About us

The Research Group on Sustainable and Innovative Construction is dedicated to the study of materials and processes in the context of Civil Construction. The team is made up of professors from the Civil Engineering Department of the Federal University of Viçosa; professors and researchers from other departments and institutions; PhD, master’s and bachelor’s students; and some members of the university’s technical staff.   Mission   To develop innovative and relevant research in the context of Civil Construction, with the objective of contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable world; and to provide positive contributions to the training and personal development of its members.   Vision   To be recognized, nationally and internationally, as a relevant Research Group for its findings and new insights in the context of Civil Construction.   Values   Commitment to the truth, precision and the best scientific praxis; diligence with people, structure and resources; collaboration; dedication; integrity; punctuality; responsibility; innovation; sustainability. History   The SICon Research Group was formally established in 2019 as a result of the growth of the research activities and research team of the Research Group on Structures of DEC / UFV. The new group became the main body of researchers of the Department of Civil Engineering (DEC / UFV), focusing on the development of processes and materials in the context of civil construction. The group’s research lines include Materials Science and Technology, Sustainable and Eco-efficient Materials, and Construction Processes and Technologies.   The research activities in these subjects in the Department of Civil Engineering of the Federal University of Viçosa, however, started in the early 1980s with the creation of the Construction Materials Laboratory (LMC). For decades, many relevant works were carried out in the LMC under the coordination of professors Lauro Gontijo Couto and Délio Porto Fassoni.   In early 2000s, professor Rita de Cássia Silva Sant’Anna Alvarenga introduced the research line in Structural Masonry. Rapidly, the experimental works on production and characterization of blocks and prisms took place. Studies on the technologies of cement-based composites started soon after, as well as studies of eco-friendly materials through incorporation of different types of industrial waste in cementitious matrices.   In parallel, the research team focused on structures, led by researchers José Luiz Rangel Paes, Gustavo de Souza Veríssimo, Kleos Magalhães Lenz Cesar Jr. and Reginaldo Carneiro da Silva, were producing several relevant experimental and numerical researches.   The research group DEC / UFV Structures was created in 2002 under the leadership of Professor Rita de Cássia and Gustavo Veríssimo, and included all research activities in the areas of Civil Construction and Structures until 2019.   Professor Leonardo Gonçalves Pedroti joined the team in early 2010s and, in partnership with prof. Rita de Cássia, promoted a great deal of research on cement materials, ceramics and paints, among others.   Many new researchers have joined the team since 2010, consolidating research areas and fruitful partnerships with other institutions and research groups.   SICon June 2019