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.

Chemistry is an important fundamental topic for civil engineers, e.g. in understanding the properties of building materials, the natural environment (atmosphere and solutions) and the reaction of building materials with the environment (corrosion of metals, durability). The course intends to teach the fundamentals of chemistry (see table of contents) with a focus on these applied topics.

Concrete Material Science examines how concrete properties are affected by its microstructure and how its microstructure is controlled by processing and composition. To achieve this, the course comprises a comprehensive presentation of the different techniques used to characterize concrete and its constituents, both in research and construction practice.

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

Vermittlung von grundlegenden theoretischen und praktischen Kenntnissen über klassische Baustoffe (Zement, Beton, Metalle, Glas, Holz, Kunststoffe und Bitumen) und ihre Eigenschaften und werkstoffgerechten Einsatz. Werkstoffübergreifende Betrachtungen von Materialverhalten, -auswahl und Optimierung im Entwurfsprozess (inkl. Nachhaltigkeit und Eignung für digitale Fabrikationsprozesse).

Vermittlung von grundlegenden theoretischen und praktischen Kenntnissen über klassische Baustoffe (Zement, Beton, Metalle, Glas, Holz, Kunststoffe und Bitumen) und ihre Eigenschaften und werkstoffgerechten Einsatz. Werkstoffübergreifende Betrachtungen von Materialverhalten, -auswahl und Optimierung im Entwurfsprozess (inkl. Nachhaltigkeit und Eignung für digitale Fabrikationsprozesse).