Course contents *

• The overall course content is related to building material science including a deeper understanding about in particular renewable wood and biobased building materials and systems. The following key topics will more or less be covered: General degradation mechanisms of building materials; structure and function of wood, including some basics on its physical and mechanical behaviour; wood-moisture relationships & coatings; durability and biodeterioration of wood; wood protection concepts including means for wood modification; engineered wood products (EWP) & timber engineering including some aspects on hybrid systems; wood and biobased composites; material science aspects of other non-renewable building materials such as road materials and systems; and sustainability aspects related to building materials, including some basics about life cycle assessment (LCA).

  The means for achieving the learning outcomes of the course will mainly be based on lectures, exercises with study questions, study visits, lab work, and an assignment.

  The assignment will consist of a project work on a specific topic related to renewable biobased building material including a review of scientific publications, as well as a compulsory part on sustainability aspects.

Intended learning outcomes *

The overall goal of the course is to give a deeper understanding about building material science. The main focus is to study renewable wood and biobased building materials and systems. After having passed the course (grade E) the student should have general knowledge on:

• Degradation mechanisms of building materials

• Structure and function of wood

• Wood-moisture relationships and coatings

• Durability and biodeterioration of wood

• Wood protection concepts

• Engineered wood products (EWP)

• Wood and biobased composites

• Material science aspects of other non-renewable building materials such as road materials and systems

• Sustainability aspects of building materials, including life cycle assessment

Course Disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites *

Minimum150 ECTS, of which at least 15 credits in Building Materials and Building Physics or equivalent courses. Knowledge in English equivalent to English B.or equivalent (TOEFL, IELTS e g).

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

To be presented at the start of the course

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale *

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination *

• LABA - Laboration, 2.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• PROA - Project Assignment, 4.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• ÖVNA - Exercises, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Higher grades (D-A) will be based on the student´s performance in a project (assignment) about renewable biobased building materials or systems. In this project the student should be able to apply the general knowledge listed above and show a deeper understanding thereof relevant to the project. The assessment of the assignment will be based on the process, content and presentation of the project work as specified in the instructions for the assignment.

Other requirements for final grade *

Approvedmoment

• Laboration, 2.0 ECTS
• Project Assignment, 4.0 ECTS
• Exercises, 1.5 ECTS

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Magnus Wålinder

Ethical approach *

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

ABE/Building Materials

Main field of study *

Built Environment

Education cycle *

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Magnus Wålinder (magnus.walinder@byv.kth.se)