Coms 1010 Unit 1 Assignment

Module
Communication Skills
Code
COMS 1010
Assignment 1
Portfolio – Writing an Academic Paper

ID Number

Programme of Study
B Eng (Hons) Civil Engineering; Year 1 (E 310)
Tutor

Submission Date
Thursday 11 October 2012

Title of Academic Paper
Construction Materials of The Future : Opportunities Offered by New Construction Materials

Contents of Portfolio Page
Assignment …………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Part 1 Title of Academic Paper…………………………………………………….. 4
Part 2 Brainstorming Activity and Ideas Generated………………………………. 5
Part 3 Reading Activity with Relevant Reading Resources and Referencing…………………………………………………………………. 6 - 7
Part 4 Organisation of Ideas……………………………………………………….
8
Part 5 Academic Paper……………………………………………………………. 9 -11
Part 6 Bibliography……………………………………………………………….. 12

Assignment 1 : Portfolio on Writing an Academic Paper

Submission of Six Parts Contributing to the Academic Paper
1. Title of Academic Paper

2. Brainstorming Activity and Ideas Generated

3. Reading Activity with Relevant Reading Resources and Referencing

4. Organisation of Ideas

5. Academic Paper

6. Bibliography

Objective : To demonstrate skills required for the preparation and writing of academic papers.

Part 1 : Title of Academic Paper

Construction Materials Of The Future: Opportunities Offered by New Construction Materials

Part 2 : Brainstorming Activity and Ideas Generated

Why new construction materials are needed?
Comparison with current materials used?
Types of current materials? Steel, Concrete, Composites, Plastics
Properties of current materials?
Types of new construction materials?
Carbon fibre polymer
Intelligent Materials
Nanotechnology in Concrete, Wood, Glass
Cost of new construction materials?
Are new materials easily manufactured and obtained?
Are new materials environment friendly?
Do new materials require expertise while using them?

Part 3 : Reading Activity with Relevant Reading Resources and Referencing

Resources used ( including sources from the internet, book and Journal articles):
1.
Internet
Smith, M. ‘Nanotechnology in Construction. Building Technologies’, http://www.thenbs.com/topics/ConstructionProducts/articles/nanotechnologyInConstruction.asp [Accessed on 4 October 2012]
Two nanoparticles that stand out in their application to construction materials are titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The former is being used for its ability to break down dirt or pollution and then allow it to be washed off by rain water on everything from concrete to glass and the latter is being used to strengthen and monitor concrete.

2.
Internet
Surinder, M. 2006, ‘Nanotechnology and Construction’, http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=nanotech%20and%20construction%20nanoforum%20report.pdf&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nanoforum.org%2Fdateien%2Ftemp%2FNanotech%2520and%2520Construction%2520Nanoforum%2520report.pdf%3F09052012123958&ei=ygl1UKmvBpHqrQef4oBA&usg=AFQjCNHCIa9q6EAG8oyZIpgsb04HsDbBhw [Accessed on 4 October 2012]
Fire resistance of steel structures is often provided by a coating produced by a spray-on cementitious process. Current portland cement based coatings are not popular because they need to be thick, tend to be brittle and polymer additions are needed to improve adhesion. However, research into nano-cement (made of nano-sized particles) has the potential to create a new paradigm in this area of application because the resulting material can be used as a tough, durable, high temperature coating. This is achieved by the mixing of carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) with the cementious material to fabricate fibre composites that can inherit some of the outstanding properties of the nanotubes (box 3, p8) such as strength. Polypropylene fibres also are being considered as a method of increasing fire resistance and this is a cheaper option than conventional insulation.

3
Book
Callister, W. D. 2007, ‘Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering’, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, USA, NY 10158-0012.
Chapter 9 - Mechanical Properties of Metals
Steel are iron-carbon alloys thay may contain appreciable concentrations of other alloying elements; there are thousands of alloys that have different compositions and/or heat treatment. Some of the common steel are classified according to carbon concentrations – namely, into low-, medium-, and high carbon types..

4
Journal article
Flaga, K. 2000, ‘Advances in materials applied in civil engineering’, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 106 (2000), pp 173-183
Bottom of Form
CFRP is composed of very thin carbon fibres with a diameter of 5±10 mm, embedded in polyester resin.
From the above it follows that with very high resistance to axial tension exceeding even twice that of high tensile strength steel, the elastic modulus of CFRP stay cables is not much lower than that of the steel cables, whereas the mass density is about five times lower. Therefore CFRP is the material of the future especially as it is durable, fatigue resistant, and non-corrosive.
Finally, when referring to the question asked above, whether the CFRP stay cables may replace in the future the steel cables in suspension and cable-stayed bridges, it is worth quoting the data from paper [5]. The relative equivalent elastic modulus in steel cables decreases as their length increases.
The transition from high strength plain concrete (class up to C50) to HSC and HPC is possible due to some additives such as silica fume and superplasticisers, to plain concrete.
HSC and HPC have the following characteristic features: (i) high compression strength; (ii) greater brittleness (and lower tensile strength in relation to compression strength); (iii) very low porosity and absorbability (about 3% by weight); (iv) high durability and freeze resistance due to high tightness; (v) adhesion to the reinforcement increased by 40%.

5
Journal article
Wadsworth, J. 2007, ‘Looking Beyond the Last 50 years: The Future of Material Science and Engineering’, JOM, February, pp 65-72

During the last seven decades, the mainstream materials science and engineering (MSE) community has worked in principally two R&D areas: the industrial sector and defense-related industries. After World War II, there was a major drive by corporations to invest in basic science and engineering.
In the future we will see more energy-efficient homes that use intelligent materials and intelligent designs. As an example, the Institute of Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, Germany discovered a means to integrate the temperature-equalizing effect of thick walls within a millimeter thin layer of plaster. The material contains microencapsulated paraffin. When summer temperatures inside the building rise above 24°C, the encapsulated paraffin in the wall begins to melt. This draws off the heat in the room, preventing the indoor temperature from rising. At night when the temperature falls, the paraffin solidifies and releases the stored heat. The impact on energy savings, reduction of pollutants, etc. is significant. The premise is that much more needs to be done in this whole arena of intelligent materials that are green and energy efficient—a fertile area for MSE discoveries and innovations.

Part 4 : Organisation of Ideas

1. Introduction : Construction Materials of the Past, Present and Future

2. Development of Current Construction Materials

2.1 Replacing Steel with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)

2.1 Modifying Plain Concrete to High Strength Concrete(HSC) and High Performance Concrete (HPC)

3. Innovative Engineering Materials of the Future

3.1 Intelligent Materials

3.2 Nanotechnology in Construction Materials

3.2.1 Nanotechnology and Glass

3.2.2 Nanotechnology and Fire Protection

3.2.3 Problems Faced by Nanotechnology in Construction Materials

4. Conclusion : New Construction Materials Will Shape The Future

Part 5 : Academic Paper

Construction Materials Of The Future: Opportunities Offered by New Construction Materials

1. Introduction: Construction Materials of the Past, Present and Future
For the last seven decades, after World War II, scientist and engineers have made many discoveries especially in the domain of construction materials that revolutionise the world we live in (Wadsworth, 2007). Today scientists are still conducting research on improving current materials and also introduce new construction materials.

2. Development of Current Construction Materials
2.1 Replacing Steel with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)
Steel is an alloy that was formed by combining different types of metals together that makes it a ductile construction material which has high tensile and compressive strength which is excellent for building cable for bridges (Callister, 2007; Flaga, 2000). However, scientist and engineers are considering a much lighter material but still as strong as steel, Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). CERP is a structural material consisting of very fine carbon fibres (with a diameter ranging from 5 to10 micrometres) embedded in polyester resin. The relative equivalent elastic modulus of steel cables decreases as the length increases. On the other hand, for CFRP this decrease is much less, thus making CFRP more favourable for longer spanning structures (ie bridges) (Flaga, 2000). Furthermore, CFRP mass density of about five times lower than that of steel, it is durable, fatigue resistant, and non-corrosive, thus possibly making it the future successor of steel cables for bridges (Flaga, 2000). The main obstacle to the use of CFRP in construction is due to the high price of carbon fibres (Flaga, 2000).
2.2 Modifying Plain Concrete to High Strength Concrete (HSC) and High Performance Concrete (HPC)
Concrete is a binding material, of high compressive strength and which can be moulded into various shapes. It is relatively cheap and easy to produce. However, it still has problems of low durability due to high porosity (Flaga, 2000). Since this plain concrete contains steel reinforcement bars, these bars are thus subjected to carbonization, which tend to corrode the steel. Therefore, the transition from high strength plain concrete to HSC and HPC is possible due to some additives such as silica fume and superplasticisers which makes it much stronger and less porous (Flaga, 2000). Moreover, HSC and HPC have high durability and freeze resistance due to high tightness and adhesion to the reinforcement increased by 40% (Flaga, 2000). There are still some issues that have to be solved for the application of HSC and HPC in civil engineering, however, some countries have introduced codes authorising the use of HSC and HPC while others are still working on it. (Flaga, 2000)

3. Innovative Engineering Materials of the Future

3.1 Intelligent Materials.
Together with the increase of world’s population, the global poverty too experiences the same dilemma. Therefore, new materials that are sustainable, green, energy efficient and are within financial means have to be introduced in the near future (Wadsworth, 2007). A fine example of this application is being research by Institute of Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, Germany, whereby placing micro-encapsulated paraffin within the thick walls to integrate the temperature-equilising effect (Wadsworth, 2007). When temperature of the room increases above 24degrees Celsius, the paraffin embedded in the walls begins to melt, thus prevents the temperature form rising anymore by drawing off the heat from the room. The reverse process occurs as temperatures begin to fall thus releasing the stored heat energy (Wadsworth, 2007).

3.2 Nanotechnology in Construction Materials
Nanotechnology is the use of very small materials, will also play an increasing role in the construction industry in the near future.
The two main nano-sized particles that may be applied to construction materials in the future are titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Smith, 2012)
3.2.1 Nanotechnology and Glass
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a hydophilic particle (material that is attracted to water), is use to form a coating on any material that is left in the open prone to dust, organic compounds or any unwanted bacterial membranes. TiO2 first breaks down these substances, then as rain drops, the broken particles get washed off (Smith, 2012; Surinder, 2006). This property of glass incorporating self-cleaning can be very useful on buildings that are too dangerous for humans to climb and clean.
3.2.2 Nanotechnology and Fire Protection
Scientists are researching in nano-cement, a material which is coated on steel that is tough, durable and can withstand very high temperatures in case of fire. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) comes into the picture by mixing with cementious materials thus constructing fibre composites that posses some of the excellent properties of CNTs especially strength (Surinder,
2006).
3.2.3 Problems Faced by Nanotechnology in Construction Materials
Nanotechnology is for certain be a beneficiary in the construction industry, unfortunately due to its cost and relatively small number of practical application, for now, (Smith, 2012; Surinder, 2006) it will only be a research (construction material) for scientist.
4. Conclusion : New Construction Material Will Shape the Future
Predicting future innovations and discoveries in construction materials is quite impossible, however, engineers and scientist observe trends and societal need which will motivate them to respond, thus giving birth to products, and build up the quality of life on this planet.
Word Limit ( 800 words )
Number of Word = 850

Part 6: Bibliography

1.
Callister, W. D. 2007, ‘Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering’, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, USA, NY 10158-0012.

2. Flaga, K. 2000, ‘Advances in materials applied in civil engineering’, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 106 (2000), pp 173-183

3. Smith, M. ‘Nanotechnology in Construction. Building Technologies’, http://www.thenbs.com/topics/ConstructionProducts/articles/nanotechnologyInConstruction.asp [Accessed on 4 October 2012]

4. Surinder, M. 2006, ‘Nanotechnology and Construction’, http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=nanotech%20and%20construction%20nanoforum%20report.pdf&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nanoforum.org%2Fdateien%2Ftemp%2FNanotech%2520and%2520Construction%2520Nanoforum%2520report.pdf%3F09052012123958&ei=ygl1UKmvBpHqrQef4oBA&usg=AFQjCNHCIa9q6EAG8oyZIpgsb04HsDbBhw [Accessed on 4 October 2012]

5. Wadsworth, J. 2007, ‘Looking Beyond the Last 50 years: The Future of Material Science and Engineering’, JOM, February, pp
65-72