Concrete: The Neglected Material Science Frontier

The properties of steel and the range of applications for steel have both improved more in the last 20 years...Concrete, on the other hand, has not reached that point.

— Prof. Jeffrey Thomas, Northwestern University (The Science of Concrete)

When I transitioned into the construction materials industry 15 months ago, I saw this as a tremendous opportunity as a materials scientist. However, it’s been frustrating to witness the lack of attention, resources, and funding allocated to fundamental research in cement and concrete materials—despite the comparable market share of construction materials.

Most research in this sector seems to be driven by the pursuit of net-zero carbon goals, fueled by climate funding. While this is undeniably important, it often diverts focus away from foundational studies on cement chemistry, material properties, and critical issues like concrete durability. This lack of research has created significant knowledge gaps. For instance, can you believe the seminal book Concrete by Sydney Mindess hasn’t been updated since 2002? The materials have evolved dramatically over the past two decades, yet our understanding hasn’t kept pace.

This knowledge gap leads to inefficiencies across the industry. Structural professionals overdesign concrete for safety, and producers then overdesign it again to minimize liability. While safety is paramount, at what point do we draw the line? Without deeper scientific insights into concrete’s properties, we waste resources—exacerbating environmental impacts and increasing costs for end users.

To address this, the cement and concrete industry must prioritize materials research. Universities and organizations should invest in interdisciplinary talent—chemists, physicists, and materials scientists—not just civil engineers. Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are urgently needed to transform concrete science and engineering into a field as dynamic and advanced as steel.?

It’s time for stakeholders to rethink and reinvest in the fundamentals. Only through such efforts can we close the gap, reduce waste, and ensure a sustainable future for construction materials.