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Engineering ➞ Who we are

Infrastructure

We are ensuring the sustainable and efficient movement of people, goods and utilities with cutting-edge research and geotechnical expertise.

Using sound science and creative engineering, we've helped shape the world you know today.

Find out how we've been making history
The University's Royal Charter
The University's Royal Charter

1952

University of Southampton was granted its Royal Charter.

1956

Our engineers produced a giant tidal model of Southampton Water and the Solent which was used by Associated British Ports to design Southampton Docks. The model was so large it had to be housed in its own purpose-built laboratory at the University.

Scale model testing of the Sydney Opera House
Scale model testing of the Sydney Opera House

1959

To understand how the roof of the Sydney Opera House would stand up, our researchers developed micro concrete and photo-elastic modelling techniques to support computer models that ran on an early Pegasus digital computer. This modelling and analysis highlighted inadequacies of the original design and the need to replace the thin shell concept with a double skin to achieve the iconic soaring curved roof.

1960

Before Lord Snowdon’s landmark bird enclosure at London Zoo could be built, our researchers developed the structural calculations and built a model to test the theory in their own laboratory.

1980s

Our engineers carried out pioneering work on the design of high-rise buildings. The principles are still used in designing the tallest skyscrapers in cities all over the world today.

We have helped London buses run on time with iBus
We have helped London buses run on time with iBus

1990s

Our researchers worked with Transport for London to develop algorithms that help traffic signals identify buses and improve their journey times, to keep the city on the move.

Our Intelligent Traffic Systems research has kept city traffic moving
Our Intelligent Traffic Systems research has kept city traffic moving

1992

Our researchers contributed to the concept and development of the Road Management System for Europe (ROMANSE) in Southampton. This was one of the first real-time urban traffic management and information centres in Europe, and has served as a best practice example for numerous similar centres implemented across European cities.

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Sustainable expansion of rail networks through noise reduction
Sustainable expansion of rail networks through noise reduction

1996

Our researchers began work on European Union funded projects, Silent Freight and Silent Track, to provide new and economically viable solutions to reduce noise from railways. The subsequently developed rail damper has now been fitted to tracks in 16 countries.

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Our research has helped to reduce aircraft engine noise
Our research has helped to reduce aircraft engine noise

1999

The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Gas Turbine Noise was launched to work on problems related to generation and propagation of noise from gas turbine engines.

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Southampton University Driving Simulator
Southampton University Driving Simulator

1999

Research on the effect of automation on human tasks led to the first commercial implementation of adaptive cruise control in Jaguar vehicles.

Aircraft Noise Technology Centre

2008

The Aircraft Noise Technology Centre (ANTC) opened. The result of a long standing collaboration between Airbus and the University of Southampton, the immediate goal of the ANTC is to meet the industry's target to cut perceived noise in half by 2020 and to eliminate all noise nuisance outside airport boundaries, benefiting millions of people.

Towing tank testing of the scale model ship
Towing tank testing of the scale model ship

2008

Our researchers began work on the world’s first 100% fossil fuel free cargo ship with B9 Shipping.

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2010

The University joined forces with Lloyd’s Register to form the largest research collaboration of its kind in the UK. The collaboration will focus on driving forward innovations in transport, energy and the environment.

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Opening of Boldrewood Innovation Campus in 2015
Opening of Boldrewood Innovation Campus in 2015

2015

Opening of the state-of-the-art Boldrewood Innovation Campus by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The campus is the result of the strategic partnership between the University and Lloyd’s Register, and is home to our 138m towing tank.

2015

The University announced that a new National Infrastructure Laboratory will be built at Boldrewood Innovation Campus as part of its partnership with the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities network (UKCRIC). The Laboratory will house state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities for geomechanics, heavy structures, solid mechanics and infrastructure engineering.

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