Joseph Labuz's research activities have focused on investigating the mechanical behavior of micro-cracked solids on the material and system levels. He has worked closely with government agencies to solve practical problems associated with roads and pavement materials. He has applied the resilient modulus test to describe the mechanical behavior of granular materials and he has studied low temperature cracking of asphalt pavements, a major form of distress in cold climates. Other projects included the measurement of earth pressure behind a retaining wall, the use of electronic speckle pattern interferometry in material testing, and the behavior of salvaged bituminous mixtures as a base course in pavements.
Labuz holds PhD and MS degrees in civil engineering from Northwestern University and a BS with honors in civil engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He has received numerous honors for teaching and research, including the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Minnesota Geotechnical Society and the Best Instructor Award in Civil Engineering from the Institute of Technology Student Board. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Rock Mechanics Association.