Research
Solutions for the Future
The Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
prides itself on its outstanding research track record. Working
closely with the newly formed KU Transportation Research Institute,
the KU Center for Research, the department's faculty and students
are creating new boundaries for technological capabilities as they
provide solutions for the world.
Architectural Engineering
Areas of research interest/expertise include: Construction and
safety, construction management, power systems, structural analysis
and design, building energy analysis and management green buildings,
materials science, HVAC, indoor air quality, solar energy, automatic
controls, and fire protection.
Civil Engineering
Construction
Recent research topics include: Rapid bridge replacement techniques,
highway work zone safety, emerging technology applications,
international construction management, construction management,
information technology, sustainable development and construction,
knowledge management, quality management and control, productivity
management, organizational development, construction safety,
contracting methods, project management, performance evaluation,
organizational development, total quality management.
Geotechnical
Recent research topics include: Soil modification/stabilization
using lime and fly ash; geographic information systems/site
investigation; quality measurement of lime stabilized soil and HMA
using nondestructive methods; asphalt mix design; cold in-place
recycling of asphalt.
Structures
Recent areas of interest include: Structural analysis and design,
structural mechanics and engineering materials. Areas of strength
include reinforced concrete behavior and design, structural steel
design, seismic performance, concrete materials, fiber-reinforced
composites, structural analysis, expert systems, and fracture
mechanics.
Transportation
The area combines course work with stimulating and relevant research
work. Both urban and rural environmental aspects of transportation
are presented, as is the systems approach to transportation
planning, traffic engineering, and other transportation engineering
activities.
Water Resources
Emphasized are civil engineering applications of hydrology and fluid
mechanics, environmental science, and interdisciplinary studies in
groundwater, water quality, and water resources policy and planning.
Environmental Engineering
Air quality
Topics of recent interest include toxic air pollutants, remote
sensing of vehicular emissions, low-emission vehicles,
hydrometeorology, aerosol science, and acid rain.
Solid and hazardous waste
Topics of recent interest include bioremediation, applied
microbiology, landfill design, permeable barriers, and bio- and
green technologies.
Water quality
Topics of recent interest include pesticide runoff,
hydrometeorology, removal of soluble organic contaminants,
disinfection byproduct formation, green technology, bioremediation,
biotechnology, biological water and waste treatment, applied
microbiology, acid rain, endocrine system disruptors,
pharmaceuticals and personal care products, lake and reservoir
management, and the effects of land use on water quality.
We invite you to learn more about specific projects by exploring the
faculty publications or reviewing faculty web pages.