CE1CCT: Construction Technology

Module code: CE1CCT

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Tabarak Ballal, email: t.ballal@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CE1CCS AND TAKE CE1CIC2 AND TAKE CE1ESE (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This is a core technology module in which students explore alternative construction materials and technologies used for low-rise built facilities. It is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the various materials, technologies and systems employed in the construction of low- rise buildings with a particular focus on the decision making processes associated with choosing the most suitable of these in the light of technical, environmental and legal constraints. 

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Dr Mustafa Klufallah (m.klufallah@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand the sequence of feasibility, design and construction for low-rise buildings and describe the advantages and disadvantages of alternative construction technologies and methods. 
2. Understand the importance of building control, impact of legislation and constraints imposed by the Building Regulations on construction methods, materials and design. 
3. Describe the link between structure, construction sequencing and materials performance incumbent upon building structures and evaluate design alternatives in terms of buildability and material performance. 
4. Acknowledge the variety of materials and construction techniques used in different parts of the world and understand how new technologies can be incorporated in the construction of sustainable low-rise buildings. 

Module content

The module’s content is designed to provoke students' critique of construction methods, materials and technologies in relation to their impact on sustainable construction and compliance with legislative requirements. Topics covered include: 

• Building Regulations 
• Pre-construction activities and decisions 
• Nature and behaviour of forces acting on buildings 
• Primary and secondary elements of buildings 
• Construction systems and subsystems including methods and materials used 
• Foundations 
• External envelope – roofs, walls, external doors and windows 
• Primary internal components - floors, stairs and loadbearing partitions 
• Construction machineries  
• Secondary internal components - finishes, non-loadbearing partitions 
• Sustainable construction 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and learning strategy for the module is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of methods and technologies of low-rise construction at a Level 4. An instructor-led approach will be used through a combination of lectures, workshops, groupwork, guided, and independent learning. Self-study is a key component in the module. 

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be 4 scheduled sessions to provide formative feedback on the Construction Technology Portfolio. Students will be expected to produce and present work-in-progress. 

Reassessment

Additional costs