Course Title: Select Construction Materials for Building Projects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: ARCH5301
Course Title: Select Construction Materials for Building Projects
Important Information:
Please note that this course has compulsory engagement attendance requirements for teaching activities.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see when this course requires mandatory attendance.
School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6188 - Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
Course Contact: Catherine Ciavarella
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9819
Course Contact Email: catherine.ciavarella@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 60
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to evaluate and select suitable construction materials for building projects in Australia.
It includes the ability to analyse properties and characteristics of the materials against a range of criteria, including physical attributes, cost, and sustainability, to determine their suitability for application in the construction of a building.
This unit applies to building designers who select suitable construction materials for buildings within the context of relevant legislation and the legal responsibilities of building designers.
No occupational licensing or legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, this unit forms part of a minimum qualification requirement for the registration class of Draftsperson, Building Design (Architectural) category, with the Victorian Building Authority.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU23451 Select Construction Materials for Building Projects |
Element: |
1. Analyse characteristics of construction materials |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Research manufacturing processes of the range of construction materials to be used at different stages of construction to establish limitations of practical application. 1.2 Investigate quality standards and performance of materials for adherence to the relevant legislation and the suitability for types of structures and environment. 1.3 Analyse materials to determine their application and compatibility with regard to substructures, fixings, coatings or finishes and/or specific construction systems, visual effect and environment. 1.4 Research material tolerances and identify issues arising from incompatible use. 1.5 Record relevant information for future reference |
Element: |
2. Evaluate materials for their suitability for building projects |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Investigate materials to identify their sustainable characteristics to minimise their environmental impact. 64 Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) 2.2 Analyse materials for their thermal and acoustic characteristics to determine appropriate applications according to relevant legislation, NCC and Australian Standards. 2.3 Analyse materials to determine durability, structural integrity, and fire resistance to determine appropriate applications according to relevant legislation, NCC and Australian Standards. 2.4 Investigate defects, short and long-term degradation, timber preservation and protection of metals to determine appropriate applications according to relevant legislation, NCC and Australian Standards. 2.5 Investigate transportation, on-site storage requirements and handling of materials to determine their impact on construction methodology and occupational health and safety (OHS)/work health and safety (WHS) level of risk |
Element: |
3. Recommend suitable materials |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Select construction materials according to their purpose, standard application and manufacturer’s guidelines. 3.2 Recommend construction materials and interior finish products for specific attributes and characteristics according to design specifications. 3.3 Determine and record specifications for construction materials |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place this semester with a blended classroom model using industry standard tools and resources. Classes will be in a remote (virtual) learning mode online.
Refer to your Course schedule and Canvas shells for specific information on how each of your courses is delivered this semester.
You will also be required to undertake independent study.
Reference mode of delivery for this course is online delivery.
Virtual In-class activities will include:
• Tutorials and project-based work
• Group discussion
• Teacher directed activities/projects
• Class presentations
• Online research
• Independent project-based work
• Studio Practice
Out-of-class activities will include:
• Online investigation
• Independent project-based work
Teaching Schedule
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WEEK 1 |
Orientation |
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WEEK 2 |
In preparation for week 3 watch: Before Class - On line Recorded Lecture - Timber |
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WEEK 3 |
AT1 Available Online Quiz 1 - Timber In preparation for week 4 watch: On line Recorded Lecture - Metal On line Recorded Lecture - Concrete |
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WEEK 4 |
Online Quiz 2 - Concrete In preparation for week 5 watch: Before Class - On line Recorded Lecture - Bricks |
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WEEK 5 |
Online Quiz 3 - Bricks & Mortar | |
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WEEK 6 |
Submit AT1 AT2 Available In preparation for week 6 watch: Before Class - On line Recorded Lecture - Glass |
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WEEK 7 |
Online Quiz 4 - Glass AT1 Feedback provided |
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Week 8 |
Submit AT1 resubmission | |
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WEEK 9 |
AT3 available | |
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WEEK 10 |
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WEEK 11 |
Students Must have AT3 questions prepared AT2 Feedback provided |
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WEEK 12 |
Submit AT2 resubmission On line Recorded Lecture Echo 360 - Stone |
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WEEK 13 |
AT3 questions to discuss in class Students Must have questions prepared On line Recorded Lecture Echo 360 - Adobe/AAC |
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WEEK 14 |
Submit AT3 | |
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WEEK 15 |
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WEEK 16 |
Final AT2 assessment and assessment resubmissions if eligible |
AT3 Feedback provided |
| WEEK 17 | Final AT1 assessment and assessment Resubmissions if eligible | AT3 resubmission |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1 - Product
Assessment Task 2 - Product
Assessment Task 3 - Product
Four Quizzes in total.
Assessment / Late Submission will only be accepted when submitted to teacher with RMIT extension form provided prior to assessment submission date, all extensions must be discussed with teacher prior to request. All Special Consideration applications can only be from the date of the assessment submission.
This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment.
CA: Competency achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for Assessment
All work for Assessable Tasks is required to be submitted on the due date and time as outlined in the Assessment Briefs. Exception to this is where an approved ELS plan, an application for Special Consideration or an approved Extension of Time is in place, submitted before the task’s due date with appropriate documentation.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension of time for your assessable work.
Please see following access for the details on applying for extension of time to assessments;
Special consideration;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Application for extension of time;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Equitable assessment arrangements (EAA);
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning
If your work is incomplete, you are strongly encouraged to submit your work on the due date, in order to meet the submission requirements. Should it be below competency you may be asked to resubmit within 5 working days.
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above)
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio-based exercises, demonstration and production.
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course.
Canvas
Use Canvas to access your course content and announcements, submit assignments, and receive your grades and feedback;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/it-services-for-students/canvas
Student feedback at RMIT:
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
The following link is an outline and ways that you will receive your feedback at RMIT;
Student Progress Monitoring
Academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Please see following access to the Student progress policy webpage; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress
Submitting Assessments onto Canvas
Here is a guide to submitting assessments on Canvas; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/submitting-assessments-in-canvas
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Please see following access for more information on Academic Integrity at RMIT; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
IT orientation
It's time to get ready; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/new-student-guide
Get involved in student life at RMIT
Course Overview: Access Course Overview