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Research

Below are some of the core research themes for the university’s Future of Construction Initiative.

Performative Architecture

Biomimetics; material‑based and computational design; construction automation; lightweight systems.

Next-Gen Infratructure

Rapid prototyping/deployment; on‑site additive construction; material efficiency; design optimization; repair & maintenance.

Smart & Intelligent Systems

Construction robotics; AI‑driven NDT; programmable materials; smart structures; cybersecurity in construction systems.

Affordable Housing

Typologies (ADU, disaster relief, transitional, micro, multi‑unit); morphologies (monocoque, modular/panelized); materials (in‑situ concrete; off‑site polymer/concrete; low‑carbon mixes; recycled/bio‑based polymers).

Multi-Phase Pathway & Milestone

Explore the phases of the project below and the projected milestones associated with each.

Phase 1—CHAMP (2024–2026)

Utilities & space prep; equipment acquisition; system install, calibration, safety inspections; team building; convergent proposal development.

Phase 2—Research Demonstration & Ecosystem Building (2025–2027)

Pilot projects; curricular integration; workforce programs; stakeholder engagement and industrial outreach.

Phase 3—Scale-Up (2027+)

Construction Innovation Playground; real‑world, construction‑scale demonstrations; membership models and center‑scale funding (IUCRC, ERC, DOE centers).

Representative Projects (Seed List)

  • 3D‑Printable, Conductive Concrete—Printable mixes with embedded/printed sensing for structural/thermal monitoring.
  • Autonomous Multi‑Arm Path Planning—Coordinated robots (arm/gantry/mobile) with real‑time feedback and QA.
  • Augmented Contact-Aware Tools for Autonomous Robotic Manipulation
  • via Imitation-Guided Policy
  • Reinforcement & Utilities Integration—Voids/inserts, post‑tension strategies, and conduit placement in printed components.
  • Low‑Carbon Mixes & Waste Valorization—AM‑ready cementitious systems; durability and compliance; lifecycle/embodied‑carbon analytics.
  • Digital Twin & QA/QC Analytics—As‑designed vs. as‑printed conformance; machine data capture; sensor fusion; performance dashboards.