Division of Structural Engineering

Photo collage of three images representing the work of the division. Photo.

Structural Engineering encompasses the principles and methodologies involved in the design, analysis, assessment and management of buildings, bridges, and other structures. The design objective for new structures is to achieve adequate safety and serviceability under the influence of the relevant loads and actions during the service life of the structure. Assessment and an efficient management of existing structures is an important cornerstone of sustainable and circular management of the built environment.

The education in Structural Engineering covers the load bearing capacity and methods for design and assessment of structural systems, elements and joints in concrete, steel, timber and masonry. This includes principles of design and assessment, loads models, structural health monitoring and structural integrity management. In the courses of the Structural Engineering division, methods for design and assessment are applied to structural systems for houses, bridges, tunnels and other structures of the built environment.

Structural engineering research encompasses the methods of structural performance, reliability, risk and decision analysis aiming to contribute to a safe, economically efficient and sustainable design and integrity management of the built environment. Actual research is related to climate change adaptation, durability and service life extension, bridge digitalised integrity management, robustness and resilience of infrastructure systems. Research is conducted in close collaboration with industry and infrastructure owners.