College of Engineering Education

BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

a) Course Number: BCE 223/L

b) Course Name: Construction Materials and Testing
c) Course Description: This course is designed to provide undergraduate civil engineering students’
fundamental principles of the behavior, physical and engineering properties
of various common civil engineering materials, including natural stones,
stands, aggregates, cement, concrete and steel. Selection and design of
materials based on their intended use in design and construction are
emphasized. The laboratory sessions are designed to provide students a
hands-on experience on various material testing concepts and procedures.
d) Pre-requisite: CEE 117 – Statics of Rigid Bodies
e) Co-requisite: BCE 222- Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
f) Credit: 2.0 units lecture/1.0 unit laboratory
g) Class Schedule: 4 lecture hours per week, 6 laboratory hours per week

h) Program Educational Objectives (PEO) of BS Civil Engineering (BSCE) Program:

Three to five years after graduation, the BSCE graduates are expected to:
1. Pursue to be globally competitive through engineering professional’s engagement,
completion of an advanced degree, and/or participating in professional development
programs or trainings.
2. Demonstrate professional success through collaborations and innovations in the field;
addressing technical, environmental, economic, social, political, and/or business
challenges.
3. Exhibit professional behavior and attitude in engineering practice.

9. Student Outcomes (SO) of BSCE and their links to PEO

PEO
By the time of graduation, the students of the BSCE program shall have the ability to: 1 2 3
SO a * apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve complex civil engineering problems;  

SO b * design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;  

SO c design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, in   
accordance with standards;
SO d * function in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams;   

SO e identify, formulate, and solve complex civil engineering problems;  

SO f understand professional and ethical responsibility;   

SO g communicate effectively civil engineering activities with the engineering community and with  
*
society at large;
SO h understand the impact of civil engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and  
societal context;
SO i recognize the need for, and engage in life-long learning;  

SO j * know contemporary issues;  

SO k * use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for civil engineering practice;  

SO l know and understand engineering and management principles as a member and leader of a   
team in a multidisciplinary environment;
SO m understand at least one specialized field of civil engineering practice.   

Note: * SO being addressed in this course

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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

VISION: By 2022, a globally recognized institution providing
(PEOs) OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
quality, affordable and open education.
PROGRAM (CE)
MISSION: To provide a dynamic and supportive academic
1. Pursue to be globally competitive
environment through the highest standards of instruction,
through engineering professional’s
research and extension in a non-sectarian institution
engagement, completion of an
committed to democratizing access to education.
advanced degree, and/or
participating in professional
VALUES: Excellence, Honesty and Integrity, Innovation and
development programs or trainings.
Teamwork
2. Demonstrate professional success
CORE COMPETENCY: “Quality affordable open education” through collaborations and
innovations in the field; addressing
technical, environmental, economic,
social, political, and/or business
challenges.

STUDENT OUTCOMES (SOs) OF CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM 3. Exhibit professional behavior and
(CE) attitude in engineering practice.

a. apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve

complex civil engineering problems
b. design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze
and interpret data
c. design a system, component, or process to meet desired
needs within realistic constraints, in accordance with
standards COURSE OUTCOMES (COs) of BCE 222
d. function in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams – Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
e. identify, formulate, and solve complex civil engineering
problems
f. understand professional and ethical responsibility
g. communicate effectively civil engineering activities with CO 1. Recognize the physical and
the engineering community and with society at large structural properties for most common
h. understand the impact of civil engineering solutions in a and advanced construction materials
global, economic, environmental, and societal context
i. recognize the need for, and engage in life-long learning
j. know contemporary issues CO 2. Conduct experiments on common
k. use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools construction materials according to
necessary for civil engineering practice international standards such as the
American Society for Testing and
l. know and understand engineering and management
Materials (ASTM)
principles as a member and leader of a team in a
multidisciplinary environment
m. understand at least one specialized field of civil CO 3. Evaluate the results of the test of
engineering practice common construction materials

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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

10. Course Outcomes (CO) of BCE 223/L and their links to SO

Upon completion of the course, the BSCE students are SO
expected to: a b c d E f g h i j k l m
CO 1. Recognize the physical and structural properties for
E E E
most common and advanced construction materials
CO 2. Conduct experiments on common construction
materials according to international standards such as the D E E E E
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
CO 3. Evaluate the results of the test of common construction
E E E E
materials
Legend: I = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have been introduced to the SO.
E = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have enabled themselves to attain the SO.
D = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have demonstrated partly or fully the SO.

CO and Assessment Task Alignment

Assessment Task
CO Theory-based Practice-based Assessment Coverage
Schedule
Recognize the physical Multiple Choice - First ➢ Introduction to
and structural Questions (30%) Construction Materials
properties for most and Poblem & Testing
common and advanced Solving (70%) ➢ General Laboratory
construction materials Instructions
Multiple Choice - Second Exam ➢ Familiarization with
Questions (30%) apparatus & equipment
and Poblem used in testing of
Solving (70%) materials
➢ Properties of building
Multiple Choice - Third Exam stones and structural
Questions (30%) clay; aggregates
and Poblem ➢ Aggregates
Solving (70%) ➢ Cement and Concrete
➢ Completed Pavement
Multiple Choice - Final Exam ➢ Laboratory Concrete-
Questions Mix Proportioning
➢ Metals
➢ Wood
➢ Asphalt

Conduct experiments on - Practical Exam Second Exam ➢ Aggregates

common construction ➢ Cement and Concrete
materials according to ➢ Laboratory Concrete-
international standards Mix Proportioning
such as the American ➢ Metals
Society for Testing and ➢ Wood
Materials (ASTM) ➢ Asphalt

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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

Evaluate the results of - Practical Exam Second Exam ➢ Aggregates

the test of common ➢ Cement and Concrete
construction materials ➢ Laboratory Concrete-
Mix Proportioning
➢ Metals
➢ Wood
➢ Asphalt
Completed Final Exam ➢ Aggregates
Laboratory ➢ Cement and Concrete
Manual ➢ Laboratory Concrete-
Mix Proportioning
➢ Metals
➢ Wood
➢ Asphalt

Assessment Task Details (Theory-based)

Assessment Coverage Assessment Task Details

Schedule
First Exam Topics from 1st Multiple Choice Multiple Choice:
to 3rd week Questions (30%)
and Poblem You are expected to demonstrate knowledge and
Solving (70%) understanding on the basic principles and appropriate
application and performance of construction materials,
products, components, and assemblies, including their
environmental impact and reuse. You are also required to
demonstrate understanding of the properties and
behaviors of aggregates as basic construction material.

Problem Solving:

You will be tasked to analyze problems related to what

you performed in the laboratory. You need to correctly
solve the problems and be able to give to interpret the
material properties, behavior and intended use in design
and construction. To do that, you need to familiarize the
methods and formulas given to you during the conduct of
the laboratory exercises. Tests may be one or more of the
following:

a) Sieve Analysis of Aggregates

b) Determination of Specific Gravity and
Absorption of Aggregates
c) Determination of Moisture Content of
Aggregates
d) Determination of Unit Weight and Voids of
Aggregates
e) Soundness Test for Fine Aggregates
f) Test for Organic Impurities
g) Abrasion Test for Coarse Aggregates

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Each problem has corresponding points and your solution

will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)

1. Identify an engineering problem -20%

2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Second Topics from 4th Multiple Choice Multiple Choice:
to 5th week Questions (30%)
and Poblem You are expected to develop basic understanding of the
Solving (70%) physical and chemical properties of concrete, including
the role of the key ingredients of lime, Portland cement
and aggregate. Be able to identify different types of
cement used in construction including Admixtures and
familiarize test requirements for structural structures
such as beams and columns.

Problem Solving:

In this task, you are required to design “Concrete Mix

Proportion” from the data given to you in moist
condition. Strictly follow the step-by-step procedure set
forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Graphs and tables necessary for the design will be
provided.

You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached):

1. Identify an engineering problem -20%

2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Third Exam Topics from 6th Multiple Choice Multiple Choice:
to 7th Week Questions
You need to familiarize physical and performance
characteristics of structural steel and wood. Demonstrate
knowledge and understanding about the different testing
requirements of steel including testing of tensile strength,
bending and tension. You are likewise challenged to
which include bending, compression, shear, tension and
water content determination.

Problem Solving:

You will be tasked to analyze problems related to what

you performed in the laboratory. You need to correctly
solve the problems and be able to give to interpret the
material properties, behavior and intended use in design
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and construction. To do that, you need to familiarize the

methods and formulas given to you during the conduct of
the laboratory exercises. Tests may be one or more of the
following:

a) Determination of Moisture Content in Wood

b) Test for Static Bending of Wood
c) Test for Compressive Strength of Wood
Perpendicular to Grain
d) Test for Compressive Strength of Wood
Parallel to Grain
e) Test for Shear of Wood Parallel to Grain
f) Tension Test of Structural Steel

Each problem has corresponding points and your solution

will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)

1. Identify an engineering problem -20%

2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Final Exam Topics from 1st Multiple Choice You are expected to demonstrate knowledge and
to 9th week Questions understanding on relevant construction materials which
includes the following:

a. Properties of building stones and structural clay

b. Aggregates
c. Cement and Concrete
d. Laboratory Concrete-Mix Proportioning
e. Metals
f. Wood
g. Asphalt

Questions will be patterned from the Materials

Engineering Certification Exam of the Department of
Public Works and Highways.

Assessment Task Details (Practice/Performance-based)

Assessment
Coverage Details
Schedule Assessment Task
Second Exam Laboratory Practical Exam In this task, you need to come up with concrete mix
Experiments design proportion and use it to prepare a column and
from 1st to 5th beam sample. In other words, you need to determine the
week relative proportions of ingredients of concrete to achieve
desired strength and workability in the most economical
way. The requirements which form the basis of selection

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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

and proportioning of mix ingredients are:

a. The minimum compressive strength required
from structural consideration
b. The adequate workability necessary for full
compaction with the compacting equipment
available
c. Maximum water-cement ratio and/or
maximum cement content to give adequate
durability for the particular site conditions.
d. Maximum cement content to avoid shrinkage
cracking due to temperature cycle in mass
concrete.

Your performance will be graded according to the

following criteria: (see attached rubrics)
1. Performance/Presentation (30%)
2. Process (20%)
3. Ideas (20%)
4. Technical Features (20%)
5. Documentation (10%)

Final Exam Topics from 1st Completed Laboratory Report/s

to 9th Week Laboratory
Manual In this task, you are to submit your laboratory manual and
group compilation report.

➢ Laboratory Manual will be submitted with

complete data, answers to supplementary
questions, discussion of results, drawings and
conclusions on all performed experiments
➢ Group compilation report are done in groups of 3-5
(depending on class size). Each is 500 words or
equivalent and completed using the template
provided. The reports detail the rationale for,
conduct of and results from any field and
laboratory testing conducted. Implications of the
results should be discussed. The reports will be
graded, and feedback provided.
➢ Communicate in the form of written
field/laboratory reports:
➢ Act professionally by:
o functioning in teams
o adhering to the engineering code of
ethics in reporting and interpreting
results.
Format

1. Reports should be typed or printed (12-point

font). Hand-written reports are unacceptable,
though raw data, figures, diagrams, etc. can be
included in such a format. Neatness and clarity
are important and also expected.
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2. Print on one side of the paper with 1.15 space in

text.
3. The figures and tables should be clear and legible
and should bring across the point being made.
4. Include appropriate units everywhere necessary;
include column headings in tables, axis labels on
graphs and the values presented in the text. A
numerical value with no unit indicates will be
considered incorrect. The only exception to this
rule is a measure that has no units (like strain),
though many cases they can also be presented in
percentages.
5. Use third person to explain a process.

Presentation

This task is an individual 10-minute presentation in the

form of a briefing of your understanding of a key
concept/theory/practice/problem in soil mechanics. This
is in front of an audience of your engineering peers. It
includes a question and answer session. You choose visual
media to suit the way you wish to communicate, e.g. film,
poster, power point, etc.

Scoring System:

You will be graded according to the following criteria:

1. Identify the procedures involved in designing an

experiment
2. Develop a protocol to conduct an experiment

11. COURSE OUTLINE AND TIME FRAME

TIME FRAME TOPICS TLA REQUIRED READINGS

Week 1 ➢ UM Vision, Mission, Values
to and Core Competencies Kultermann, E. and Spence, William.
Week 3 ➢ Significance of PEOs, SOs, & ➢ Lecture (2017). Construction Materials,
CLOs ➢ Library Works Methods, and Techniques: Building a
➢ Assessment of SOs and CLOs ➢ Group discussion sustainable future. 4th Edition.
➢ Grading components ➢ Technology-aided Australia: Cencage Learning
➢ Class policies & guidelines presentation
➢ Perform Laboratory
➢ Introduction to Construction Experiments Ahmed, A. and Sturges, J. (2015).
Materials & Testing Materials science in construction: an
➢ General Laboratory introduction. Abingdon, Oxon; New
Instructions York, NY: Routledge
❖ Instruction for
Laboratory Reports
❖ Inspection of Testing
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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

Laboratory Allen, E. and Iano, J. (2014).

➢ Familiarization with Fundamentals of Building
apparatus & equipment used Construction: materials and
in testing of materials Methods. 6th Edition. Hoboken, New
➢ Properties of building stones Jersey: Wiley
and structural clay;
aggregates
➢ Aggregates Forbes, L.H. (2011). Modern
❖ Reducing Field construction : lean project delivery
Sample of Aggregates and integrated practices.
to Testing Size
❖ Sieve Analysis of
Aggregates Lyons, A. (2010). Materials for
❖ Uniformity of architects and builders (4th ed.).
Aggregates Amsterdam : Elsevier
❖ Determination of
Specific Gravity and
Absorption of Coarse Sarsby, R. W. and Meggyes, T., (2010).
Aggregates Construction for a Sustainable
❖ Determination of Environment. Boca Raton :CRC Press
Moisture Content of
Coarse Aggregates
❖ Determination of
Specific Gravity and
Absorption of Fine
Aggregates
❖ Determination of
Moisture Content of
Fine Aggregates
❖ Determination of
Unit Weight and
Voids of Coarse and
Fine Aggregates
❖ Soundness Test for
Fine Aggregates
❖ Test for Organic
Impurities
❖ LA Abrasion test for
Coarse Aggregates
FIRST EXAMINATION
Week 4 ➢ Cement and Concrete
to ❖ Types of Cement Kultermann, E. and Spence, William.
Week 5 used in Construction ➢ Lecture (2017). Construction Materials,
❖ Determination of ➢ Library Works Methods, and Techniques: Building a
Setting Time of ➢ Group discussion sustainable future. 4th Edition.
Hydraulic Cement ➢ Technology-aided Australia: Cencage Learning
❖ Portland and presentation
Hydraulic Cement ➢ Perform Laboratory Ahmed, A. and Sturges, J. (2015).
concrete Experiments Materials science in construction: an
❖ Admixtures introduction. Abingdon, Oxon; New
❖ Common Concrete York, NY: Routledge
Mix Proportion and
its application
❖ Water/Cement Ratio
Allen, E. and Iano, J. (2014).
❖ Test for Concrete
Fundamentals of Building
• Beams
Construction: materials and
• Columns Methods. 6th Edition. Hoboken, New
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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

• Slump Jersey: Wiley

❖ Fabricating Concrete
Specimen for Tests
(Concrete Cylinder)
and Concrete Beam)
and Curing
❖ Test for Unit Weight
and Yield of Concrete
❖ Determination of
Compressive
Strength of concrete
hollow blocks
➢ Completed Pavement
• Thickness
Determination

Laboratory Concrete-Mix
Proportioning
SECOND EXAMINATION
Week 6 to ➢ Metals
Week 7 ❖ Wrought iron, cast
iron, steel and alloys
• Quality Test for
Bending, Tension
and Chemical
Analysis
➢ Reinforcing Steel
❖ Markings
❖ Basic Properties
❖ Testing of Tensile
Strength of Steel Bars
➢ Lecture Kultermann, E. and Spence, William.
➢ Library Works (2017). Construction Materials,
➢ Group discussion Methods, and Techniques: Building a
➢ Technology-aided sustainable future. 4th Edition.
presentation Australia: Cencage Learning
➢ Perform Laboratory
Experiments Ahmed, A. and Sturges, J. (2015).
Materials science in construction: an
introduction. Abingdon, Oxon; New
York, NY: Routledge

➢ Wood
Allen, E. and Iano, J. (2014).
❖ Characteristics and Fundamentals of Building
physical properties of Construction: materials and
wood
Methods. 6th Edition. Hoboken, New
❖ Testing Requirements Jersey: Wiley
▪ Bending
▪ Compression
▪ Shear
▪ Tension
▪ Water Content
THIRD EXAMINATION
Week 8 to ➢ Asphalt
Week 9 ❖ Bituminous materials Kultermann, E. and Spence, William.
❖ Composition of ➢ Lecture (2017). Construction Materials,
Asphalt ➢ Library Works Methods, and Techniques: Building a
❖ Kinds and uses of ➢ Group discussion sustainable future. 4th Edition.
Asphalt ➢ Technology-aided Australia: Cencage Learning
❖ Quantity of presentation
Bituminous materials ➢ Perform Laboratory Ahmed, A. and Sturges, J. (2015).
used in different Experiments Materials science in construction: an
Mixtures/surfaces introduction. Abingdon, Oxon; New
❖ Bituminous mixing York, NY: Routledge
plants
❖ Laboratory tests for
bituminous materials
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BCE 223/L – COURSE SYLLABUS

▪Quality Test Allen, E. and Iano, J. (2014).

▪Grading Test Fundamentals of Building
▪Stability Construction: materials and
▪Penetration of Methods. 6th Edition. Hoboken, New
bituminous Jersey: Wiley
Materials
▪ Extraction/
Centrifuge test
Extraction
❖ Test for
Bituminous/Asphalt
Cement and or
Pavement

FINAL EXAMINATION

12. TEXTBOOK:
Kultermann, E. and Spence, William. (2017). Construction Materials, Methods, and Techniques: Building
a sustainable future. 4th Edition. Australia: Cencage Learning

REFERENCES
a. Ahmed, A. and Sturges, J. (2015). Materials science in construction: an introduction. Abingdon,
Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge
b. Allen, E. and Iano, J. (2014). Fundamentals of Building Construction: materials and Methods. 6th
Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley
c. Forbes, L.H. (2011). Modern construction : lean project delivery and integrated practices.
d. Lyons, A. (2010). Materials for architects and builders (4th ed.). Amsterdam : Elsevier
e. Sarsby, R. W. and Meggyes, T., (2010). Construction for a Sustainable Environment. Boca Raton
:CRC Press

13. COURSE EVALUATION

Assessment methods Weights

I. LECTURE 60%
A. Exam 1 10%
B. Exam 2 10%
C. Exam 3 10%
D. Exam 4 30%

40%
E. Quizzes 10%
F. Assignments/Plates 10%
G. Group Report/Group Presentation 10%
H. Board Work/oral recitation/ Seatwork 10%
70%

II. LABORATORY
I. Laboratory Performance 40%
J. Laboratory Experiments 30%
K. Practical Exam 30%

30%

TOTAL 100%
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14. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES.

a. Attendance is counted from the first regular class meeting.
b. A validated student identification card must always be worn by all students while attending classes.
c. Cheating is strictly prohibited. Any form of dishonesty shall be dealt with accordingly. Honesty is
called for at all times
d. Valid examination permits are necessary in taking the examinations as scheduled. CELLULAR
PHONES or any ELECTRONIC GADGETS and PRESCRIBED PRC CALCULATORS are NOT allowed during
EXAMINATIONS.
e. Base-15 grading policy should be observed. Students who obtained failing scores in major exams are
recommended to attend the tutorial class.
f. The policies and guidelines from existing relevant operational procedures manual (OPM) instituted
by the university shall always be adhered.

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

SHOWNA LEE T. SALES, RCE, RMP, ME1 SHOWNA LEE T. SALES, RCE, RMP, ME1
CLIB JAMES DELOS REYES, RCE BSCE, Program Head
MARIE FE Y. LACSADO, RCE
Faculty

References reviewed by:

BRIGIDA E. BACANI, MAEd-LS

Head-LIC

Recommending approval:

CHARLITO L. CAÑESARES, DEng-ME

Dean, College of Engineering Education

Approved by:

PEDRITO M. CASTILLO II, Ed. D

AVP-Learning Innovation and Design

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