Civil and Environmental Engineering (Infrastructure) M.Sc.

In detail, the following topics are covered:

•     Spatial planning and its legal and planning bases
•     Planning hierarchies and responsibilities of federal, state and local authorities
•     Status quo and development of the different energy systems (sectoral structures and interfaces between heat, electricity and gas grids, e.g. power-to-gas)
•     Grid development planning E-grids (onshore and offshore)
•     Basics of the use of renewable energies with special infrastructural requirements, e.g. offshore wind energy / ocean energy

Mathematical predictions, process and procedure visualizations as well as parameter studies and data interpretation are carried out on selected models from civil engineering, environmental or energy technology. In detail, the following aspects from the following topics are treated:

•     models of mechanical systems from civil engineering, energy and process engineering
•     procedural and object-oriented programming languages, algorithms and numerics (C++/Fortran/Matlab)
•     numerical methods for the solution of differential equations, data interpolation, balancing and optimization
•     Analytical methods for the solution of simple differential equations
•     Parameter estimation methods for adaptive control
•     Measurement-based structural analysis
•     Similarity mechanics

In the module, the theoretical fundamentals of the following topics are developed, explained using practical construction examples and deepened using calculation examples.

Design and calculation of hydraulic engineering structures such as

•     dikes,
•     dams,
•     locks and weir structures as well as
•     harbor and quay structures

with special requirements on subsoil and stability under consideration of

•     Support systems with columns and geogrid reinforcement
•     Soil-structure interaction (bedding models)
•     Shear laws
•     Material laws of soil mechanics
•     Subsurface hydraulics
•     Fluid forces in soil
•     Earth pressure and earth resistance in flowing groundwater
•     hydraulic ground failure and hydraulic bottom failure
•     buoyancy problems
•     Limits of deterministic models of geotechnics

The module serves the in-depth teaching of selected topics, in particular scientifically oriented special procedures, which are also to be related to structural design or structural analysis of infrastructure structures:

Solid construction: special requirements according to Eurocode 2; application of the finite element method in reinforced concrete construction, if necessary also non-linear methods; internal member models for discontinuity areas; design for fire ("hot design" e.g. for tunnel structures); special structures in prestressed concrete construction, e.g. for bridges and liquid containers (e.g. for water supply and disposal) as well as for towers of wind energy plants; optionally in the further: Calculation and design of shallow foundations of infrastructure buildings; structural design in existing structures

Steel construction: calculation methods of braced and unbraced buckling fields incl. application of numerical program systems; shell stability with examples from wind energy; dynamically loaded chimneys and masts based on the single-mass oscillator with verifications of the load-bearing capacity and fatigue strength; composite structures for infrastructure buildings incl. structural fire protection

The specific interrelationships as well as the presentation of methods are on the one hand fundamentally theoretical and on the other hand accompanied by numerous application-oriented examples from solid construction and steel construction.

In the module, the theoretical fundamentals of the following topics are developed, explained using practical construction examples and deepened using calculation examples:

Calculation, design and construction of traffic infrastructure structures such as

•     access roads and connecting roads within and outside the city as well as
•     rail transport structures

with geotechnical consideration/dimensioning of foundation engineering specifications with regard to subsoil and stability, taking into account

•     subsoil expertise
•     Excavation pits as complex earth static systems
•     slope and terrain failure
•     Diaphragm walls and narrow walls
•     Construction on subsoil with low bearing capacity
•     Preloading and backfill methods

The module provides advanced knowledge from water and wastewater management in the context of infrastructure measures. The following aspects are dealt with in detail:

•     Basics and boundary conditions of a present complex water or wastewater technical project
•     Analysis of water or wastewater engineering issues with the aim of developing an economic solution concept
•     Modeling of treatment processes based on balance equations
•     Selection of technically and economically optimal processes by comparing the advantages and disadvantages for the concept at hand
•     Economically optimal choice of plant components to be considered for these processes
•     Dimensioning of these plant components by application of rules and/or balance equations
•     Presentation of the solution concept found in the form of complex basic and process flow diagrams
•     Selection of MSR technology required for technically and economically optimal operation
•     Dimensioning of piping and valves and their representation in the form of R+I flow diagrams
•     Estimation of the investment and operating costs of the solution concept found
•     Comparison of economic efficiency on the basis of annual costs

Specifically, the following topics will be addressed:

•     Identification and evaluation of usable biomass sources: Main characteristics, accumulation and processing.
•     Metabolism and growth of microorganisms as a basis for the conversion performance of microorganisms
•     Laboratory methods for testing the conversion potential of different substrates
•     Optimization of pure or mixed cultures and processing steps in biotechnical processes
•     Microorganisms and enzymes in environmental protection, e.g. in paper, textile and plastics production
•     Energy from biomass: biogas, hydrogen, ethanol
•     Biorefineries: Possibilities of an integrated material-energetic utilization of biomass

The module serves to teach selected topics on resource efficiency, especially in connection with infrastructure systems and energy systems.
In detail, the following aspects are covered:

•     Material and energy flow analysis: procedures, qualitative and quantitative description, evaluation parameters, mathematical descriptions, analysis of process chains incl. use of data processing tools (e.g. UMBERTO®)
•     Collection, intermediate storage and transport of waste
•     Design and calculation of selected processes, such as recycling of household waste, urban mining, construction waste recycling, thermal waste treatment

The module serves to teach selected topics for the preparation and support of the project modules in the areas of construction, environment and energy.
In detail, the following aspects are covered:

•  
•     Plant and construction-related building law, planning law, public procurement law, environmental law, plant law, energy law
•     Life cycle assessment, resource efficiency
•     Management systems
•     Process and life-cycle related cost accounting, investment planning

In detail, the following topics will be covered:

•     Scientific research based on original literature, databases, patents or market situation related to a call for proposals, which is carried out by the lecturers.
•     Formulation of a scientific hypothesis or a development goal and derivation of a technical-scientific objective.
•     Independent preparation of a technical-scientific project proposal (feasibility and preliminary studies)
•     Preparation of a development or research proposal incl. creation of a work, time and cost plan, selection of suitable methods for project processing
•     Methods for project monitoring, revision and concretization of a work, time and cost plan.

• The content of the courses is related to the specific project (to strengthen technical competence) and methods (to strengthen methodological competence).
• In addition, techniques for the division of labor are taught and support for coordination in the work group is provided.

The following topics will be dealt with in detail:

•     Relevant problems from the thematic field of sustainable construction, energy and environmental systems (topic assignment)
•     Design of the scientific work "Master thesis
•     Literature acquisition and evaluation
•     Time management
•     Presentation and discussion of work results

In the middle of the semester, each master student arranges a date by giving a presentation on his/her topic and represents his/her approaches, concepts, proposed solutions in the discussion with the other students and the university lecturers.
For the master thesis itself applies:

•     Self-study with scientific literature work, writing up of the thesis.