Research in Construction Science

The Department of Construction Science conducts transformative research with significant societal impact. We are dedicated to broadening our influence by offering world-class facilities and comprehensive support to our faculty and students, fostering innovation and addressing critical global challenges in the construction industry.

Research Spotlights

Convergent Multidisciplinary Research

Our diverse research portfolio tackles real-world problems through convergent research and collaborative efforts with industry. 

Construction Management

We focus on advancing the methodologies and practices essential for efficiently overseeing construction projects from inception to completion. We emphasize the integration of innovative management techniques and cutting-edge technology to optimize project planning, execution, and delivery. Our research explores advancing project management processes, Building Information Modeling (BIM), lean construction principles, risk management strategies, real-time data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven solutions. By examining these areas, we aim to enhance project efficiency, reduce costs, improve safety standards, and ensure timely completion.

Smart Construction

There is no doubt that technologies are serious drivers for innovation in construction.  We develop emerging digital technologies and processes that are promising to transform construction into a safer, more productive, more resilient, and more sustainability cognizant sector. We explore technologies and computational processes including drones, virtual reality (VR), 3D-printing, digital twins, robotics, smart materials, energy simulation, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) from the context of construction. We’re discovering how new technologies can improve the built environment and how humans interface with it.  From making better decisions to creating safer and more productive workspaces, technological advances are shaping our industry.

Construction Safety

We are dedicated to pioneering research and practices that enhance safety standards in the construction industry. We focus on developing and implementing advanced safety protocols, innovative technologies, and comprehensive training programs to minimize risks and protect workers. Our research includes the use of wearable technology (exoskeleton),  real-time monitoring, drone inspections for hazard identification, prevention through design approach, virtual reality (VR) for immersive safety training, and predictive analytics to foresee and mitigate potential safety issues. By addressing factors such as job site ergonomics, occupational health, and emergency response strategies, we aim to create safer construction environments. Our commitment extends to fostering a culture of safety awareness and continuous improvement, ensuring that safety is integrated into every aspect of construction operations. Through collaboration with industry partners and regulatory bodies, we strive to set new benchmarks for safety and well-being in the construction sector.

Sustainable Construction

The future of construction work will be shaped by forces of climate change, automation, globalization, and exploration of unfamiliar environments beyond earth. Whether and to what extent such a future will meet the construction demand in a sustainable manner will depend on how sustainability principles are integrated to control these forces. Our faculty and researchers tackle complex problems that arise from the growing demand on sustainability of the built environment.  We conduct research of construction projects and constructed facilities covering the three dimensions of sustainability: (1) environmental; (2) economic; and (3) social dimension. The environmental dimension will cover the energy and environmental impact modeling of construction materials and methods aimed at minimizing primary energy use, raw material consumption, and life cycle impacts through indicators such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and toxicity potential. The optimization of initial construction as well as life cycle costs is covered under the economic dimension. Job site safety, construction ethics, and occupants’ satisfaction are evaluated under the social dimension. 

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Funded Research

Our faculty work with various federal and state agencies and industry partners to conduct impactful research through funded projects. On average, we secure more than $5 million in external research funding each year. Please visit our faculty’s website to obtain the latest information about their current and upcoming research projects.

View our current projects

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Labs and Facilities