Research Focus
The Sustainable Construction Materials Lab develops low-carbon, high-performance construction materials, with an emphasis on biochar-enhanced concrete and biochar/bio-oil-modified asphalt to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.
Biochar Concrete
- This research investigates the effect of biochar on fresh and hardened properties of mortar and concrete, including workability (slump) and compressive strength. The goal is to develop sustainable concrete materials that maintain performance while lowering environmental impact.
Self-Sensing Concrete
- This research explores biochar-enhanced concrete that can monitor its own condition. Conductive biochar enables detection of strain, cracking, and damage through changes in electrical resistivity, supporting real-time structural health monitoring and improved infrastructure durability.
Biochar & Bio-Oil Asphalt
- This research focuses on sustainable pavements through the partial replacement of petroleum-based asphalt binders with biochar and bio-oil derived from biomass. The modified binders aim to improve aging resistance, healing efficiency, and overall durability while reducing environmental impacts and reliance on fossil resources.
Broader Impact
The lab’s research promotes low-carbon, circular construction, transforms waste into high-value materials, and advances smart, durable infrastructure for a sustainable future.
People
- Sharareh (Sheri) Shirzad, Assistant Professor (shirzads@appstate.edu)
Current Students:
- Michael Ayiku, Graduate Student
- CJ Burns, Undergraduate
Previous Lab Members:
- Jonathan Culpepper
- Daniel Rose
- Hyla Zouzias
Publications
- Shirzad, S., Mahyari, E., Culpepper, J., and Burns, C. J. (2025). “Biochar–Fly Ash Blended Systems: Experimental Evaluation, Microstructural Characterization, and Predictive Modeling of Strength Development in Sustainable Mortar and Concrete.” Construction and Building Materials, Volume 509, 31 January 2026, 145216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145216.
- Marandi, N., Shirzad, S. (2025). “Sustainable Cement and Concrete Technologies A Review of Materials and Processes for Carbon Reduction.” Innovative Infrastructure Solutions (IISS).10:408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-025-02213-5.
- Rose, D., Shirzad, S., (2024). “Innovations in Green Concrete: Combining Metakaolin and Arundo Grass Biochar for Enhanced Sustainability.” Sustainability, 16, 11219. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411219.
- Culpepper, J., Shirzad, S. (2025). “Impact of Arundo donax Biochar and Class F Fly Ash on the Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Cement Mortar.” Construction Research Congress 2026.
- Shirzad, S., Zouzias, H. (2024). “Enhancing the performance of wood-based bio-asphalt: strategies and innovations.” Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-024-02745-x.
- Shirzad, S., Zouzias, H. (2023). “Chemical and Rheological Characterization of Polyurethane Modified Bio-Asphalt.” ASCE International Airfield & Highway Pavements Conference (Pavements 2023, Austin, Texas).
Presentations
- Culpepper, J., Shirzad, S. (2025). “Impact of Arundo donax Biochar and Class F Fly Ash on the Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Cement Mortar.” Construction Research Congress 2026.
- Rose, D. Shirzad, S. “The effect of Metakaolin on the Properties of Biochar Concrete.” Poster presentation at Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Jan 2025, Washington, DC.
- Culpepper, J. Shirzad, S. “Optimizing the Mixture Design of Biochar-Fly Ash Concrete for Low-Carbon Construction.” Poster presentation at ACI Concrete Convention, November 2024, Philadelphia, PA.
- Rose, D. Shirzad, S. “Enhancing Concrete Pavement Sustainability: Local Biochar and Metakaolin Applications” ASCE International Airfield & Highway Pavements Conference, June 2024, Atlanta, GA.
- Rose, D. Shirzad, S. “Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Concrete Construction by Using Local Wood-Based Biochar.” Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian. August 2023.