Construction materials testing Entry requirements Direct Entry: Minimum of a Grade 12 School Certificate with passes in English, Mathematics

cs and Science or Physics and Chemistry Mature entry: Grade 12 School Certificate with a pass in Science or Physics and Chemistry and a minimum of five (5) years experience in a construction related field.

Course objectives The course is designed for students interested in construction. It emphasizes teamwork and involves collection of information from local state agencies and local industry regarding materials, design and specification requirements. The course objective is to develop technical competence in the following topics: Behavior of materials used construction projects including soil-aggregate mixtures, asphalt binders and mixtures and Portland cement concrete. Role of material properties in design. Testing methods, selection Criteria, and standard specifications.

Required Modules Construction Material science Familiarizes students with lab and testing procedures for testing construction materials. Properties of construction materials, including steel, soil, concrete, bitumen and timber. Production of construction materials and standard specifications. Prerequisites: none Concrete Technology This course presents the basic knowledge required to select materials for concrete production, design a concrete mix, and conduct quality control tests on concrete. The course is delivered through lectures and laboratory sessions. Topics include cements, water/cement ratio, admixtures, concrete properties, manufacturing, placing, finishing, curing, and inspection techniques. Prerequisites: Construction material science Soil Mechanics This course presents the basic principles of soil mechanics and testing procedures through lectures, problem-solving sessions, and laboratory work. Topics include mass/volume relationships, soil classification, compaction tests atterberg limits sieve analysis, relative density and Soil stabilization. Prerequisites: Construction material science Asphalt Technology This course teaches students how to select suitable materials for asphaltic concrete design using the Marshall method equipment. Topics include penetration bitumen, emulsions, asphaltic cement testing, aggregate testing, and binder extraction. Laboratory sessions include making specimens, testing specimens, and analyzing test results.

Prerequisites: Construction material science Entrepreneurship This course presents the basic principles of entrepreneurship. Topics include applying entrepreneurship skills, developing entrepreneurship competencies and attitudes, establishing business enterprises, applying enterprise management skills and sustaining an enterprise. Prerequisites: none Safety, Health and Environment This course teaches students how to apply safety and environment protection. Topics include applying health practice, demonstrating safety procedures, applying environment protection measures and applying quality control practices. Prerequisites: none Information communication and technology This course teaches students how to communicate effectively using information and communication technology. The topics will include introduction to word, excel and email. Prerequisites: none Class/laboratory schedule Class lectures Field visits to an asphalt plant, soil laboratory on site and a ready mix concrete plant. Laboratory tours to discuss concrete, soil and asphalt testing equipment. Laboratory experiments Contribution of course to meeting the professional component This course contributes primarily to the individuals knowledge of engineering topics, and does provide hands on testing experience. Programme objectives: On completion of the programme, the trainee will be able to:

Carry out materials sampling and testing procedures both in the laboratory and in the field Determine properties and quality of different types of construction materials Maintain high standards of safety, health, environment while carrying out tests in the laboratory and in the fields. Apply entrepreneurship skills Use information and communication technology. Communicate effectively both internally and externally

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives Student assessment Students will be assessed as follows: 1. Continuous Assessment 40% Assignments per module 20% Oral tests 20% 2. Final Examination 60% Pass mark 50%