Laboratory adheres to the development strategy of "two-wheel drive, talent-led", following the road of civil engineering materials with high-tech characteristics relying on the key disciplines. The lab aims to carry out cutting-edge and applied basic research on new and functional civil engineering materials at the same time. We absorb the latest research directions like materials chemistry, energy materials, biological materials, environmentally friendly materials, etc. By digesting and absorbing the suggestions of the last academic committee, the experimental research directions were further condensed and optimized, and adjusted to the following four research orientations:

(1) High-performance Civil Engineering Structural Materials
(2) Advanced Civil Engineering Functional Materials
(3) Green Civil Engineering Eco-materials 
(4) Service Behavior and Innovative Application of Civil Engineering Materials

The details of each specific research direction can be summarized as follows:
(1) High-performance Civil Engineering Structural Materials
Main Contents：The formation and control mechanism of microstructure of civil engineering materials to establish composition-structure-performance relationship of civil engineering materials. Theoretical modeling and simulation analysis of multi-scale analysis of civil engineering materials to realize the regulation and optimization of the composition and structure of civil engineering materials. The meso-mechanics and strength theory of civil engineering materials to explore the damage and fracture of civil engineering materials and the mechanism of strengthening and toughening. The evolution law of the whole life cycle performance of civil engineering materials and their mechanical behavior under extreme conditions to develop ultra-high-performance and high-durability civil engineering materials .

Key research areas include:
● Formation, regulation and control mechanism and method of microstructure of civil engineering materials;
● Composition, structural regulation, optimization theory and method of civil engineering materials;
● Design and preparation of fiber reinforced toughening materials；
● Mechanical behavior and performance evolution of civil engineering materials under extreme condition；
● Research, development and preparation of ultra-high-performance and high-durability civil engineering materials.

(2) Advanced Civil Engineering Functional Materials
Main Contents：Innovative materials for smart cities, and exploring the formation theory and deterioration mechanism of molecular-nano-level microstructure; The design theory and preparation method of energy storage, heat insulation, light transmission, self-sensing, self-regulating and self-repairing civil engineering materials, etc. The application of advanced civil engineering functional materials and structure-function integrated civil engineering materials.

Key research areas include:
● Thermoelectric conversion material;
● Photoelectric and optically controlled materials;
● Bionic intelligent building materials;
● Energy-saving building materials;
● Self-repairing cement-based materials;
● Energy storage material;
● Structure-function integrated materials.

(3) Green Civil Engineering Eco-materials 
Main Contents：The theory and method of preparing civil engineering materials with low carbon, carbon-absorption and low energy consumption, the principle and technology of high performance of low-grade raw materials or solid wastes; The new theory and method of high efficiency activation and utilization of bulk solid wastes. The long-term environmental safety of civil engineering materials with large amount of industrial wastes, including the environmental safety evaluation method and technical index system of civil engineering materials composed from large amount of industrial wastes. The technology of using recycled civil materials and solid wastes. The preparation method and production technology of ecological environmental materials for civil engineering. Innovative ecological environmental materials for civil engineering with low-carbon, carbon-absorption, recycling，etc.

Key research areas include:
● Theory and method of utilization of solid wastes and recycled civil engineering materials;
● Environmental evaluation method of civil engineering materials;
● Heavy metal ion migration, percolation and its control mechanism in civil engineering materials;
● Bio-based building materials;
● Green functional admixtures;
● Low-carbon and sustainable new materials for civil engineering.

(4) Service Behavior and Innovative Application of Civil Engineering Materials
Main Contents：The service behavior of civil engineering materials under various environments, improving the long-term service performance, developing new theories and technologies to extend the life of civil engineering materials, and form a technical system of high durability and long service life of civil engineering materials. The technology integration theory and application technology of energy conservation system in civil engineering. New techniques for testing, monitoring and characterization of the long-term service performance of civil engineering materials and structures. Developing innovative materials and structural systems for civil engineering and their applications in construction.

Key research areas include:
● The service behavior and evolution mechanism of civil engineering materials under extreme environments;
● Durability deterioration mechanism and life extension theory of materials and structures;
● Innovative material and structure system of UHPC;
● Innovative technology of material property detection and monitoring in civil engineering;
● Technology integration of civil engineering material system and key technology of engineering application.