About Civil Engineering research areas, PhD - at University of Nottingham
Please visit the Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) web page for research opportunities.
In addition to the traditional three-year PhD, the School offers a four-year New Route PhD TM programme, which combines research with 180 credits of taught modules. The entry requirements are the same as for the standard PhD (academic and English language). However, the start date must be at the beginning of a semester (Autumn or Spring). Successful completion leads to the award of a PhD degree and a detailed transcript for the 180 credits taken. The School also offers a two-year MPhil degree by research.
The Environmental Fluid Mechanics Research Centre (EFMRC )The Environmental Fluid Mechanics group is active in many areas of fluid flow, wave propagation and morphodynamics. Major research themes include: applied computational fluid dynamics (river, wind and water engineering and fluid-structure interaction); coastal engineering and morpho-hydrodynamics; and fundamental fluid dynamics. Facilities include dedicated linux clusters for CFD calculations (along with commercial codes); advanced image processing systems for analysing fluid flows; a small-scale (20m) programmable wave tank; and several open channel flumes.
The Centre for Structural Engineering and Construction (S&C)This group provides the focus for a dynamic, flexible and cross disciplinary approach to research, based on sound engineering principles. It has a strong record in research in structural engineering including the areas of: concrete structures (especially pre-cast), steel structures, the application of IT to structural design, structural health monitoring, wind engineering, structural mechanics, computational engineering and finite element methods. The group has a strong and well-established record in construction management concentrating on management systems and procedures including decision support systems, project control, risk management and productivity. In addition the group conducts multidisciplinary research into decision support for engineering design and construction using simulation, IT and artificial intelligence techniques to support integrated and collaborative design, manufacture and construction. Research activities are supported by the latest in computing and laboratory facilities
The Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre (NTEC)Pavement engineering research is housed in a modern, purpose-built centre which incorporates world-class experimental facilities. Research is conducted into all pavement materials, including bitumen, asphalt, cement treated and granular, and soils including recycled materials. A wide-ranging programme involves work on rail track problems, as well as materials, pavement performance and design, sustainability issues and constitutive modelling. Facilities for research into bitumen and asphalt are extensive, allowing analytical and mechanical tests to be carried out under a range of conditions. Work includes bitumen and modified bitumen rheology and aspects concerned with modes of deterioration in asphalt such as cracking and deformation. Facilities are available for dealing with concrete and cement-treated materials in roads. Experimental facilities include wheel tracking on slabs and pilot-scale pavements.
The Nottingham Centre for Geomechanics (NCG)Soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering are concerned with the analysis, design and construction of society's infrastructure relating to soils and other geomaterials. Geotechnical research at The University of Nottingham covers a wide range of subject areas which has expanded considerably in recent years. Current research themes include: analytical and theoretical geomechanics, experimental soil and rock mechanics, plasticity theory and constitutive modelling of geomaterials, in-situ soil testing, environmental geotechnics, pavement and railway soil mechanics and centrifuge modelling.
Ongoing strategic investment totalling nearly £1 million is being used to commission state-of-the-art physical testing facilities. This includes advanced laboratory element testing apparatus, 'calibration chamber' apparatus, and a 2m radius geotechnical centrifuge.
