Sustainable civil engineering is a broad concept that includes the planning, construction and management of buildings, structures, communities, and cities to achieve greater social, ecological, and economic sustainability. The starting point is to strengthen the relationships between aspects of sustainability in the built environment.

The research group Civil engineering at the University of Boras works with material research, energy efficient housing and recycling. The group's research distinguishes itself by conducting basic, applied and interdisciplinary research and aims to position itself in the field of sustainable built environment in Sweden. Through a unique laboratory environment and researchers' skills, synergies can occur among these research fields.

The group's research focuses on three areas

Timber and composite structures

Includes basic research in the  mechanical properties of timber  with regard to moisture in terms of mathematical modelling, computer simulation and laboratory experiments as well as research on connector elements, timber-concrete, modelling, and laboratory experiments to describe the load transfer between the materials.

The following are involved in timber and composite structures: Staffan Svensson, Professor; Agnes Nagy, Senior Lecturer; Sabina Huc, doctoral student; Johan Pyykkö, doctoral student.

In collaboration with Uppsala University, Hedared Sand, and Betong AB.

Moisture and resource-efficient energy use

Research regarding moisture and energy in new buildings and renovation, indoor environment in form of computer simulations and laboratory experiments of the subjects included in this field.

The following are involved in moisture and resource-efficient energy use: Linda Hägerhed, Senior Lecturer; and Kimmo Kurkinen, doctoral student. In collaboration with RISE Built Environment and Chalmers Civil and Environmental Engineering.

RE:Concrete

Research in concrete recycling is connected to resource management in the concrete industry and the study of existing recycling scenarios.  Particularly emphasis is placed on how concrete waste should be utilised in order to manufacture new concrete in high utility products such as the load-bearing system of a building. It includes the handling and processing of concrete waste, quality assurance by laboratory testing, and descriptions of sustainability dimensions.

The following are involved in RE:concrete: Catherine Malaga, Adjunct Professor; Agnes Nagy, Senior Lecturer; Börje Hellqvist, Lecturer; Madumita Sadagopan, doctoral student. In collaboration with the doctoral education programme Resource Recovery and CBI Concrete Institute.

Goal

The research group identifies and focuses on interdisciplinary research in the construction sector. Through challenge-driven research, education and innovation, the group wants to make a real and noticeable difference in the transition towards a sustainable society. The goal is a balanced use of resources and high quality built environment.

 

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The Centre for Sustainable Built Environment (CHS, for its initials in Swedish) is linked to the research group and aims to establish and support the group's collaboration with industry and society at large.