Civil Engineering PhD

University of Bristol

Programme overview

Our multidisciplinary research addresses the global need for delivering long-term, sustainable performance of existing and new infrastructure systems. We are leaders in modelling and managing the impacts of extreme natural and human hazards, such as earthquakes, climate change, flooding, industrial processes, traffic and crowds.

Our application studies range from complete national and regional systems (such as national hydrological models, water systems, electricity and transport networks) through individual artefacts (such as nuclear facilities, dams, long-span bridges and buildings), down to local scale buckling models of reinforcing bars in concrete.

Much of the research includes monitoring of prototypes or modelling at large scale, for example the dynamics of cable-stayed bridges such as the Second Severn Crossing, analysis of deep excavations and flood prediction based on real-time radar detection of rainfall. We collaborate widely with academic and industrial partners from across the engineering, science and social science disciplines, and from around the world.

Careers

Civil engineering PhD graduates are found in a variety of careers, including world-leading research. Many also work as consultants or as part of large-scale engineering industries.