Recent development in fracture mechanics of cement and concrete, with emphasis on the design of new cement-based composites.

In this introductory lecture, students gain basic knowledge on building materials like cement, concrete, metals, glass, wood, polymers, and bitumen, their manufacturing and processing, important properties and their application. Fundamental mechanical, thermal and optical properties are discussed and experimental ways for measuring, as well as numerical methods for predicting them, are depicted.

Introduction to building materials; mechanical properties; deformation; strength; fracture; hardness; porosity and moisture transport; hygral and thermal properties; electrical and optical properties; statistics; mineral binders; cement; concrete.

Introduction into the basic and practical knowledge of important building materials and testing methods.

No description available.