The modules in the CAB's Aluminium in Building CPD suite are:

Module 1 - Aluminium itself

This module introduces the metal and discusses its natural state, its history and the effect of aluminium extraction on the environment. The module then goes on to cover how aluminium is refined, its physical attributes and, briefly, how those attributes benefit the construction industry.

Module 2 - Aluminium in construction

This module looks at aluminiumís physical properties and the benefits that those properties bring to the construction industry. It deals with aluminiumís light weight, strength, resistance to corrosion, durability, non-toxicity, resistance to fire, reflectivity, thermal conductance, formability and lack of electrostatic charge.

The module explains how aluminium is unique and that no other building material offers such an astounding range of properties which seem to have been designed to suit the construction industry. Other materials have some of these attributes, but none offers them in the combinations that aluminium does.

Module 3 - Aluminium fabrication

Aluminiumís unique blend of physical properties means that it can be fabricated in a number of ways to manufacture a wide variety of construction products. This module explains the different methods by which aluminium is fabricated and how those different fabrications are used in construction.

Module 4 - Aluminium in use

This module explains how the fact that aluminium can be fabricated and finished in a wide variety of ways means that it is easier for architects to achieve what they want to achieve in terms of image and appearance.

This module shows some of the many projects for which aluminium provided a solution. In each case a question is posed that could have been asked by the designer and then the module shows how selecting aluminium provided the solution. Module 4 includes examples of solutions for structural or other performance, external shape, finish or ease of construction and reduced time on site.

Module 5 - Design considerations

This module deals with the things that designers should consider before using aluminium. Aside from the environmental and economic benefits explained in Module 6, aluminiumís versatility and formability are shown as benefiting a wide variety of architectural and construction project elements.

Module 6 - Economic and environmental concerns

This module deals with the economic and environmental arguments for using aluminium. As aluminium offers practical and aesthetic advantages over other construction materials, it might reasonably be expected that there would be an economic or environmental downside to the use of aluminium. In fact, as this module shows, choosing aluminium for architectural use has very real economic and environmental benefits.

The module covers economic arguments, energy considerations, environmental impact and sustainability in an objective and fair manner.

Module 7 - Aluminium - the way forward

This module deals with how aluminium may be used in the future. The environmental and economic reasons for building with aluminium are covered in detail in Module 6 and Module 7 looks at the other considerations that will shape the future use of aluminium. These include environmental trends, industry trends, demand trends - both legislative and client-led ñ and technology changes.