SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING: CIVIL

ENGINEERING

LECTURER’S NAME: MR GOVENDASAMY

STUDENT’S FULL NAME: KHETHUKUTHULA ZULU

STUDENT NUMBER: 222056959

MODULE NAME: ENCV2MTH1 (CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS)

TASK: ASSIGNMENT
INTRODUCTION
Howard College building is the oldest building in Howard college Campus in
University of KwaZulu Natal, it was designed by an architects named William Hirst
and built in 1931 in remembrance of Howard Davis who was part of students that
were killed in World War I Battle of the Somme in northern France in 1915 and the
building was named after him and its geolocated on -29° 52' 1.2"E, 30° 58' 40.8"S.
The purpose and the use of a building is that it is used for law and management
studies (College of Law). The building cost £140000= R 2 821 000, it was built on
202 343 square meters of land and the material that was used when constructing the
building were concrete, reinforced concrete, steel columns, blinders, window
glasses, Tiles & Timbers.
The exterior of the Howard College building has been designed in the Union style,
and has little Deco reference, however, inside is a treasure trove of Art Deco.
Sculptural elements above the doors in the entrance foyer, the stairs and the
decoration of King George V's picture all indicate a strong Art Deco influence.
DISCUSSION OF THE CHOSEN MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION OF HOWARD
COLLEGE BUILDING.
CONCRETE
Concrete is a widely popular construction material used in building infrastructure like
roads, and buildings etc. The reasons of using concrete in the construction of
Howard College building over other construction materials it is because of its
durability, suitability, and functionality. Concrete is a highly durable material that can
resist fire, moisture, and pests. Its strength and durability make it an ideal choice for
this building that need to withstand harsh weather conditions, accommodate large
number of students, and seismic activities. Also reduces cost of frequently
maintenance or repairs. Concrete is versatile and can be customized to fit in different
shapes, sizes, and designs of Howard College building. It is also available in
different textures and finishes, making it suitable for the purpose of constructing this
type of building. Smooth and polished surface of concrete flooring enhances the
aesthetic appeals of a building’s interior. In terms of functionality concrete is known
for its excellent. Concrete reduces emission of greenhouse gases since it requires
less energy than other materials such as aluminium, steel which benefits the
environment.
REINFORCE STRUCTURES.
Reinforce was used in the construction of Howard College building to improve the
overall durability and structural integrity of the building. Reinforcing structures such
as steel bars, mesh or wires were added to concrete to provide additional strength
and support. Durability is one of the main advantages of reinforcing materials and
concrete. These reinforce structures were designed to resist bending, compression,
and wear. Reinforced materials are also resistant to corrosion, which helps to
maintain the structural integrity over long period of time. Reinforcement was also
suited for a layout design of this type of building in columns and beams. Finally, the
reinforcement was used to improve the functionality of the building. Reinforce
improve public safety by making the building stronger and more resistant to natural
disasters, cost-effective for long-term and helps to reduce waste by providing means
to repair and strengthens damaged materials. This reduces amount of material that
goes to landfill or incineration, which is good for the environment.
TIMBER, BLINDERS, AND ROOFING TILES
As we know that timber and blinders are oldest building materials, they were taken
into consideration in the construction of Howard College since they were very cheap
and could comply with the budget. Many lecture rooms in the building have timber
floors, entrance doors desks, why did they used timber? Firstly, timber is
environmentally friendly as it produces less greenhouse gases and carbon emission.
It also reduces the UV radiations produced by the sun that can cause certain
diseases to students which makes the timber improve the health among the society
and benefits the economy. Blinders have been used as window frames throughout
the building and they also have the same advantages as timber since they are made
with wood. However, these two materials need to be improved by replacing them
with aluminium for instance, entrance doors and window frames since they are used
frequently in daily basis, they can be easily broken, vanish in severe weather
conditions and the cost of maintenance and repairs will increase which will
negatively affect the economy. In roofing the building, they used tiles as they are
products of concrete, and it suits the design of Howard College. Inside the building it
is cooler because tiles have thermal insulation compared IBR roofing sheet when its
summer and warmer in winter. Roofing this building with tiles was a good wise long-
term investment because they require little maintenance and contribute to health.
STEEL COLUMNS
Steel columns are known for their excellent properties such as hardness, ductility,
brittleness, and malleability. In this building they are allocated in the centre to
support some parts of the roof since we know that steel columns can withstand
higher stresses, loads, and resist to bending compared to timber and concrete
columns. Also, steel columns can be produced in different shapes, making them
more adaptable to the structural designs of the building Howard College. They have
high fire resistance in meeting the building safety codes which means they cannot
easily go under thermal strain and deformation, recyclable which has less
environmental impacts, and have long lifespan.
CONCLUSION
Material selection is an essential process in engineering that determines the
properties and performance of a product, structure, or component. Choosing the
right material is crucial in achieving optimal durability, strength, reliability, and
functionality. Material selection also influences the manufacturing process, the
overall cost of production, and the environmental impact of the product. The use of
improper materials can lead to premature failure, increased maintenance
requirements, and safety hazards. Therefore, careful consideration of material
properties, characteristics, and their compatibility with the intended application is
critical to ensure the successful design and performance of any engineering project.
REFERENCES

1.https://www.heritagekzn.co.za/sites/visit/durban/item/88-howard-college…
2.www.sahra.org.za/sahris/node/33854
3. https://www.wheretostay.co.za/topic/3424-howard-college-ukzn