Unit details for Design the built environment: materials and structures - National Database of Accredited Qualifications

Design the built environment: materials and structures

Unit summary

Students will investigate the use and properties of materials used in construction of the built environment (including how the use of sustainable materials can influence the design process) and explore a range of common structural forms and building elements used in the design process.

Unit details

Unit reference number

F/500/9493

Unit owner name

AQA - City & Guilds

Unit owner reference number

2.2

Unit level

Level 2

Unit sector/subject area<br>Unit sub-areas

05 Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
- 05.2 Building and Construction

Unit guided learning hours

Unit grading system

A*/A/B/C

Unit Dates

Available from:

01/09/2008

Expiry:

31/08/2013

Unit assessment methods

Task-based controlled assessment

Learning outcome / assessment criteria

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria
1 know about different construction materials and their properties, including sustainable materials	1 Construction materials and their properties a identify and describe the properties and uses of construction materials: i materials in common use: • timber • cements and concrete • metals • bricks • plastics • plasters • paints • glass ii raw materials, including their location, extraction and/or harvesting iii manufacture of construction materials and components from raw materials iv properties of commonly specified construction materials: • strength • elasticity • porosity and water absorption • thermal and moisture movement • durability • workability v uses of commonly specified construction materials: • fitness for purpose • visual appearance • cost • resistance to degradation • ease of working on-site • consideration of interrelationships between materials vi typical failures of commonly specified construction materials: • corrosion • fungal attack • insect attack • frost attack • sulphate attack • efflorescence • UV attack vii prevention and remediation of failure b identify and describe developments in the use of sustainable materials: i influence of sustainable materials on the design process ii recycling, reclamation, reusability (including packaging) iii salvaged, refurbished or remanufactured materials iv resource efficient manufacturing processes v specification of natural, plentiful or renewable resources wherever possible vi locally available materials specified wherever possible vii durable materials specified wherever possible.
2 be able to test construction materials to establish their suitability for a particular job	2 Testing construction materials a use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and work as part of a team to perform simple tests on construction materials b interpret results of tests on construction materials c specify appropriate materials for given purposes on the basis of their properties-in-use.
3 understand structural forms and building elements	3 Structural forms and building elements a compare and contrast structural forms and building elements used in design: i structures: • traditional • crosswall • framed (steel, timber and reinforced concrete) ii building elements: • foundations • ground floors • walls • frames • cladding • upper floors • roofs • doors and windows b produce sketches, drawings, schedules and specifications of structural forms and elements.
4 be able to compare traditional and modern methods of construction.	4 Traditional and modern methods of construction a compare and contrast traditional and modern methods of construction b explore on-site and off-site construction techniques: i nature and use of prefabricated elements ii common structural forms and materials used with above iii scope for using sustainable materials and techniques iv when to use traditional on-site construction processes v advantages and disadvantages of all the above.