CEG8742 : Sustainable Construction Practice (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Haoyu Huang
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and technical competencies to embed sustainability into structural and geotechnical engineering practices and to critically evaluate the environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure, developing pathways toward net zero and circularity in the built environment. through the application of low-carbon construction materials, sustainable retrofit strategies, lifecycle carbon assessment, and relevant policies and certification frameworks.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Principles of sustainable construction
• Low-carbon structural materials and systems
• Retrofit engineering techniques
• Lifecycle carbon analysis
• Policy and certification for sustainability
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Read lecture notes. Background readings. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Written exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 34:00 | 34:00 | Revision for exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Tutorials for case studies and practical tasks to support learning of taught topics. |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Skills practice |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Research and complete the written report |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 38:00 | 38:00 | Independent study. Studying online resources. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The teaching methods combine lectures, tutorials, structured learning, and project work to develop both technical understanding and applied skills in sustainable construction. Lectures introduce core concepts and frameworks, while tutorials allow students to apply knowledge through case studies and practical tasks. Structured guided learning reinforces key topics, and independent study supports critical thinking, problem-solving, and project development. This integrated approach ensures students achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 70 | Written exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 30 | Individual written report on the carbon analysis and sustainability assessment of a building |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Example problems, exercises and quizzes provided in tutorials for students to practice |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative problem-solving exercises support students in practising lifecycle carbon calculations, sustainability assessments, and critical evaluation skills, encouraging active engagement and continuous learning.
The summative written examination assesses students’ comprehensive understanding of sustainable construction principles, materials, retrofit strategies, and policy frameworks, ensuring they can integrate technical knowledge and critically evaluate sustainability challenges. The summative coursework report develops students' ability to apply lifecycle carbon assessment methods, assess material and system sustainability, and produce professional technical reports, supporting outcomes related to data interpretation and critical analysis.
AHEP4:
The written examination maps to M1, M2, M4, and M7. The exam assesses students’ ability to apply engineering principles to sustainability challenges (M1), analyse complex issues such as lifecycle carbon and retrofit (M2), interpret relevant policies and certification frameworks (M4), and evaluate the environmental performance of construction systems (M7).
The individual report maps to M3, M5, M7, and M17. Students use computational or analytical tools to conduct carbon assessments (M3), develop improvement proposals for sustainability (M5), assess environmental impact of a building (M7), and communicate their analysis in a structured technical report (M17).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8742's Timetable