Advances in Building Materials

The course on Advances in Building Materials provides an introductive overview of the needs and future of materials science in the building sector. Focus topics concern sustainability, durability, thermal insulation, coatings, sealants, adhesives, flame retardancy and the future perspective and developments of concrete and wood with regard to smart material development and ecological concerns.

In this course, the students will gain a broad overview of the use of materials in the building sector, with a particular focus on concrete and wood. Current limitations and in particular sustainability related challenges will be detailed with the objective of laying the grounds to discuss future developments anticipated in this field.

This course for civil engineers lays the grounds in the specialization Materials and Mechanics and complements the second introductory course of the specialization on Numerical Mechanics of Materials. The course also addresses master students in Materials Science and other study programs interested in deepening their understanding of application-relevant properties of engineering materials and sustainability related challenges.

Based on the bachelor courses „Materials I-III“, current, fundamental, and important issues of specific building materials are addressed. Next to aspects of material production, usage and properties, their interaction with the environment e.g. by durability and environmental impact are addressed.

Lectures cover issues of materials mechanics, sustainablity and innovations of building materials. This course is intended to simplify the further selection of courses.