建筑材料研究领域使学生全面了解土木工程应用中使用的材料的成分，微观结构和工程性能。土木工程师通常负责指定，设计和制造用于构建结构的材料。对建筑材料的研究旨在使结构，运输和地基工程师了解他们使用的材料的基本属性。长期以来，建筑材料一直是伊利诺伊州CEE的优势。该领域的教师是具体研究的领导者，他们与奥黑尔国际机场，联邦航空管理局和伊利诺伊州交通运输部合作。CEE教授名誉克莱德·凯斯勒（Ceride Kesler）在伊利诺伊大学创办了“混凝土独木舟”竞赛，该竞赛现已在全国各大学中盛行，这是一种向学生教授建筑材料
The Construction Materials area of study gives students a comprehensive understanding of the composition, microstructure, and engineering behavior of materials used in civil engineering applications.Civil engineers are often responsible for specifying, designing and manufacturing the materials with which they build their structures. Studies in construction materials are intended to make structural, transportation and foundation engineers aware of the fundamental properties of the materials they use.Construction Materials has long been a strength of CEE at Illinois. Faculty in this area are leaders in concrete research, and they work with O'Hare International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Illinois Department of Transportation. The Concrete Canoe competition, now famous at universities across the nation, was founded at the University of Illinois by CEE Professor Emeritus Clyde Kesler as a unique way to teach his students about construction materials.