Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering Section

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To provide a training in Civil Engineering with specializations in Structural Engineering, Hydraulics and Energy, Geotechnical Engineering and Transportation and Mobility.

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Last event in Civil Engineering

High school Days

November 24,25 & 26th, 2021

Program 2021
© 2021 iStock

EPFL scientists reveal the magnificent complexity of the Alhambra

Research

EPFL scientists have studied the unique features of the decorative vaulting known as muqarnas in Spain’s Alhambra palace and fortress complex. Muqarnas are commonly found in Islamic architecture, yet they are poorly understood by the architectural community and the little data that exist on them have been simplified over time. The EPFL study firmly anchors the Alhambra’s wonders in our world heritage.

a) Cryo-EM map of omicron spike b) Model of of Omicron spike built into Cryo-EM map. c) Model of one monomer of Omicron spike showing all the mutations present. © 2021 EPFL

Omicron's secrets revealed under a microscope

Research

Thanks to the high-power electron microscopes at the Dubochet Center for Imaging (DCI), EPFL scientists were able to observe the configuration of the Omicron variant’s spike protein at a near-atomic scale. This should provide fresh insight into the mechanisms the variant uses to evade vaccines and antibodies.

EPFL / Jamani Caillet - CC BY-SA 4.0

Our top ten news articles from 2021

EPFL community

We published nearly 300 news articles on EPFL’s homepage in 2021, detailing the latest developments in science, academics, student life, startups and EPFL in general. However, these articles provide only a glimpse of the many exciting things going on at our School in research, education and innovation. Here’s a summary of the ten most-read news stories from 2021.

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Certains bâtiments sont conçus pour garantir un éclairage naturel optimal au cours de la journée. © iStock

Better use of office daylighting can improve people's well-being

— A PhD student at EPFL studied the use of automated control systems for blinds and electric lighting to regulate the amount of daylight in an office, and found that such systems can cut a building’s energy demand and stimulate occupants’ circadian rhythms, improving their health and well-being.

© 2021 EPFL

Studio Weinand: Final Critics

— Studio Weinand's final critics took place in the morning of the 21st of December at IBOIS. Students presented their projects concerning the conversion of the existing Bluhm sawmill near Rossinière and how it could be adapted for robotisation.

Alexandre Mudry, Dolaana Khovaly and Thomas Keller won the Best Paper Award for their research. © A.Herzog/EPFL

Multifunctional construction elements lower buildings' energy needs

— Engineers at EPFL have studied the use of construction slabs that serve both as structural building elements and floor heating systems. Made of composite materials, these slabs could deliver heating performance on par with conventional radiant heating but consume less energy.

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