Structural Engineering & Structural Mechanics

Rethinking concrete to make stronger, sustainable bricks from a quick-growing bacteria

sugl6437 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:48:46 +0000

Rethinking concrete to make stronger, sustainable bricks from a quick-growing bacteria sugl6437 Fri, 07/17/2026 - 12:48

CPR News recently highlighted Associate Professor Mija Hubler's innovative, bacteria-based alternative to concrete and her appearance in the documentary "Women of Carbon." Her sustainable building material is helping reduce the carbon footprint of construction.

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Meet Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto

sugl6437 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:39:48 +0000

Meet Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto sugl6437 Wed, 02/04/2026 - 16:39

Susan Glairon

What were you doing prior to joining the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering?

Before graduate school, I worked as a design engineer in Costa Rica on new design projects as well as conducted seismic assessments and retrofits of existing buildings.

In 2025, I obtained my PhD in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, under Associate Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis. My doctoral work focused on the performance of seismic isolation devices, systems that reduce how much earthquake shaking reaches a building. This is done by placing flexible devices between foundations and buildings. During an earthquake, the ground can move, but the building above moves more slowly and less violently—helping prevent damage and collapse. These systems can achieve higher performance than traditional approaches in which buildings resist earthquakes by permitting damage in specific elements such as beams, columns or walls. The building stays standing, but those parts are damaged and often need major repairs.

My work combined mechanical theory, advanced numerical modeling and large-scale laboratory testing to understand how these devices perform and quantify their limits.

What are your main research interests or focus areas?

My research sits at the intersection of structural mechanics, earthquake engineering and innovative structural systems. As mentioned, one focus is developing affordable, sustainable, low-damage seismic protection devices. A second focus is the development of computer models that look at buildings from a microscopic scale to the entire structure. This helps us better understand how buildings behave under extreme conditions, especially when they use unconventional materials.

What drew you to CU �ֲ��ý?

I was drawn to CU �ֲ��ý and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences for their strong commitment to innovation that creates real-world impact and sustainable solutions, supported by a strong culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary research. I believe this environment will enrich my work and amplify its impact. I was also deeply attracted to the institution’s inclusive culture. Of course, the proximity to the Flatirons and Rocky Mountains doesn’t hurt either.

How does your work connect to real-world problems or applications?

Natural hazards continue to cause significant human and economic losses worldwide because many buildings and infrastructure systems are not designed to withstand extreme events.

My work focuses on developing new technologies that make buildings and infrastructure safer and more reliable while keeping them affordable and environmentally friendly. This involves both hands-on testing and computer simulations to understand how these new technologies and materials behave under different conditions.

Are there any specific projects or collaborations you’re excited to start here?

I’m excited to use the facilities of the Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing (CIEST) to carry out material and large-scale tests that are necessary for the work I envision. I also believe that my work on computational simulations will foster valuable collaborations with other faculty and researchers of civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering. From a teaching standpoint, I’m looking forward to using the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory, a unique resource that provides engineering students with hands-on learning experiences.

What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work?

I’m a tennis fan who enjoys playing on the weekends—when the weather cooperates—and I follow professional tournaments. You’ll also find me exploring new hikes and parks with my family and my beloved dog, Iga. And last, but not least, I’m a coffee enthusiast who enjoys a freshly brewed cup in the afternoon, as well as sampling beans from around the world.

We are thrilled to welcome Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto, who joined our faculty in January 2026. Read how Eduardo's expertise in affordable, sustainable seismic protection systems and advanced computer models improves how buildings perform under extreme conditions.

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Homes that can withstand extremes: New study reveals pathways to housing resilience

Susan Glairon — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 22:40:15 +0000

Homes that can withstand extremes: New study reveals pathways to housing resilience Susan Glairon Tue, 12/09/2025 - 15:40

Professor Abbie Liel and colleagues have identified building code features that have the biggest impact on hazard resilience and translated those features into tangible, practical building solutions. The findings were published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.

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Symposium advances structural engineering toward zero carbon

Susan Glairon — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:46:14 +0000

Symposium advances structural engineering toward zero carbon Susan Glairon Mon, 07/07/2025 - 15:46

Susan Glairon

CU �ֲ��ý's Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and the Structural Engineering Institute co-hosted a symposium June 26-27 focused on advancing the structural engineering profession toward zero carbon.

The event, which drew 166 participants to CU �ֲ��ý’s campus, marked an industry-wide step toward cutting emissions tied to building materials like steel and concrete, said Assistant Teaching Professor Jay Arehart, the organizer of the event.

“Bringing together people from 65 different companies shows that sustainability isn’t limited to just a few firms—it reflects collective action across the structural engineering profession to drive toward zero carbon,” Arehart said.

Towards Zero Carbon 2025: Summit & Symposium explored design practices and materials that reduce embodied carbon—the greenhouse gases emitted during the production, transport and disposal of building materials. Achieving “zero carbon" means balancing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net emissions.

Arehart said he believed it was the largest gathering to date of structural engineers focused on embodied carbon reductions.

Teaching Professor Jay Arehart organized the event,
which attracted 166 participants.

Alexis Feitel, PE, an embodied carbon innovation and technical director with KL&A Structural Engineers in Golden, said KL&A’s entire “Team Carbon” and the company’s CEO attended the event.

“It boosted our embodied carbon technical training and energized us to progress toward zero carbon,” he said.

Utsav Dahal, a CU �ֲ��ý PhD student in architectural engineering, said he decided to attend the symposium after taking a life cycle assessment class with Arehart.

“As someone who believes in sustainability—even in mechanical systems—I wanted to learn more about embodied carbon,” said Dahal, whose research focuses on building energy efficiency and the impact of retrofitting existing buildings.

Dahal said the symposium was enriched by the real-world insights from industry professionals, and that he would “definitely recommend this event” to others, noting that carbon reduction is a shared goal across all construction disciplines.

“There’s still a lot to learn,” Dahal added.

The event, which drew 166 participants to CU �ֲ��ý’s campus, marked an industry-wide step toward cutting emissions tied to building materials like steel and concrete.

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CUE magazine: A big fix

Susan Glairon — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:35:32 +0000

CUE magazine: A big fix Susan Glairon Thu, 06/26/2025 - 14:35

In this 2025 edition of CU Engineering (CUE) magazine, CEAE researchers tackle pressing challenges—such as the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes, wildfires and floods—head-on, developing innovative solutions to repair aging infrastructure and build a more resilient future.

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What makes some homes, neighborhoods more likely to survive wildfire? New research offers insight

Susan Glairon — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:54:09 +0000

What makes some homes, neighborhoods more likely to survive wildfire? New research offers insight Susan Glairon Wed, 06/04/2025 - 07:54

Professor Abbie Liel’s research, recently published in Fire Technology, examined destruction patterns from the December 2021 Marshall Fire, which killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes in �ֲ��ý County.

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LA fire rebuilding recommendations for homeowners

Susan Glairon — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:03:47 +0000

LA fire rebuilding recommendations for homeowners Susan Glairon Tue, 04/01/2025 - 15:03

Researchers from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering share key lessons from post-Marshall Fire rebuilding to help Los Angeles homeowners and others navigate recovery after wildfires.

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Lessons from Lahaina for Los Angeles

Susan Glairon — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:02:21 +0000

Lessons from Lahaina for Los Angeles Susan Glairon Thu, 01/30/2025 - 15:02

In this opinion piece, Professor Abbie Liel and Susan Ostermann, Liel's collaborator from the University of Notre Dame, share lessons learned on housing resilience from their NSF-funded research with Lahaina fire survivors.

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Disaster survivors want to rebuild safer, more sustainable homes, but cost misperceptions often stand in the way

Susan Glairon — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 16:15:13 +0000

Disaster survivors want to rebuild safer, more sustainable homes, but cost misperceptions often stand in the way Susan Glairon Fri, 11/08/2024 - 09:15

Professor Abbie Liel and her collaborator Susan Ostermann at Notre Dame are exploring solutions for building homes that can withstand disasters like hurricanes and fires.

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Three CEAE faculty selected for Climate Innovation Collaboratory research awards

Susan Glairon — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 22:14:00 +0000

Three CEAE faculty selected for Climate Innovation Collaboratory research awards Susan Glairon Wed, 11/06/2024 - 15:14

Deloitte and the �ֲ��ý Climate Innovation Collaboratory Research Awards selected three CEAE faculty members for funding: Associate Professor Kyri Baker’s proposal “Viability of Long- and Short-Duration Energy Storage for AI Data Centers: Carbon, Cost and Reliability” and Associate Professor Mija Hubler (PI) and Associate Professor Jeong-Hoon Song’s (co-PI) proposal, “Framework for Mix Design Relations of Low-Embedded Carbon using Local Materials."

Deloitte and CU �ֲ��ý launched the Climate Innovation Collaboratory to translate cutting-edge climate research and data into meaningful climate solutions for businesses, organizations, government agencies and communities.

Kyri Baker, Mija Hubler and JH Song were selected for the Deloitte/�ֲ��ý Climate Innovation Collaboratory Research Awards for translating climate research and data into meaningful climate solutions for businesses, organizations, government agencies and communities.

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Structural Engineering & Structural Mechanics

Rethinking concrete to make stronger, sustainable bricks from a quick-growing bacteria

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Meet Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto

What were you doing prior to joining the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering?

What are your main research interests or focus areas?

What drew you to CU �ֲ���ý?

How does your work connect to real-world problems or applications?

Are there any specific projects or collaborations you’re excited to start here?

What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work?

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Homes that can withstand extremes: New study reveals pathways to housing resilience

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Symposium advances structural engineering toward zero carbon

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CUE magazine: A big fix

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What makes some homes, neighborhoods more likely to survive wildfire? New research offers insight

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LA fire rebuilding recommendations for homeowners

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Lessons from Lahaina for Los Angeles

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Disaster survivors want to rebuild safer, more sustainable homes, but cost misperceptions often stand in the way

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Three CEAE faculty selected for Climate Innovation Collaboratory research awards

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What drew you to CU �ֲ��ý?