Research Disciplines
In the department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering a very wide range of research disciplines is covered. Below is a short description about each of the groups within our department and a link to additional information.
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is applying engineering principles and experience to the solution of problems of environmental quality. Environmental engineers design and set up systems to provide clean drinking water and to treat wastewater, solid wastes, hazardous wastes and air pollutants.
Fire engineering
The art and science of designing buildings and facilities for life safety and property protection in the event of an unwanted fire. Research in fire science includes pre- and post-flashover fires and backdraft phenomena, using analytical methods, saltwater modelling and full scale experiments.
Fluid mechanics
The study of fluids, how they move, how they mix, how they interact with the material containing them, and how they affect human civilisation.
Geotechnical engineering
The study of the mechanical properties of soil and rock materials, the mechanics of soil and rock enmass, and the technology associated with building in, on, and with soil and rock.
Hydrological and Ecological engineering
Applying hydrological and ecological principles to solving worldwide engineering problems. Research in this area is diverse yet covers interrelated topics such as wetland systems, catchment hydrology and GIS, sediment transport, irrigation, waste reuse, stormwater, and sustainable use of water and land resources.
Earthquake engineering
A broad range of activities that seek to minimise the damage and disruption communities suffer when hit by an earthquake.
Structural engineering
The art of economically designing buildings, bridges and other structures to support their contents and protect them from extreme environmental events such as wind, snow, fire or earthquake.
Timber engineering
Timber is a uniquely renewable and sustainable building material. Being lightweight in relation to its strength makes timber suitable for many building uses. Research includes earthquake engineering, fire safety and sustainability.
Transportation engineering
The planning, design and management of current and future transportation needs of communities by all modes of travel (especially land transport).
Construction management
Planning, co-ordination and control of a construction project from inception to completion, to produce a functionally and financially viable project ‘on time’, within budget, and meeting required quality standards.