CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BCN 1210C Spring 20242 Ref.

# 724732

01-08-2024

COURSE INSTRUCTOR:

Felix M. Lorenzo, RA, Assistant Professor

Master of Architecture, Florida International University
Master of Science in Construction Management, Florida International University
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Miami

OFFICE INFORMATION:

Office: 33/415 BC Phone: (954) 201-7513

E-mail: florenzo@broward.edu Cell Phone: (305) 205-4659
Office hours: M 3:00PM-4:00PM (online), T/R 3:00pm-6:00pm (on campus), W 3:00pm-6:00pm (online)

CLASS TIME & LOCATION:

T/R 6:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. Rm 207, WHC-downtown

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:

Ching, Francis D.K., (2020, 6TH ed.) Building Construction Illustrated. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CRSI, (2019, 10TH ed.) Placing Reinforcing Bars. CRSI
Gypsum Association, (2018) Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products GA-216-2018. Gypsum
Association
SBCA, (2020) BCSI-ED2-D "Guide to Good Practices for Handling, Installing and Bracing of Metal Connected
Wood Trusses

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

None

CO- OR PRE-REQUISITE:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an introduction to materials and methods of construction. Emphasis will be placed on
wood, masonry, concrete, and steel structures. The evaluation of materials, functional applications and
code requirements are also stressed.

Credits: 4 Contact Hours per week: 4

COURSE RATIONALE:

This course combines lectures, audio-visual presentations, and in class lab work to enhance the learning of
materials and methods of construction. The learning process begins with a lecture on the day’s topic and a
live demonstration of materials when applicable. The students are to actively participate by discussing the
topics of the day. Tests and quizzes will be given to measure your progress. As a result, you will learn the
required skill sets in the lectures and learn their practical applications through construction method and tool
research.
Each student is expected to develop their time-management skills by keeping a realistic weekly work plan
that takes into account the time needed for completing readings and completing all assignments. Success
in this course depends greatly on attending all class sessions, completing all required readings and
assignments. Learning requires preparation. The greater it is, the more you will learn.

GOALS:

 Upon successful completion of this course, each student must have a working understanding of the
principal structural materials and their uses, basic door, window and roofing assemblies as well as
basic floor, wall and ceiling finishes.
 Each student will demonstrate a working understanding of a material’s structural, environmental,
and physical uses.
 The student will possess a basic knowledge of materials and methods vocabulary and the ability to
compare materials and the criteria for their selection to be incorporated into buildings.
 Each student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among materials and the
effects of codes on materials.
 The student will possess the ability to identify, evaluate, and understand the application of materials
and assemblies.

CLASS POLICIES:

Grading:

A - 90-100 Excellent Grading plan:

B - 80-89 Good
C - 70-79 Average Tests = 50%
D - 60-69 Below average Labwork = 20%
F - 50-59 Failure Homework= 15%
X - Audit Quizzes= 15%
I - Incomplete Total = 100%

1. The instructor, to reflect a revised emphasis on individual course components may change these
weights.
2. The minimum passing grade is a C.
3. Incompletes “I” are given only under extenuating circumstances for students with documented non-
penalized absences occurring at end of the term.
4. Students are to come prepared to class with ALL the needed and required equipment and ALL the work
pertinent to the current project.
5. Test grading is based on the number of correct answers. If you miss a test you will be given a grade of F
(zero) for that test unless you have a verifiable non-penalized absence as explained in the Student
Attendance policy. Tests are based on lectures, readings, and audio-visual presentations.
6. Reports and assignments turned in after the due date will receive one-half letter grade less per week.
Lost computer files will not exempt a student from having a late penalty applied.
8. Labwork consists of (2) 4-hour sessions on Saturday mornings to be scheduled later.
9. Any pending projects, homework or make-up exams must be turned or completed at the latest by April
25, 2024 by 11:00pm
Student attendance:

1. The last day for 100% refund for a dropped class is January 16, 2024.
2. The last day to withdraw from a course is March 22, 2024. If you withdraw through the Registrar’s office
(online) on or before that date, you will receive a grade of “W”.
3. With the permission of the instructor, you can change from credit to audit through March 22, 2024. To
receive the audit designation “X” on your transcript, you must follow the attendance policy herein.
4. Each student is allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences. Upon the third unexcused absence you
will receive an F for the class.
5. Absences due to religious holy days, the student’s serious illness, a death in the immediate family, or
statutory government responsibilities are non-penalized absences permitted as per College policy and
subject to VERIFICATION. A death in the immediate family means mother, father, spouse/domestic
partner, child, brother, sister, grandparents, or grandchildren.
6. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the professor of a future absence, when possible, by
calling in advance, leaving their name and the reason for not attending. It is the student’s responsibility
to contact a classmate to receive information on the material missed. Being absent does not absolve the
student from turning in an assignment on time nor from knowing what was covered in class.

Academic honesty:

1. The College’s Student Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. It can be found at:
http://www.broward.edu/studentlife/publications/Pages/policymatters.aspx
2. Students are required to become familiar with it. Each student is to work on their own and turn in work
that is entirely theirs. Cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty will result in a
grade of zero for that particular assignment, test, project, activity, etc. Examples include but are not
limited to copying sentences and sentence fragments from books, the internet, sharing homework
assignments, etc. All work must be completed without any assistance from Artificial Intelligence tools.

Other policies:

1. Assigned readings need to be completed prior to the start of class as students are required to
participate in class discussions.
2. Students may not use class time for non-class activities such as checking e-mail, internet browsing,
employment duties, etc.
3. Students should turn their cellular or smart phones to a silent mode prior to the start of the class unless
informing the instructor, ahead of time, that they may be receiving an emergency message. Emergency
means life threatening illness, etc.
4. Students are to become familiar with the college e-mail system and check for class mail regularly.
Course handouts, assignment instructions, etc. will be posted in D2L.
5. Academic Accommodations: A student seeking academic accommodations due to a disability must first
register with Accessibility Resources by visiting https://www.broward.edu/accessibility/resources.html.
Students who wait until after completing the course, or an activity, to request accommodations should
not expect any grade to be changed, or to be able to retake the course or activity.
6. In case of hurricanes or other emergencies class cancellation information will be available online or by
calling the student hotline at (954) 201-4900.
7. Students are to verify that their home and work phone numbers filed the college are up to date.
8. Audio and video recording of private conversations between students or students and professor,
student presentations, small group discussions, lab sessions, in-class exercises, field trips, and
examinations are prohibited.
9. This syllabus is subject to revision. All changes will be made in writing.
10. General tutoring services are available online thru the Academic Success Centers at t
www.broward.edu/asc and Tutor.com online available thru your myBC Account or D2L.
11. Seahawk Outreach Services at provides resources to help with circumstances that affect student’s ability
to complete college: http://www.broward.edu/studentresources/seahawkoutreach/Pages/default.aspx
12. Personal counseling services are also available thru our Student Assistance Program’s 24 hour hotline
at (954) 424-6916 and at: http://www.broward.edu/studentresources/Pages/assistance.aspx
The materials used in this course may be protected by copyright and are only for the use of
students enrolled in this course for the purpose associated with this course and may not be
retained or further disseminated.

BCN 1210 COURSE SCHEDULE: 01-08-2023 Prof. Felix M. Lorenzo

DATE TOPICS / READINGS/ ASSIGNMENTS

Jan 09/11 Introduction of instructor and course, role of building codes, standards,
customs, units of measurement, chemistry in materials. Foundations: soil types,
foundations
Readings: (Ching) 1.12-1.13, 1.28-1.29, 2.07-2.09, 3.02-3.04
Assignment: Trusses

Jan 16/18 Foundations: foundations, foundation walls, pole foundations.

Wood: background, floor systems.
Readings: (Ching) 3.10-3.11, 3.16, 3.22-3.23, 12.11-12.14
Quiz 1

Jan 23/25 Wood: floor systems, wall systems

Readings: (Ching) 4.02-4.03, 4.26-4.40, 5.02-5.03, 5.41-5.50
Quiz 2

Jan30/Feb01 Wood: roof systems, stair design.

Readings: (Ching) 6.02-6.03, 6.16-6.27, 6.30-6.32, 9.02-9.03, 9.08-9.09
Quiz 3
Trusses assignment due

Feb 06/08 Concrete: background, foundations, foundation walls, slab on grade

Readings: (Ching) 3.08-3.12, 3.16-3.20, 3.24-3.26, 12.04-12.05
(CRSI) Chapters 7, 8, 10 and 11
Assignment: Reinforcement bars
Test no.1 up to and including wood
Quiz 4

Feb 13/15 Concrete: floor systems, wall systems

Readings: (Ching) 4.03-4.13, 5.03-5.13
Quiz 5

Feb 20/22 Concrete: wall systems

Quiz 6

Feb 27/29 Concrete: Roof systems, stair design, Masonry: background, foundation walls,
wall systems
Readings: (Ching) 2.33, 3.12, 5.14-5.15, 5.17-5.19, 5.21, 5.26, 5.29-5.30, 6.04-6.05,
9.10, 12.06-12.07, 12.10
Quiz 7

Mar 05/07 No classes (Spring Break)

Mar 12/14 Concrete:

Mar 19/21 Steel: Background, fireproofing, foundations, floor systems, wall systems
Readings: (Ching) 3.16, 4.03, 4.14-4.22, 5.35-5.38, 12.08-12.09, A-12
Test no. 2 on concrete and masonry
Quiz 8

Mar 26/28 Steel: roof systems, space frames, stair design

Readings: (Ching) 6.06-6.15, 9.11, 12.18
Reinforcement bars assignment due
Quiz 9

Apr 02/04 Assemblies: Windows: background and types, materials and curtain walls, doors
Readings: (Ching) 7.24-7.26, 8.02-8.05, 8.08-8.09, 8.11-8.15, 8.20-8.27, 8.30-8.35
Quiz 10

Apr 09/11 Assemblies: Roofing

Readings: (Ching) 7.02-7.03, 7.06-7.08, 7.11-7.17, 7.39-7.41
Test no. 3 on steel and windows

Apr 16/18 Assemblies: Finishes: plaster, stucco, gypsum board, ceramic tile, wood, vinyl
tile, paints, stains and varnishes, and suspended acoustical ceilings.
Readings: (Ching) 10.03-10.05, 10.07-10.13, 10.16-10.18, 10.22-10.23, 12.23-12.24
Quiz 11
Extra Credit assignment: Gypsum Board

Apr 23/25 Assemblies:

May 02 Test no.4 on roofing, doors, and finishes (test starts at 6:30pm!!!)

Note: This course schedule is tentative and may be adjusted during the course. Revisions will be
sent via e-mail as needed.