Sustainable Construction Syllabus & Timetable

Summer 2015 Course

Course Name Sustainable Construction

Credits XX Credits Hours 56

Name Title University Email
University of
Min An Professor Birmingham &
M.An@bham.ac.uk
(MA) (Reader) Beijing Jiaotong
University
Instructor(s) University of
Birmingham &
Jian Yang J.Yang.3@bham.ac.uk or
Professor Shanghai
(JY) J.Yang.1@sjtu.edu.cn
Jiaotong
University

Course Description
1. Background and Overall Aims
This module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the environmental and resource
implications of construction activity within the context of sustainable development. It considers the
theoretical and methodological basis of approaches designed to quantify the impacts associated with
choices made at different stages of the construction life cycle, as well as tools designed to evaluate
relative environmental and sustainability performance.

The module comprises the following subjects:

Introduction to sustainability and sustainable construction;
Sustainable indicators, tools and benchmarks;
Materials for sustainable constructions;
Environmental impacts of construction: A life cycle approach & management;
Sustainable Assessment - Why do we use BREEAM and LEED? Cases in Arup;
Energy resources energy efficient buildings;
Considerations of climate and site in building design;
Assessment of existing structures damaged by environmental attacks;
Environmental consideration in risk analysis and management; and
Site visit.
2. Delivery

The primary mode of learning will be via active class teaching. Case studies are likely to play a
significant part in delivery, although the extent, and style, may vary with the individual lecturer.
Wherever possible, hands-on activities will be used to reinforce the lectures. A site visit will be
arranged during the course subject to site available.

Course Syllabus

Subject Day Date Venue

(1) Welcome (MA)
06/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 1 (2) Introduction to the
9:00 - 10:00 Room 204
module (JY)
Materials for sustainable 06/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 2
constructions I (JY) Mon* 10:00 - 12:00 Room 204
Materials for sustainable 06/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 3
constructions II (JY) 14:00 - 16:00 Room 204
06/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 4 Student consultancy (JY)
16:00 - 17:00 Room 204
Energy resources energy 07/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 5
efficient buildings (JY) 8:00 - 10:00 Room 204
07/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 6 Student consultancy (JY)
Tues 10:00 11:00 Room 204
Site visit to WanKe () WanKe ()
07/7/2015
Lecture 7 green building site (JY & green building
13:00 - 18:00
MA) site
Assessment of existing
08/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 8 structures damaged by
8:00-10:00 Room 204
environmental attacks (JY)
08/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 9 Student consultancy (JY)
10:00 11:00 Room 204
Introduction to Wed
sustainability and 08/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 10
sustainable construction 14:00 17:00 Room 204
(MA)
08/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 11 Student consultancy (MA)
17:00 18:00 Room 204
Sustainable indicators, tools 09/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 12
and benchmarks (MA) 8:00 10:00 Room 204
Environmental impacts of
construction: A life cycle
09/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 13 approach & management
10:00 12:00 Room 204
(MA)Sustainable indicators,
tools and benchmarks (MA) Thurs
(1) Introduction to Group
Lecture 14 Working Project - I (MA) 09/7/2015 Building 5
(2) Introduction to report 14:00 16:00 Room 204
writing II (MA)
09/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 15 Student consultancy (MA)
16:00 17:00 Room 204
Sustainable Assessment - 10/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 16
Why do we use BREEAM 8:00 11:00 Room 204

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 and LEED? Cases in Arup
(MA)
10/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 17 Student consultancy (MA)
Fri 11:00 12:00 Room 204
10/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 18 Group working project
14:00 17:00 Room 204
Group work (consultancy) 10/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 19
(MA) 17:00 18:00 Room 204
Considerations of climate
11/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 20 and site in building design
8:00 10:00 Room 204
(MA)
Environmental
consideration in Risk 11/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 21
Analysis and Management Sat 10:00 12:00 Room 204
(MA)
11/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 22 Group working project
10:00 12:00 Room 204
Group work (consultancy) 11/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 23
(MA) 10:00 12:00 Room 204
12/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 24 Group working project
8:00 11:00 Room 204
Group work (consultancy) 12/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 25
(MA) 11:00 12:00 Room 204
Group working project & 12/7/2015 Building 5
Lecture 26
Preparing the presentation 12:00 17:00 Room 204
Assessments Sun
(Group project
assessment(four groups)
Lecture 27 12/7/2015 Building 5
including 20-minute
(Assessment) 16:00 18:00 Room 204
presentation, 10-minute
Q&A,10-minute discussion
(MA)
Assessment

The assessment for this module is made up of three elements:

20-minute Group presentation for each group - 30% (16-18pm, Sunday 12/7/2015).

10-minute Q&A 20% for each group 20% (16-18pm, Sunday 12/7/2015)

Coursework 50% (1500 word group report, submission through emailing to Min An at
M.An@bham.ac.uk, by 15pm, Monday 13/7/2015)

References:

1. Lecture Notes: Reading materials will be provided during the course.

2. Kibert, C. J. Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery (3rd). John Wiley
& Sons. 2013. ISBN 9780470904459.
3. Calkins, M. Materials for Sustainable Sites: A Complete Guide to the Evaluation, Selection
and Use of Sustainable Construction Materials. John Wiley & Sons. 2009.

*Note: lectures start on Monday 6/7/2015 at 9:00am, and at 8:00am for other days.

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