GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
CEE 8813A Materials Science of Concrete
Course Syllabus
Spring 2007
Instructor: Dr. Kimberly E. Kurtis
Office: 315 Mason
Office Hours: M,W 2-3 + open door
E-mail: kkurtis@ce.gatech.edu
Phone: 404-385-0825
Lecture: M,W 12-1:30
Classroom: 298 Mason
Web: www.ce.gatech.edu/~kkurtis/concrete.html
Course Objectives
 To integrate fundamental science-based concepts with engineering-based design of concrete.
 To develop a more complete understanding of the relationships between materials selection and mixture
proportioning and the multi-scale (nano → macro) structure, behavior, and performance of concrete.
 To build an awareness of concrete durability issues, and to identify effective material selection, mixture
design, and structural design characteristics that promote durability.
 To develop an appreciation for both historical achievements and advancing technology related to
cement and concrete.
 To integrate research and learning.
 To improve critical thinking and written and oral technical communication skills.
Honor Code:
This course will be conducted under the guidelines of the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code. A copy
of the code can be found at http://www.deanofstudents.gatech.edu/integrity/policies/honor_code.php
Course Requirements:
Grading will reflect performance on 2 exams and several assignments, including 2 short technical
reviews, 1 lecture proposal, 1 lecture, “lecture notes”, and critical reviews of 2 classmates’ lectures/notes,
as well as class participation:
Technical Review 1: Seminal paper in lecture topic
5%
January 22
Technical Review 2: Derivative paper in lecture topic 5%
February 12
Lecture proposal
5%
February 18
Midterm Exam
20% March 5
Lecture
20% As assigned
Lecture notes
10% To be turned in on day of lecture
Final Exam
20% April 25 (last day of class)
Peer review of lectures/notes (2)
5%
due by April 23
Revised lecture and notes
5%
due by May 4
Class participation/additional assignments
5%
As assigned
Course materials:
 Required text: Mehta, P.K. and Monteiro, P.J.M., CONCRETE: Microstructure , Properties, and Materials, 3rd
Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2006.
 internet: see http://www.ce.gatech.edu/~kkurtis/concrete.html for supplementary course notes.
 Additional materials on library reserve:
Hewlett, P.C. (Ed.) Lea’s Chemistry of Cement and Concrete, Arnold, 1998. (at Ref. Desk)
Kosmatka, S.H. and Panarese, W.H. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, PCA.
Mindess, S. Young, J.F. and Darwin, D. Concrete, Prentice-Hall, 2nd Edition, 2003.
Neville, A.M. Properties of Concrete, Wiley, 1996.
Taylor, H.F.W., Cement Chemistry, Thomas Telford, 1997.
Tentative Course Outline
TOPICS COVERED
REQUIRED
READING*
ADDITIONAL
READING
Introduction to Cement and Concrete
Ch. 1
History of Cement and Concrete
Ch. 1
Ch. 2 Young,
Ch.1 Lea
Portland Cement Manufacture
Ch. 6
Ch. 3 Young,
Ch. 2 Lea
Portland Cement Composition and Specifications
Ch. 6
Ch. 3 Young,
Chs. 2-4 Lea
Ch. 6,
NIST handout
Ch. 4 Young,
Ch. 6 Lea
Portland Cement Hydration
Structure of Concrete
Chs. 1-2
Diamond, CCC,
(26):919-33.
Special Cements
Ch. 6
Ch. 3 Young
Ch. 13-14 Lea
Supplementary Cementing Materials and Blended Cements
Ch. 8
Ch. 5 Young,
Chs. 10-12 Lea
Chemical Admixtures
Ch. 8
Ch.8 Young,
Ch. 15 Lea,
Ch. 11 Taylor
Aggregates
Ch. 7
Ch. 7 Young
Ch. 16 Lea
Concrete at Early Ages
Ch. 10
Ch. 9 Young
Ch. 8 Lea
Proportioning Concrete Mixtures
Ch. 9
Ch. 10 Young,
Ch. 7 PCA
Mechanical Properties and Testing
Ch. 3
Chs. 13-14 Young,
Ch. 8 Lea
Dimensional Stability
Ch. 4
Ch. 16 Young,
Ch. 8 Lea
Durability to Physical and Chemical Attack
Ch.5
Ch. 18 Young,
Ch. 7 Lea,
Ch.12 Taylor
*
Required reading in Mehta and Monteiro