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Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi NJIT Syllabi

Fall 2018

CE 360-001: Sustainable Civil Engineering

Materials
Matthew Adams

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Adams, Matthew, "CE 360-001: Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials" (2018). Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi. 15.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/ce-syllabi/15

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 Course Syllabus
CE 360: Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials
John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Section: 001 Fall 2018

Course Information
Title: CE 360, Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials
Class Location: CKB 310
Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesdays: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM
Credit Hours: 3 Credits

Instructor Office Hours

Matthew P. Adams, Ph.D. Mondays 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Office: Colton 237 Wednesdays 2:30 – 4:00 PM
E-mail: [email protected] Open door policy (if the door is open,
I respond to course e-mails twice a day, and come on by).
do not check e-mails on Saturday or By appointment, skype appointments also
Sunday. available

Required Pre-requisites
The required prerequisite for this course are CHEM 121 or 125 and MECH 237 (with a grade
of C or better)

Course Description
The course provides instruction on civil and construction engineering materials used in the
construction of civil engineering projects such as pavements, bridges, buildings, retaining
walls, tanks, etc. Additionally, the fundamentals of sustainability within the context of civil
engineering will be discussed. In particular, the course concentrates on the engineering
properties of aggregates, wood, metals, portland cement concrete (PCC) and hot-mix asphalt
(HMA) as well as the mixture design of PCC and HMA, as well as other advanced civil
engineering materials. These materials will be used to discuss sustainability and sustainable
design within civil engineering contexts.

Topics: Civil and construction engineering materials; aggregate, portland cement concrete,
asphalt concrete, wood, metals. Standard test methods. Sustainability. Sustainable design.
Chemistry, mechanics, and durability of materials.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define sustainability in their own words and relate how sustainability is defined in the
context of new construction as well as renovation and rehabilitation.
2. Demonstrate concepts of life-cycle analysis including economic and sustainability aspects
and apply these concepts to sustainable construction.
3. Identify key material properties important to the successful application of aggregates,
asphalt concrete, portland cement concrete, wood and metals to a variety of civil works.
4. Specify aggregates, concrete and asphalt mixtures, metals, and wood for typical
construction applications including the use of appropriate standards (i.e. ASTM) for
testing and specification of said materials.
5. Design a PCC mixture and an HMA mixture using sustainability concepts that will be
durable and meet the requirements of a particular construction project.

Required Reading Materials

Required
A. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Kosmatka, S.H. and Wilson, M.L., 16th Edition,
Portland Cement Association, 2015

B. Pavement Guide Interactive: http://www.pavementinteractive.org/ (free internet

resource)

C. Additional course reading materials will be posted on the Moodle course website
throughout the term.

Additional
Virtual Superpave Laboratory: http://training.ce.washington.edu/VSL/
Portland Cement Association: www.cement.org
American Concrete Institute: www.aci-int.org

Attendance and Participation Policy

Students are expected to be on time for class, and to remain in class during the entire period.
Chronic lateness or leaving of class for extended periods of time will result in a reduction of a
student’s participation grade. Class participation is part of your grade, and missing class
regularly will affect your participation grade. Regular attendance in class will greatly increase
your ability to perform well on the exams, final project, and class assignments. Participation
includes: questions or discussion during class, participation in group projects, participation on
in class assignments, questions during office hours. If a student must miss more than this
please contact the professor to discuss the issue at least 24 hours prior to missing the class.

Homework Assignment Requirements and Grading

Homework assignments will be posted on the course website regularly throughout the term.
Students will have at least 7 days to complete homework assignments from the date they are
posted. Homework assignments are due by the end of class on the due date. Assignments
must be printed out and handed in to the professor in class.

Homework assignments are expected to look professional and be legible. Up to 20% of each
homework will include points for meeting the criteria below. Homework assignments will
meet the following requirements:
 Each page will have a header that includes student name, date, course number,
assignment, and page number.
  All homework will be completed on fresh paper with clean edges (not ripped out of a
notebook). Engineering paper is preferred.
 Written sections have correct grammar and spelling.
 Handwriting is legible
 Each question is clearly labeled, with the given information, what you are required to
answer, and the solution clearly marked.
 Each homework answer is properly cited and referenced when using any source other
than course notes or the course books.

An example of a correctly formatted homework is attached at the end of this syllabus.

Each homework will be graded out of 15 points total for a total homework grade of 75 points
by the end of the term.

Grade Determination
The course grade will be determined using the following point breakdown:
Homework Assignments 75 Points total (5 Homework assns. at 15 points each)
Quizzes 100 Points total (10 Quizzes at 10 points each)
Exam 1 75 Points total
Exam 2 75 Points total
Final Examination 125 Points total
Class Attendance and 50 Points total
Participation

All grades will be rounded to the nearest tenth. Letter grades will be determined using the
following breakdown of grade percentage:

A = 450 points and above C+ = 375 – 399 points

B+ = 425 – 449 points C = 350 – 375 points
B = 400 – 425 points F = Below 350 point

Course Exams
Three exams will be given during the term, two during the term and a final exam. Each regular
exam will be out of 75 points, and the final exam will be out of 125 points. The final exam will
be cumulative of the whole semester. Exams will include both a multiple-choice portion, and
a written response portion.

Late Homework and Missed Exam Policy

Assignments are due by the end of class on the date they are due. Any assignment turned in
later than the end of class will be considered late unless prior arrangements are made with the
instructor. Late homework will be accepted up to 24 hours after the assigned due date
and time for a loss of 50% of the total possible points. No late homework will be accepted
after 24 hours. Assignments must be turned in via Moodle.
Missed examinations will not be allowed to be made up without prior consent from the
professor. If a student will be missing an examination please contact the professor at least 24
hours prior to missing the exam.

Course Reading
You are required to complete the readings for the course prior to each class. The reading has
been chosen to support the material given in class and should be given full attention.

Course Schedule
Note: Course schedule is tentative and may change throughout the term. The instructor will
communicate any changes. Class time is provided for topics of particular interest to students,
or to provide additional instruction if class is running behind. Students wishing to suggest a
special topic should speak with the instructor. (Note: Lectures are based on a twice per week,
1.5 hour class period, 14 week schedule). The course schedule is attached at the end of this
syllabus.

Students with Disabilities

NJIT is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to
programs and activities. If you have, or believe that you may have, a physical, medical,
psychological, or learning disability that may require accommodations, please contact
the Coordinator of Student Disability Services located in the Center for
Counseling and Psychological Services, in Campbell Hall, room 205, (973) 596-3414. Further
information on disability services related to the self-identification, documentation and
accommodation processes can be found on the webpage
at: (http://www.njit.edu/counseling/services/disabilities.php)

Academic Dishonesty and Student Conduct

(Taken from the NJIT Academic Integrity Code linked below)

New Jersey Institute of Technology is an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge

through teaching and research. The university expects that its graduates will assume positions
of leadership within their professions and communities. Within this context, the university
strives to develop and maintain a high level of ethics and honesty among all members of its
community.

Imperative to this goal is the commitment to truth and academic integrity. This commitment
is confirmed in this NJIT University Code on Academic Integrity. The essential quality of this
Code is that each student shall demonstrate honesty and integrity in the completion of all
assignments and in the participation of the learning process. Adherence to the University Code
on Academic Integrity promotes the level of integrity required within the university and
professional communities and assures students that their work is being judged fairly with the
work of others. For more information on the code of academic integrity please see:
http://www.njit.edu/education/pdf/academic-integrity-code.pdf

Class Behavior
While the university is a place where the free exchange of ideas allows for debate and
disagreement, all classroom behavior and discourse should reflect the values of respect and
civility. Behaviors that are disruptive to the learning environment will not be tolerated and
students will be asked to leave the classroom. This includes but is not limited to aggressive
behavior, sleeping in class, disruptive behavior, use of electronic devices for activities not
related to coursework, racist, sexist, ableist, or homophobic language, and inappropriate or
crude language.

Any student that prefers to use a particular pronoun should let the professor know so that this
can be accommodated.

E-mail communication with the professor and each other is expected to be

professional. Any e-mails received by the professor that are not professionally formatted and
stated will not be answered. Examples of professional e-mail etiquette can be found at the
following links:

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Formal-Email
http://englishlive.ef.com/blog/write-perfect-professional-email-english-5-steps/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/636/01/

Legal Disclaimer
Students’ ability to meet outcomes listed may vary, regardless of grade. They will achieve all
outcomes if they attend class regularly, complete all assignments with a high degree of
accuracy, and participate regularly in class discussions.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor throughout the term.
Sample Homework Layout
 Course Objectives Matrix – CE 360 Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials

Strategies, Actions ABET Program Assessment

and Assignments Student Educational Measures
Outcomes Objectives
(1-7)
Objective 1. Define sustainability in their own words and relate how sustainability is
defined in the context of new construction as well as renovation and rehabilitation.
Discuss what sustainability is in the context of 1, 3, 4, 7 1, 3 Homework, quizzes, exams,
construction and construction materials. in-class exercises
Write a cohesive definition that incorporates the ideas 1, 2 1 Quizzes, exams
of the three pillars of sustainability.
Objective 2. Demonstrate concepts of life-cycle analysis including economic and
sustainability aspects and apply these concepts to sustainable construction.
List and explain the various steps of completing a life 2, 4 1 Quizzes, Exams
cycle analysis.
Describe the different types of life cycle analyses and 1, 4 1 Quizzes, Exams
the reasons why someone may choose a particular
method.
Objective 3. Identify key material properties important to the successful application
of aggregates, asphalt concrete, portland cement concrete, wood and metals to a
variety of civil works..
List and define the key components of aggregates, 1, 4, 7 1 Quizzes, Exams
concrete, asphalt, wood, and metals.
Describe the different material properties that affect 2, 4 1, 2 Quizzes, Exams
fresh properties, mechanical properties, and durability
properties.
Objective 4. Specify aggregates, concrete and asphalt mixtures, metals, and wood for
typical construction applications including the use of appropriate standards (i.e.
ASTM) for testing and specification of said materials.
Identify the properties needed for specific applications 1, 4 1 Homework, In-Class
of each material. Exercises, Exams
Discuss the various service and environmental 2, 3 1, 2 Homework, Exams, Quizzes,
loadings that a constructed element may experience In-class exercises
and what properties are needed to resist those
loadings.
Objective 5. Design a PCC mixture and an HMA mixture using sustainability concepts
that will be durable and meet the requirements of a particular construction project.
Design a concrete mixture using the volumetric 1, 2 1, 2 Homework, Exams, In-Class
method. Exercises
Choose materials for and design an asphalt mixture 1, 2 1, 2 Homework, Exams, In-Class
according to the Superpave process Exerccises
 CEE Mission, Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

The mission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is:

 to educate a diverse student body to be employed in the engineering profession

 to encourage research and scholarship among our faculty and students
 to promote service to the engineering profession and society

Our program educational objectives are reflected in the achievements of our recent alumni:

1 – Engineering Practice: Alumni will successfully engage in the practice of civil engineering within industry,
government, and private practice, working toward sustainable solutions in a wide array of technical
specialties including construction, environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water
resources.

2 – Professional Growth: Alumni will advance their skills through professional growth and development
activities such as graduate study in engineering, research and development, professional registration and
continuing education; some graduates will transition into other professional fields such as business and law
through further education.

3 – Service: Alumni will perform service to society and the engineering profession through membership and
participation in professional societies, government, educational institutions, civic organizations, charitable
giving and other humanitarian endeavors.

Our Student Outcomes are what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of their
graduation:

1. an ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of
engineering, science and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration
of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic
factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make
informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic,
environmental and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a
collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use
engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Revised: 2/13/18