Memorandum for higher education: Materials in civil engineering - Future-oriented competence development in civil engineering education

A key responsibility of civil engineers is the selection of appropriate materials for new structures and rehabilitations. In addition to load-bearing capacity and deformation behavior, durability and ongoing reduction of environmental impact are essential. Therefore, a solid understanding of the properties, production, and processing of various materials and their demands during execution such as concrete, steel, masonry, wood, asphalt, and polymers is required. Alongside traditional material characterization, data-driven analysis methods (e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML)) are continuously gaining importance. The increasing relevance of material recycling and component reuse further adds to the complexity. Construction materials play a key role in sustainability and resource conservation. Civil engineers must integrate ecological, economic, and social aspects at both the project and system levels to make sustainable decisions. The Memorandum Construction Materials in Civil Engineering aims to embed these competencies in civil engineering curricula, equipping future generations to design sustainable, durable, and climate-resilient structures. It invites reflection on existing curricula and adaptation to evolving conditions.