New & Appointed
Name: Ricarda Sposito
Professor of Building Materials, Construction Chemistry and the Fundamentals of Civil Engineering
I come from the lovely west of Munich.
Previously, I was a research staff member at the Institute for Construction Materials at the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich and a visiting researcher at the Centre for Infrastructure and Engineering Studies at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Since 2016, I have also been writing reports on a freelance basis concerning investigations into building materials and structures, particularly with regard to the assessment of mechanical properties and chemical attack.
My area of expertise in a word
... and my motivation for teaching there:
Concrete – this is the building material that has fascinated me for years. It all starts with the raw materials, which are becoming increasingly complex – not least due to material shortages and environmental measures – and must meet ever-stricter requirements. At the same time, by using a carefully tailored mix design, we can customise the properties of fresh and hardened concrete to such an extent that concrete offers an incredibly wide range of applications. When a structure is made of reinforced concrete, new challenges arise: what types of damage occur over the years, and how can we repair them? That is why I am motivated to teach students about the potential and limitations of concrete and other building materials, so that they gain a sound understanding of material selection and performance throughout a structure’s entire lifespan, which will serve them well in their future careers.
My highlight of the year
From a professional perspective, with a touch of the personal: my very first lecture as a Professor, during which two of my former fellow students surprised me and we found ourselves back in the lecture theatre together after more than a decade. Incidentally, the whole thing was organised with the help of our professor at the time – and my current colleague – Christoph Dauberschmidt.
My leisure tip
If you want to clear your head: put on your running shoes, pop in your headphones – and just start running. Munich has so many green spaces that are particularly lovely for a run… and for an ice cream afterwards, I can recommend the ‘Eisbrunnen’ on Lenbachplatz.
