The research activities within the program ensured direct contact with the state-of-the-art in the field of construction materials worldwide. However, as materials from local sources are being predominantly used in construction and civil engineering, the results obtained in other countries can not be directly transferred to Slovenian environment. Our work enabled selective implementation of knowledge from abroad to local conditions (e.g. highway construction program). On the other hand, continuous cooperation in international projects also enabled effective planning and execution of our R&D activities, in some cases also in connection with industrial partners. Our results improved understanding of physical and chemical processes in construction materials, and also enriched knowledge concerning the behaviour of newly developed materials. The obtained results were indirectly used in the development of new materials and technologies, as well as in their effective use in execution and rehabilitation of structures. As an outcome, higher quality, durability and safety of structures were achieved (e.g. in rehabilitation of historical buildings). Special attention was paid to the use of appropriate (compatible) materials and procedures in the planning/design stage of the construction/rehabilitation. Specific newly developed probes and techniques made possible to determine changes in materials' properties over time, as well as to monitor the structure condition. In the field of secondary materials' use, our research helped to minimize the consumption of raw materials and energy, and to reduce environmental impact. Some of our results were already successfully implemented in the practice, however several parameters indicate that the amount of work in this field will be significantly increased in the future, as construction materials present one of the most suitable options for re-use of secondary materials due to their volume and immobilization capacity. The results of the professional and research work of our team were also a basis for our active participation in modernization of the existing national technical legislature and adoption of European standards along with corresponding national application documents.