Research
The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is globally recognized for its impact in water resource management and air quality, user-centered built environments, bio-inspired manufacturing solutions, novel building materials, disaster recovery, large scale 3D printing, robotics and autonomous systems deployed in construction as well as novel transportation and infrastructure solutions.
Our mission
Our researchers advance the ever-growing ability of science, engineering,
and technology to discover, analyze and create solutions to the greatest
challenges facing humanity today.
Engineering for Disaster Resilience
Our increasing reliance on complex, interconnected systems makes the consequences of failure more severe and underscores the need to enhance our resilience to natural (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, floods) and human-caused disasters (e.g., terrorist attacks, engineering failures, industrial accidents). Research and education in this area enables communities to better anticipate, prevent and adapt to disasters, reducing their economic, social, cultural, and environmental impact.
Meet the researchers:
Research Highlight: Dr. Chukwuebuka Nweke
Dr. Nweke focuses on applying components of data analytics (including statistical analysis, machine
learning, and database management) to solve problems at the intersection of geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, seismology, and geomorphology. His research interests are modeling geo-materials and investigating seismic and other natural hazards at the local (site) and regional scales.
Engineering for Extreme Habitats
Meet the researchers:
Research Highlight: Dr. Lucio Soibelman
Engineering for Urban Livability
Urban spaces must not only be safe, resilient, and sustainable, they must also improve the quality of life for their inhabitants, satisfying their physical, psychological, and social needs. This research thrust creates new methods, tools, technologies, and innovations that help manage and predict the complex nexus of urban systems. We focus on a sense of place and time, supporting engagement, accessibility, human-infrastructure interaction and adaptation and control of urban spaces.
Meet the researchers:
Researcher Highlight: Dr. Audrey Olivier
Engineering for Environmental Stewardship
Sustainability in the context of civil engineering envisions the long-term viability of natural resources and engineered civil systems. We focus on systems and methods that provide an adequate supply of potable water, support water reuse and wastewater management, mitigate air pollution and climate change, ensure food security, create renewable resources, innovate carbon capture and utilization, and address plastic and solid waste.
Meet the researchers:
Research Highlight: Amy Childress
Engineering for Transport Service Systems
Mobility has been a catalyst in the evolution and growth of civilizations, and in improving the quality of life in the modern world. Transport systems of the future will be hyper- connected, physically, and digitally, capable of providing end-to-end service for the movement of people and goods. Research and education in this area integrate breakthroughs in computing and autonomy, while addressing the need to achieve and sustain equal access to transport services amidst a dynamic, constantly moving world.