Materials play a major role in civil design and for this reason "Technology of Construction Materials" intends to provide a thorough engineering culture on building and civil engineering materials. In addition to theoretical insights, the course shows many applicative uses of materials in order to stimulate students ability and critical sensitivity on how material properties constitute a crucial information for the selection of an optimal materials and processing route for the realization of civil engineer structures. Technological processes for materials production and for the optimization of their properties will also be illustrated in details.

The overall aim of the course is to provide the students with a robust background in construction materials, encompassing both scientific and technological knowledge and providing general guidelines for translating scientific knowledge into an effective tool for civil engineering design. The student will learn: - how scientific principles are exploited in controlling relevant properties of construction materials; - the international (English) nomenclature and terminology; - the main international standards for the definition and characterization of constructions materials; - how to select materials to fulfill design and project requirements; - how to evaluate material properties, and to plan material testing activities, for both purchasing and quality control activities.

Basic knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Structural mechanics, and Material Science and Technology

Metals (30h) The metallic bond and the crystal structures of metals. Elements of metals crystallography: FCC, BCC, and HCP structures; microstructure of metals; interstitial sites; point defects and solid solutions; dislocations, slip systems and plastic deformation. Strenghtening of metallic materials. Fe-C Metastable phase diagram; metallographic constituents: austenite, ferrite, cementite, graphite, pearlite Microstructural features of structural steels: ferrite-pearlite structure Strength and impact toughness of structural steels at room and low and high temperature: influence of chemical composition and impurities Stainless steels Wet corrosion of metallic materials: general corrosion, galvanic corrosion, pitting, crevice and stress-corrosion. Weldability of steels: fusion zone and heat-affected zone, weld defects, equivalent carbon content. Welding technologies. Structural steel products: fabrication and commercial shapes; classification and designation of main steel products for civil engineering: products used for reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete, for welded metal structures, and for bolts; classes, specifications, microstructural and mechanical properties; material testing and quality control activities. Brief comments on properties of non ferrous materials: Al, Cu, Ti. Non Metallic materials (30h) Glass production: energy saving glasses and relevant standards. Exercises. Chromogenic and photocromic glasses. Thermal insulation: thermal properties of materials; foam glass; innovative materials. Phase modification materials and heat accumulation properties. Semiconducting materials and photovoltaic system (materials, structure and uses). Polymeric materials: fundamentals, structure, synthesis and manufacturing technologies. Polymeric materials for civil engineering applications: foams, adhesives, painting and sealants. Composite materials: fundamentals, classification, reinforcing mechanisms, manufacturing, fibers reinforced composites, with emphasis on fibers reinforced polymers. Bitumen and derivatives (properties and applications). Cementitious materials Wood: structure, mechanical strength, deformation and degradation. Timber-frame and lamellar wood.

Theoretical classes (prevalent) and practical exercises (on some parts).

Learning is based mainly on the lecture notes provided by the professors and available on the web site, and on the students’ own notes. The following textbooks are recommended for consultation: - Callister and Rethwisch, "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" (metals and non-metals) - Campbell, "Elements of Metallurgy and Engineering Alloys" (metals only) - Krauss, "Steels, Processing, Structure, and Performance" (metals only)

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula);

Exam: Written test;

... Individual written test, consisting of 2 or 3 open questions on metals and 2 or 3 questions on non-metals, with a total duration of about 2 h. The students are requested to argue about the consequences of specific design choices in terms of selection of materials, considering both their microstructural features and impurity levels. At least one of the questions will request to correlate the operative environment or the specific application field with the relevant properties of the materials or joining processes selected by students. The evaluation includes all lecture topics. Textbooks, lecture notes, formularies, and electronic devices cannot be used during the exam. The maximum score that can be achieved by the students is 30/30 cum laude

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.