Civil and natural resources engineering

Our Civil and Natural Resources at UC is ranked in the top 100 worldwide Civil Engineering departments. We have an international reputation that is the envy of other universities. 

From earthquakes to renewable energy, researchers across all our disciplines are among world leaders in developing new technology and responses. We have many active research groups including groups in Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrological and Ecological Engineering, and Earthquake Engineering. 

The UC Quake Centre (UCQC) is a dynamic partnership between the New Zealand Government, the University of Canterbury, and several leading industry groups, all working together in the engineering sector to provide world-class knowledge, research and solutions to seismic issues.

Research strengths

Fire engineering

Areas of current research fire engineering include:

• Computer modelling
• Fire dynamics 
• Structural fire performance 
• Active fire protection systems 
• Human behaviour
• Fire statistics and risk

Research centres and groups

• Fire Engineering Research Group

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Geotechnical engineering

Areas of current research in geotechnical engineering include:

• Stress-strain behaviour of granular soils
• Soil-structure interaction including specific phenomena such as liquefaction
• Rock avalanche and debris flow mechanics

Research centres and groups

• Geomechanics and geotechnical engineering in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Fluid mechanics

Areas of current research fluid mechanics include:

• Water flow in underground aquifers
• Disposal of waste in rivers, estuaries and coastal areas
• Flood prediction
• Stop bank and spillway design
• Rainfall monitoring
• Nutrient mixing in lakes and reservoirs
• Transport of sediments in rivers
• Wave action on harbours and beaches
• Design of urban stormwater and sewage systems

Research centres and groups

• Fluid Mechanics in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Hydrological and ecological engineering

Areas of current research hydrological and ecological engineering include:

• Real-time monitoring
• Stormwater best management practices
• Contaminant build-Up and wash-Off
• Urban waterways
• Acid mine drainage
• Water resources development and impacts
• Irrigation
• Hydrologic and ecological modelling
• Erosion and sediment transport
• Biofuels

Research centres and groups

• Hydrological and Ecological Engineering Group (HydroEco)

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Environmental engineering

Areas of current research environmental engineering include:

• Wastewater treatment
• Solid waste 
• Contaminant transport

Research centres and groups

Environmental Engineering in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Timber engineering

Areas of current research timber engineering include:

• Multi-storey timber buildings
• Seismic design
• Fire safety

Research centres and groups

Timber Engineering in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Bridge engineering

Areas of current research bridge engineering include:

• Bridge typology
• Construction techniques

Research centres and groups

Bridge engineering in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Earthquake engineering

Areas of current earthquake engineering include:

• Assessing the tectonic and fault mechanisms
• Earthquake energy transmission
• Ground surface responses of structures
• Liquefaction potential assessment
• Structure and lifeline services design
• Emergency response planning and post-earthquake recovery 
• Community preparation for earthquakes

Research centres and groups

• UC Quake Centre
• QuakeCoRE
• Earthquake Engineering in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Structure engineering

Areas of current research in structure engineering include:

• Damage free structural systems in prestressed concrete, steel and timber
• Seismic assessment/retrofit of existing structures
• Fibre reinforced concrete for seismic applications and economical steel flooring 
• Multi-storey timber buildings 
• Advanced construction materials

Research centres and groups

• Structure engineering at the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Transportation engineering

Areas of current research in transportation engineering include:

• Traffic and safety
• Pavements and asset management
• Transportation planning

Research centres and groups

Transportation engineering at the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering school

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are: