Civil Engineering

1. Introduction Relationship between structure and material properties; Materials science and materials technology; Classification of materials; Review of primary (ionic, covalent, metallic) and secondary chemical bonds; Ashby & Jones diagrams. 2. Crystal structures and defects Crystalline and amorphous solids; Main crystal structures in metallic materials (BCC, FCC, HCP); Definition and determination of crystal parameters (unit cell edge, unit cell volume, coordination number, atomic packing factor); Calculation of theoretical density; Crystallographic points, directions, and planes; Linear (geometric and effective) and planar atomic density; Polymorphism; Single-crystal and polycrystalline solids; Metallographic preparation and determination of grain size using the intercept method and ASTM method; Defects (point, line, surface, and volume); Crystal structures and defects in ceramic materials; Porosity and experimental determination methods. 3. Mechanical properties Tensile test; Overview of compression, shear, and torsion tests; Definition and calculation of nominal stress and strain; Stress-strain behavior; Elastic region and Hooke’s law; Determination of Young’s modulus; Poisson’s ratio and relation between lateral and longitudinal strain; Plastic region, yield strength and yield load; Relation between plastic deformation and dislocation motion; Strain hardening; Fracture; Difference between brittle and ductile fracture; Ductility; Resilience; Toughness; Charpy and Izod methods for notch toughness; Ductile-to-brittle transition temperature; True stress and strain; Hardness (Rockwell, Brinell, Knopp, Vickers); Relation between hardness and ultimate strength; Shore hardness for polymers; Anelasticity, viscoelastic behavior and creep testing; Flexural tests; Influence of porosity on mechanical properties of ceramic materials (Ryshkewitch predictive models). 4. Electrical and thermal properties Electrical resistance and resistivity (Ohm’s law I and II); Electrical conductivity; Insulating, conductive, and semiconducting materials; Electrical resistivity of metals (Matthiessen’s rule); Electrical resistivity and structural diagnostics of concrete; Heat capacity and specific heat; Thermal expansion (linear and volumetric); Thermal conductivity; Phonon and electron contributions to thermal conductivity; Relation between electrical and thermal conductivity (Wiedemann-Franz law); Thermal stresses in metals; Thermal shock of ceramics and TSR (thermal shock resistance parameter); Materials for thermal insulation; Classification of insulating materials by nature and structure; Thermal insulation parameters (conductivity, density, porosity, specific heat); Relation between thermal conductivity and porosity (Collishaw and Evans correlation); Thermal insulation in construction: thermal resistance and transmittance; Thermal Ohm’s law; Calculation of wall thermal resistance (external insulation). 5. Acoustic properties Introduction to material acoustics: basic acoustics concepts, fundamental acoustic quantities (sound pressure, intensity, sound power, sound pressure level); Interaction of sound waves with materials: reflection, absorption, and transmission; Definition and classification of acoustic materials; Sound-absorbing materials: working principles of porous, fibrous, and foamed materials; Influence of structure (porosity, tortuosity, flow resistivity) on absorption properties; Typical applications in building and civil engineering; Sound-insulating materials: sound transmission mechanisms through solids and structures; Mass law and critical frequency concept; Acoustic characterization methods: measurement of absorption and sound insulation in impedance tubes; Reverberation time: definition and relation to total sound absorption; Applications of reverberation time in implementing acoustic materials in enclosed spaces. 6. Durability properties: corrosion overview Introduction to degradation phenomena of metallic materials due to chemical and electrochemical reactions with the surrounding environment; Description of main corrosion mechanisms, including uniform, localized, intergranular, and pitting corrosion; Analysis of factors affecting corrosion, such as material composition, microstructure, presence of aggressive agents (water, oxygen, chloride ions, acids), and environmental conditions; Overview of main prevention and control methods, including protective coatings, resistant materials, surface treatments, and chemical inhibitors; Importance of understanding corrosion mechanisms for designing durable and safe structures in aggressive environments. 7. Metallic materials Phase diagrams; Concepts of phase, solubility limit, and equilibrium; Copper-Nickel phase diagram; Conjugate line method; Lever rule; Copper-Silver phase diagram; Definition of eutectic point; Iron-Carbon phase diagram; Main Fe-C phases (austenite, ferrite, pearlite, cementite); Influence of heat treatments on microstructure; Comparison of pearlite, bainite, spheroidite, and martensite; Classification of metallic alloys (ferrous and non-ferrous); Steels: EN and AISI/SAE designation; Low, medium, and high carbon steels; Stainless steels; Cast iron; Non-ferrous alloys: copper, aluminum, titanium, and superalloys; Concept of specific strength in non-ferrous alloys; Manufacturing techniques: forming, casting, powder metallurgy, welding; Heat treatments: annealing, quenching, precipitation hardening. 8. Binders, mortars, and concrete Air and hydraulic binders; Gypsum: hydration reactions, properties, applications; Air lime: hydration reactions, properties, applications; Cement: clinker production, clinker components, environmental impact; Reactive mineral additions: fly ash, blast furnace slag, silica fume; Main cement types and UNI EN classification; Cement hydration reactions, hydration products, microstructure; Effect of reactive mineral additions on cement hydration (pozzolanic reactions); Evaluation of pozzolanic activity by thermogravimetric analysis; Porosity of hardened cement; Difference between mortars and concretes; Aggregates: types and characteristics affecting quality and properties of cementitious products (size, grading, moisture, porosity, cleanliness); Mixing water and additives; Mortar and concrete properties: mix design, fresh-state properties (workability, placement) and hardened-state properties (mechanical strength, durability); Slump test for workability; Placement: influence of vibration and curing; Concrete shrinkage (plastic and drying); Concrete compressive strength: relation between mean and characteristic strength; Modes of failure under compression; Stress-strain curve; Concrete durability: freeze-thaw cycles, fire, sulfate attack, chloride attack, carbonation; Phenolphthalein test overview. 9. Innovative materials and processes for civil engineering Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites: Differences between fiber-reinforced mortars and concretes; Types of fibers; Mechanical properties and compatibility; Post-cracking behavior (crack-bridging); Durability; Applications and case studies. 3D concrete printing: Principles and technologies of 3D concrete printing; Materials and rheology-controlled mixtures, additives, and fibers; Process parameters and fresh-state behavior: extrudability, buildability, setting time, and interlayer adhesion; Hardened-state properties: mechanical anisotropy and influence of printing direction; Printing systems and technologies; Digital modeling and deposition strategies; Structural and architectural applications; Regulatory aspects, quality control, and sector development prospects. Alkali-activated materials: Principles and classification of alkali-activated materials and geopolymers; Raw materials and industrial by-products (fly ash, blast furnace slag, metakaolin); Activation mechanisms and alkaline reactions; Mixture composition and process parameters; Fresh-state properties: workability, setting time, heat development; Hardened-state properties: mechanical strength, durability, high-temperature behavior; Environmental and sustainability aspects, CO₂ emission reduction, valorization of industrial waste; Structural and non-structural applications; Reference standards and technological development prospects.

The student is expected to have a solid scientific background, with particular emphasis on fundamental knowledge of Mathematical Analysis, Chemistry, and Physics.

- W.D. Callister - Materiali per l'Ingegneria Civile ed Industriale (2nd. ed.) - EdiSES, 2023 - L. Bertolini & M. Carsana - Materiali da costruzione, vol.1 (3nd. ed.) CittàStudi, 2018 - ecture notes and teaching materials provided by the teacher

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended

The exam aims to assess the student’s level of preparation on the topics covered during the course and consists of a written and an oral exam. The written test (2 hours) includes three questions involving numerical exercises. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must achieve a minimum grade of 18/30 on the written test. The oral examination is designed to evaluate the student’s understanding and mastery of the theoretical and practical topics addressed throughout the course.

The course comprises a total of 60 hours of lessons (equivalent to 6 CFU credits), structured as follows: - In-class lectures, covering all topics included in the course program; - Classroom exercises aimed at applying the theoretical concepts to the solution of numerical exercises and practical problems; - Multimedia presentations, used to enhance and support the understanding of key concepts; - Laboratory sessions, providing hands-on experience to deepen the theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures. Laboratory activities will be held at the “IMS – Materials and Surface Engineering” laboratories in Rome and at the “Polymeric and Composite Materials” and “Thermal Analysis” laboratories in Latina, which are part of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment. The scheduling of laboratory sessions will be organized in accordance with the educational and logistical needs of the course.