Research

We’re well known for our research in structural fire engineering, earthquake engineering, blast engineering, flood prediction and prevention and leakage management. But our discipline is no longer just about infrastructure above and below ground. Our growing expertise in resilient infrastructure, sustainability and carbon-neutral construction, energy generation & storage, digital technologies, characterisation of new materials, and managing risk and hazards, means we’re at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time.
student in HSL lab 3
Firth Court Rotunda with REF 2014 graphics
Top 4 in the UK for research excellence 
research
Research themes 
Research
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Our department has been research-led for over 100 years and our academic staff are organised into four overarching disciplines: Geotechnical Engineering, Resources, Infrastructure Systems & Built Environments, Structural Engineering & Materials, and Water Engineering.

Our work is focused across five major research themes, which align our interdisciplinary academic strengths to address some of the key scientific, social and environmental challenges of the new millennium. This serves to demonstrate the increasing importance of civil and structural engineering research in addressing developing global challenges and building more sustainable and resilient societies.

Research disciplines

sand

Geotechnical Engineering

This group focuses on physical modelling, particle scale studies and application of numerical optimisation in geotechnical engineering. Research covers the behaviour of offshore and thermal piles, masonry arch bridges, pile jetting, reinforced soils, geochemical hazards, blast effects, debris flows, transport in high energy flows, internal erosion, soil interaction, and physics engine techniques.

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RISE

Resources, Infrastructure Systems and Built Environments

This interdisciplinary led research group focuses on planning, policy and design for the creation of a built environment that allows humanity to thrive within the carrying capacity of the planet. Energy, carbon and material flows in buildings, cities and infrastructure, understanding internal environments and infrastructure systems engineering are included.

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steel structures

Structural Engineering & Materials

Concrete Structures, Steel & Composite Structures, Earthquake Engineering, Computational Mechanics & Design, Blast & Impact Engineering.

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river bed

Water Engineering

We host the UK’s largest urban water research group, which includes Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Groundwater Protection & Restoration, Sustainable Drainage Systems & Urban Drainage, Water Distribution Systems & Infrastructure, and Catchments & River Flooding.

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Research films

Urban Flows Observatory

Water research

Blast research