Previously two modules, AR4031 and AR4032, each of 3 credits were co-taught to a joint 1st year cohort of Civil Engineering and Architecture students for some years. Following the advent of the School of Engineering and the common engineering first year, these arrangements can no longer continue. However much of the syllabus and activties covered are central for Civil engineers' formation. Therefore the modules will be absorbed into a single 6 credit module and taught to second year Civil Engineering. Some collaboration with the School of Architecture is planned with some coteaching with first year Architecture.

The module provides an integrated introduction to the properties and applications of the 5 most common building materials in historical context: natural ground, timber, masonry, concrete/reinforced concrete and iron/steel. Examples of building assembly and detailing will be studied with reference to important historical built precedents and during site visits. Students will explore these materials in context through drawing, model and prototype making. The relationship between architectural and structural form, detailing, material properties, construction process and load path will be examined.

At the end of this module, students will be able to: Outline essential features of a site assessment, referencing both above ground and below ground features. Describe the historical development and appropriate application of timber, iron/steel and concrete/reinforced concrete by reference to their use in a variety of building elements and in important historical built precedents. Describe important physical and/or chemical properties of these materials. Analyse how the properties impact on the processing, use, detailing and sustainability of each material. Illustrate and explain through drawing, report writing , model making (in groups) and presenting (also in groups), aspects of material processing, assembly, detailing and structural load path with reference to built precedents. Reflect on some of the various performance demands made by this module, plan for development and assess your progress and relevance of insights gained for future development.

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At the end of this module, students will be able to (i) Observe and draw selected building elements to scale. (ii) Illustrate reports by hand sketching (iii) Design and make a scale model of a building assembly detail. (iv) Cast a piece of reinforced concrete.

Where possible, the module is partly co-taught with the School of Architecture. This allows students to experience two distinct but complementary perspectives on building technology. The module activities, including lectures, are designed to occur during one half day period each week. Students engage in a wide range of practical activities both on and off campus. These activities and site visits provide a strong physical context for all the knowledge encountered. Students listen, debate, observe, record, research, make, present, collaborate and reflect on their activity. Active learning is long established as being more effective than solely passive listening. Through purposeful and varied activity students become knowledgeable. Through working in groups they learn to collaborate effectively, through observation, discussion and evaluation they become critical.