Spring 2018 / MATS123 Aggregates Coursework briefing document
MATS123 Materials for Civil Engineering
and Construction
Coursework 1 Submission: “Aggregates”
This element of the module’s practical work is intended to give students an insight into some of
the laboratory tests which can be used to assess the physical properties of aggregate destined for
use in concrete. Concrete is made by mixing cement, water, coarse and fine aggregate in the
required proportions. The process used to determine the quantities of aggregate, cement and
water in a concrete mix is based on a knowledge of a number of factors, including the
proportions of coarse and fine aggregates in the various size ranges, the voids content of the
aggregates and the specific gravity of the aggregates; varying these properties will affect the
handling properties (eg workability; pumpability) of the resulting fresh concrete, and the strength
and durability properties of the hardened concrete.
During the laboratory session a sieve analysis was carried out on a representative sample of oven
dry aggregate. The void content, bulk density and particle density of a representative sample of
oven dry aggregate were also measured.
You are now asked to undertake all of the following tasks and present your answers in the form
of a written formal report.
Task 1: (20 marks)
Complete all sections of the worksheet used at the laboratory session (a blank copy of the
worksheet is available on the DLE if needed). Include your completed worksheet as “Appendix 1” in your coursework submission.
Task 2: (5 marks)
Did the sieved aggregate meet its nominal grading specification ?. Comment on your answer.
Task 3: (15 marks)
Explain why a sieve overload check must be carried out during the sieve analysis. If your sieve
overload check had indicated that one of the sieves had been significantly overloaded during your
experiment (i) explain how this might have affected your results, and (ii) explain how you could
have modified your experimental process to overcome the overload problem.
Task 4: (10 marks)
Explain fully why aggregate used in a sieve test must be “oven dry” with a moisture content of 0%.
Task 5: (10 marks)
The particle density and bulk density of a representative sample of oven dry aggregate was
measured during the laboratory session. Explain how (i) the particle density and (ii) the bulk
density of the aggregate would change if instead of being oven dry it was “saturated surface
wet”.Spring 2018 / MATS123 Aggregates Coursework briefing document / Page 2 of 3
Task 6: (20 marks)
Identify and discuss possible sources of experimental error (include both random and systematic
errors – explanation) in (i) the sieving experiment, and (ii) the void content experiment. For each
experiment explain how you could reduce its susceptibility to experimental errors.
Important things to note:
? Due care should be paid to neatness, spelling and grammar. Up to 20 marks will be awarded
for a well presented report (suggestion: consider the guidance offered in the checklist on Page
3 of this coursework brief).
? Include a copy of this coursework brief as “Appendix 2” in your coursework submission.
? Tests carried out or demonstrated during the laboratory sessions may form the subject of
question(s) in the end-of-module exam.
? This coursework contributes 50% to the MATS123 module’s coursework mark.
? Plagiarism = cheating = zero marks; laboratory groups will share raw data gathered during the
laboratory session, but your written submission for this report should be entirely your own work.
Guidance on coursework submission procedures.
a) You should submit your printed coursework via the coursework submission desk at the Faculty
of Science and Engineering Reception on the ground floor of Smeaton Building. Coursework
must be submitted by the specified deadline which is Thursday 15th March @ 13:00. Electronic or
on-line submissions will NOT be accepted.
b) You should give due consideration to your personal time management to ensure that coursework
is submitted in plenty of time prior to the deadline. The Faculty cannot take any responsibility
for late submission due to late arrival, queues, etc. Scanning priority will be given to students
with an impending deadline.
c) Coursework can be submitted at any time ahead of the deadline time (current Faculty Reception
opening hours are 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday; 08:30 to 16:30 on Fridays).
d) Please note that the University enforces penalties for work submitted after the published
deadline without valid extenuating circumstances. Claims for extenuating circumstances must be
made promptly. Late arrival for submission or queues will not be considered as valid extenuating
circumstances (see the University student handbook on the portal for details). The mark for work
submitted up to 24 hours after the published deadline will be capped at the normal pass mark;
work submitted later than this will receive an automatic mark of zero.
e) On approaching the coursework submission desk, please have your University Card in your hand
as this must be scanned. You must also ensure that your coursework is 100% ready for
submission (formatted, bound or stapled, faced with a completed anonymous coursework
submission front sheet*, etc) prior to attending the coursework submission desk, otherwise you
will be asked to return later – this is to keep queue waiting time to a minimum.
* Available from the Faculty Office or School Office.
Spring 2018 / MATS123 Aggregates Coursework briefing document / Page 3 of 3
Before you submit your report for marking you might like to consider the following guidance
(provided by UoP Learning Development):
Checklist for a good report (adapted from Burns and Sinfield, 2008)
1. What is the purpose of this report, and has it fulfilled that clearly?
2. Are your ideas presented logically so that your reader can follow and get sufficient information to make
the decisions you hope for? Is there enough accurate, relevant material, or too much?
3. Does it cover the key points? Do you analyse your evidence/data to support your points?
4. Does your conclusion follow logically from your arguments, and do your recommendations follow
logically from your conclusions?
5. Are the language, tone, style and pitch clear, direct and formal, suitable for the reader and the subject?
6. Is the grammar, punctuation and spelling correct? Is the report the correct length?
7. Is the layout simple, clear, logical and consistent, with conventional sections, headings, labels and
numbers? Is the right material in the right sections?
8. If illustrations such as figures and tables have been included, are they clear and purposeful, usefully
integrated and properly referenced?
9. Have you used an appropriate number and range of sources? Have all sources and references been
acknowledged, in the main body and at the end in a list of references?
10. Should there be a glossary? If there is one, is it comprehensive?
11. Are the appendices clearly labelled? Is the reader directed to each appendix in the body of the report?
12. Have you left the report on one side for a while before going back to review and edit it?
An important note about Academic Regulations:
When you submit your work, you are agreeing to the university’s regulations regarding academic offences.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have read and understand what they are.
Check you understand by reading the following statements. These are common mistakes but they may
result in you failing your coursework:
? My English isn’t very good, am I allowed to copy pieces of text and link them together with my own
words?
NO – you need to use your own words throughout, paraphrasing and using a small number of quotes
where necessary.
? I find academic journal articles hard to read, is it okay to search online for the same information in a
simpler form and then reference the academic work?
NO – you may only reference what you have actually read – don’t ‘invent’ references to make your work
seem more ‘academic’.
? I have forgotten where I found the information – is it okay if I don’t reference it?
NO – all your references must be provided so make sure you keep a record of everything you read.
? I know many tutors don’t like Wikipedia and some online sources, so is it better to use them but not to
reference them?
NO – all sources must be referenced, whatever their academic quality, but try to use the library search
engines (PRIMO) instead of Google, etc.
? I have used some online sources and I can’t find an author, can I make up a name?
NO – all your references must be accurate, if there is no obvious author use the name of the company or
organisation which produced the information.
? I have found a similar piece of coursework online, can I use it if I make a few changes?
NO – submitting work written by others, (even if you buy it) is NOT allowed and could result in
disciplinary action.
