Course title
S0246000,S02460012
Structural Materials

HAMASAKI Hitoshi
Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)
Program / Major mDP Goals
Department of Architecture 4. 4.建築設計や建築技術に関する体系的な専門知識を身につけ、それらを応用することができる
Purpose of class
Acquire fundamental knowledge to understand the properties of building materials and apply them to architectural and structural design. Additionally, visually inspect building deterioration and deformation to understand the temporal changes (durability) of building materials.
Course description
Building materials must meet various performance requirements depending on their application and location, including safety, habitability, durability, aesthetics, and economy. Building materials are deeply intertwined with architectural design, structural design, mechanical/electrical design, and production design. When selecting materials, it is essential to understand the characteristics of various materials and ensure they possess the appropriate performance for the type, use, and location within the building. This lecture focuses on concrete, steel, and wood—materials used as structural elements in construction—covering their fundamental properties, quality, specifications, and forms. Students will acquire the basic knowledge necessary for their appropriate use and design.
Goals and objectives
  1. Understand the positioning, role, and importance of building materials in architecture. (Corresponds to class schedule 1–2)
  2. Understand the fundamental properties, quality, specifications, and shapes of structural materials. (Corresponds to class schedule 3–13)
  3. Understand the principles of reinforced concrete structures, timber structures, steel structures, masonry structures, etc., in relation to the performance required of structural materials and construction methods. (Corresponds to class schedule 3–13)
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

Final Exam Reports Short Tests Total.
1. 10% 10% 20%
2. 30% 10% 10% 50%
3. 10% 10% 10% 30%
Total. 50% 20% 30% -
Evaluation method and criteria
Final exam (approx. 50%), reports (approx. 20%), and grades from midterm exams and in-class quizzes (approx. 30%) will be used for comprehensive evaluation.
Each exam and report will be graded on a 100-point scale, and students scoring an average of 60% or higher will pass.
Language
Japanese
Class schedule

Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1. ・Purpose of Studying Building Materials
・Classification of Building Materials
180minutes
2. ・Basic Properties of Materials (Physical Properties, Chemical Properties)
・Performance Required of Materials
・Laws, Standards, Specifications, etc. Related to Materials
180minutes
3. Overview of Concrete
・Types and Characteristics of Concrete
・Constituent Materials of Concrete
180minutes
4. Materials used in concrete
・Types of cement (Portland cement, blended cement, etc.)
・Aggregates (coarse aggregate, fine aggregate)
・Admixtures (chemical admixtures, blended materials, etc.)
180minutes
5. Properties of Concrete Before Manufacturing and Hardening
・Manufacturing of Ready-Mix Concrete (Fresh Concrete)
・Properties and Workability of Fresh Concrete
・Testing of Fresh Concrete
・Concrete Mix Design
180minutes
6. Properties of Hardened Concrete
・Various strengths of concrete (compressive, tensile, flexural, shear, bond)
・Deformation characteristics of concrete (strain, Young's modulus)
・Fire resistance, thermal properties, etc.
180minutes
7. Durability and Long-Term Use of Concrete
・Volume Changes and Cracking
・Durability Evaluation and Design
・Concrete Diagnosis and Repair Methods
180minutes
8. Concrete Products and Ceramic Products
・Precast Concrete Products
・Concrete Blocks, Bricks
(Report on Concrete Durability and Building Materials in General)
180minutes
9. Overview of Iron and Steel Materials
・Steel Material Manufacturing Processes
・Fundamental Properties of Steel Materials (Strength, Deformation Characteristics, Durability)
180minutes
10. Steel Materials (Steel Products)
・Types of Structural Steel
・Steel Products for Steel Frame Structures
・Steel Joining (Bolting, Welding)
・Reinforcing Bars, Prestressed Concrete Steel Products
180minutes
11. Overview of Wood-Based Materials
・Characteristics and Properties of Wood
・Classification, Types, Tree Species, and Defects of Wood
・Mechanical Properties (Relationship Between Tree Species/Type and Strength)
180minutes
12. Properties of Wood and Lumbering
・Lumbering (cutting, processing)
・Durability (decay, termite treatment)
・Fire resistance (thermal properties, fire-resistant design)
180minutes
13. Wood-based Materials
・Types of wood-based materials and their applications
・Recent topics surrounding wood
180minutes
14. Summary on Structural Materials
Final Exam and Explanations
310minutes
Total. - 2650minutes
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
Feedback outside of the class (ScombZ, mail, etc.)
Textbooks and reference materials
教科書・・・谷川恭雄ほか著「建築材料の基礎知識 持続可能な建築を考える」・理工図書
ISBN 978-4-8446-0999-5
参考書・・・日本建築学会「建築材料用教材」・丸善出版
ISBN 978-4-8199-2229-7
Prerequisites
Pay attention to buildings in your daily life, noting where and what types of building materials are used.
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • After class ends (Monday 3:00 PM onwards)
    (It is preferable to contact us in advance)
  • Consultations via email are also available
Regionally-oriented
Non-regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
  • Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
Active-learning course
More than one class is interactive
Course by professor with work experience
Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
Applicable Faculty members who have been involved in developing legal frameworks, technical standards, and specifications related to building materials at government agencies and public research institutions will conduct the lectures.
Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
  • 11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
  • 12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
  • 13.CLIMATE ACTION
Last modified : Sat Mar 14 13:44:17 JST 2026