Durable & Sustainable Construction Materials
Are you amazed by skyscrapers, stunning bridges, massive dams, or scenic roads? Or are you surprised by accidents due to potholes, collapse of old bridges, fire damage of buildings, and the urgent need to replace lead water pipes?
If your answer is yes, you may find the research on durable and sustainable construction materials as an exciting and significant field. Taking bridges as an example, there are around 208,422 steel bridges, 144,321 reinforced concrete bridges, 203,041 prestressed concrete bridges, and over 900 wooden bridges in the United States. According to the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card released by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), almost four in 10 of bridges are 50 years or older. 9.1% of the nation’s bridges were structurally deficient in 2016. The most recent federal estimate puts the backlog of rehabilitation projects for the nation's bridges at $123 billion. If we were able to extend the service life of steel, concrete, wood, and other construction materials, these bridges would have a longer service life and require less cost to repair/reconstruct.
Description of Research
Our research contributes to the goal of more durable and sustainable infrastructure. Research subjects include major construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, aggregate, steel, masonry, and wood. Recent funded research projects include:
- Evaluation of the Effects of Deicers on Concrete Durability
- Evaluation the Impact of Anti-Icing Solutions on Concrete Durability
- Evaluation of Penetrating Sealers Applied to Saw Cut Faces in Concrete Pavement Joints
- Creating Hydrophobic Concrete Joints through Innovative Additives
- Timely and Uniform Application of Curing Materials
- Evaluating Water-Cementitious Material Ratio (W/CM) as Acceptance Parameter for Freshly Placed Concrete
Through both laboratory experiments and field studies, we strive to solve practical, real-world problems using the latest scientific theories, methods, and technologies. We apply holistic methods to connect microscopic material mechanisms to their macroscopic engineering properties. We collaborate with internal departments such as the state-of-the-art Material Fabrication and Nano Characterization lab and external research institutes such as the pavement test track at MnROAD.
Application and Career Opportunities
Construction materials are fundamental for all civil and environmental disciplines. Therefore, the experience with our research group will prepare students for a wide range of careers such as graduate schools, materials testing firms, consulting firms, government agencies, construction companies, and materials/equipment suppliers.
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Research from this project has been presented at the following events:
- University of Wisconsin Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity
- University of Wisconsin Research in the Rotunda
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Creative Activities and Research Poster Day
- WiSys SPARK Symposium
- Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting
- Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association (WCPA) Annual Meeting
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Wisconsin Section Annual Conference
- Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA) Annual Convention
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Faculty
Dr. Danny Xiao, P.E., ENV SP
Principal Investigator Civil and Environmental Engineering
xiaoxi@uwplatt.eduStudents
Ethan Randow
Major: Civil Engineering
Emphasis: Transportation Engineering Research Topic: The impact of gradation changes to the properties of asphalt mixtureErik Zieba
Major: Civil Engineering
Emphasis: Transportation Engineering
Research Topic: The impact of gradation changes to the properties of asphalt mixtureAlumni
Matthew Christensen
Major: Civil Engineering, 2025
Emphasis: Transportation Engineering
Research Topic: The impact of gradation changes to the properties of asphalt mixture
Last Known Organization: Transportation Engineer at Sedgwick County, KansasWill Straka
Major: Civil Engineering, 2025
Research Topic: Evaluation of Penetrating Sealers Applied to Saw Cut Faces in Concrete Pavement Joints; Creating Hydrophobic Concrete Joints through Innovative Additives
Last Known Organization: Master of Science in Sports Administration, Boston College, MAEvan Gitter
Major: Mechanical Engineering, 2023
Research Topic: Creating Hydrophobic Concrete Joints through Innovative Additives
Last Known Organization: Design Engineer at Pierce Manufacturing, Appleton, WIDylan Notsch, E.I.T.
Major: Environmental Engineering, 2023
Research Topic: Evaluation the Impact of Anti-Icing Solutions on Concrete Durability; Creating Hydrophobic Concrete Joints through Innovative Additives
Last Known Organization: Environmental Engineer at CBS Squared, Inc., Minneapolis, MNNicolas Oesau
Major: Civil Engineering, 2022
Research Topic: Evaluation the Impact of Anti-Icing Solutions on Concrete Durability
Last Known Organization: Graduate Civil Engineer at Westwood Professional Services, Denver, COGino Kounelis
Major: Civil Engineering, 2021
Research Topic: Microscopic Analysis of Wisconsin Concrete with and without Fly Ash
Last Known Organization: Civil Engineer at City of Racine, WIZebedee Kielar
Major: Civil Engineering, 2021
Research Topic: Evaluation the Impact of Anti-Icing Solutions on Concrete Durability
Last Known Organization: Transportation Engineer at Westwood Infrastructure, Inc., Appleton, WILane Welch
Major: Civil Engineering, 2020
Research Topic: Evaluation the Impact of Anti-Icing Solutions on Concrete Durability
Last Known Organization: Coldwell Banker Realty, Rochester, MNJustin Mahlberg, Ph.D., E.I.T.
Major: Civil Engineering, 2019
Research Topic: Evaluation of Penetrating Sealers Applied to Saw Cut Faces in Concrete Pavement Joints
Last Known Organization: Founder of LSM Analytics, LLC, West Lafayette, IndianaJessica Zemen, MPH
Major: Environmental Engineering, 2018
Research Topic: Evaluation of the Effects of Deicers on Concrete Durability
Last Known Organization: HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) Specialist at Chevron, Covington, LAKyle Thompson, P.E., PTP
Major: Civil Engineering, 2017
Research Topic: Evaluation of the Effects of Deicers on Concrete Durability
Last Known Organization: Transportation Planner at City of Ames, Iowa
Join the Research Group
We are always looking for highly motivated students. If you are interested in any topics in our research group, please contact Dr. Danny Xiao.