Science in the context of construction and engineering

There is good scope in GCSE physics and chemistry to make clear links with construction and engineering in order to add context and to support and enthuse those students following these vocational qualifications.

Common to most specifications for construction and engineering, students will need a good understanding of the nature of forces and their effect on construction materials:

relationship between mass, density and volume; loading as the result of gravitational attraction
relationship between force (load), mass and acceleration; moments; Hooke’s law
stress; strain; modulus of elasticity
effect of forces on construction materials in general use: steel, concrete, brick, aluminium alloys, glass, plastics
key properties of materials: strength, stiffness, density, stresses (compressive, tensile, shear, bending); change of shape on loading

Students will also need to understand how changes in temperature affect construction materials:

changes of state; cooling effect of evaporation; expansion and contraction (including the expansion of water on freezing and the effect this has on porous construction materials);
coefficients of thermal expansion for construction materials

Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme

This extensive resource will take some time to look through, but well worth the effort. The booklet provides an great level of background knowledge about forces, properties of materials and energy transfers in the context of construction, together with simple practical activities for students (page 40 onwards). It looks at a variety of construction materials and methods, and how they can be used to address aspects of design such as providing a strong enough structure or maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Quality AssuredCategory:CareersPublisher:Department for Education

This activity illustrates practical applications of science in the context of using sustainable building materials, and highlights several related career routes.

Although this resource was produced for 11-14 year olds, it can be used with older students by providing source material at a higher level, perhaps based on the resource above.

Students become members of a consultancy firm which specialises in sustainable building projects. They have to use their knowledge of forces, properties of materials and energy transfers to explain and justify a range of different and alternative building techniques.

Quality AssuredCategory:Design and technologyPublisher:Department for Education

This clip is ideal for introducing the THINK BIG activity above.

Katie Symons creates modern buildings and structures. This video clip demonstrates the importance of STEM subjects in achieving a career in structural engineering.

Katie describes how her work designing buildings requires skills in science, engineering and mathematics. She explains how her role is to work with architects to help make their building designs come to life. This involves seeing the whole project from the early design stages to the final look of the building

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Quality AssuredCategory:CareersPublisher:Institution of Mechanical Engineers

This is a useful film for introducing a lesson on climate change, sustainability, energy sources or carbon dioxide, whilst also illustrating the importance of material choices in construction.

Quality AssuredCategory:Design and technologyPublisher:Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme

Composite materials, one of the main classes of materials that needs to covered in many engineering and construction courses, are used to provide strength and rigidity while using thinner, lighter components.

However, they are also being developed for their ability to provide specific combinations of properties and functions, not simply for their mechanical properties. The booklet provides an overview of some of the types, properties and uses of composite building materials.

Although strength, stiffness and relatively low density tend to be the properties which are the most important considerations, changing the precise nature of the matrix and reinforcement of a composite can also affect other properties, such as thermal conductivity.

Quality AssuredCategory:Cross curricularPublisher:Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS)

This case study describes how tutors from the construction department and the science department in an FE college collaborated to re-engage students who had a dislike of classroom-based teaching.

The students carried out practical work to look the properties of concrete and the emmission of carbon dioxide in its production.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) - UKRI

Industrial processes often produce large quantities of waste by-products which build up on the Earth’s surface or are released into the atmosphere. and so chemists are finding ways to make these processes less damaging to the environment.

This article can be used as a starter activity to introduce ideas about common atmospheric pollutants and the mitigation of carbon dioxide levels in the context of the production of common building materials.

Students could be asked to research the effects on the atmosphere of a building material that they have a particular interest in and prepare a presentation to the rest of the group.

Quality AssuredCategory:CareersPublisher:Institute of Physics (IOP)

This inspiring careers clip is an ideal introduction to the topic of heat transfers and thermal insulation, showing the application of these concepts in building design.

In addition to illustrating the careers in which physics plays a part, the film also explains concepts such as heat transfer, conduction, convection, radiation and thermal conductivity