Concrete in a Life-cycle Perspective
Betong i livscykelperspektiv

VBMN10, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2024-04-17
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: V4-at
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

Concrete is the world's most widely used building material. Concrete structures are expected to perform well during a very long service-life without unplanned maintenance. Consequently, good utilization of resources requires a selection of materials and structural design concept by considering the complete life-cycle of the building or structure.

The course is meant to give the student a deeper understanding of how the properties of concrete depend on the composition of the material, the curing during construction and why and how the performance changes during its service-life. The course is also meant to give the student an ability to express performance criteria on concrete, select material components and composition and predict the performance in various applications during its service-life.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• well know and have in depth understanding of basic phenomena in fresh, hardening and hardened concrete
• show in depth understanding of the behaviour of concrete during production and normal use in various environments during the entire service-life
• know the environmental consequences of concrete and be able to put these into a larger perspective.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• have the ability to select concrete material and structural design concept in a service life perspective and to assess the state of existing concrete structures.
• be able to use the knowledge in advanced applications and to generalize it to new applications in buildings and structures.
• be able to perform, evaluate and analyse results from laboratory studies and present the results in writing as well as orally.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Know how to express different performance criteria for concrete and how these can be fulfilled through selection of mix composition, production technology and maintenance measures, in a service life perspective.

Contents

One central area of focus is time-dependent effects and transformation processes in concrete and concrete structures during production and under typical utilization within various environments. This area includes a range of topics, such as the impacts of environmental influences, dimensional changes, constraints, crack formation, crack risk evaluation, as well as durability. Furthermore, the selection and composition of concrete materials are highlighted in terms of how they can be chosen and combined to meet a given set of specifications.

The students cast different concretes, in small groups, and study its properties, for example heat development, strength, self-desiccation and chloride penetration. The experiments are presented both written and orally.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

A written exam, student experiment written report and oral presentation and a presentation of a scientific paper.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0113. Name: Written Examination.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Written examination.
Code: 0213. Name: Laboratory Work.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Laboratory work

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VBMA30 Building Materials or VBMA35 Building Materials

Reading list

• Betongteknik (kurskompendium). Course compendium. Can be bought at the Division of Building Materials.
• Fagerlund, G: Betongkonstruktioners Beständighet - En översikt. Cementa, Danderyd, 1987. Accessible as pdf in Canvas.
• Scientific papers and additional course material which is accessible in Canvas.
• Övningsbok Betongteknik (TVBM-7224). Can be bought at the Division of Building Materials.
• Formelsamling Betongteknik (TVBM-7223). Can be bought at the Division of Building Materials.

Contact

Course coordinator: Magnus Åhs, Magnus.Ahs@byggtek.lth.se
Course administrator: Linnéa Ekman, linnea.ekman@ebd.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.byggnadsmaterial.lth.se/english/education/