Research in Civil Engineering and Surveying

Research within this Civil Engineering and Surveying may be divided into three major areas with conventional terminology (structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and surveying) but this belies its true nature. In a sense all the work is "niche" research. It is highly specialised, at or close to the leading edge, and often at the borderline of well-established, already well-researched areas.

Civil engineering and surveying each contribute uniquely to economic development and technological progress.

Civil engineering is involved in the provision of the infra-structure (built environment) necessary for such development and for its maintenance. Despite fluctuations in the economy, it has been estimated that the investment in the built environment increases at a rate of around ten percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) each year. Infrastructure replacement costs continue to increase and may well reach the US level of around five times the GDP. This means the replacement of older buildings, freeways and roads and bridges.

Surveying provides the technology and techniques for land boundary definition, for high-accuracy description of the physical environment and of important technological facilities and for remote sensing in a variety of commercial and industrial settings.