Use of Sustainable Materials in Construction module (CE52037)

You will examine how the manufacture and use of construction materials can impact the environment both positively and negatively.

You will then look at how negative impacts can be reduced or avoided, and positive impacts maximised.

What you will learn:

In this module, you will:

• examine how the activities involved in the manufacture of civil engineering materials have implications for resource use, climate change, and other aspects of sustainability
• learn about the standards which drive sustainability in the UK and European construction industry
• explore approaches to measuring sustainability
• explore how impacts can be reduced. You will also learn to critically evaluate the pros and cons of different construction technologies
• learn about resource efficiency
• learn how selection and appropriate use of construction materials can be used to achieve effective fabric energy storage in a building

By the end of module, you will be able to:

• understand how to reduce the environmental impact of construction materials. You will understand how this is done through planning and design
• interpret an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
• calculate the embodied carbon of a Civil Engineering project
• draw up resource management plans
• draw up site waste management plans
• interpret BREEAM documentation

Assignments / assessment

• coursework (40%)
• exam (60%)

Teaching methods / timetable

• lectures
  • lectures are in-person
  • video material is used to complement lectures
• computer laboratories
  • material option appraisal
  • sustainability metrics - embodied carbon of materials