In the «Natural Phenomena and Environmental Hydraulic Engineering» research field, structural engineering measures are developed to provide protection against natural phenomena.

In the «Natural Phenomena and Environmental Hydraulic Engineering» research field, the researchers develop structural engineering measures for providing protection against natural phenomena. They create the basis for assessing the protective measures and evaluating potential hazards, consequently helping to protect people and the environment.

Core competences

• Protection against natural phenomena
• Avalanche protection and rock-fall restraining systems
• Environmental hydraulic engineering
• Flood protection

Specific research: Development of avalanche protection structures on unstable slopes

Conventional avalanche protection structures are not used at present on unstable slopes because the current requirements for anchoring cannot be fulfilled. As a result, such structures are uneconomical to maintain. As an alternative, the project entitled «Development of ductile avalanche protection structures on unstable and sliding slopes» investigates ductile systems that can comply with the high requirements.