study programme

Physical and Building Materials Engineering

Faculty: FCEAbbreviation: DPA-MAcad. year: 2022/2023

Type of study programme: Doctoral

Study programme code: P0732D260025

Degree awarded: Ph.D.

Language of instruction: English

Accreditation: 8.10.2019 - 8.10.2029

Mode of study

Full-time study

Standard study length

4 years

Programme supervisor

Doctoral Board

Fields of education

Area Topic Share [%]
Civil Engineering Building Materials, Mechanics and Properties of Particulate Matter 100

Study aims

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.

Graduate profile

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.

Profession characteristics

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.

Fulfilment criteria

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.

Study plan creation

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.

Availability for the disabled

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.

What degree programme types may have preceded

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.

Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program

1. round (applications submitted from 08.06.2022 to 31.07.2022)

  1. Novel admixtures designed for alkali-activated materials

    The aim of the topic of the dissertation is the development of noval organic additives for alkali-activated materials. Existing admixtures used in concrete have either no or little effect on the technological properties of alkali-activated materials. Following the application of new technologies, such as 3D printing, and for a wider use of these materials in practice, it is necessary to develop new modifying admixtures. The main part of the work will be devoted to the influence of admixtures on the rheological properties of fresh pastes and the study of the principle of their action. Furthermore, the influence on the microstructure of the binder and the mechanical properties will be determined.

    Tutor: Rovnaník Pavel, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

  2. Study of the possibilities of using recycled PET fibers and rubber crumb for the production of high-strength concrete.

    The work will focus on the study of the possibilities of using fibers produced by recycling PET bottles and rubber crumbs from tire crushing as dispersed reinforcement to improve the properties of high-strength concrete (HSC). The main goal will be to optimize the volumes of these components to increase the physical-mechanical properties and durability of HSC. Furthermore, the effects on the microstructure and character of the pore structure of the cement matrix of these composites.

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

Course structure diagram with ECTS credits

1. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DYA004English Language Tutorial for PhD Studentscs1CompulsoryCrC1 - 26yes
DJB047Theoretical grounds of fired building materialscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395960yes
DVB067Price theorycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395960yes
DAB029Discrete Methods in Civil Engineering 1cs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 395961yes
DAB030Numerical methods 1cs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 395961yes
DAB031Probability and mathematical statisticscs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 395961yes
DBB014Physics of materialscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
DCB010Physical chemistry of silicatescs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
DBB015Synergy of building materialscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
DJB049Theory of Optimization of Building Materials Usecs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
1. year of study, both semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA044Doctoral Seminar 1 (FMI)cs4CompulsoryCrS - 39yes
DJB045Microstructure of Building Materialscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395960yes
DJB046Teoretical elements of Composite Materialscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
DJB048Theoretical fundamentals of silicates technologycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
DJB050Theory of Durability and Concrete Rahabilitaioncs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395962yes
2. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA051Doctoral Seminar 2 (FMI)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
DAB032Time series analysiscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DAB033Applications of mathematical methods in economicscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DAB034Discrete Methods in Civil Engineering 2cs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DAB035Numerical methods 2cs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DAB036Numerical methods for the variational problemscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DAB037Models of regressioncs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 395965yes
DJB052Environmental Systems of Building Materials Production and Utilizationcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395966yes
DIB022Nondestructive diagnostics methods of testing materials and structurescs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395966yes
DJB053Concrete Rheologycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395966yes
DBB016Acoustic method for nondestructive testingcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 395966yes
2. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DYA005English for PhD studentscs8CompulsoryExyes
DJA054Doctoral Seminar 3 (FMI)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
3. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA055Doctoral Seminar 4 (FMI)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
3. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA056Doctoral Seminar 5 (FMI)cs14CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
4. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA057Doctoral Seminar 6 (FMI)cs14CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
4. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DJA058Doctoral Seminar 7 (FMI)cs20CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
All the groups of optional courses
Gr. Number of courses Courses
5960 1 DJB047, DVB067, DJB045
5961 1 DAB029, DAB030, DAB031
5962 1 DBB014, DCB010, DBB015, DJB049, DJB046, DJB048, DJB050
5965 1 DAB032, DAB033, DAB034, DAB035, DAB036, DAB037
5966 1 DJB052, DIB022, DJB053, DBB016