Materials Engineering
Developing Advanced Materials for a Sustainable Future
Materials Engineering focuses on the durability and performance of construction materials. This area seeks to develop advanced materials that can withstand environmental challenges and reduce maintenance costs.
Research Areas
Concrete Durability
Asphalt Performance
Pavement Design
Research Impact: Engineering Smarter Materials Reduces Carbon Footprint
Our faculty are dedicated to building a more sustainable future through innovating construction materials.
Smarter materials not only enhance the durability and longevity of infrastructure but also significantly reduce environmental impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Concrete improvements can reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects, which currently account for 5% of global emissions.
Research News
National Scholarship Awarded for Sustainable Pavement Research
Jeremiah’s work centers on sustainable pavement and materials engineering, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of roadways. He studies how to improve the performance of pavements—especially in cold regions—by integrating eco-friendly materials and better prediction models.
New Methods to Predict Asphalt Properties Reduce Testing Time and Improve Design Accuracy
New research promises to simplify and improve pavement design by providing a more accessible method to predict material properties. As a result, it could lead to more effective and efficient pavement designs, benefitting both industry and the communities that rely on well-designed infrastructure.
American Concrete Institute Recognizes Ph.D. Student's Research on Concrete Rehabilitation
ACI recognized University of Utah Ph.D. student Sayal Shrestha's work on strengthening concrete infrastructure. Shrestha presented his research at the TriDurLE Annual Symposium and earned the top prize in the “Poster and Student Solutions Driven Competitions” category.
Paving the Way: One Engineering Student’s Impact on Utah’s Asphalt Industry
Ph.D. student with Beatriz Fieldkircher recently earned recognition at the Utah Asphalt Conference, where she was awarded The Utah Asphalt Pavement Association’s $1,500 One-Time Annual Scholarship—a distinct and prestigious recognition in the state’s engineering and transportation industry.
Academia Applied to Industry
Our program collaborates with industry leaders, government agencies, and research institutions to address pressing structural engineering challenges. These partnerships ensure that our research has a tangible impact on improving the safety, resilience, and sustainability of infrastructure worldwide.
Our researchers regularly partner with UDOT, the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association, and many other local and national agencies and institutions.
