Faculty and Researchers

Building Physics

We do research of the thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and durability of buildings.

Structural Engineering

We do research on vibration to understand damping performance and improve damping techniques, as well seismic design procedures that take damping into account. Our aim is to ensure overall safety and comfort of buildings not only in major earthquakes, but also during small to moderate earthquakes and wind events.

Landscape Engineering, History of Civil Engineering, Industrial Heritage, Heritage Studies

Research on landscape evaluation and history of civil engineering. We embrace the concept of using landscapes near to us as community assets in doing design. We start with familiar places, and identify issues and research ways to resolve them.

Material Mechanics, Applied Mechanics, Image Measurement Systems

In the break-up and collapse of a structure, splitting cracks will branch and propagate for several hundred meters. We use experiments and computer simulation to investigate what phenomena are occurring in such situations.

Architectural Theory, Architectural Design, Architectural History

The modern era is a period in which the globalization of architecture advanced against a background of dramatic technological innovation. In that process, what has architecture taken and what has it left behind? We give thought to what constitutes the essential center from various social contexts surrounding architecture.

Architectural Design, Design Theory

Through models and drawings, we think while actually moving our hands and put into practice training to discover in the process of creating. In addition, we study the background against which modern architecture created new forms and spatial configurations, and in which architectural design is viewed from the perspective of environmental and technological integration.

Geotechnical Engineering, Geoenvironmental Engineering, Disaster Prevention

Using a three-phase mixture comprising soil particles, water, and air, we faithfully model geo-materials that exhibit complex behaviors depending on their composition ratio, and search for clues to solve problems by simulating ground disasters such as landslides and soil contamination.

Hydraulics

We are engaged in a wide range of research including gas transport phenomena in oceans and surrounding flow fields related to the motion of microorganisms. In addition, we are studying the phenomenon of water droplets and gas bubbles using the world's fastest video camera developed at this university.

Architectural Environmental Engineering, Architectural Equipment Engineering, Thermal Environment and Indoor Air Quality

We conduct research on the planning, analysis, and evaluation of environmental building service systems to achieve indoor environments that will enable people residing in buildings to live in comfort and good health with minimal energy consumption.

Wind Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Risk Assessment

As seawater temperatures near Japan have risen in recent years, disaster damage caused by powerful winds, for example, typhoons and tornadoes, has been increasing. We study the safety of buildings with respect to strong winds and the strong winds themselves.

Urban Microbial Ecology, Human Impacts on Microbial Ecosystems

We are working on a variety of research projects to understand the urban aquatic microbial ecosystems. Our current interest is the dynamics and distribution of bacterial heavy metal and antibiotic resistance genes in urbanized environment. We also try to elucidate the quantitative relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning with microbes.

Architectural Planning, Urban Analysis, Architectural Design

We capture the essential features of cities through field work and analysis and propose new paradigms for cities through architectural design.

Steel Structures, Earthquake-Resistant Structures

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. To enable people to live with peace of mind, we are conducting research to help improve the seismic safety of steel-frame buildings.

Architecture Planning

In manufacturing, it is essential to get a picture of user needs and lifestyles. Using a variety of research methodologies, we gauge the needs of people who have difficulty in making their wishes known, for example, the elderly and the disabled, and study what is desirable in products, architecture, and communities from the standpoint of these people. In particular, we are undertaking comprehensive research on facilities for the elderly, from assistive devices and equipment to buildings and regional planning.

Urban Planning, Architectural Planning

Based on knowledge and techniques of urban planning and architectural planning, we define the principles of space configuration in cities, villages, and houses indigenous to regions in Japan as well as in Southeast Asia, with a view toward resolving regional problems. At the same time, we are engaged in practical research on techniques to promote collaborative community development with citizen involvement.

Environmental Measurement Engineering, Hydrology

Using measurement instruments, as well as electron microscopes, and the like, we investigate the state of the environment in urban areas mainly by measuring the heat and moisture environment (temperature, humidity etc.) and soil property about heat and moisture transfer.

Geotechnical Engineering