General Information
In this subject building failure is investigated from several perspectives. Causes of failure such as water leakage, concrete cancer and corrosion of metals are identified and described; methods for remedying these failures are explored and the processes and methods used to determine who is liable for failure are outlined. Legal aspects of building failure, including criminal, civil and contractual issues are discussed. Building failure is examined with respect to the Building Code of Australia. Case studies are used extensively to demonstrate causes and remedies for failure, and to demonstrate the methods employed to determine the causes of such failures.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design Subject code: SDCM71-322 Subject title: Building Pathology and Forensic Engineering Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: September 2019 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Intensive Workload items: - Seminar: x2 (Total hours: 12) - Seminar 1
- Seminar: x2 (Total hours: 12) - Seminar 2
- Seminar: x2 (Total hours: 12) - Seminar 3
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: Attend all sessions. Most sessions build on the work on the previous one. It is difficult to recover if you miss a session. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: No Prescribed resources.
After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | SDCM71-322 |
| Subject title: | Building Pathology and Forensic Engineering |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | September 2019 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Intensive |
| Workload items: |
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| Attendance and learning activities: | Attend all sessions. Most sessions build on the work on the previous one. It is difficult to recover if you miss a session. |
| Prescribed resources: | No Prescribed resources. After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List. |
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
|
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Identify common building failures such as water leakage and corrosion and advise clients on suitable remediation techniques.
- Identify the causes of identified failures and advise on suitable methods for preventing recurrence of failures.
- Advise clients in respect of liability for building failure and remedies for cost recovery associated with such failures.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Paper-based Examination (Closed) n/a 50.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,3 Essay n/a 15.00% Week 4 1 Essay n/a 35.00% Week 10 1,2,3 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Pass requirement
Students must achieve an aggregate score of at least 50% in order to pass this subject.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-based Examination (Closed) | n/a | 50.00% | Final Examination Period | 1,2,3 |
| Essay | n/a | 15.00% | Week 4 | 1 |
| Essay | n/a | 35.00% | Week 10 | 1,2,3 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Pass requirement
Students must achieve an aggregate score of at least 50% in order to pass this subject.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
Subject curriculum
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Topic 1 - Introduction
An overview of what “Building Pathology” is and its role in the built environment.
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Topic 2 – Understanding a project
A discussion on how a building comes about and who is involved. The key stakeholders involved in the design and construction of a building and their respective responsibilities are identified. Procurement types are also discussed.
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Topic 3 – Materials involved in construction
Looks at the common materials used in construction with a focus on issues particular to each material. Materials include concrete, steel, timber, stone, gaskets and sealant, brickwork, and glass.
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Topic 4 – Detailing of materials and finishes
A look at the ways that materials and building finishes (e.g. waterproofing, air seals) are detailed in documentation such as drawings.
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Topic 5 – The elements that degrade materials
Identifies the main causes of degradation in a building and begins a discussion on ways to manage the inevitable damage of building element over time.
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Topic 6 – Top issues that cause complaints, problems, and cost
A summary of the most common defects that cause building owners/occupants to engage a building pathologist.
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Topic 7 – The forensic process
Begins a discussion on how to go about identifying the problems with a building, the causes, who to talk to and key signs to look for.
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Topic 8 – The reporting process
This topic looks at the documentation that is required to thoroughly investigate a building failure, ranging from design documentation, maintenance records and the report produced by assessors.
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Topic 9 – When things turn bad / end up in court
This topic introduced the legal processes that occur when a building has unexpected issues. The role of lawyers and expert witnesses will be examined.
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Topic 10 – The repair process
The issues have been identified, the person at fault has been identified so now we will look at the ways damage can be repaired.