Course detail

Chemistry

FAST-BCA101Acad. year: 2026/2027

Selected topics in general and physical chemistry, chemical bonding, chemical reaction kinetics, thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, dispersion systems, dissociation, pH, hydrolysis, electrochemistry. Natural and secondary raw materials for the construction industry. Chemistry of glass. Air and hydraulic binders: production, chemical properties, setting, and hardening. Corrosion of binders and aggregates in composite materials. Chemical properties of other construction materials, their degradation, and protection against degradation. Chemical and electrochemical properties of metals, metal corrosion, and corrosion protection. Chemical properties of water, wastewater, water for concrete production. Chemical composition of the atmosphere, air pollutants. Chemical composition and properties of wood, resins, and carbon- and silicon-based macromolecular substances.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry (CHE)

Entry knowledge

Basic structure of atoms, periodic table of the elements, basic chemical laws, basic inorganic and organic nomenclature, simple stoichiometric calculations, basics from organic chemistry.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course assessment consists of two compulsory parts.

  • Assessment of laboratory session, where the student works out the assigned tasks and successfully passes 2 tests on nomenclature and chemical calculations (20 points)
  • Assessment of the final examination test (80 points).

Lectures are optional, laboratory sessions are compulsory.

Aims

Expertise

The graduate can:

  • describe the effect of different types of bonds on the behaviour of molecules and their influence on the properties of building materials.
  • explain the dissociation of molecules, acids and bases, pH and different types of chemical reactions.
  • characterize different types of dispersions and describe the principles of their stabilization.
  • describe the chemical composition of building binders and the basic principles of their production, setting and hardening.
  • describe the chemical composition of organic materials such as wood, asphalts and basic polymers and describe their properties.
  • describe the different types of degradation of building materials based on gypsum, lime binders, concrete, wood, plastics and corrosion of metals.
  • describe the composition of natural water and identify undesirable substances that can cause degradation of building materials.

Professional skills

The graduate can:

  • solve basic chemical calculations for the preparation of solutions and pH of strong acids and bases, calculate the yield of chemical processes.
  • apply theoretical knowledge in the production and diagnosis of building materials and propose measures to prevent corrosion processes.
  • assess the environmental impact of the production of building materials.

Competence

The graduate will gain:

  • Ability to collaborate with others to solve problems and projects.
  • Ability to analyze and evaluate information and arguments in the context of building chemistry.
  • Ability to make independent and responsible decisions based on acquired knowledge and skills.

Study aids

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Hewlett P. C. Lea’s Chemistry of Cement and Concrete, Butterworth Heinemann, 4th edition, Oxford, 1998. (EN)
Rovnaník, P. Laboratorní cvičení z chemie, VUT, Brno, 2026. (CS)
Rovnaník P., Rovnaníková P. Stavební chemie – Modul 1, Obecná, fyzikální a anorganická chemie a chemie anorganických stavebních materiálů, Akademické nakladatelství CERM, Brno, 2014. (CS)
Rovnaníková P., Rovnaník P., Malá J. Stavební chemie – Modul 2, Degradace stavebních materiálů a chemie kovů, Akademické nakladatelství CERM, Brno, 2014. (CS)
Zumdahl S. S. Chemistry, D. C. Heath and Company, USA, 1986. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme akr_BPC-SIS Bachelor's

    specialization A_SI , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme BPC-SIS Bachelor's

    specialization SI , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jitka Malá, Ph.D.
Ing. Patrik Bayer, Ph.D.
Mgr. Martin Vyšvařil, Ph.D.
Ing. Karel Hrich, Ph.D.
Ing. Simona Ravaszová, Ph.D.
Ing. Klára Novotná

Syllabus

  1. Základní informace ke cvičení, bezpečnost práce.
  2. Kyseliny a zásady.
  3. pH, oxidace a redukce.
  4. Vápno, cement a další stavební materiály.
  5. Voda
  6. Kovy.
  7. Zápočtový test.

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Martin Vyšvařil, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Atomové hmotnosti, látkové množství, složení jader, izotopy, radioaktivita, atomová struktura.
  2. Struktura atomového obalu, elektronegativita, periodicita vlastností prvků, periodická tabulka.
  3. Chemické vazby, polarita vazeb, chemické rovnice, stechiometrie, disociace molekul, pH.
  4. Chemická kinetika, reakční rychlost, katalýza, termochemie, chemické rovnováhy.
  5. Skupenské stavy látek, plyny, kapaliny, tuhé látky, povrchové napětí, kapilární jevy.
  6. Disperzní soustavy – aerosoly, pěny, emulze, suspenze, koloidní systémy, gely, pravé roztoky, povrchově aktivní látky.
  7. Vlastnosti vybraných anorganických sloučenin uhlíku a křemíku, chemie a degradace skla.
  8. Chemické složení a vlastnosti přírodních a druhotných surovin využívaných ve stavebnictví.
  9. Pojiva – výroba, složení a vlastnosti sádry, Sorelova cementu, vápna, hydraulického vápna, Portlandského a hlinitanového cementu. Pucolány.
  10. Chemická degradace pojiv a staviv, ochrana proti degradačním procesům.
  11. Elektrochemické vlastnosti kovů, standardní redoxní potenciály, galvanické články, elektrolýza, kovy a koroze kovů.
  12. Chemie vody a ovzduší. Chemické složení dřeva a poškození dřevěných konstrukcí. Asfalty.
  13. Složení a vlastnosti polymerů na bázi uhlíkového řetězce, jejich chemická stabilita. Složení a vlastnosti silikonů, chemická odolnost.

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Self-study

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.