Roads: Materials and Construction

Recommended Prerequisites

There are no specific requirements beyond the general conditions for admission to the study cycle.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes present the fundamental concepts, principles and theories of the thematic areas included in the programme. The presentation of theoretical subjects is complemented by the presentation of application and reference examples and the resolution of practical exercises to consolidate the concepts. Given the nature of the course, students will have the opportunity to follow laboratory tests on the materials studied.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit is a basic introduction to road engineering (materials and construction). At the end of the course, the student should be familiar with the concepts, materials and construction processes of a road pavement. Specifically, they should be able to learn about the materials and behaviour, characteristics and laboratory tests, and the construction processes of road pavements. They should, therefore, have the necessary skills to pre-design a flexible road pavement structure.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Basic concepts of materials mechanics:
- Principles of statics and equilibrium. Stresses and strains;
- Mechanical behaviour of materials; stress-strain diagram;
- Concept of safety;
- Principle of superposition of effects:
2. Introduction to structural systems:
- Actions on structures and ways of resisting them. Permanent, variable and accidental actions;
3. Aggregates and soils for subgrade and unbound layers:
- Composition and fundamental quantities;
- Soils classification;
- Earthworks: Design, Construction, Monitoring;
- Compaction: basic concepts; lab compaction; compaction equipment; procedures and control of compaction in the field;
- Lime and cement treatments;
4. Materials used in bituminous mixtures:
- Aggregates;
- Bituminous binders;
- Bituminous mixtures: characteristics and types; design; paving technology;
5. Expedited road pavement design:
- Characterisation of traffic and service temperature;
- Pavement design manual for the national road network.

Head Lecturer(s)

Arminda Maria Marques Almeida

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Russell C. Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials, 11th edition. Pearson, 2023.
Bjørn N. Sandaker, Arne P. Eggen, Mark R. Cruvellier. The Structural Basis of Architecture, 3rd Edition. Routledge, 2019.
Branco, F., Pereira, P., Picado-Santos, L. (2016), Pavimentos Rodoviários, Livraria Almedina, Coimbra.
Branco, F., Picado-Santos, L., Capitão, S. (2001), Vias de Comunicação: Volume 2, Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Universidade de Coimbra (Geotecnia Rodoviária - capítulo 18).
JAE (1995), Manual de Conceção de Pavimentos para a Rede Rodoviária Nacional, Junta Autónoma de Estradas.
Mallick, R., El-Korchi, T. (2023), Pavement Engineering: Principles and Practice, 4th Edition, CRC Press, New York, US