General introduction about materials and their importance in Architecture.
Relationship between the atomic structure of solids and their macroscopic behaviour.
Classification of materials into ceramics, metals, polymers and composites; description and discussion of their chemico-physical and mechanical behaviour.
Materials of ancient (stone, wood, brick, lime and hydrated lime) and modern (cement, concrete, steel, metal alloys, polymers) origin: source/production, properties and use.
Degradation of materials as a function of the environmental and working conditions and analysis of the alteration phenomena.