Building Materials

The course Building Materials directly follows the subject Fundamentals of Building Materials and extends students’ knowledge of material properties toward long-term performance, durability and environmental aspects. Students further develop their comprehension of the relationships between material composition, structure and functional behavior within a life-cycle perspective.
Through lectures and exercises, students apply previously acquired knowledge to the practical use of both basic and advanced building materials. Particular emphasis is placed on the ability to analyze the properties and performance of common and significant material groups, including wood, metals, polymers, insulation materials, refractory materials, composite materials, coating systems, and materials based on secondary raw resources.
Students are guided toward the synthesis of material engineering knowledge with environmental and technological considerations for the design and testing of new building materials and products. The course also includes evaluation of current development trends, such as nanotechnology applications and waste utilization, with respect to technical feasibility and sustainability.