Material covered in this course will include the design and control of concrete mixtures. This course is designed to expose the student to the multiple components, makeup, design, and care of concrete as they integrate with one another to produce this most widely used material.

Although modern concrete is the most widely used and most versatile construction material, concrete has been utilized in one form or another for thousands of years. Recent advances in mix design and placement technology have led to a material with properties only dreamt about just a few years ago. Understanding the basic fundamentals of concrete (materials and design) is necessary to produce a quality product. Understanding the versatility and effects of concrete mixtures will assist in controlling and utilizing this multifunctional material.

DESIGN AND CONTROL OF CONCRETE MIXTURES

The Guide to Applications, Methods, and Materials, 17th Edition

Steven H. Kosmatka and Michelle L. Wilson

ABET Student Learning Outcomes

Students will have the ability to:

• Formulate or design a system, process, procedure, or program to meet desired needs.
• Develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
• Understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.

Course Objectives

Expose the student to and have them obtain a general knowledge of the components, principles, design, control, applications, methods, materials, and terminology related to concrete.

Course Structure

This course is designed as a lecture-style discussion with assigned reading, homework, practical theory, terminology, potential projects, quizzes (scheduled and unscheduled), and exams. Attendance is key and required for this course.

Assigned Homework

To be determined. Writing assignments, research, and construction calculation exercises are expected. NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to substitute and/or add quizzes and/or assignments as needed.

What You Will Turn In

Assignments may accompany material discussed in class from each chapter and potential industry practical examples.

Evaluation

Student assignments may vary in value from 10 to 100 points (homework, projects, assignments).

All quizzes typically range in value from 10-50 points each (there may be some exceptions).

Midterm Exam is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points.

Final Exam is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points.

Student Presentation is anticipated to be worth 100-250 points.

Midterm (100-250 points)

The midterm exam will be given during class time. The date of the midterm exam will be announced at a later time.

Final (100-250 points)

As per policy, the final exam will be administered during the scheduled time during finals week. Do not ask to take the final exam early. There will be NO make-up if a student misses the final exam.

Assessment

Assessment will be performed under the following criteria:

100-94% = A 69-67% = D+

93-90% = A- 66-64% = D

89-87% = B+ 63-60% = D-

86-84% = B 59-57% = F+

83-80% = B- 56% or less = F

79-77% = C+

76-74% = C

73-70% = C-

To earn a grade of A, students must complete at least 95% of the work satisfactorily and attend class 95% of the time.

To earn a passing grade, students must attend at least 75% of class regardless of the amount of work that is submitted.

Tentative Schedule

Chapters and other corresponding coursework covered this semester will be revealed prior to class discussion and may consist of the following:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Concrete
• Chapter 2: Paving
• Chapter 3: Structures
• Chapter 4: Sustainability
• Chapter 5: Portland, Blended, and Other Hydraulic Cement
• Supplemental Masonry Information (to be supplied by instructor)
• Supplemental PowerPoint Chapter 24: Masonry Materials I
• Supplemental PowerPoint Chapter 25: Masonry Materials II
• Chapter 6: Supplementary Cementitious Materials
• Chapter 7: Mixing Water for Concrete
• Chapter 8: Aggregates for Concrete
• Chapter 9: Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
• Chapter 10: Fibers
• Chapter 11: Steel Reinforcement
• Chapter 12: Properties of Concrete
• Chapter 13: Volume Changes of Concrete
• Chapter 14: Durability
• Chapter 15: Specifying, Designing, and Proportioning Concrete Mixtures
• Chapter 16: Batching, Mixing, Transporting, and Handling Concrete
• Chapter 17: Placing and Finishing Concrete
• Chapter 18: Curing Concrete
• Chapter 19: Hot Weather Concreting
• Chapter 20: Cold Weather Concreting
• Chapter 21: Test Methods
• Chapter 22: High-Performance Concrete

Late Assignments and/or Makeup Work

Makeup work or extra-credit work is possible. For extra-credit work, come see me. A late quiz will only be allowed with prior communication with the professor and if taken prior to the return of graded quizzes. Late quizzes will be worth half credit.

Final Exam Makeup

As per policy, the final exam will be administered during the scheduled time during finals week. Do not ask to take the final exam early. There will be NO make-up if a student misses the final exam.

Attendance Credit

Students receive 10 points of attendance credit for each class period they attend, provided they are not late. Arriving to class late can result in NO attendance credit. Attendance credit will be added toward your final course grade.

Attendance is mandatory for passing this course. Your attendance will be calculated into your final grade using the criteria described above. Simply getting the assignments from a classmate is not permitted.

Attendance is taken once per class period at the beginning. You will receive 10 points of attendance credit for being on time to class and staying the entire time. If you are late to class, you will lose 1 point of attendance credit for each minute you are late. If you are 10 minutes or more late to class, you will not receive any attendance credit for that day. This does not mean you have to leave class; it simply means that, for that day, you will not receive any attendance credit.

Students are required to bring textbooks and all other materials to each class meeting. Any student who attends class without a textbook and other materials will receive an absence.

Any student who does work from another class during class will be given an absence.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for passing this course. Your attendance will be calculated into your final grade using the criteria described above. Simply getting the assignments from a classmate is not permitted.

You will be given 10 points per day for each day you attend class. At the end of the semester, your attendance credit will be calculated with your performance credit.

Attendance is taken once per class period at the beginning. You will receive 10 points of attendance credit for being on time to class and staying the entire time. If you are late to class, you will lose 1 point of attendance credit for each minute you are late. If you are 10 minutes or more late to class, you will not receive any attendance credit for that day. This does not mean you have to leave class; it simply means that, for that day, you will not receive any attendance credit.

Class Participation

Students are required to bring all needed materials (i.e., textbooks, assignments, etc.) to each class meeting. Any student who attends class without the required materials may receive an absence. Any student who does work from another class during class will be given an absence.

Course Prerequisites

Desire to learn and ability to participate in coursework.

Policies

University policies regarding conduct, attendance, and plagiarism will be STRICTLY enforced. There will be none of the following:

• Vulgar jokes or comments said to other students of the same sex or of the opposite sex, or to the instructor.
• Chewing tobacco.

Violation of any of these policies will result in an absence.

Mentoring Statement: COMMUNICATION IS OF KEY IMPORTANCE

If by chance you start falling behind through no fault of your own, PLEASE communicate with me and do not drop the class at the first sign of turbulence. I understand that life is also a test. The sooner you come see me, the sooner we can develop an intervention plan to get you back on track. I am available to work with any student willing to put forth a little extra effort. If, for some reason, you are feeling bad about life in general, come and see me; I may be able to provide some insight that will help you feel better about everything.

Safety and Professional Behavior

Projects may involve the use of lab or other university equipment. Students should maintain professional behavior at all times, but particularly when operating equipment. Students are required to read and follow instructions for use of equipment and only to use the equipment in a safe manner to minimize the danger to oneself and others. Disregarding safety and/or other procedures will result in your dismissal from the lab area and a grade of zero for the associated project (at a minimum). If you are unsure how to operate equipment in a safe manner, ask for help.

Grading Process

Please do not ask what your grade is before grades are posted. The grading process is long and tedious. For this class, your instructor will review and/or grade all papers, quizzes, and exams. Graders may or may not be used for this course. First, assignments have to be examined as a whole. Then assignments must be graded. Then those grades must be entered, calculated, and finally submitted. Your grades will appear as soon as they are submitted.