Dr. Weidhaas Champions Local Solutions for Water Reclamation in Arid Utah

On June 18, 2024, Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas shared her insights and experiences with the groundbreaking PureSojo project as part of the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. This innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of South Jordan, represents a significant leap forward in water sustainability for Utah.

“It has been exciting to see the project come to fruition and provide a roadmap for future reuse projects in Utah,” said Dr. Weidhaas. Her expertise and commitment have been crucial to the project’s development and implementation, ensuring its success and impact.

From Theory to Practice

During her talk at the PureSojo site, Dr. Weidhaas reflected on her teaching journey, noting a significant shift in how she can now approach water reuse topics in her courses. Previously, she had to cite examples from states like Texas or California to illustrate water sustainability projects. However, with PureSojo, she now has a powerful local case study to share with her students, showcasing the potential for water reclamation in Utah’s unique climate.

Having a local example like PureSojo enriches our curriculum and provides tangible proof of what can be achieved in our own backyard.

A Vision for the Future

As Utah’s population continues to grow, the importance of sustainable water management becomes increasingly critical. Initiatives like PureSojo are not just projects; they are essential steps towards building a resilient and sustainable future for our state. By setting new standards for water reuse, PureSojo serves as a model for other communities in Utah and beyond.

About the Project

The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow is the first time America’s engineers and operators have come together to celebrate successful infrastructure investment projects. The Roadshow is a joint project from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Recent stops on the Roadshow this year have included the DC Infrastructure Academy in Washington, DC; the Low Battery Seawall in Charleston, South Carolina; Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington; and the Northwest Valley Infrastructure Project in Phoenix, Arizona. It is exciting that the Roadshow has now stopped at an infrastructure project that Dr. Weidhaas has been a part of, and that Project Sojo’s efforts right here in Utah are being recognized nationally.

The University of Utah is proud to support and be part of such transformative projects, highlighting the intersection of academic research, practical application, and community collaboration.

Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah

Our faculty specializing in Environmental Engineering are dedicated to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Our cutting-edge research spans across multiple disciplines — from wastewater reclamation to reducing CO² emissions — combining innovative technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration to help build the future more sustainably.

Explore Environmental Engineering at the U→

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Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential

Posted: June 20, 2024

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

Searching for a Sustainable Future

Posted: October 26, 2023

Empowering Geoscience and Engineering Education for the Energy Transition. Dr. Rasoul Sorkhabi, a CvEEN Research Professor, and Milind Deo, a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Energy & Geoscience Institute, are pioneering a transformative approach to geoscience and geoengineering education. Their work, recently featured in the prestigious “Issues in Science and Technology” magazine […]

Achievements in Nuclear Engineering are Enhancing Utah’s Scientific Community

In late June, Nuclear Engineering Professor Dr. Glenn Sjoden was inducted into the Utah Academy of Engineering and Science (UtahAES). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Sjoden’s outstanding contributions to the field of nuclear engineering and its broader applications to engineering and science for the betterment of Utah.

Modeled after the US National Academies, UtahAES is an esteemed professional organization that recognizes the remarkable achievements in engineering and science. Its membership is limited to no more than 80 living individuals from Utah, highlighting the exclusivity and honor of Dr. Sjoden’s induction.

Specifically, Dr. Sjoden received this honor for his groundbreaking work in developing advanced radiation transport computational methods. These methods have far-reaching applications, including nuclear treaty monitoring, industrial processes, and academic research leadership.

As the Director of the Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), Dr. Sjoden brings over three decades of diverse experience to his role. His background as a military officer, professor, consultant, and chief scientist showcases his versatility and depth of knowledge. In his capacity of Director of UNEP, Dr. Sjoden leads with a commitment to fostering the next generation of nuclear engineers; Currently, the University of Utah is home to the only Nuclear Engineering minor and graduate degrees in the state, an honor and responsibility that Dr. Sjoden cherishes.

This recent induction also underscores the excellence of faculty at the University of Utah, as Sjoden is now a UtahAES member among several distinguished U professors, including prior Dean of the Price College of Engineering, Dr. Richard Brown.

Having another member of PCoE honored with this prestigious membership reinforces the university’s reputation as a hub of cutting-edge research and academic leadership.

About UNEP

UNEP’s TRIGA Nuclear Reactor

The Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP) is responsible for educating the next generation workforce in critical nuclear engineering fields and developing innovative procedures and technologies for the advancement of nuclear applications.

Our curriculum is designed for engineers and scientists involved in the nuclear power and radioactive waste industries, nuclear medicine, homeland security, radiation safety, and nuclear materials detection. We offer an undergraduate minor and two graduate degrees (M.S. non-thesis and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering). 

Explore Nuclear Engineering→

More news from our department:

Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential

Posted: June 20, 2024

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]

University of Utah’s Nuclear Engineering Program Shines at 2024 ANS Annual Conference

Posted: June 7, 2024

PhD Candidate Taylor Kimball’s Introduces New Reactor Efficiencies The 2024 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Annual Conference, a leading event for nuclear science and engineering professionals, took place in Las Vegas, NV from June 16-19, 2024. This year’s theme, “All In on Nuclear Deployment: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher,” emphasized the critical importance of nuclear […]

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology

Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine that bubble being extremely versatile. So versatile that it’s beginning to be used for water treatment, accelerated wound healing, and even removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

That’s a strong little bubble.

The problem? Creating nanobubbles is currently very energy-intensive and inefficient.

Dr. Hong and his team at the University of Utah are pioneering a novel, energy-efficient process for creating nanobubbles. This process, developed in the Meldrum Civil Engineering building, has numerous promising applications.

In collaboration with Dr. Lewis and Dr. Fleming of the University of Utah Health Sciences and fellow Environmental Engineering professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas, Dr. Hong has a patent pending for this new and innovative energy-efficient process.

Since they’ve streamlined this difficult process, Dr. Hong’s team is one of the few to be able to effectively research the application of nanobubble technology in Environmental Engineering – as well as its medical applications.

Applications of Various Nanobubbles

• Ozone nanobubbles can break down harmful chemicals in water, such as PFAS, which are resistant to degradation and harmful. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were widely used chemicals found in many products, but they persist in the environment and pose health risks. Ozone nanobubbles provide a means to degrade PFAS, offering a promising solution to this environmental challenge. As we improve methods to detect and measure PFAS in air, water, soil, and wildlife, ozone nanobubbles present a viable treatment option for contaminated water sources.
• Oxygen nanobubbles accelerate wound healing by delivering long-lasting oxygen and beneficial reactive oxygen species to tissues. The presence of oxygen is crucial for cell repair and regeneration. By cleaning wounds with water containing oxygen nanobubbles, they enhance oxygen delivery to the affected area, promoting faster and more effective healing. This technology has significant implications for medical treatments and patient recovery times.
• A more recent application is to convert CO2 nanobubbles from the atmosphere into solid rock minerals. This process, known as carbon mineralization, involves CO2 nanobubbles reacting with earthly cations such as calcium and magnesium ions in water to form stable, solid carbonates. This not only helps in reducing greenhouse gases but also provides a method to sequester carbon in a permanent form. This innovative approach contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change by addressing carbon emissions.

This groundbreaking research is happening right here on campus, showcasing the University of Utah’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Dr. Hong’s team is making significant strides in environmental engineering research and its medical applications by being at the forefront of nanobubble technology.

More news from our department:

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

Jonah Brown’s Contributions to Campus Construction Project

This summer, Civil & Environmental Engineering student Jonah Brown is contributing to the construction of the new Applied Sciences building right here on campus in his role as a Project Intern with Okland Construction.

Entering his junior year, Jonah is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering to fulfill his long-time aspiration: to work on landmark buildings that cities are known for—a passion that has been driving him since he was 11 years

Jonah’s time at the University of Utah has been enriched by the relationships he has built and the classes he has taken. Among his favorite courses are Statics and Strength of Materials, which have laid a strong foundation for his engineering education. Outside the classroom, Jonah is an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, which he joined in Spring 2023. His fraternity experience has helped him develop leadership skills and confidence—traits that will help him in his engineering career. Notably, his chapter raised over $300,000 for cancer research this year, a testament to their collective dedication and effort.

In his current role as a Project Engineer intern, Jonah is not only involved in the construction of the Applied Sciences building but also in the renovation of the Stewart building. He expresses deep gratitude towards his team, especially his mentor David, for their continuous support and guidance in navigating the construction industry.

Jonah’s connection to the University of Utah runs deep. With a family legacy that includes his great-grandmother, grandfather, father, and brother all having graduated from the U, attending this university has always been his dream. He feels privileged to contribute to its growth by helping build remarkable structures on campus.

Combining academic rigor, practical experience, and community involvement, Jonah’s experiences in the Civil & Environmental Engineering program, his internships, and his Sigma Chi membership at the University of Utah will undoubtedly equip him to achieve his goal of creating the landmark structures that define cities.

More news from our department:

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

PhD Candidate Taylor Kimball’s Introduces New Reactor Efficiencies

The 2024 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Annual Conference, a leading event for nuclear science and engineering professionals, took place in Las Vegas, NV from June 16-19, 2024. This year’s theme, “All In on Nuclear Deployment: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher,” emphasized the critical importance of nuclear technology in today’s world. The University of Utah’s Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP) made a strong showing, with two PhD students presenting their groundbreaking research.

Taylor Kimball, one of the PhD candidates from UNEP, shared his innovative research on computational TRISO fuel simulations—an essential advancement for the future capabilities of nuclear power.

Standing for TRi-structural ISOtropic particle fuel, TRISO is an advanced type of nuclear fuel known for its high performance and safety features. In his presentation, Kimball introduced a new method for generating cross sections for these TRISO fuel simulations. Cross sections are essential data that describe how nuclear fuel interacts with neutrons, which is crucial for accurately simulating and analyzing nuclear reactors.

Kimball’s new method offers a practical way to create multi-group cross sections specifically for TRISO fuel applications. While TRISO fuel is known for its robust performance and high safety margins, it also requires precise simulation techniques to ensure its effectiveness. Kimball’s approach has shown promising results, particularly in system eigenvalues, which are critical parameters for reactor stability and performance, using a simple MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle) TRISO fuel compact model.

In his future work, Kimball plans to refine these techniques further. Enhancements will include advanced methods like adjoint-weighted broad group energy structures and fully deterministic system eigenvalue calculations.

These improvements aim to develop a comprehensive and practical approach for deterministic TRISO reactor analysis, potentially leading to better reactor designs and safer, more efficient nuclear energy production.

Taylor Kimball, set to graduate next May, has been with UNEP since August 2022, focusing his research on computational radiation transport. His work specializes in fuel burnup and depletion calculations, as well as cross section generation, making significant contributions to the field.

The participation of UNEP students and faculty at the ANS Annual Conference highlights the program’s commitment to being at the forefront of nuclear science and engineering. Their research not only showcases the high level of scholarship within the program but also contributes to the broader nuclear engineering community.

Discover Nuclear Engineering at the University of Utah

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PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

Construction Engineering Professor Spotlight

From its inception all the way to its recent ABET-accreditation, creating an entirely separate degree for students pursuing Construction Engineering was no small order. To build a bachelor’s degree that would create top-notch employees and leaders for the rapidly-growing industry (8%) would need expertise of a certain caliber.

Dr. Brockmann joined the U in 2022 in part to spearhead the Construction Engineering degree, and there couldn’t have been a better fit. With an extensive background in both academia and industry, Dr. Brockmann has left an indelible mark on the field of Construction Engineering and will, in the years to come, be an integral part of the program’s success.

Leadership Experience in Construction Engineering

Dr. Brockmann has been at the helm of staggeringly large-scale construction projects for decades. From 1995 – 1998, he served as the project director for the Bang Na Expressway  in Thailand (pictured above). Though this was much more complicated than any other raised highway, and its $4 billion budget made it not your everyday construction project.

The project challenged him to direct the design and construction of the longest bridge in the world at the time. Upon its completion, the 34 miles long and six-lane elevated highway took the title of the longest bridge in world and held it until 2008. (It remains the 7th longest bridge in the world today.) It took 1,800,000 cubic meters of concrete to build the bridge.

In 2015, his leadership extended to the $2 billion USD Port Said Tunnels project, connecting Sinai, East of the Suez Canal, and Delta. This transformative project involved meticulous planning, tunnel boring machine adjustments, and overcoming challenges in unstable mud soils. Dr. Brockmann planned for the successful completion of this complex endeavor. The total length of the tunnel is 3930m and reached to 4830m by adding the entries and exits; it includes 2 lanes with 3.60m and the maximum depth is 57m under the Suez Canal.

Just a few other of his responsibilities have included Structural Engineer for Berlin’s Hall of Congress and the Dame Point bridge in Jacksonville, FL, Site Engineer for Denmark’s Great Belt Tunnel, and participation in the project management for Qatar’s $40 billion Metro system.

Structural Engineer

Dame Point Bridge, Jacksonville, FL.

Structural Engineer

Hall of Congress, Berlin

Project Management

Port Said Canals, Sinai

Breadth of Knowledge

Dr. Brockmann’s academic journey is as impressive as his professional achievements. Graduating with BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering from Germany in 1981, he continued to expand his expertise with an Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering from France in 1982.

Over the course of his career, Brockmann realized that to effectively oversee construction projects of a certain scale, one requires more than the engineering expertise.

Driven by a pursuit of knowledge as well as a passion for taking on larger and more complex jobs, he earned a BA and MA in Business Administration, an MA in Economics, a PhD in Construction Management in 2007 (Switzerland), and his latest achievement, a 2022 PhD in Economics (Germany).

All of Dr. Brockmann’s attributes, as well as the expertise of our other Construction Engineering professors, provide our students with an outstanding education. We look forward to seeing the success of our graduates supporting economic growth and construction development in such a critical part of Utah’s workforce.

More on Construction Engineering at the U

Since 2022, our bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering has been the only ABET-accredited program in Utah. Designed meet industry trends, our program encompasses environmental sustainability and software adoption to prepare the next generation of construction engineers, who currently in very high demand on today’s job market.

Read more→

More news from our department:

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

New Construction Engineering bachelor’s degree prepares students for a career in high-demand

Since 2022, our bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering has been the only ABET-accredited program in Utah. Designed meet industry trends, our program encompasses environmental sustainability and software adoption to prepare the next generation of construction engineers, who currently in very high demand on today’s job market.

While most colleges include Construction Engineering under the Civil and Environmental umbrella, our autonomous Construction BS puts a more focused effort in training these essential engineers in the rapidly growing and increasingly technologically complex field.

Construction Engineering at the University of Utah prepares students to enter this exciting field. Students take courses in both civil engineering fundamentals—such as construction technology, scheduling, estimating, structural principles, site analysis, computer-assisted design, green building, and materials—and instruction in construction engineering courses, such as those related to contracting, project management, project scheduling, cost estimating, and laws and regulations.

Some courses provided include:

Green Building (Façade I)

One of the most important upcoming challenges for construction is the design and construction of sustainable buildings.

Cost Estimating and Proposal Writing

Concentrates on pricing the different elements of a structure based on the use of resources.

Principals of Construction Engineering

Learn about the preconstruction and execution of various construction projects.

Horizontal and Vertical Construction

Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methods, and practices involved in planning and constructing buildings, bridges, roads, etc.

As we continue to commit resources into this unique degree, we look forward to equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to enter the workforce as competent and innovative construction engineers, ready to build our future.

Meet the professor:

Dr. Christian Brockmann

Dr. Brockmann joined the U in 2022 in part to spearhead the Construction Engineering degree, and there couldn’t have been a better fit. With an extensive background in both academia and industry, Dr. Brockmann has left an indelible mark on the field of Construction Engineering and will, in the years to come, be an integral part of the program’s success.

Read more→

More news from our department:

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

Join us in Welcoming our New Department Chair – Dr. Tong Qiu

Dear colleagues and friends of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah,

I’m pleased to share that after an extensive national search, Dr. Tong Qiu has accepted our offer to lead as our department chair, beginning July 1. Dr. Qiu is currently a professor of Civil Engineering at Penn State University where he has risen through the ranks since 2010. Professor Qiu boasts an impressive array of professional achievements, both in academia and industry. An ASCE Fellow, he possesses the precise blend of skills, personality, and vision needed to elevate our department’s atmosphere and foster excellence in both education and research. We are excited to welcome and support him as he steps into this important leadership role.

Dr. Qiu’s doctoral studies in Civil Engineering were completed at the University of California – Los Angeles. He is a very active researcher who incorporates leading technology which results in real engineering products. His research spans a broad spectrum, from theoretical explorations to hands-on experimentation, encompassing soil dynamics, fluid mechanics in porous materials, and the modeling of geological systems. Dr. Qiu also harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to address various geotechnical engineering challenges. His work receives support from a diverse range of funding sources, including federal agencies like NSF, FHWA, DOS, FRA, and SERDP, state entities such as PennDOT and the State Police, as well as private sector partners like Google, Tensar International Corporation, Alpine Equipment LLC, and Mission Critical Solutions, in addition to backing from DOT University Transportation Centers. The University of Utah is the perfect fit for his continued career growth.

It’s been my honor to serve as Department Chair for the past 11 years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over that time. Just a few of my privileges have included recruiting a number of excellent faculty members and seeing the growth of our department, both in the quality of education we provide our students as well as the caliber and capability of our excellent faculty and staff. I look forward to continuing as a professor in the department striving to contribute to our collective success, including offering support to Dr. Qiu as he steers our department forward.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Qiu and in providing him with our unwavering support as he assumes leadership.

Warm regards,

Dr. Michael Barber

More News From Our Department

PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah

Posted: April 30, 2024

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]

$1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

Posted: April 22, 2024

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded […]

Research at the U is Building Better Utah Infrastructure

Posted: March 1, 2024

Dr. Pedro Romero Honored with Friend of Industry Award at the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference The Utah Asphalt Paving Association—the driving force behind our road infrastructure—recently hosted the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference from February 27 to 28. Recognized as the premier asphalt-related event in the state, the conference brought together the industry’s best minds, including […]

Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award

Posted: November 6, 2023

CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]

Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state.

Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges new civil engineers will face in designing resilient structures for the future and predicting the changes Utah cities will undergo in the next 50 years. Scholarships were awarded based on participants’ proposal to addressing these challenges.

In her response, Mina outlined a vision for the future of civil and construction engineering, emphasizing the necessity for resilient and sustainable infrastructure to combat the impacts of climate change and accommodate population growth—two predominant issues Utah will face in the future. She highlighted key challenges, including preparing for extreme weather events, managing limited water resources, building smart cities, and integrating new technologies.

Specifically, she underscored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in optimizing smart city operations. Mina outlined her intention to specialize in leveraging AI and big data to model urban systems, predict infrastructure failures, and enhance city management.

Furthermore, Mina emphasized the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement in addressing Utah’s growth challenges. She advocated for engineers to work alongside economists, ecologists, public health experts, and marginalized communities to develop holistic and multifunctional infrastructure solutions.

Mina’s forward-thinking response earned her the second-place award in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program, accompanied by a $1,000 scholarship. She will be honored at the ASCE Utah Section Annual Meeting on Friday, June 28th, 2024. The achievement reflects the dedication and innovation of our students in tackling pressing civil engineering challenges.

Mina is among the passionate individuals in our diverse Construction Engineering cohort, which proudly includes significant female representation, all committed to building a better future. Women make up a higher percentage in construction engineering than any other engineering field, making it a unique opportunity for women to thrive. The field also allows women to assume more leadership positions compared to other engineering disciplines, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a dynamic and inclusive career path.

Join us in congratulating Mina Golazad on this remarkable accomplishment. We look forward to witnessing her contributions to the advancement of construction engineering and its future in Utah.

Dr. Peter Zhu’s team Plays Key Role in Securing $1M DOE Grant for Advanced Nuclear Energy Research

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Peter Zhu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his lab have been collaborating with a team at the University of Illinois on a proposal that has just been awarded a $1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Zhu’s contributions to the field of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and its advancement to nuclear energy research and development, showcasing the team’s broad expertise in engineering research.

NEUP, a vital initiative for fostering innovation and maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear research, supports university-led projects across the nation. In its latest round of funding, NEUP has selected 25 projects from 22 states, providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to pioneer groundbreaking technologies and solutions in civil nuclear capabilities.

The project, titled “Local resonance-based linear and nonlinear NDE techniques for repaired DSC wall structures,” represents a significant step forward for safer and more efficient nuclear energy solutions. Collaborating with the University of Illinois, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Dr. Zhu and the team will focus on developing novel linear and nonlinear ultrasound techniques. These techniques aim to characterize and quantify the structural integrity of repaired dry storage canisters (DSCs) used for long-term spent nuclear fuel storage and management.

Dry storage canisters are vital for safe storage and management of spent nuclear fuel. However, over time, these structures may undergo wear and tear, necessitating repairs to maintain their integrity. The project’s main goal will seek to enhance the inspection and monitoring of repaired DSC wall structures, ensuring their long-term reliability and safety.

By harnessing the power of advanced NDE methods, the research aims to provide nuclear industry stakeholders with invaluable insights into the condition of DSCs, facilitating proactive maintenance strategies and mitigating potential risks associated with structural degradation.

We are excited about the potential impact of Dr. Zhu’s collaborative efforts and look forward to the advancements this project will bring to the nuclear energy sector.