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 :
doc. Ing. Jiří Bydžovský, CSc.
prof. Ing. Marcela Fridrichová, CSc.
doc. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Ivo Kusák, Ph.D., MBA
prof. Ing. Rudolf Hela, CSc.
doc. Ing. Radomír Sokolář, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Nikol Žižková, Ph.D.
doc. 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.

2. round (applications submitted from 18.10.2024 to 13.12.2024)

1. Development of Binder Systems for Composites with Shielding Function.

   The topic is focused on the development of new energy-saving binders. These are binders based on low-energy clinkers based on Portland cement. It also includes binders with a sulphate component and binders that use so-called SCM's. Maintaining or improving the shielding function of the composite will be important for the function of the new binders in the composite.  

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

2. Development of Environmentally Friendly Composites with High Sorption Activity

   The dissertation will be devoted to the development and study of the properties of composites based on natural filler and inorganic binder, which will show high sorption activity. It should be possible to use these composites to regulate air humidity in the 30-60% RH range. Within the framework of the dissertation, the development of composites and the verification of their properties should be carried out, under theoretical laboratory and also under practical conditions. The expected use of composites can be, for example, in the form of wall coverings or as part of green wall constructions in building interiors. The work will also include an assessment of the reaction of the developed composites to fire.

   Tutor: Zach Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Development of Masonry Elements with Integrated Thermal Insulation with a Low Carbon Footprint

   The dissertation will deal with the development of masonry elements with large-volume cavities filled with thermal insulating material, which should have low thermal conductivity and be environmentally friendly, so that the entire masonry element exhibits favorable environmental parameters. The goal will be to design the thermal insulator and subsequently the masonry element itself and verify its key properties under laboratory and semi-operational conditions.

   Tutor: Zach Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Development of Superinsulating Materials Based on Secondary Raw Materials

   The work will focus on the possibilities of using alternative (secondary and easily renewable) raw materials in the production of super-insulating materials and products (insulators with a thermal conductivity lower than 0.025 W/(m.K)). The work will be focused primarily on the development of new nanofillers for superinsulating materials, and on the issue of increasing the durability of these materials and other key properties after being built into the building structure.

   Tutor: Zach Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Silicate-Organic Building Boards with a Reduced Carbon Footprint

   The principle of the dissertation is the research and development of an environmentally friendly board with a silicate binder and filler from both primary spruce chips and secondary alternative fillers, e.g. obtained from crushed offcuts produced as waste during board formatting.

   The aim will be to optimize the composition of the board's binder by reducing the content of Portland clinker, alternatively using binders based on alkaline activated raw materials.

   As a result, it is expected to develop a competitive variant of the boards as a potential replacement for the commonly produced cement bonded particleboards.

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

6. Study of Aging Kinetics and Durability of Materials Based on Waste By-products

   The work will deal with the study of the use of by-products from waste processing in various types of building materials. One of the key areas is the very current issue of processing slag from the energy use of municipal waste, e.g. in the form of stabilized coarse-grained soil. Other areas are, for example, the use of waste from the sorting of packaging glass, plastics, etc.

   Tutor: Černý Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Study of Physical-Mechanical Properties and Durability of Concretes Made of Brick and Concrete Recyclates

   Currently, there is a shortage of natural sources of aggregates for concrete in the Czech Republic. On the other hand, about 6 million tonnes of brick and concrete recyclates are produced annually, which could cover about 1/4 of aggregates consumption. The aim of this work will be to compile an overview of the types and properties of brick and concrete recyclates from different recycling yards, of different ages and mechanical properties. To compile a database of property variance as a basis for use in concrete production. Subsequently, to verify the possibilities of using these recyclates for concretes of different strength classes and degrees of aggressive environments. To study the microstructure and nature of fracture distortion under stresses, in particular flexural and transverse tension. To propose a new approach to the design of the composition of these concretes with a view to achieving values of static modulus comparable to natural aggregates. Furthermore, to address the issue of concrete durability in XF and XA environments.

   Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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

8. Study of the Influence of Selected Feedstock Properties on Volumetric Changes of High-Value Concretes

   High-value concretes must contain a relatively high proportion of binder to achieve their specific properties (high strength, durability, etc.). This has a negative impact on negative volume changes, especially autogenous shrinkage. High values of total shrinkage then induce cracks in the cement stone. This phenomenon not only reduces the strength of these composites, but the cracks can also allow aggressive liquid and gaseous media to penetrate more easily into an otherwise dense and cohesive composite, reducing its durability and other performance properties. This negative effect of silicate composites cannot be completely avoided. However, this effect can be suppressed or directed to some extent by the use of various chemical additives, admixtures or possibly by the use of fibres. The aim of this work will be to clarify the mechanisms of shrinkage reduction by selected feedstocks. A major focus will be on active powder admixtures in combination with superplasticizing and anti-shrinkage additives, which can significantly reduce autogenous shrinkage of silicate composites. In order to ensure that volume changes can be monitored from the compaction of the mixtures, it will also be necessary to find methods and procedures that allow accurate measurement of this monitored parameter.

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

9. Study of the Possibility of Self-Healing Defects in the Micro and Macrostructure of Cementitious Composites

   The occurrence of macro and micro cracks in the cement stone structure, especially in the transit zone around coarse aggregate grains or in the surface layers of slab concrete structures, is a common phenomenon that significantly reduces durability in XC, XF or XA environments. One way to eliminate this type of failure is to use the so-called self-healing effect. There are several principles, ranging from simple ones, e.g. using cellulose PP and PVA microfibres, to the use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP), to the use of suitable bacteria, e.g. in combination with PP fibres. The aim of this thesis will be to conduct a research on the state of knowledge in this field in the world. Subsequently, to select suitable self-healing methods and to verify these experimentally. At the same time, to observe the possible effect of volume reduction when using SAP.

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

10. Study of the Properties and Structure of Composite Building Panels Produced from Sorted Municipal Waste by Hot Pressing Method

    The doctoral thesis will study innovative building panels made from sorted municipal and hazardous waste and their potential wide application in construction and other industries across the spectrum of panel production. The study will investigate the effect of the material composition of these building panels on the performance of the resulting products. In particular, the study will investigate the influence on the physical and mechanical parameters, health safety for the possibility of using the panel elements in the interior, or, for example, specific modification of the composition and technological process of production in terms of increasing the class of reaction to fire of these building elements. The aim of the thesis will be to create a system of flat building elements that can be used as a substitute for currently available flat elements in the implementation of dry construction solutions.

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

1. round (applications submitted from 03.04.2024 to 31.07.2024)

1. Study of Aging Kinetics and Durability of Materials Based on Waste By-products

   The work will deal with the study of the use of by-products from waste processing in various types of building materials. One of the key areas is the very current issue of processing slag from the energy use of municipal waste, e.g. in the form of stabilized coarse-grained soil. Other areas are, for example, the use of waste from the sorting of packaging glass, plastics, etc.

   Tutor: Černý Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Study of the properties and structure of composite building panels produced from sorted municipal waste by hot pressing method

   The doctoral thesis will study innovative building panels made from sorted municipal and hazardous waste and their potential wide application in construction and other industries across the spectrum of panel production. The study will investigate the effect of the material composition of these building panels on the performance of the resulting products. In particular, the study will investigate the influence on the physical and mechanical parameters, health safety for the possibility of using the panel elements in the interior, or, for example, specific modification of the composition and technological process of production in terms of increasing the class of reaction to fire of these building elements. The aim of the thesis will be to create a system of flat building elements that can be used as a substitute for currently available flat elements in the implementation of dry construction solutions.

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