Construction Materials

Code:

L.EC019

Acronym:

MC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Materials

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://sigarra.up.pt/feup/en/UCURR_GERAL.FICHA_UC_VIEW?pv_ocorrencia_id=419446
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EC	220	Syllabus	2	-	6	71,5	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXT:

Constructions, in the sectors of housing, transport networks, energy production and distribution, environment, or other sectors, have materials as their fundamental constituents. The safety, economy and durability of buildings therefore depend on the materials used in each situation, how they are produced and applied, and how they are maintained throughout the service life of each building.

Both the design engineer and the construction manager, as well as those responsible for overseeing construction, and even the engineer responsible for maintaining and assessing the condition of existing works, need to know how to select and specify the right materials for each situation, know their production processes, their fundamental properties, the standards governing their use and the procedures for controlling their quality (usually based on tests).

In addition, it is now necessary to take into account the entire life cycle of materials, implementing a circular logic for reasons of sustainability in the use of the planet's resources.

OBJECTIVES:

This course unit provides fundamental knowledge and skills on some of the most commonly used materials today: steels, aggregates, binders, mortars and concretes. It covers their production, fundamental characteristics, behavior and main applications.

The aim is for students to have contact with laboratory tests to assess the behavior of materials and control their quality. This practical knowledge is essential in this area, so that the knowledge acquired is solid and linked to the practical reality of the engineer's profession.

At the same time, students are expected to solve practical problems through written exercises.

Learning outcomes and competences

- knowledge of fundamental sciences
- core engineering knowledge
- advanced engineering knowledge (applications)
- engineering thinking and problem solving
- experimentation and knowledge discovery
- communication (oral and written)
- external and social context

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 Introduction
1.1 A brief introduction to building materials
1.2 Classification and applications
1.3 Metallic materials in civil engineering
1.4 Concept of reinforced and prestressed concrete
1.5 Construction materials and sustainability
1.5.1 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
1.5.2 Brief reference to the contributions of construction materials to the SDGs

2 Steel
2.1 Metallic materials and their classifications
2.2 Classification of steel according to its chemical composition
2.3 Production and treatment of steel
2.4 Tensile testing of metallic materials
2.4.1 Interpretation of the stress-strain diagram
2.4.1.1 Strength parameters
2.4.1.2 Ductility parameters
2.4.2 Factors influencing the tensile behaviour of steel
2.5 Steel for reinforced and prestressed concrete
2.5.1 Requirements of Eurocode 2 and LNEC specifications
2.5.2 Strength classes of steel reinforcement for reinforced concrete and their characteristics
2.5.3 Prestressing steel
2.6 A brief reference to structural steel
2.7 Bend tests and their importance
2.8 Hardness tests
2.9 Creep and stress relaxation
2.10 Fatigue resistance
2.11 Weldability of steel
2.12 Steel corrosion
2.12.1 Effects and factors influencing corrosion of steel
2.12.2 Stainless steel as reinforcement for reinforced concrete

3 Aggregates
3.1 Types of aggregates
3.2 Classification of aggregates based on their origin
3.3 Classification of aggregates according to particles density
3.3.1 Concept of particles density and bulk density
3.3.2 Classification of aggregates and their applications
3.3.3 Measurement of particles density and bulk density
3.4 Other aggregate properties
3.4.1 Grading
3.4.1.1 Particle size distribution
3.4.1.2 Fineness modulus
3.4.1.3 Mixing and fractioning aggregates
3.4.1.4 Representation of sands in Feret's triangular diagram
3.4.2 Particle shape
3.4.3 Resistance to fragmentation and wear
3.4.4 Durability
3.4.5 Chemical requirements
3.5 Harmful substances and particles in aggregates
3.6 Aggregates and the circular economy in construction

4 Binders
4.1 Classification and examples of binders used in construction
4.2 Gypsum: main properties and applications
4.3 Air lime: main properties and applications
4.4 Hydraulic lime: main properties and applications
4.5 Cement
4.5.1 Introduction, natural cement, and its properties
4.5.2 Portland cement manufacturing process, composition, and clinker modifications
4.5.3 Hydration reactions
4.5.4 Cement characterization: physical, mechanical, and chemical requirements
4.5.5 Additives for the manufacture of standard cements specified in EN 197-1
4.5.6 Special cements

5 Grouts and mortars
5.1 Injection grouts
5.1.1 Definition and applications in construction
5.1.2 Composition, main properties, and characterization tests
5.2 Mortars
5.2.1 Definition, types, and applications in construction
5.2.2 Composition and main properties

6 Concrete
6.1 Introduction and historical development
6.2 Composition
6.2.1 Basic formula
6.2.2 Basic principles of concrete composition
6.2.2 Methods for studying the composition
6.2.2.1 Methods using tables or abacuses
6.2.2.2 Methods based on particle packing
6.2.2.3 Methods based on reference curves. Faury's method.
6.3 Adjuvants and additions
6.4 Mixing, transport, placement, compaction and curing
6.5 Properties and characterisation tests
6.5.1 Fresh state
6.5.2 Hardened state
6.6 Specification and conformity control
6.7 Durability
6.7.1 Degradation mechanisms
6.7.1.1 Physical degradation mechanisms
6.7.1.2 Corrosion of steel in concrete
6.7.1.3 Internal expansive reactions
6.7.1.4 Attack by acids and pure water
6.7.1.5 Attack by sea water
6.7.2 Exposure classes
6.7.3 Requirements related to durability
6.8 Special concretes
6.8.1 Self-compacting concrete
6.8.2 Fibre-reinforced concrete
6.8.3 High-strength concrete
6.8.4 Lightweight concrete
6.8.5 Sprayed concrete


ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTION:
Scientific content: 10%
Technological content: 90%

Mandatory literature

; Documentação disponível nos Conteúdos da UC no SIGARRA

Complementary Bibliography

M. Clara Gonçalves; Ciência e engenharia de materiais de construção. ISBN: 978-989-8481-17-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Theoretical exposition of the fundamental concepts linked to the study of construction materials and their practical applications.

- Laboratory testing (standardized tests) of steels, aggregates, cements, mortars and concretes, making students aware of experimental characterization techniques, and focusing on the the careful choice of materials for different civil engineering applications.

- Solving practical problems.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES WITH THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE CURRICULAR UNIT:
In addition to providing knowledge about the theoretical foundations, and promoting their understanding, the adopted teaching methods allow students to come into contact with practical reality by carrying out a wide range of laboratory tests. The tests provide knowledge of up-to-date technologies for using materials and the current technical standards to be observed for their proper application. Solving practical problems exercises thinking and the search for solutions through the application of theoretical knowledge.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	90,50
Frequência das aulas	71,50
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Approval to the course unit implies compliance with the attendance requirement, considering that a student complies with this requirement if, having been regularly enrolled, they do not exceed the limit of absences corresponding to 25% of the face-to-face classes scheduled for each type.
In addition to the cases provided for in the FEUP rules in force, students who have obtained a final grade of 6 or higher in the course in the immediately preceding academic year are exempt from the attendance requirement.

Calculation formula of final grade

The classification is based on two tests:
- T1, on chapters 1 to 3 (see course programme)
- T2, on chapters 4 to 6 

Tests T1 and T2 are compulsory and each carries 50% weight in the assessment. They consist of written tests lasting 90 minutes each.

Each student's grade, C, is calculated using the following formula:
C = CT1 × 0.50 + CT2 × 0.50

where:
- CT1 is the grade in test T1, to be held on a date to be announced;
- CT2 is the grade in the T2 exam, to be taken on the date of the Normal Exam.

The CT1 and CT2 marks are given on a scale of 0 to 20, rounded to the nearest tenth.
CT1 and CT2 grades must be obtained in the current academic year and a minimum mark of 6.0 is required in each of the tests (CT1 and CT2).
All students enrolled in the course unit are graded according to this method.

SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM SEASON:

Students with a negative C grade will have to take the Supplementary Exam, which consists of a written test, on the whole subject, lasting 120 minutes. The student's grade in the Supplementary Exam, on a scale of 0 to 20, is referred to as CR.

Students who miss one of the T1 or T2 tests will receive a zero mark in that test and will therefore have to take the Supplementary Exam on the whole subject.

FINAL GRADE:

The final grade CF is given by:
CF = maximum (C; CR).

Classification improvement

This point applies to students who have already passed the course unit and are duly registered for the purpose at FEUP's General Undergraduate Secretariat.

The Grade Improvement consists of taking the Supplementary Exam, on the entire subject, lasting 120 minutes.