One important responsibility of materials engineers is to identify and fix problems that deal with the deterioration of our aging infrastructure. Rehabilitation and repair of our concrete infrastructure, for example, is expected to cost many billions of dollars over the next several years. Materials engineers will have a leadership role in diagnosing these problems, in designing repair methods, and in developing new materials that will not be susceptible to attack by freezing and thawing and aggressive chemicals, such as chlorides and sulphates.

One of many of the damaged columns of the Gardner expressway in Toronto. These have been extensively damaged due to corrosion by de-icing salts that are placed on roadways during the winter months. The Gardner Expressway has been virtually under continuous repair since shortly after its opening in the 1960s.

A badly damaged bridge abutment. Newfoundland.