Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Rostislav Drochytka, CSc., MBA, dr. h. c.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Rostislav Drochytka, CSc., MBA, dr. h. c.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Rudolf Hela, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Chobola, CSc.
doc. Ing. Jiří Bydžovský, CSc.
prof. Ing. Marcela Fridrichová, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Pavla Rovnaníková, CSc.
doc. Ing. Radomír Sokolář, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Nikol Žižková, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Pavel Schmid, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
Ing. Zdeněk Jeřábek, CSc.
Ing. Štěpán Bohuš, Ph.D.

The aim of the doctoral study program Physical and Building Materials Engineering is to provide outstanding graduates of the master's degree with specialized university education and scientific training in selected current areas of the field. The study is focused on complex scientific preparation, methodology of independent scientific work and on the development of knowledge in the field of the theory of building materials. and remediation of materials and structures, measuring and diagnostic methods, modeling of physical processes and tasks of building physics. The scientific preparation in this study program is based on mastering the initial theoretical disciplines of the natural science base and theoretical and scientific disciplines of the relevant focus.
The aim of the study is also the involvement of students in the preparation and solution of national and international scientific research projects, presentation of achieved results at national and international scientific and professional conferences and their publishing in professional and scientific foreign and domestic journals. During his / her studies, the student gains new theoretical knowledge, his / her own experience from the preparation, implementation and evaluation of experiments and necessary practical knowledge also thanks to close cooperation with construction practice and also through completion of at least one internship abroad at a cooperating foreign university or other research institute.

Graduates of the doctoral study program Physical and Buillding Materials Engineering are, after successful completion of the highest form of university study, professionally prepared and equipped for solving theoretical and practical tasks within the wide area of ​​production and testing of building materials. Based on the acquired knowledge, experience, skills and knowledge, it is ready for scientific and creative activities, both independently and in teams at national and international level. Thanks to the current trends in the field of building materials development and close cooperation of the branch with foreign universities, the graduate of the doctoral study program fulfills the prerequisites for further professional career and professional academic growth, even abroad. During his / her studies, the graduate practically acquires and acquires pedagogical abilities, which he / she can use during pedagogical-scientific activities at educational institutions dealing with the issue of building materials in the Czech Republic and thanks to acquired language knowledge also abroad.

Graduate of the PhD study program Physical and Building Materials Engineering is ready to apply in development, research, creative engineering solution of problems concerning: design of building materials, their development, innovations, standard and new progressive technologies of production, testing and verification of their properties ; optimal application of building materials in building structures; durability monitoring methods; building technical survey and diagnostic methods; the design of remediation procedures up to the issues of recycling of end-of-life materials.
Graduate gains knowledge in the field of theoretical knowledge of construction (microstructure of building materials, physical chemistry of building materials, durability and remediation of building materials, etc.), economic and ecological aspects of production technology, statistics, scientific work and also new own experience from preparation, realization and evaluation necessary experiments and necessary practical knowledge. Emphasis is placed on research and cooperation with practice in the field of new progressive materials and technologies, the use of secondary raw materials as alternative raw materials resources contributing to the development of environmentally friendly technologies while contributing to the reduction of input and production costs. Within the framework of the acquired skills, the graduate is able to solve complex construction-technical and managerial problems in the building materials industry or their application on construction sites of various character, is able to apply in top management and marketing in the field of construction. At the same time, the graduate is capable of independent scientific research and independent creative work in the field of research and development of new building materials.
The graduate has competence for wide application in the field of production technology of all kinds of building materials (eg mortars, ceramics, concrete, components, composite materials, polymers and other building materials). In practice and in research teams, it has a profound and systematic knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and methods. The graduate is able to manage demanding professional technical activities and bear responsibility for their quality and for professional management of individuals and groups. Its knowledge of foreign languages ​​in the area of ​​its expertise is a prerequisite for eventual work abroad. After fulfilling the length of practice and legal conditions, he can also be authorized by ČKAIT as a civil engineer in the field of Testing and Diagnostics of Buildings, Energy Auditing or in the field of Technological Equipment of Buildings. Ongoing active scientific activity is also a prerequisite not only to achieve the ability to communicate intelligently and convincingly own knowledge in the field to other members of the scientific community at international level and to the general public, but also to the possible employment of graduates as academic and scientific researchers of universities, research institutions and expert institutes with the possibility of career and professional growth.

Fulfillment of the subjects of the individual study plan, successful completion of the state doctoral examination, foreign experience, relevant creative activity and successful defense of the dissertation.

The rules and conditions for the creation of study plans of study programs carried out at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT define:
Rules of BUT study programs (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/vnitrni-predpisy-a-dokumenty), which according to Article 1, paragraph 1, point:
c) defines the processes of creation, approval and changes of study program proposals before their submission for accreditation to the National Accreditation Office for Higher Education,
d) lays down the formal requirements for study programs and courses,
e) defines the obligations of study program and subject guarantors,
f) defines the standards of study programs at BUT,
g) defines the principles of quality assurance of study programs.
Study and Examination Regulations of the Brno University of Technology (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-details-and-documents)
Details of the conditions for study at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT are governed by the Dean's Directive )
The PhD student studies according to an individual study plan, which is elaborated by the supervisor in cooperation with the PhD student. The individual study plan is binding for the doctoral student. It specifies all duties set in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Regulations that a doctoral student must fulfill in order to successfully complete his / her studies.
During the first three semesters, the doctoral student consists of compulsory, compulsorily elective or at the same time, it is intensively engaged in its own study and analysis of knowledge in the field determined by the topic of the dissertation and continuous publication of the knowledge and results obtained in this way. In the following semesters, the doctoral student focuses more on research and development related to the topic of the dissertation, on the publication of the results of his / her creative work and on his / her own dissertation. By the end of the fifth semester, the doctoral student has passed the state doctoral examination. The doctoral student is also involved in pedagogical activities, which is a part of his scientific preparation.
The individual study plan includes scientific outputs in individual years:
- regular publishing activity (Juniorstav and similar),
- participation in scientific conferences at home and abroad,
- for defense of DZP it is necessary to publish - min. 2x Scopus or 1x WOS with impact factor.

At the Faculty of Civil Engineering, BUT, barrier-free access to all teaching rooms is currently provided. However, students must be physically fit to be qualified as a civil engineer. In practically oriented laboratory teaching, they must be able to operate measuring instruments and similar laboratory equipment independently without endangering themselves or their surroundings.
BUT provides support to students with specific needs, for details see Guideline 11/2017 (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-documents-and-documents/-d141841/uplne-zneni-smernice-c-11- 2017-p147550).
In order to promote equal access to higher education, BUT incorporates the Alfons Advisory Center, part of the BUT Institute of Lifelong Learning, to provide guidance and support services to applicants and students with specific educational needs. Specific educational needs include learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, chronic somatic illness, autistic spectrum disorders, impaired communication skills and mental illness (alfons.vutbr.cz/o-nas).
Students are provided with information concerning the accessibility of study programs with respect to the specific needs of the applicant, information about the architectural accessibility of individual faculties and university parts, about accommodation at the BUT dormitory, about the possibilities of adapting the admission procedure and adapting the study itself. Other services of the Center for Students with Special Educational Needs also include interpreting and rewriting services, or assistance services - guiding, spatial orientation, in order to enable these students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the same way as other students. This is done through the so-called adaptation of study, ie by appropriate adjustment of the study regime, which cannot be understood as a simplification of the content of study or relief of study obligations.

The doctoral study program Physical and Building Materials Engineering is a follow-up to the follow-up master's study program Civil Engineering, especially the study field Civil Engineering Material Engineering, respectively. as well as other fields of study and nursing master's degree programs. After accreditation of the follow-up master's study program Civil Engineering - Building Materials and Technologies for this program.

1. Analysis of methods for measuring humidity in building structures

   Study of moisture propagation in building structures, description of liquid phase and water vapor propagation through the pore system of building materials under various boundary conditions, experimental verification of moisture status by measurement. As part of the study, the student will get acquainted with modern ways of describing both the environment for the spread of the environment and the boundary conditions valid for the Central European climate.

   Tutor: Šťastník Stanislav, prof. RNDr. Ing., CSc. Ph.D.

2. round (applications submitted from 10.10.2020 to 15.12.2020)

1. Analysis of methods for measuring humidity in building structures

   Study of moisture propagation in building structures, description of liquid phase and water vapor propagation through the pore system of building materials under various boundary conditions, experimental verification of moisture status by measurement. As part of the study, the student will get acquainted with modern ways of describing both the environment for the spread of the environment and the boundary conditions valid for the Central European climate.

   Tutor: Šťastník Stanislav, prof. RNDr. Ing., CSc. Ph.D.

2. Analysis of methods for measuring humidity in building structures

   Study of moisture propagation in building structures, description of liquid phase and water vapor propagation through the pore system of building materials under various boundary conditions, experimental verification of moisture status by measurement. As part of the study, the student will get acquainted with modern ways of describing both the environment for the spread of the environment and the boundary conditions valid for the Central European climate.

   Tutor: Šťastník Stanislav, prof. RNDr. Ing., CSc. Ph.D.

3. Application of acoustic methods to assessing the condition of degraded building composites

   The goal of the study consists in the application of acoustic methods, such as the Acoustic Emission, Impact-Echo and Non-linear Ultrasonic Spectroscopy to fast non-destructive testing of the condition of degraded building composites. The results of the study will be compared with those obtained by classical methods: compressive and tensile strengths (simple tension, transversal tension, flexural tensile strength), static and dynamic modulus of elasticity.

   Tutor: Topolář Libor, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

4. Application of computer tomography in acoustic testing of building materials

   Acoustic tomography is a method that makes possible to localize inhomogeneities in medium under investigation. The objective of the study consists in calculating cavities in materials by means of acoustic tomography methods and determining the resolution power of these methods.

   Tutor: Martinek Jan, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

5. Development of ecological water-permeable or water-retaining concrete

   At the present time, a significant drop in groundwater reserves is beginning to appear in the Czech Republic. It is partly caused by a large build-up of concrete or asphalt surfaces and their drainage. The work will deal with the development of durable concrete with either the ability to release rainwater into the underlying layers of roads or paved areas. The second option is concretes with a high water absorption capacity and consequently their evaporation into the air, which can also reduce the temperature in urban areas

   Tutor: Hela Rudolf, prof. Ing., CSc.

6. Material utilization of waste from production of composites based on silicate matrix and organic filler

   Work is subjected on cement-bonded composites research while utilization of waste from their production. Properties, pre-treatment and possibilities of the waste application into raw materials mixture will be assessed. Verifying of the physico-mechanical parameters of the modified boards, analysis and study of reactions which occur during structure formation of composites in consideration of various production conditions and types of input raw materials is a part of dissertation thesis as well.

   Tutor: Bydžovský Jiří, doc. Ing., CSc.

7. Possibilities of influencing watertightness of concrete with cracks

   The aim of the doctoral thesis is research of possibilities to influence watertightness of concrete, in which cracks are present. The main focus is a laboratory study of influence of sealing admixtures for concrete based on so-called secondary crystallization of concrete on autonomous sealing of cracks in concrete. Secondary goal of the thesis is to ascertain the influence of dosage of these crystallization sealing admixtures for concrete onto a quality and rate of autonomous sealing of cracks in concrete.

   Tutor: Dohnálek Pavel, Ing., Ph.D.

8. Radiative heat transfer in interiors of buildings

   The recent building thermal technology determines heat losses on the basis of thermal conduction through the envelopes of buildings. There is a possibility to generalize the procedure and to include the transfer of radiative and convective heat transfers. This represents a complex ab initio computation. The radiative and convective heat transfers may be coupled and a system of transcendent equations may be formed. Such a system may be solved e.g. by the Newton iterative method. The Ph.D. thesis should be aimed at creating a general procedure for such computations and applying it to a chosen room of a family house.

   Tutor: Ficker Tomáš, prof. RNDr., DrSc.

9. Study of pozzolanic and hydraulic properties of tailings after mining of polymetallic ores

   The aim of the work will be research in the field of technologies for the use, processing and recovery of tailings after the extraction of ore minerals in combination with available energy by-products. The intention is to find their utilization in the production of inorganic binders with a low carbon footprint.

   Tutor: Dvořák Karel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Study of structure of silicate composites with reduced impedance

    The main objective of the work is to create silicate based composite material with low impedance in systematic steps. In particular, questions to be solved are those of influence of character of electrically conductive filler, composition of mixture and micro/nanostructure on impedance and physical-mechanical parameters of the composite. Consequently, influence of external environment will be examined, in particular humidity, temperature, deformation or electrical load.

    Tutor: Drochytka Rostislav, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA, dr. h. c.

11. Study of the possibilities of using recycled fillers as a substitute for natural aggregates

    The topic of the dissertation will focus on the study of the possibilities of using recycled coarse aggregates arising from the demolition of old buildings as a possible replacement for conventional natural aggregates for the production of concrete. The potential to replace natural resources of aggregates from the demolition of buildings could largely replace deficit natural resources. These are mainly brick and concrete recycled fractions of 4 to 22 mm. The work will address the issue of sorting, crushing of construction demolition waste for the production of commonly used fractions. The breadth of possible replacement of natural resources with an impact on both mechanical and durability parameters of concrete will be tested experimentally on concrete recipes up to strength classes C30 / 37.

    Tutor: Hela Rudolf, prof. Ing., CSc.

12. Study of the possibility of using secondary raw materials for the production of building materials

    The utilization of industrial wastes especially from energetic sources, as secondary raw materials, represents a long-standing ecological problem. At present, there is a lack of natural materials used for building materials production. Possibilities of these wastes broader applications, are searched out and evaluated, especially in the frame of the building industry and building materials production. Simultaneously the theoretical and application sources are processed in the scope of the problem solution as special base for environmental and economical studies.

    Tutor: Kulísek Karel, doc. Ing., CSc.

13. The monitoring behavior of building materials under mechanical loading by acoustic emission method

    Acoustic Emission Method is an unusual technique which describes only active defects or changes into structure arising as a consequence dangerous tension into structure. The method is appropriate to be used in homogenous structures as metal structures when cracks are highly active (generates sound). Its application in civil engineering is not so much used because building structures are inhomogeneous. Application the Matlab program to evaluate the results.

    Tutor: Pazdera Luboš, prof. Ing., CSc.

14. The study of the thermal insulation properties the thin air layers with reflective surfaces

    Study the properties of thermal insulation on basis termal-reflective foils and their use in construction, passive and energy-saving houses, production halls, sports facilities etc. The subject is the study of transport phenomena of heat insulators, physical properties and comparing with conventional insulators. Theme includes validation of design methods installation thermal insulation in buildings.

    Tutor: Šťastník Stanislav, prof. RNDr. Ing., CSc. Ph.D.

15. The Use of acoustic methods for non-destructive testing of polymer-fiber-reinforced concrete degraded by high-temperature

    The aim of the project is to develop a methodology for non-destructive testing of concrete with polymeric fibers degraded by high temperature. The benefits of polymer fibers are that they burn out in the event of a fire, allowing water vapor to exit, which usually causes damage to or destruction of concrete structures. To assess the state of the concrete degraded by high temperatures we use acoustic methods such as acoustic emission , frequency inspection and nonlinear ultrasonic detection.

    Tutor: Chobola Zdeněk, prof. RNDr., CSc.

16. The use of non-destructive methods for building materials to optimize the dosage of conductivity admixtures to enhance the sensoric properties.

    In the cement and non-cement based samples the change of impedance characteristics will be monitored and interpreted using the Debye dielectric theory. The main goal is to optimize the dosage of conductivity admixtures (graphite, soot, CNT) in the base matrix to reach the optimum parameters measurable using methods based on electromagnetism. It is also critical not to decrease the strength of the material (in pressure and tension) and to find the percolation threshold.

    Tutor: Kusák Ivo, doc. Mgr., Ph.D., MBA

17. Use of Sol-Gel Method for Thermal Insulation Refractory Materials Production

    One of the modern directions for obtaining high quality products is the application of the sol-gel method in the manufacture of refractory materials. It is a low temperature method for the preparation of glass and ceramic materials by chemical polymerization. The advantages of using these gels are, for example, chemical purity and homogeneity, void content, low production temperature, ability to produce new chemical composition, corrosion resistance and increased mechanical resistance.

    Tutor: Nevřivová Lenka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

18. Use of superabsorbent polymers in repair materials

    Cement-based and polymer-cement-based repair materials are usually applied in relatively thin layers during the rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures, which adversely affects their maturation due to the rapid evaporation of the mixing water. The use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) will allow their longer self-curing. The aim of the work is to verify the influence of SAP on the properties of repair mortar in fresh and hardened state, part of the work will be the assessment of the influence of SAP on the degree of hydration of the binder, and the influence of microstructure of hardened composite.

    Tutor: Bydžovský Jiří, doc. Ing., CSc.

1. round (applications submitted from 15.06.2020 to 31.07.2020)

1. Development of ecological water-permeable or water-retaining concrete

   At the present time, a significant drop in groundwater reserves is beginning to appear in the Czech Republic. It is partly caused by a large build-up of concrete or asphalt surfaces and their drainage. The work will deal with the development of durable concrete with either the ability to release rainwater into the underlying layers of roads or paved areas. The second option is concretes with a high water absorption capacity and consequently their evaporation into the air, which can also reduce the temperature in urban areas

   Tutor: Hela Rudolf, prof. Ing., CSc.

2. Effect of burning cycle on the microstructure of refractories of two-component system Al2O3-SiO2.

   The aim of this PhD thesis is to study the influence of temperature and heat on the resulting microstructure of material. The density of the material, pore structure, mineralogical composition and internal structure of the material will be analyzed on the available high-end devices, which requires mastering the work with these devices as well.

   Tutor: Nevřivová Lenka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Glued joints of structural wood memebrs

   In the case of glued joints of structural wood, finger joints currently predominate within usage of polyurethane adhesives. To increase the load-bearing capacity of the joints, it is possible to use a modified adhesive using fibers which can locally increase the load-bearing capacity of the joint. The thesis assumes that the effect of filling adhesives with various types of fillers or fibers will be experimentally carried out and the effect on the load-bearing capacity or temperature resistance of the joint will be verified.

   Tutor: Vaněrek Jan, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Study of electrically conductive silicate composites

   The subject of the dissertation will be the study of silicate composites with an electrically conductive function. High electrical conductivity, and therefore low impedance, of silicate materials will be achieved mainly by the use of suitable fillers and additives, both from primary and secondary sources. The influence of the composition, dose and microstructure of the given materials on the conductivity of cement composites will be monitored and subsequently the trends of the dependence of the values of the resulting electrical conductivity on these parameters will be determined.

   Tutor: Drochytka Rostislav, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA, dr. h. c.

5. The monitoring behavior of building materials under mechanical loading by acoustic emission method

   Acoustic Emission Method is an unusual technique which describes only active defects or changes into structure arising as a consequence dangerous tension into structure. The method is appropriate to be used in homogenous structures as metal structures when cracks are highly active (generates sound). Its application in civil engineering is not so much used because building structures are inhomogeneous. Application the Matlab program to evaluate the results.

   Tutor: Pazdera Luboš, prof. Ing., CSc.

6. The use of non-destructive methods for building materials to optimize the dosage of conductivity admixtures to enhance the sensoric properties.

   In the cement and non-cement based samples the change of impedance characteristics will be monitored and interpreted using the Debye dielectric theory. The main goal is to optimize the dosage of conductivity admixtures (graphite, soot, CNT) in the base matrix to reach the optimum parameters measurable using methods based on electromagnetism. It is also critical not to decrease the strength of the material (in pressure and tension) and to find the percolation threshold.

   Tutor: Kusák Ivo, doc. Mgr., Ph.D., MBA

7. Use of Sol-Gel Method for Thermal Insulation Refractory Materials Production

   One of the modern directions for obtaining high quality products is the application of the sol-gel method in the manufacture of refractory materials. It is a low temperature method for the preparation of glass and ceramic materials by chemical polymerization. The advantages of using these gels are, for example, chemical purity and homogeneity, void content, low production temperature, ability to produce new chemical composition, corrosion resistance and increased mechanical resistance.

   Tutor: Nevřivová Lenka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.