COURSE SUMMARY

Construction One is the first course in a series of four required courses in the building structures and building construction sequence. Construction One is a broad survey of materials, material systems and construction methods including both conventional and emerging technologies. This course is organized material by material, in a taxonomic structure. Its content will challenge each student to think about materials and design by engaging both technological fact and material concept.

The profession of architecture classifies materials based on type or taxonomy (masonry, metals etc...) and affiliates their assembly with building system (foundations, roofs etc...). Contemporary material and construction practices have evolved at a radical pace suggesting practices in architecture, design and historic preservation must develop a material attitude which involves multiple scales, methodologies and technologies.

The NINE materials covered by this course:

1. composites
2. concrete
3. masonry
4. fabrics
5. polymers
6. wood
7. steel
8. glass
9. fibers

will be examined accordingly:

1. microstructure
2. appropriation, synthesis or harvesting regimes
3. manufacturing and unitization
4. structural systematization
5. fabrication and assembly methods
6. construction systematization

Over the next fifteen weeks, each student will be challenged to overlay attitudes of convention, invention and intervention onto nine materials in six different physical states. Our thorough material research will result in an inclusive understanding of the forces which shape the way we approach construction and design. As we proceed with our research these attitudes should differentiate themselves. In this course each student will discover the necessity for material convention, but also the grounds for invention in design.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Texts

FRANCIS D.K. CHING'S BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ILLUSTRATED 3RD EDITION
CONSTRUCTION ONE COURSE PACKET available at Speedway Printing in the Dobie Mall.

Supplemental reading, WWW links, charts and graphs are available on this course's electronic reserves site. Electronic reserves are accessed through the University of Texas at Austin Libraries link or at www.lib.utexas.edu.

Lectures, Weekly Reading Assignments and Quizzes

Students are expected to approach the required reading as research which must be completed prior to each lecture. Lectures re-organize the required reading material into accessible construction and material assembly scenarios. Lectures will not methodically reiterate the required reading. Quizzes on lecture and required reading material may be given at anytime with out notice. Make-up quizzes will not be given.

Homework

Homework assignments will be issued weekly. Homework will cover information and concepts introduced through lecture and the required reading. Late homework will not be accepted.

Lab

The construction I lab serves as a place for discussion, lecture review, homework review and hands on material experimentation. Lab location will vary week to week. It may be held in the assigned classroom, Materials Lab or the experimentation deck at Goldsmith Hall.

Examinations

Exams are take home, closed book with the exception of charts or tables I provide, and may exact any information from all lectures, labs, reading assignments and homework within a given period. Exams will be picked up at my office prior to the exam day and returned at the beginning of lecture the following day. Please note that the construction one lab is cancelled during exam weeks to allow for examination time. Two examinations are scheduled during the fifteen week semester. A third will be given during final examination week.

EXAM 1 THURSDAY OCTOBER 5
EXAM 2 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9
EXAM 3 FINAL EXAM WEEK. DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Research Project

A two part semester research project constitutes a significant requirement for this course. A late paper will receive one letter grade reduction per class period. Late project presentations will not be accepted. Due dates are as follows:

Research Part I
THURSDAY SEPTEBER 7 (ASSIGNED)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 (DUE)

Research Part II
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 (ASSIGNED)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 26 (PINUP AND DISCUSSION)
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 (DUE)

COURSE POLICIES

Group work policy

Group work will require equal participation from all members. Any individual not performing a commensurate share of the work may be eliminated from the group but is still responsible to satisfy the research requirements.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory in all lectures and labs. At the instructor's discretion, any student with more than 2 absences may be dropped from the class or the student's final grade will be adjusted a letter grade less for each additional absence.

Grading

Final Grades are derived from two semester examinations, a final examination, research project, homework and quizzes. Final grading is based on a 100 point scale in a plus/minus system:

A 93 - 100
A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
B- 80 - 82
C+ 77 - 79
C 73 - 76
C- 70 - 72
D+ 67 - 69
D 63 - 66
D- 60 - 62
F 59 or lower

The grades accumulated over the semester are averaged towards the final grade as follows:

exam 1 15%
exam 2 20%
exam 3(final) 25%
semester research project 30%
homework and quizzes 10%

The Office of Graduate Studies requires a grade of at least C (73 - 76) for a course to be included in a graduate student's program of work.

University Policy Regarding Observance of Religious Holidays

A student who is absent from a class or examination for the observance of a religious holy day may complete the work missed within a reasonable time after the absence, if proper notice has been given. Notice must be given at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates the student will be absent. For religious holy days that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, notice should be given on the first day of the semester. It must be personally delivered to the instructor and signed and dated by the instructor, or sent certified mail, return receipt requested. A student who fails to complete missed work within the time allowed will be subject to the normal academic penalties.

Students with disabilities:

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641.