Sustainability in construction

Course content

The student will get the notion of the interaction between (construction) materials and structures linked to the environment, durability and sustainability.
The student will look into the impact of building materials over their life time.
The student will be backed by the deterioration mechanisms and durability-related issues of construction materials, including wood, metals, cementitious materials, etc.
The student will get the basics of using a material and designing a construction in a sustainable way, using all information to reduce the environmental impacts in structural design, for example (but not limited to): resource conservation, pollution prevention, use of demolition waste and recycling.
The student will look into prescription- versus performance-based structural design using potential and promising novel building materials and techniques.
Backed by case studies the student will investigate a modern structure in terms of sustainable structural design.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

At the end of this course, the student will be able:

to underline the ecological background of the building sector and the need for a sustainable development and construction.
to define the durability and sustainability related consequences of using specific building materials and construction techniques.
to use the principles of cradle-to-gate/grave/cradle principles, linked to life-cycle assessment, and to improve the life-cycle performance.
to propose how to repair, self-heal, protect and maintain structures.
to define the environmental impact of building materials.
to design a structure in a resource-efficient way.
to design a structure in a sustainable way.
to integrate the knowledge on resource conservation, pollution avoidance and recycling.
to effectively use the knowledge obtained in terms of material properties linked to structural design and environmental aspects in different exposure conditions.
to be able to make a sustainable choice of materials for a certain structural application.
to have a basis for taking into account the problems of the future.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

An interest in building materials, sustainability, durability, and to think about solutions for the future.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes (the slides will be provided on Université Virtuelle)

Guest lectures (linked to practical cases)

Exercise classes (project work or calculation)

Project (case study on sustainable structural design)

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Course notes, reference documents, slides, flipped classrooms and additional references

Course notes

Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

The student will get the notion of the interaction between (construction) materials and structures linked to the environment, durability and sustainability.
The student will look into the impact of building materials over their life time.
The student will be backed by the deterioration mechanisms and durability-related issues of construction materials, including wood, metals, cementitious materials, etc.
The student will get the basics of using a material and designing a construction in a sustainable way, using all information to reduce the environmental impacts in structural design, for example (but not limited to): resource conservation, pollution prevention, use of demolition waste and recycling.
The student will look into prescription- versus performance-based structural design using potential and promising novel building materials and techniques.
Backed by case studies the student will investigate a modern structure in terms of sustainable structural design.

Other information

Additional information

Due to Covid19 or other, the evaluation methods and the calculation of the examination mark may differ from the information displayed in the schedules and course details. Any changes will be communicated on Université Virtuelle.

The use of generative AI is permitted as long as they are used with integrity and in compliance with guidelines regarding the principles of ownership, transparency, and privacy.

Ownership: AI tools are support tools, not a replacement for original work. Students remain fully responsible for their own work. The output of an AI tool is not an academic source and must always be verified. Originality, critical reflection, and personal contribution remain essential.

Transparency: Clear reporting of all interactions. The use of AI tools must be documented to ensure full transparency. Copying AI-generated output and presenting it as one's own work is considered plagiarism.

Security: Confidentiality and data protection. Sharing personal or sensitive input should be avoided. Confidential data must not be shared without permission.

Contacts

Didier SNOECK- didier.snoeck@ulb.be - Service BATir - CP 194/02 ULB - Campus du Solbosch Bâtiment C - niveau 3

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

Project
Oral examination
Group work

Project

Oral examination

Group work

Oral examination ; Written report

The final grade is based on:

- a project work and oral presentation due during the year

- an oral examination on the theory and recognition of the reports (closed book)

Weight of partial grades:

The final grade is obtained with the following weighting:

- project work and oral presentation (25%)

- Oral examination (75%)

Only the mark for the written report can be carried over to the second session. The oral examination must always be repeated in the second session.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)