to respect each other including
referring to colleagues by their preferred names and respecting each other’s’ opinions. No put
downs in any form shall be tolerated in this class. Together, we strive to build a safe classroom
environment where all students achieve their learning goals.

Language of Instruction
To accommodate the diverse group of students from different ethnic/cultural/linguistic
background, English will be the primary language of instruction and communication in this class.
All class assignments, examinations, course works, group discussions and presentation shall be
conducted in English.

Late submission of Assignments

Course assignments must be handed-in on time. Submission of assignments on time means the
assignment is handed-in by the dates and times indicated on the course calendar. No late
submission will be accepted without prior arrangement with the lecturer. If you cannot attend
class or complete an assignment because of responsibilities associated with religious holiday,
family emergency, sickness, etc. you may submit your assignment before the due date.

Late arrivals
Late arrival by students interrupts the classroom teaching and learning process. All students are
encouraged to be punctual for lectures, course works, tests and examinations. Nurturing the habit

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of punctuality is good for your own etiquette as teachers who in turn will be entrusted with the
responsibility of teaching others. Continuous late arrival in class without justifiable cause will
lead to a progression of intervention to change this unethical behavior.

Use of Electronic Devices

All electronic devices with signal transmission capability such as cellphones, smart phones,
satellites phones, iPods, iPads etc must be muted or turned to flight mode during class time. Cell
phone ringing loudly during class time aren’t allowed as this interrupt teaching and learning.

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