Goals

Research, technological development, and innovation are foundational objectives of the doctoral program. Within this framework, the topics addressed encompass those typical of civil engineering, environmental engineering, and architecture, understood in their broadest sense, with specific contributions from other disciplines aimed at providing, where necessary, mathematical and numerical support to the issues explored by doctoral students.

By the end of the doctoral program, the student must have developed the ability to independently conduct research activities, integrating knowledge from various engineering disciplines to solve complex problems that require diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches. Furthermore, they must acquire analytical skills and critical thinking with regard to real-world mathematical-engineering situations and problems. The candidate must also be able to effectively communicate and disseminate results and methodologies to an international audience, both orally and in writing.

Additionally, the candidate is expected to develop the skills necessary for the formulation and management of research projects in national and international contexts, acquiring the tools and transversal competencies (soft skills) required to perform research work both individually and collaboratively.

Finally, the doctoral activities aim to foster an exploratory approach to research topics and the transfer of scientifically relevant and qualified outcomes to practical and applied contexts. This approach seeks to strengthen the connections between basic and applied research in the fields of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering, addressing societal priorities that demand the development of technologies, methods, and solutions with high innovative content.

Curricula and educational profiles

The doctoral program, characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach, is organized into 2 curricula:

• 1. MATERIALS, STRUCTURES, COMPLEX SYSTEMS, AND ARCHITECTURE
• 2. RISK, VULNERABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND TERRITORY

Both curricula share a focus on technological innovation and the advancement of fundamental knowledge through theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches, with the development of mathematical and numerical models.

Each curriculum includes 3 educational profiles in which candidates can primarily, though not exclusively, align themselves:

CURRICULUM 1 - MATERIALS, STRUCTURES, COMPLEX SYSTEMS, AND ARCHITECTURE

1. Numerical and Constitutive Modeling of Complex Systems
The candidate will develop advanced skills and knowledge in the fields related to: elements of tensor algebra, numerical analysis and functional analysis, numerical modeling and programming, constitutive modeling of materials, multiphysical modeling coupled with material and geometrical nonlinearities, multibody modeling, statistics and probability.
The research processes under study are characterized by a wide range of spatial scales, varying from the microscale to the laboratory and single structural component scale, up to the regional scale in geostructural contexts.
These skills will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of managing complex topics in the field of analysis and simulation of multiphysical processes on materials and complex systems, and of developing innovative technologies and study methodologies.
A further area of study will consist in the modeling of decision-makers’ choice behaviors within complex systems in which the human factor can play a determining role.

2. Structures, Infrastructures, Constructions, and Transportation
The candidate will develop specific and advanced skills and knowledge in the fields related to: experimentation and physical–rheological analysis of material behavior; mechanics of materials and geomaterials; structural, energy and geometric modeling of constructions and infrastructures; analysis and classification of historical and contemporary construction techniques; analysis, planning, design and optimized management of transport systems and infrastructures; statistics and probability.
These skills and knowledge will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of managing complex topics and developing innovative technologies in the fields of planning, design, construction, management, maintenance, and monitoring of complex systems (structures, infrastructures, transport systems, civil works).

3. Architecture: History, Design, Urban and Regional Planning
The candidate will develop specific and advanced skills and knowledge in the fields related to: analysis of traditional and innovative construction techniques, survey and representation of the built environment, of the evolution of the building organism and of urban settlements and territory, also through the use of advanced digital tools.
Advanced architectural and technical design of buildings and architectural spaces, innovative methodologies for managing the building process and techniques of urban and landscape planning.
These skills and knowledge will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of operating in an innovative and aware way in the field of design at architectural, urban and territorial scales and in the process of building restoration.

CURRICULUM 2 - RISK, VULNERABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND TERRITORY

4. Environment and Health
The candidate will develop advanced skills and knowledge related to the themes of the relationship between humans and the environment, with reference to the issues of pollution, sustainability, water and air quality, soil consumption, ecosystem restoration, climate change, waste management and treatment, and circular economy, through the study of innovative methodologies for quantitative and qualitative investigation, environmental impact models, management of renewable and non-renewable resources, and socio-environmental conflicts.
These skills and knowledge will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of using interdisciplinary approaches, technological solutions and geospatial information to deal with complex territorial issues, manage the construction of transformative sustainability paths, and define innovative methodologies for waste-cycle management within a circular economy perspective.
In such a context, it is also relevant to focus on appropriate knowledge aimed at understanding and modeling the choice behaviors of decision-makers.

5. Risk Analysis, Vulnerability, and Land Management
The candidate will develop advanced skills and knowledge in the fields related to the analysis and evaluation of urban and territorial systems, in the environmental context and within the framework of natural and anthropic risks, such as structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, transport and environmental risk, both under normal and extreme conditions (floods, fires, landslides, explosions, earthquakes and other specific calamities), including related mitigation strategies and innovative methodologies of surveying, monitoring and modeling.
These skills and knowledge will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of addressing complex topics and developing innovative methodologies in the various fields related to risk mapping and management for infrastructures, territory, and integrated systems, and more generally to the protection, enhancement and transformation of the natural and built environment.

6. Water Engineering and Fluid Mechanics
The candidate will develop advanced skills and knowledge in processes related to hydraulics, fluid mechanics, hydraulic and maritime constructions, and hydrology, also in interdisciplinary contexts such as ecomorphodynamics, ecohydrology and biofluid dynamics, using experimental techniques both in laboratory and in the field, and mathematical and numerical modeling.
The research processes under study are characterized by a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, varying from those of the laboratory, to basin scales, up to those typical of global atmospheric phenomena, including climate change.
The skills and knowledge developed by the candidate will make it possible to outline the profile of a researcher capable of addressing complex topics, developing innovative study methodologies and proposing original solutions in the various scientific and applied fields that characterize fluid motion in environmental and human systems, their interaction with different anthropic and biological components, as well as the availability and distribution of water in relation to the influence and impact of natural and anthropogenic climate changes.