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Master of Engineering Science (Research)

Course code: 1226 + Course abbreviation: MEngSc(Res)

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)

Course description

Research students enrolled for MEngSc(Research) are required to undertake a research project in their area of specialisation. The maximum period of full-time candidature is two years, and students are encouraged to complete their work in 18 months.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for admission to MEngSc(Research) are an honours degree (at least H2B) in engineering or equivalent. Proven research ability, usually established in the way described above, is necessary for entry to PhD candidature.

Research areas

Structural engineering

Our research in structural engineering covers the full spectrum, from fundamental theory to practical problems, the latter stimulated by inquiries from industry. Particular areas of interest include retrofitting of concrete, steel and timber structures using FRP composites, concrete technology, fundamental mechanisms of shrinkage and creep, use of industrial wastes such as slag in concrete, strength assessment and lifetime performance of ageing concrete and steel bridges, steel tubular structures, thin-walled structures such as box-girders, stiffened plates and pipe-bends, structural steel connections, crashworthiness of structures, performance of structures subject to fire, fatigue and large deformation cyclic loading, and timber structural members and systems. Projects range in content from fundamental and analytical, through numerical to experimental. Comprehensive and flexible testing and data logging facilities are also available. Various levels of computing facilities exist to match the complexity of numerical tasks.

Geoengineering

Research activities are broadly divided into structural and environmental geoengineering. In both areas, there is a strong emphasis on innovative solutions for practical engineering problems and the development of improved methods for design. This research is made possible through an extensive array of advanced field and laboratory equipment. Industry links are a key aspect of the research effort. Current research in structural geoengineering includes foundation performance including drilled foundations in weak rock and soils, soil filtration and drainage, the behaviour of rock joints and rock masses, rock dynamics, tunnelling in soft rocks, stabilisation of soils and crushed rocks, ground improvement, unsaturated soil and rock behaviour, pavement and railway geotechnics. The environmental geoengineering research is concerned with the geotechnical properties of waste materials; performance of natural innovative cover and systems and hybrid containment barriers for waste disposal; soil remediation, geosynthetics applications to waste containment, geosynthetics applications for soil reinforcement, filtration and drainage, contaminant transport and multiphase flow, gas outburst and groundwater inundation. Joint research is being undertaken in site characterisation.

Water resources/environmental engineering

The research focus is on improving the understanding and management of water resources and protecting, managing or restoring aspects of the environment.

Researchers in the Department of Civil Engineering are members of the Institute of Sustainable Water Resources and have particular research strengths in water sensitive urban design, integrated urban water management, flood hydrology and physical modelling of rivers and water infrastructure. Research projects can include highly specialised hydrologic and hydraulic engineering studies as well as interdisciplinary studies that involve aquatic ecology, water quality and river rehabilitation. Previous student projects have included work on: the role of stream condition assessment in environmental management; rain water tanks as a water resource in urban areas; wetlands for storm water treatment; characterising the hydraulic environment of streams; design and modelling of fishways; optimising water allocation; and improving flood estimation methods.

Research projects can include all, or some of, computer modelling, physical modelling, field observations and laboratory field experiments. Students are expected to have a strong focus on undertaking fundamental research which can directly influence industry practice.

Transport and traffic engineering

Research in transport engineering is oriented towards travel demand, transport operations, transport and traffic planning and management, and public transport planning management, with continuing research in the following fields: transport and location choice modelling, transport management, intelligent transport systems, public transport use and operation, traffic management, traffic flow, parking, urban and non-urban freight and transport systems modelling.

Timber engineering

Research activity in timber engineering focuses on timber engineering, life-time integrity, the development of engineered timber products and quality assurance. Some specific projects include: timber bridge load rating and repair with an emphasis on fibre reinforced plastic techniques, timber portal frame behaviour, epoxy grouted bars used in structural timber joints, mechano-sorptive response of timber, timber floor systems, timber composites, structural applications of particleboard, wood adhesive bonding. A wide range of testing equipment is available including universal testing machines (Shimadzu 100t and 10t, Instron screw loading with a wide range of load cells), Instron loose ram system, strong floor, timber tension tester (600kN), humidity cabinets, large scale environmental chambers (chamber A with temperature and humidity control, chamber B with water spray, salt, CO2), remote sensing equipment, hot baths, particleboard and MDF mechanical test equipment, furniture test rigs, wood working machinery. The timber laboratories are NATA accredited so that laboratory results from work done within the Timber Centre is automatically used directly by the timber industry in product development and marketing. Staff are widely represented on both national and international (International Standards Organisation) committees to ensure that an effective technology transfer mechanism is in place that ensures that its research findings are used.

Contact details

Website: civil.eng.monash.edu.au/researchdegrees

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