Business services
The Department of Civil Engineering also provides expert, training and education, product development and research services falling within its area of competence to companies that commission them. That involves entering into a contract with a company on the content of the commissioned task and its implementation. Research services vary from small one-off measurements or surveys to extensive studies which may involve researchers from the Unit's different research areas or other domestic or international research partners.
The Unit has engaged in successful collaboration with enterprises for several decades. More detailed information about the services offered by the Unit is found on the following four key research areas: Earth and foundation structures, Structural engineering, Construction management and economics and Information Technology in Civil Engineering.
Expert services
We offer our expertise to companies and authorities e.g. by issuing expert opinions, conducting condition investigations of demanding structures and building elements, and by doing independent quality control of groundwater protection structures and inspecting plans. Expert services are always kept confidential.
Training and education services
The Unit's staff often implement training and education services together with Edutech, construction sector authorities, societies or enterprises. Services are provided to individual companies or expert groups. In addition, the Unit's experts often lecture at topical sector seminars and continuing education events and write educational and teaching materials for the sector. The Unit's professors and key researchers of various fields serve as contacts in the planning of training and education services.
The Department of Civil Engineering organises annually post-graduate courses and seminars on different themes, part of which are also suited for continuing education. E.g. Eurocode training for the research areas of Earth and foundation construction and Structural engineering has been given in co-operation with sector organisations and authorities. The Unit also takes part in the organisation of national and international sector conferences.
Laboratory and measurement services
An essential component of the services provided by the Department of Civil Engineering for research or enterprises are measurements, monitorings and testings conducted either in a laboratory or on a construction site. The Unit is capable of studying and testing various building materials, structures or their parts by standard and new innovative methods. Laboratory tests may include measurements on a one micrometre-particle of clay or an entire hollow-core slab or pile. The services also include pile bearing capacity measurements. For more detailed information on the unit's laboratory and measurement services by research areas go to the Research section.
Product development services
Many of the collaborative research projects are product development projects of enterprises. The extensive and interdisciplinary expertise of the Unit's staff in various sub-areas or construction is put to good use in the implementation of product development services. Commissioned product development projects may be feasibility studies on product properties or broader product development projects aimed at creating a new innovation to meet a sector need.