Materials play a major role in Civil Engineering and, for this reason, the course “Degradation of construction materials and prevention” aims at providing a thorough engineering culture on Building and Civil Engineering materials, with a special focus on degradation issues. The course will provide a theoretical and practical overview of the operating behavior of materials, which is key for the construction of new buildings and the restoration of existing ones. The following topics will be specifically addressed: i) degradation of materials and structures as a function of environmental exposure conditions, ii) prevention strategies in the design, construction, and management of structures, iii) investigation techniques on materials and constructions (diagnostics and analysis of degradation), iv) materials and technologies for the consolidation and restoration of degraded structures. The course will also show many applicative uses of materials in order to stimulate student’s ability and critical sensitivity on how material properties constitute crucial information for the selection of optimal materials and processing routes in Civil Engineering structures. Technological processes for materials production and for the optimization of their properties will also be illustrated in detail, when relevant.

At the end of the course, the students will be able to: - know the degradation mechanisms which are typical of both metallic and non-metallic construction materials, depending on the materials inherent properties, specific service, and environmental exposure conditions; - use the theoretical knowledge acquired on these building materials to evaluate the state of decay and durability of structures; - identify the most suitable methods and techniques for preventing the degradation phenomena of construction materials in the design phase; - discuss and identify the requirements and good practices on materials as well as the control methods to be adopted during construction and for the maintenance of the structures.

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

The course is divided into two main parts: I. Metallic materials (30 h) II. Non-metallic materials (30 h) Overall, the main topics of this course will deal with: - Main classes of steels and relevant methods of manufacturing, forming and joining, - Embrittlement of metallic materials and degradation mechanisms, - Properties and degradation of ceramics, polymers and stone materials, with special focus on applications in Civil Engineering, - Selection criteria, in terms of performance and durability, of the main construction materials (steels, stone materials, hydraulic and non-hydraulic binders, bricks and masonry, wood, composite materials) and their application in the field of Civil Engineering, - Corrosion of metallic materials, - Detailed mechanisms of degradation in concrete and reinforced concrete, - Methods for monitoring and protecting materials from degradation, - Short overview of materials and techniques for the restoration of structures, - Analysis of case studies (e.g. degradation of metallic and non-metallic materials, guided selection of materials for construction).

Theoretical classes (45 h) and analysis/critical discussion of selected case studies (15 h).

Learning is based mainly on the lecture notes provided by the professors (available on the course webpage) and on the students’ own notes. Recorded lectures via Virtual Classroom from Academic Year 2020-2021 are also available on the course webpage. The following textbooks are recommended (but not mandatory) for further reading and consultation: - W.D. Callister, D.G. Rethwisch, "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction", Wiley, 2018 (metallic and non-metallic materials) - F.C. Campbell, "Elements of Metallurgy and Engineering Alloys", ASM International, 2008 (metals only) - L. Bertolini, "Materiali da costruzione. Volume I", Editore Città Studi, 2014 (Note: For students able to read italian) - L. Bertolini, "Materiali da costruzione. Volume II", Editore Città studi, 2012.(Note: For students able to read Italian)

Slides;

E' possibile sostenere l’esame in anticipo rispetto all’acquisizione della frequenza

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula);

Exam: Written test;

... Written test. Objectives that will be ascertained by the exam, consistently with the expected learning outcomes: the exam aims at verifying the comprehension of the theoretical and applicative topics given during the lessons, with a special focus on degradation and interaction between materials and environment. Specifically, the exam will verify the student’s capability to read technical diagrams and relate the information included in such diagrams with operative/service performance of materials, to identify the properties of materials useful for specific applications, to critically select the most suitable materials for specific applications, to forecast degradation phenomena and plan suitable prevention/restoration actions. Criteria, rules, and procedures for the exam Individual written test, consisting of 1 or 2 open questions and 4 multiple-choice questions on metallic materials, and 1 or 2 open questions and 4 multiple-choice questions on non-metallic materials. Multiple-choice questions can have 1 or more correct entries. The total duration of the exam: 60 minutes. In replying to open questions, the students are requested to clearly justify their design choices, materials selection, prevention/restorative intervention. No additional penalties will be applied to incorrect responses to multiple-choice questions. 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.