Graduate School

Civil Engineering research overview

Civil engineers are at the forefront of developing sustainable societies and many find themselves dealing with important social and environmental issues. Our research reflects this multi-disciplinary activity by collaborating on joint projects with surveyors, mathematicians, chemists and microbiologists across the globe.

We have a strong international profile particularly in the field of environmental engineering.  We have constructed sewage treatment systems, using ponds and reed beds, as far away as Egypt and Colombia. This work has recently extended to Thailand to help with recovery in tsunami-hit areas.

One of our researchers was recently named 'Young Researcher of the Year' in a national competition. Their work on a joint project with the Transport Research Laboratory examined ground penetrating radar for assessment of road condition - the techniques used enable us to 'see' underground.

For more information about how to apply please contact the Faculty of Technology using the Contact us page.

If you have any questions about studying for a research degree at the University of Portsmouth, please complete our enquiry form.

Key Facts

RAE Rating: In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 our researchers submitted their work under the UoA Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering. This covered work in the analysis of the deformation, fatigue, fracture, impact and buckling of engineering and bio-mechanical structures and components. Forty-five per cent of our work was judged to be 'internationally excellent or world-leading', with 85% of international standing, reflecting the quality and industrial significance of the submission.

Academic staff: 21 (please see the staff list).

Postgraduate research students: 20.

Internal links: The department has close links with the School of Engineering, the School of Computing and the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying.

External links: Our solid relationships with the construction industry mean our research programmes have today's global marketplace in mind. Our postgraduate research students acquire up-to-date technical and transferable skills appropriate to their field.

Resources

Our postgraduate research students conduct their research in the Department's laboratories, equipped with modern instruments. We offer specialised laboratories in areas such as chemistry, highway materials, concrete, public health, soil mechanics structures and hydraulics laboratories.

Our outstations include the full-scale Public Health Field Station and Laboratories at the Petersfield Sewage Treatment Works.

We also have a long-established network of civil engineering consulting and contracting organisations that provide real-world case studies, curriculum advice and feedback as well as employment opportunities.

Research Centres

Petersfield Centre for Environmental Technology

The site is a self-contained research and teaching facility at Petersfield Sewage Works that we rent from Southern Water and is used by run by the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying. It has a variety of research and test facilities for microbiological work and a supply of sewage and effluent from pipelines at 3 stages of the treatment works (raw, primary settled and final effluent).

Research Areas

Our researchers are working and supervising students on fields such as:

• Geotechnology
• Management in construction
• Structural analysis and design
• Environmental management
• Management of traffic
• Construction material engineering
• Tunnels and underground excavation
• Life cycle of structures
• Shoreline management
• Strategic management in construction
• Ground engineering
• Waste disposal and remediation
• Rock slope stability and surface excavation
• Ground investigation and assessment
• Groundwater hydrology