Construction Materials

By Dr. V. Vandhana Devi | National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Chennai

Learners enrolled: 210

The "Construction Materials" course provides a comprehensive exploration of both traditional and modern materials used in the construction industry. It begins by examining time-tested materials such as stone, brick, and cement, followed by processed and engineered materials like timber, fly ash bricks, and composites. The course then shifts focus to innovative materials, including manufactured sand (M-sand), concrete, and bituminous substances, as well as sustainable and smart materials like geopolymer concrete and self-healing concrete. Practical aspects such as material testing, quality assessment, and site practices are incorporated, ensuring students gain hands-on knowledge of real-world construction processes. Throughout, there's a strong emphasis on eco-friendly and technologically advanced solutions in building design and materials.

Indicative Industry Sectors :

Civil and Construction

Note: This is an indicative list based on suggestions provided by course coordinators and should not be treated as final and binding.

Indicative Program Alignments :

Diploma B.Tech. M.Tech.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	8 weeks
Category :	Teacher Education
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Diploma
Start Date :	26 Jan 2026
End Date :	30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages :	English
NCrF Level	4.5 — 5.5
Industry Details :	Education and Training

Contact NC Support

Email id | swayam@nitttrc.edu.in, swayam@nitttrc.ac.in

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Traditional Materials

Week 2: Processed and Engineered Materials

Week 3: Manufactured Sand (M-Sand)

Week 4: Cement, Concrete, and Bituminous Materials

Week 5: Modern Construction Materials

Week 6: Finishing Materials and Coatings

Week 7: Construction Equipment and Site Practices

Week 8: Sustainable and Smart Construction Materials

Books and references

1."Construction Materials: Their Nature and Behaviour" by J. M. Illston and P. P. R. Dyer

2."Properties of Concrete" by A. M. Neville

3."Building Materials in Civil Engineering" by Surendra P. Shah

4."Materials for Sustainable Sites: A Complete Guide to the Evaluation, Selection, and Use of Sustainable Construction Materials" by Meg Calkins

Instructor bio

Dr. V. Vandhana Devi

National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Chennai

Dr. V. Vandhana Devi is deeply passionate about Civil Engineering and has dedicated her career to advancing the field through both academic instruction and applied research. She has been instrumental in designing and delivering a wide range of Civil Engineering courses, inspiring countless students with her commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development. Currently a Professor at NITTTR, Chennai, she champions innovation in Engineering Education through various training, development, and outreach initiatives. With over 22 years of comprehensive experience in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management, Dr. Vandhana is a prolific researcher, having published numerous technical research papers in SCI, Scopus-indexed, and UGC-listed journals. She has also presented her research papers in more than 50 International and National Conferences.

Prof. Vandhana Devi's contributions have earned her several prestigious accolades, including the Young Achiever Award and the Research Excellence Award. As a recipient of the Best Mentor Award from the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, she has mentored many students and faculty throughout her career. Her book, Air Pollution and Control Engineering, is widely referenced by engineering students.

An active participant in professional circles, Prof. Dr. V. Vandhana Devi has chaired and served as a resource person at various National and International conferences. She is a member of esteemed professional societies such as the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), the Indian Ecological Society (IES), and the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA). Her efforts in advancing education have been supported through funding from prominent agencies including DST, SERB, AICTE, and INAE for organizing National workshops, International conferences, and seminars.

Course certificate

"The SWAYAM Course Enrolment and learning is free. However, to obtain a certificate, the learner must register and take the proctored exam in person at one of the designated exam centres. The registration URL will be announced by NTA once the registration form becomes available. To receive the certification, you need to complete the online registration form and pay the examination fee. Additional details, including any updates, will be provided upon the publication of the exam registration form. For more information about the exam locations and the terms associated with completing the form, please refer to the form itself."

Grading Policy:

- Internal Assignment Score: This accounts for 30% of the final grade and is calculated based on the average of the best three assignments out of all the assignments given in the course.

- Final Proctored Exam Score: This makes up 70% of the final grade and is derived from the proctored exam score out of 100.

- Final Score: The final score is the sum of the average assignment score and the exam score.

Eligibility for Certification:

- To qualify for a certificate, you must achieve an average assignment score of at least 10 out of 30, and an exam score of at least 30 out of 70. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >=40/100.

Certificate Details:

- The certificate will include your name, photograph, roll number, and the percentage score from the final exam. It will also feature the logos of the Ministry of Education, SWAYAM, and NITTTR.

- Certificate Format: Only electronic certificates (e-certificates) will be issued; hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy Learning.

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