Research Centers
The diversity of civil-engineering activities is reflected in the variety of research centers associated with the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. Research accomplished in these Centers ranges from best practices in the construction industry to efficient uses of energy and water resources. The Centers cover the gamut of civil engineering fields.
Center for Construction Industry Studies (CCIS)
CCIS is multi-disciplinary research program studying the construction industry and was created with a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the CII. It was created to perform multi-disciplinary, long-range studies addressing construction industry challenges in order to complement the traditionally short-term research process employed by CII and others.
Center for Energy and Environmental Resources (CEER)
CEER's research and educational activities focus on efficient and economical use of energy and on ensuring a cleaner environment by developing, in cooperation with industry, processes and technologies that minimize waste and conserve natural resources.
Center for Research in Water Resources (CRWR)
CRWR serves as the central focus for environmental and water-resources research at UT Austin. The Center carries out advanced research, education, design, and planning in water resources, treatment processes, and waste management for Texas, other areas of the country, and foreign countries.
Center for Transportation Research (CTR)
CTR is a nationally recognized research institution focusing on transportation research, education, and public service. We invite you to review our programs, our faculty, and our professional research staff by visiting the CTR website.
Construction Industry Institute (CII)
The Construction Industry Institute is a research organization with a singular mission: improving the competitiveness of the construction industry. CII is a unique consortium of leading owners and contractors who have joined together to find better ways of planning and executing capital construction programs.
Construction Materials Research Group (CMRG) / Concrete Durability Center (CDC)
As part of the education of our students, CMRG and the CDC are dedicated to advancing the state of the art in construction materials technology and concrete durability through research and development.
Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory (FSEL)
FSEL is a facility dedicated to research for improving the analysis, design and construction of buildings, bridges and special structures. The Phil M. Ferguson Structural Engineering Research Laboratory located at the Pickle Research Campus, is one of the largest and most active in the world. (You may be interested in this history [pdf] of the FSEL.)
Geotechnical Engineering Center (GEC)
The GEC focuses on problems involving soil and rock. Examples include the design of foundations for structures, tunneling, disposal of waste products by burial in the ground, design of earth dams, and a variety of other similar topics.
International Center for Aggregates Research (ICAR)
ICAR was established in 1992 by the Aggregates Foundation for Technology, Research and Education (AFTRE) to promote research, education and technology transfer related to aggregates. The Center is operated jointly by The University of Texas at Austin (UT) and Texas A&M University (TAMU).
Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC)
OTRC is an Engineering Research Center established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the offshore oil and gas industry. It is jointly operated by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.