Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaBuilding Construction IV
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Head instructor
The first two trimesters of this third year course aim to concentrate intensively on knowledge of materials: understanding their natural qualities and their traditional use in construction in response to specific requirements, the handling possibilities of the material, the production of components, and the modifications to their manufacture and placement which the construction industry undertakes to make them more accessible for us in different systems.
The idea is to introduce students to the knowledge of construction systems through the responses and evolution of basic materials and their elements and related materials.
As a complement to the materials taught in Construction 4, this course will study ceramics, glass and non-ferrous metals.
The main objective is for students to understand that construction systems have to be assessed in terms of efficiency, performance and risk, and that this approach guarantees control over the suitability of construction decisions.
The course is based on an intensive study of the lifecycle of materials and aspects of their extraction, production, manipulation, installation, maintenance and recycling. Construction elements derived from industrialization are analysed according to their type, function, form and their efficiency in terms of space, climate, structure and energy.
1. CERAMICS AND CLAY.
1.1. Introduction to the material: Properties, manufacture, products and systems.
1.2. Paving: Requirements, products, installation phases.
1.3. Roofs and tiling: The parts of a roof, types of tiles, fixing materials and supports.
1.4. Wall coverings: Development, products and systems.
1.5. Masonry walls: Requirements, bricks, mortar, accessories, installation, unique factors, types of sealing methods.
1.6. Thermo-clay blocks and prefabricated panels: characteristics of thermo-clay blocks, installation of prefabricated panels.
1.7. Reinforced ceramics: walls and laminated roofs.
2. NON-FERROUS METALS
2.1. Introduction to the material.
Basic and specific characteristics.
The differences between types of steel.
Metals: origin, mining, metallurgy process, procurement, properties, the most common alloys, commercial products.
Uses and systems.
The concept of alloys.
The main alloys: bronze, brass, duralumin...
Other metals used in construction: titanium, chromium, nickel, “gold”
The main metals used in construction: lead, copper, zinc, aluminium.
2.2. Sheet metal roofs in non-ferrous metals.
2.3. The façade as a lightweight shell; the tightness of the seal.
2.4. The window, carpentry items, laminated profiles and extruded profiles.
3. GLASS
3.1. The material: Origin and historical development, composition and properties of glass, classification of glass, production systems
3.2. Glass products and the commercial structure of glass
3.2.1. Transparent sheets of glass
3.2.2. Mirrors
3.2.3. Translucent sheets of glass
3.2.4. Opaque sheets of glass
3.2.5. Safety glass
3.2.6. Corrugated glass (coming soon)
3.2.7. Moulded glass
3.2.8. Fibreglass
3.2.9. Insulating glass
3.2.10. Soundproof glass
3.3. Defects in glass
3.4. Principles of installation
The course comprises three theory blocks corresponding to each section of the syllabus. Each theory block begins with the announcement of the corresponding practical exercise and ends with a full session devoted to executing that practical assignment in the relevant classroom.
The theoretical aspects are always based on a specific material and its ancillary elements, or with images of its use, and are completed with an analysis of examples in paradigmatic buildings. The objective is to show the physical reality of the theoretical concepts being presented while, at the same time, students become familiar with the products available in the construction market and learn to question the documentation attached to them.
The proposed practical assignments are designed to allow students to be assessed on their capacity for analysis as well as their assimilation of the course material and they are based on the search for systems, their interpretation and the how this interpretation may be used in other applications than those recommended by the manufacturer.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Class exhibition | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 1,25 |
| Class participation | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,12 |
| Clase practice | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,42 |
| Tutorials | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 0,71 |
| Individual or group study | 12-T 13-T 14-T 15-T 16-T 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 | 2,5 |