After successful completion of the course, students are able to recognise and critically assess the structural, manufacturing and application potential of selected modern and historical building materials and masonry.
The focus of the course will be hands-on workshops in which the effect of various (even unexpected) additives in mortars will be experimentally investigated.

Introduction to the topic:

• Current challenges of modern building materials (production, procurement, durability, structural damage),
• Historical (smart) building materials
• Impulse lectures (also guest lectures): Case studies

Experimental building archaeology:

• Preparation of mortar mixtures with different binders and aggregates
• Analysis and characterisation: in terms of bond strength, carbonation of prisms (shapes) - see below - after hardening
• Analysis of properties

Based on the initial results:

• Creation of own "recipes" for lime mortar, gypsum mortar and different types of concrete
• Focus on: organic and inorganic aggregates (e.g. eggshells, tea and coffee grounds, sticky rice, brick chippings, loam and clay)

Critical assessment of the results!

• Introduction to the subject: current and historic building materials
• Case studies (also guest lecturers)
• Hands-on workshop: develop and try your own mortar recipes

Blocked course!
Compulsory attendance!

Mortar Making

For practical exersises some raw materials are necessary. 

Saturday  the 19.04.2024. 9:00-12:00 AM and 14:00-16:00 PM

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• Due to the block course format, 100% student attendance is required!
• Documentation and analysis of the practical task
• Final presentation with "Pecha Kucha" lectures
• 3-page project paper (incl. images, graphics, references)