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.
Recent News
Dr. Romero Develops New Method to Predict Asphalt Properties, Reducing Testing Time and Improving Design Accuracy
Dr. Pedro Romero and his team are pioneering a faster, easier way to obtain inputs for better pavement design, thereby optimizing available resources. The researchers developed a method to predict the elastic properties of asphalt using a test known as IDEAL CT, which assesses the cracking potential of asphalt. They then compared these approximate values with actual measured values to validate their findings.
This new approach significantly reduces the time and effort required to obtain the necessary data, allowing for results in approximately one day.
One Engineering Student’s Research is Helping Utah’s Asphalt Industry
Now a Ph.D. student, Beatriz Fieldkircher sought an internship in the asphalt materials lab at the University of Utah in 2022. Initially driven by the desire to design enduring pavements, Beatriz’s research began to hone in on asphalt’s behavior under varying temperature conditions.
Her research was recently 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.
Fieldkircher in the Materials Lab in the Layton Engineering Building
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.
