Research

In recent years, the focus in civil engineering has noticeably shifted towards the development of innovative technologies and materials. Despite the promotion of the use of materials based on alternative and renewable raw materials, the significance of polymeric and polymer-modified materials has always increased and will continue to gain further importance in the future due to their considerably variable and unique universal properties. The complex interaction with traditional building materials as well as economic and ecological aspects requires a profound expertise and special fundamental research with respect to new innovative properties and their qualitative and quantitative changes such as suitability, durability, and applicability. Likewise, practice-oriented topics from the fields of new construction, renovation, and repair are pursued.

In the scope of basic research, the Chair of Construction Chemistry and Polymer Materials focusses on the investigation of interactions in inorganic and organic material systems. This includes the interaction of conventional petrochemical-based polymers as well as the behavior of bio-based materials in mineral systems. A further focus is the analysis of influences of microstructure on the durability as well as the load-dependent and load-independent mechanical properties of polymer-modified mortars and concretes. Simultaneously, research in the field of alternative binder systems, such as geo-polymers, is conducted.

The application of polymeric materials in hybrid structures was part of one research topic that demonstrated the great potential of material hybrids for civil engineering. The continuation of this topic is on the agenda for the following years.

Fathoming the material scientifical and technological aspects of thermochemical energy storage is another prospect field of research at our chair.

Research projects