Sustainable development and use of the coastal zone depends heavily on available and adequate infrastructure which is covered in a broad range at the Department: Building and management, transport, geotechnics, GIS and marine civil engineering.
Knowledge on the marine physical environment is fundamental for coastal activities, and must be assessed for each location. The Norwegian coast represents special challenges due to the rough and uneven bottom topography. SINTEF Coast and harbour laboratory is an important partner in both education and research. In addition we have our own laboratory facilities integrated with SINTEF.
Breakwaters and protective structures – for securing coastline and infrastructures.
Harbours and fairways – highly important parts of the total transportation network. Also an issue for safety and subsequent environmental consequences.
Environmental dredging and disposal – for cleaning up contaminated sediments in fjords and harbours.
Coastal wave program – developing data and knowledge of wave conditions at the Norwegian coast.
Spreading of pollution – at the coast and in the sea.
Coastal consequences due to global warming. – effects on loads, design and maintenance of coastal infrastructure.
New renewable energy – wave power and wind turbines at the coast or possibly out in the sea.
Waves generated by rock slides (tsunamis) – predicting run-up and consequences for coastal structures and adjacent coastal communities.
Technology for cold climate – prediction of loadings on structures and vessels in cold climate with emphasis on design of structures against ice loadings in addition to similar technology as listed above applied in the cold climate.
