MSc Advanced Geotechnical Engineering with Industrial Practice

This module is designed to provide insights into aspects of advanced soil mechanics, including soil constitutive models, soil parameter selections and determinations, which are necessary to carry out design of geotechnical structures and foundations. It will also introduce the Finite Element Models and its applications to analyse typical soil-structure interaction problems. It builds upon the fundamental knowledge from module ENG2104 Soil Mechanics, thus a revision to the essential basics is given at the start of the module.

ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics is a postgraduate module focused on the geotechnical design principles essential for contemporary and emerging energy infrastructure projects. The curriculum encompasses shallow geothermal energy systems, renewable energy foundations for both offshore and onshore wind turbines, offshore oil and gas installation foundations, and nuclear power systems. Specialised lectures cover high-level nuclear waste disposal and carbon geo-sequestration. Key topics include heat transport in soils, geothermal energy pile systems, and offshore wind turbine foundation design, supplemented by practical coursework on numerical modelling of geothermal systems. The module is designed for students with a foundational understanding of soil and structural mechanics, equivalent to a final-year Bachelor of Engineering.

Prestressed concrete is the principle method by which concrete is used in bridge. The module concentrates on the principles of analysis and design of both pre- and post-tensioning prestressed concrete. Fundamental design principles are covered, based on the physical concepts of prestressing, the properties and use of materials, the anchorages and splices of tendons, the significance of bond, the degree of prestressing and the losses. Focus is placed on both the preliminary and final design of prestressed bridge superstructures, including the loading, the analysis, the detailing and the construction of prestressed superstructures. Design is in accordance with the current Eurocode 2 standards, but is also complemented with state-of-the-art knowledge. Economy and aesthetics are discussed in the module.

The module reviews the durability characteristics of the materials used in the construction of modern bridges and engineering structures but focuses on concrete and steel, and their combination as both reinforced and prestressed concrete. The relationship between material behaviour and environment is reviewed and the implications for those tasked with the operation of engineering structures in a changing world is discussed. The various methods for assessing the condition of a structure are explored and linked to the need for viable inspection, maintenance strategies. The course uses a number of case studies to allow the material presented to be placed within its engineering context. The lessons learnt are applied to the problem of the design and construction of new structures in light of the degradation process and external forces to which they may be subject.The module provides students with an opportunity to review and extend their understanding and integration of the key threads of Design, Health and Safety and Sustainability in relation to the whole life of an asset.

Modern structural engineers are expected to design structures that are not only safe and stable, but also sustainable and resilient. This module is concerned with the analysis and design of steel and composite construction, focusing on multi-storey buildings. In this module, students develop the skills to evaluate the structural steel design process from the brief to the construction stage, including essential aspects related to structural integrity, sustainability and whole-life performance, constructability and health and safety. To effectively work with design codes, engineers must understand the underpinning fundamentals of steel and composite ultimate state design to Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 4, including global and member stability, analysis and design methods. Fundamental concepts related to the performance-based design of steel structures in the context of extreme loading conditions are also introduced. Moreover, specific analysis and design procedures for cold-formed sections are covered. Ultimately, particular attention is given to the overall design process by placing key sustainability drivers at the centre of the material selection, design and construction thinking.

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is the most commonly used tool in practice for structural design and analysis of bridges, buildings and other types of structures. In order to carry out a successful FE analysis, a basic knowledge of the theory behind the FEM is required as well as an understanding of the applications to different types of structural elements & analyses. This module covers both of these two aspects which are essential for learning how to perform a FE analysis. There is an expectations that students on this module have prior knowledge of structural engineering to the level of final year BEng.

Infrastructure systems have become increasingly complex and interconnected which results in strong interdependencies between them. These systems may become fragile and subject to disruptions that can have significant consequences both in the local as well as national and global level. This module forms the foundation required for systems thinking in infrastructure by introducing the background required for modelling the interconnected nature of infrastructure systems and understanding the different types of interdependencies that exist between them. It also provides an overview of the different types of risks that need to be considered for assessing the resilience of infrastructure systems and discusses the different adaptation and mitigation options available for sustaining their continuous operation and preventing cascading failures.

This module provides an overview of the management of infrastructure assets both at individual as well as network/system level. It introduces the concepts, theory and methods for infrastructure asset management through utilisation of a whole-life framework. It covers asset management frameworks, risk management and asset performance modelling towards the development of maintenance strategies for infrastructure assets. Case study examples from different infrastructure sectors are reviewed.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are applicable to both developed and developing nations. SDG 6 (to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) addresses global challenges in relation to drinking water, notably the limited access to safe water and sanitation faced by billions of people around the world. Additional challenges include increasing pressures on water resources and ecosystems, disasters and the increased risk of droughts and floods due to climate change. This module, through lectures, case studies and class participation will address these issues in the context of water, sanitation, and public health. It will provide an understanding of how engineering can help achieve the overall aim of SDG 6, and its associated targets and indictors, by protecting public health through ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation can be built. The module addresses the aim of the MSc in Water and Environmental Engineering to provide a comprehensive understanding of the core areas of water and environmental engineering in relation to the protection of human health. It will give the knowledge and skills needed to explore, critically assess, and evaluate problems associated with poor water and sanitation and produce systematic and coherent solutions to protect public health.

Infrastructure systems play a crucial role towards sustainable development as they serve the needs of the society. An understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, is vital towards the planning, design and operation of sustainable infrastructure systems. This module evaluative frameworks that can capture economic, environmental and social constraints to understand the balance between these three dimensions towards the development of sustainable infrastructure projects. Particular focus is given to whole-life carbon accounting and life cycle assessment for assessing the environmental impact of infrastructure systems and multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental/social impact assessments, capable of capturing the three pillars of sustainability for holistic decision-making within the context of infrastructure.

Civil engineers are often called on to design systems that will support large structures at depth or steep / vertical faces in soil. The former case will normally require large foundations, sometimes at depth whereas the latter may require an earth-retaining structure of some kind. Ground modifications techniques are often employed to improve the physical properties of ground before construction begins. This module applies the basic principles of soil mechanics to the safe and sustainable design of large foundations and earth-retaining structures. It is expected that students taking this module have a background knowledge of soil mechanics and structural mechanics to the level of final year Bachelor of Engineering..

Spatial data ­— data tied to a specific geographical location or area — is ubiquitously available and provides rich insight into our natural and built environment, social and economic activities and much more. Geographical Information Science (GIS) provides the concepts, methods and tools to analyse such data, using the spatial component of the data as an integral part of the analysis. Remote Sensing (RS) systems image the entire Earth on daily basis. RS methods allow the derivation of a wide range of spatial information from the imagery, providing a major source of spatial data. GIS and RS are used in a wide range of disciplines including hydrology, natural resource management, climate change and infrastructure planning. This module introduces the theoretical foundations and trains the student in using these techniques to solve problems and support decision making, with an emphasis on Civil and Environmental Engineering practice.

This module is concerned with the design of steel and steel/concrete composite bridges. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamentals of steel and steel/concrete composite analysis in relation to the design of plate or box girder bridges. It builds on knowledge and skills acquired in earlier structural design modules (in particular ENG1076 and ENG2102, which deal with the design of steel structures according to Eurocode 3). The module also addresses stability and buckling requirements during erection and operation of bridges and explains the nuances of Eurocodes 3 & 4 (and BS5400 where appropriate), thus enabling students to produce efficient designs when tackling coursework briefs and examination questions. Students become familiar with the different criteria that must be met for a design scheme to be successful, with respect to safety, functionality and sustainability. The application of Codes of Practice (principally Eurocodes 3 and 4) covered in this module provide a strong foundation for work in professional teams dealing with bridge analysis and design. Professional skills also include presentation of technical calculations regarding the selection of types and sizes of structural elements vis-à-vis relevant clauses in codes of practice.

Reinforced concrete design is taught to different levels and to different codes in Universities worldwide and those entering the MSc at the University of Surrey have a variety of backgrounds. The course is based on the Eurocodes and includes the role of the designer in building construction, health and safety and sustainability issues, and challenges students to develop conceptual ideas on a design rather than just delivering a design from a drawing. The module includes the design of simple elements such as beams, slabs, flat slab including punching shear, slender and short column design and shear wall design. This module is for students with knowledge of structural analysis at final year BEng level..

This is a compulsory module of the MSc in Water and Environmental Engineering. It is an optional module for the MEng programme in Civil Engineering and for the MSc in Infrastructure Engineering. The module teaches theory and practice of water resources management, and numerical tools for the hydrodynamic simulation of urban drainage networks. These tools are essential for the design of sustainable flood alleviation schemes in the civil engineering practice.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a multi-disciplinary collaborative model based approach in design, construction, commissioning, ownership, operation, maintenance and demolition of built assets. BIM is a very critical issue in Civil Engineering at the moment due to the decision made by the Government in 2011 for which all projects funded with public funds will have to incorporate BIM starting from 2016. The literature on BIM is very limited and often engineers and students can only find out about it on non-technical press which are poorly informed and only focus on one small aspect of BIM. This module will cover the main fundamentals of BIM as well as general guidance and standards. Practical examples from industry will be covered, including the challenges of the applicability of the use of BIM across the spectrum of scale and complexity of projects.

Nature Based Solutions (NBS) are defined by International Union for Conservation of Nature as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g., climate change, water security or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. NBS are increasingly used as a more sustainable way of managing environments or environmental systems. NBS use nature's own resources (clean air, water, plants, and soil) to provide cost-effective environmental, social, and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more diverse nature and natural features and processes into existing networks and infrastructure systems including cities, landscapes, and coastal areas, through site specific, locally adapted, resource-efficient interventions. Engineers are working to restore natural buffering systems (e.g., wetlands and tree canopies), utilise green infrastructure, and better manage natural areas to restore riparian corridors, create resilient coastal ecosystems, manage flood risk, enhance water quality and waste treatment, improve air quality, mitigate climate change and more. NBS are often seen as an alternative, more sustainable solution to hard engineered infrastructure solution (by fulfilling multiple services and / by having fewer adverse characteristics). However, NBS cannot be unilaterally implemented due to prevailing characteristics of the built and natural environments. The module will provide the knowledge and skills needed to explore, critically assess, and evaluate the ¿why¿ ¿how¿ and utility of NBS to protect, manage and restore ecosystems vulnerable to societal and environmental challenges. An important part of the module will be to critically assess, compare, and determine the feasibility of different solutions drawn from literature and case studies where NBS have been successful implemented. The module will draw on the desire of communities to live in green spaces and explore options for engineers to design and integrate facilities within ecosystems in a way that benefits ecological and human health. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NBS, the module will explore different environments (air, water, coastal, rural, and urban) ensuring the interaction between different research disciplines such as coastal management, wastewater treatment, air quality, material and infrastructure, and urban management.

The module provides an opportunity for students to undertake guided, individual research into a topic related to their programme of study. Students are required to take independent ownership of their project and demonstrate this through their management of the available resources, including meetings with project supervisor(s), the timely acquisition of relevant information and experimental results. They must prepare and submit a formal, written, report to a specific deadline and subsequently present and defend their work at an oral examination.

This module provides information, guidance and support for developing the student¿s employability.In addition, this module helps students build on their previous skills and generate documents that are required to demonstrate their skill sets to external parties, recruiters and recruiting agencies. Furthermore, skills acquired in this module will enable students to actively participate in placement and employment searches.

This module supports students¿ development of personal and professional attitudes and abilities appropriate to an industrial practice training placement and provides a portfolio of professional development appropriate to the expectations of the graduate¿s technical discipline. It supports and facilitates self-reflection and transfer of learning from student¿s industrial placement experiences to their future employment, maximising the potential to succeed in the global job market. The industrial practice module is concerned with personal and professional development towards holistic academic and non-academic learning, and is a process that involves self-reflection, documented via the creation of a personal record, planning and monitoring progress towards the achievement of personal objectives. Through industrial placement, students not only become resourceful and resilient through exercising to engage effectively with different opportunities and challenges at work but also gain an appreciation and understanding of global, social and ethical issues in the civil engineering industry. This also supports students' development in digital capabilities/literacy. Through working on practice-based projects/problems, they gain knowledge and understanding of sustainability and civil engineers' role and contribution to achieving UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, and this is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written and presentation skills.