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CIR
Center for Infrastructure Renewal

Texas A&M University

  • Expertise
  • Research
    • Focus Areas
    • UTC Affiliations
  • Lab Facilities
    • Characterization of Infrastructure Materials
    • Infrastructure Materials & Manufacturing
    • Asphalt Innovation
    • Concrete Innovation
    • Connected Infrastructure
    • Geotechnical & Unbound Materials
    • High Bay
    • Hypervelocity Impact Lab
    • Intelligent Infrastructure
    • Nano-Micro Characterization Lab
    • Corrosion & Materials Reliability
    • Robotics & Asset Management
    • Smart Grid Center Control Room Lab
  • Industry Engagement
    • CIR Advisory Panel
    • Training & Courses
    • iLab Services
  • Conference Venue
  • News
  • Contact
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703,634

Total lane-miles of roadways in Texas

(TxDOT 2023 Roadway Inventory Report)
Inside the CIR
This is our most important lab.

Just as a hospital without physicians is little more than an expensive collection of specialized equipment, the state-of-the-art facilities at the CIR rely on the world-class engineers, scientists, researchers and students who work there. Three simple goals guide their research:

LOWER cost
LESS time
LONGER life

C Grade

Overall condition of America's infrastructure improved from D+ in 2021

(American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card, 2025)
Facilities
People and Facilities Equal to the Challenge

Highways aren’t forever. The 200,290 lane-miles of highway in Texas will eventually need to be replaced. Our economic viability is dependent on finding effective, affordable solutions to our infrastructure challenges.

That’s where we come in.

The research conducted  at the CIR produces solutions that benefit society over the long haul. Improving the safety, security, longevity and the resilience of Texas’ transportation network is a cornerstone of our work. In ways large and small, we are making our roads, railways, airports, water systems and electric grid better every day.

55,000+

bridges on state and federal roadways in Texas

(TxDOT Bridge Division, 2023)
Expertise
Thought Leadership

Professional reputations are a by-product of knowledge, experience and hard work. The CIR includes a wide range of infrastructure experts internationally recognized for their expertise and accomplishments.

Dr. Anand Puppala in lab
Anand Puppala

Professor
Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

CIR Director
Texas A&M University

Edith Arámbula-Mercado

Research Engineer and Program Manager
Recyclable Pavement Materials
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Deputy Director
Center for Infrastructure Renewal

Homero Castaneda-Lopez in office
Homero Castaneda-Lopez

Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Texas A&M University

Mary Beth Hueste

Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Programs
Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Texas A&M University

Dr. Grasley in office
Zach Grasley

Professor & Department Head,
Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Texas A&M University

Anol Mukhopadhyay feature photo
Anol Mukhopadhyay

Senior Research Scientist and Program Manager
Rigid Pavements Division
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Adjunct Professor
Zachry Department of Civil Engineering

Leader
Concrete Innovation Lab, CIR

Stefan Hurlebaus in office
Stefan Hurlebaus

Professor
Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Division Head
Construction, Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Division
Texas A&M University

Tom Overbye

Professor & Director
Smart Grid Center

Petros Sideris

Associate Professor
Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Texas A&M University

Julie Hartell

Assistant Professor
Department of Construction Science,
School of Architecture
Texas A&M University

Darlene Goehl
Darlene Goehl

Research Engineer &
Associate Agency Director

for the Infrastructure Group

❮ ❯

$2.9 Trillion

Estimated investment needs for U.S. infrastructure repair

(American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card, 2025)
About
A Strong Commitment

Equipped to meet the infrastructure challenges of today and designed to evolve alongside the science, the Center for Infrastructure Renewal is built around a commitment to develop practical, affordable ways to building more durable infrastructure faster and cheaper.

138,000 square feet 4 participating Texas A&M Colleges 12 Labs 2 Managing State Agencies $80 million to build 14 Participating Texas A&M Departments

Strategic Plan

for the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR)

(CIR Strategic Plan, 2021-2025)
Strategic Plan
Planning ahead
The Texas Legislature funded the construction of the CIR in 2015, and the building opened its doors in April 2018. Researchers, staff members, and funding either come from or are shared across TEES, TTI, and CoE, creating tremendous opportunities and a few challenges to leverage the best talent and processes among all three entities. Importantly, the CIR is integral to TEES and TTI executing their strategic plans and visions for the future.
CIR Strategic Plan 2021–2026

$10 Million per lane-mile

Median cost of construction of roadways in U.S.

(Federal Highway Administration, 2024)
Collaborative Facilities
Meeting the Challenge

Equipped to meet the infrastructure challenges of today and designed to evolve alongside the science, the Center for Infrastructure Renewal is built around a commitment to develop practical, affordable ways to building more durable infrastructure faster and cheaper.

Living lab poster session with guests and graduate students.
Contact Us

RELLIS

Campus

an ecosystem of transformative research and development like few others in the world
RELLIS Big Day
Strategic Location

The Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) is a leading research facility within the Texas A&M University System located at the RELLIS Campus. CIR focuses on developing innovative solutions for modern infrastructure challenges.

Our strategic location enables collaboration with top researchers, industry partners, and government agencies, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence.

At RELLIS, we work closely with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), as well as private sector partners, to advance infrastructure practices and promote economic growth. This collaborative approach ensures that our research yields practical, impactful solutions for a resilient future.

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