The course aims to provide to the students the necessary knowledge, both theoretical and technical, for the selection and a proper use of materials in the building industry according to physical, mechanical and durability requirements. The course will be focused on both traditional and innovative materials typically used in architecture.

The student will be able to:

• Know and evaluate the main materials properties of materials;
• Select consciously materials in connection to their use and function in architecture;
• Use the CES software for the study and selection of materials;
• Apply the acquired knowledge to evaluate the material used architectural buildings and understand the reason for the selection and compare with other possible alternative materials.

The course will consider both traditional and innovative materials used in architecture and their main characteristics will be analysed. A part of the course will be related to innovative materials and innovative uses of traditional materials.

• Properties of materials: mechanical, thermal, optical, acoustic properties;
• Binders: Lime (hydraulic and aerial); Gypsum; Portland cement; Special cements;
• Mortars and concretes: Aggregates: chemical and physical characteristics. Fresh and hardened concrete: main characteristics. Special concrete: short outline. Degradation of mortars and plasters. Degradation of reinforced and not reinforced concrete.
• Stone Materials: genetic classification of natural rocks; main properties of different classes: chemical, physical, mechanical properties and durability. Natural and anthropic degradation of stone materials.
• Ceramic materials: main properties of bricks, technological features and durability.
• Metals: Main characteristic of the metallic materials generally used in buildings: steel used in building, steel for rebars, aluminium and copper (and their alloys), titanium. Corrosion and protection techniques.
• Polymeric materials: Main proprieties and characteristics.
• Natural Materials: Main proprieties and characteristics.
• Composites Materials: Main proprieties and characteristics.
• Durability and corrosion of materials
• Introduction to CES software for selection of materials. 
• Selection of materials

An important part of the course will be dedicated to a practical exercise carried out by the students. The practical exercise will permit to systematize and apply, through a critical reflection on a specific case study selected by the students, the theoretical contents of the lessons. Regular revisions of the ongoing work will be carried out. The task is to select an existing building or a project and to analyse and understand the materials used and evaluate if this was the optimal selection and why in terms of: requirements, performance, costs, long term behaviour and sustainability.

No prerequisites.

Only for the attending students, the exam will also include a practical exercise based on the selection and in depth analysis of the materials used on a case study with the purpose to apply the acquired knowledge in materials for buildings and stimulate discussion and the active participation of all students. The final mark will be the result of a weighted average of the evaluations obtained in the practical exercises and in the written tests.

The ongoing exercise will be periodically presented to the all class followed by a collective discussion with teachers and the other students. 

During the exam, the students will have to demonstrate to expose the acquired knowledge with an appropriate and correct vocabulary and they should demonstrate to know the topics developed during the course, in particular:

• Material properties: mechanical, thermal, optical, acoustic;
• Characteristics of the different categories of materials;
• Durability and long-term behaviour of materials;
• Approach to the selection of materials for buildings;
• Use of the CES software;
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Students should demonstrate the critical capacity to use the tools of the course and Propose independently conceptual links among the different topics covered by the course.

Non-attending students will sustain a written test referring to the program and bibliography provided by teachers. A specific bibliography will be provided to the students who will request it to fill any gaps. The test consists of both theoretical multiple choice questions on topics covered in the program and theoretical open-ended questions on topics covered in the program.