National Defense AcademySchool of System Engineering
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Graduate School of Science and Engineering

The National Defense Academy Graduate School of Science and Engineering offers Master’s courses and Doctoral courses that are equivalent to the Master’s and Doctoral program of other universities, respectively.

Master’s Course

Earth Science and Civil Engineering – Civil and Environmental Engineering Course

To facilitate comfortable and prosperous human activities, today and in the future, in the natural environment of earth, it is necessary to scientifically elucidate the natural phenomena related to global environment, such as the various phenomena found in the earth’s atmosphere and ocean, earth’s crustal activity, and the structure and evolution of the universe, including earth’s planets, as well as technology required for them. Hence, it is important to study methods and technologies that can scientifically analyze and predict various problems related to the natural phenomena of the earth via theoretical, experimental, and numerical simulations. Therefore, while conducting their research, students will not only learn the theory of each research field, but will also observe the phenomena in the field, perform numerical experiments and analysis, and acquire advanced knowledge and skills related to earth science.
Moreover, currently, infrastructure facilities related to social life, such as the intercity transportation systems and lifeline facilities, are been developed at a high density in the small land area of Japan. However, owing to the progress and development of the Japanese society, environmental problems such as air, water, and soil pollutions have become serious social issues, in addition to the increase in the vulnerability to natural disasters, as well as the occurrence of human accidents due to high speed and high density. To ensure a prosperous social life in the 21st century, it is important to develop facilities and structures that are in harmony with the natural environment, on a regional and global scale. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire advanced knowledge and techniques related to various disaster prevention technologies, design engineering, and environmental engineering.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Course consists of four research fields: structural, impact, geotechnical, and hydraulic engineering.

Structural Engineering

We provide education and conduct research on techniques that contribute to the design of civil engineering structures, especially those for disaster prevention against powerful earthquakes and debris flow disasters. Structural design is a field in the application of the decision-making technology. In addition, we study the “optimal design theory” and “reliability engineering” that systemize this field. Furthermore, we study the application of “probability theory” and the novel “information processing technology” to estimate the scale and frequency of earthquakes, as well as debris flows, which are the sources of disasters. In addition, we conduct research on the response of reinforced concrete, a major civil engineering structural material, via “reinforced concrete engineering” and “vibration engineering,” which elucidates its dynamic response, as well as “fracture mechanics,” in which its fracture limits are studied. We also conduct research on “crisis management response” in the event of a disaster, based on risk quantification.

Impact Engineering

In the field of civil engineering and construction, there are several events in which an external impact force is generated by accidents caused by natural disasters, such as rock-falls or earthquakes, as well as by human accidents, such as collisions with vehicles / aircrafts, falling of heavy objects, and explosion of explosive devices. To protect human lives from such disasters, it is necessary to have an impact-resistant design, such that structures are not destroyed, even when exposed to an impact forces. Therefore, in addition to experimentally examining the fracture mechanism of structural members that sustain impact force, and the physical properties of materials, we are currently conducting research on simulation methods via numerical analysis to acquire knowledge and techniques related to impact engineering.

Geotechnical Engineering

Structures on earth that support the life of mankind cannot be created without the involvement of nature and the ground. In the field of geotechnical engineering, students will learn about the engineering science of the soil and ground, which is necessary in addressing various problems related to the design and construction of ground structures, ground disasters, nature and the ground environment. Students will acquire scientific thinking, knowledge, and geotechnical engineering technology, which includes the physical and chemical properties related to design and construction, and environment, as well as mechanical properties such as consolidation and shear. Students will also learn to interpreted and apply the reinforced soil method. They will also acquire skills required for the effective application and use of waste, including the natural environment/environmental geotechnical engineering related to the restoration and prevention of ground pollution, as well as the development and protection/conservation of the natural environment.

Hydraulic Engineering

Our social lives and environment rely on the abundance of water resources, and the water circulation system. Therefore, water poses a wide variety of problems to us. Although the importance of securing water resources and conserving the water environment of Japan is obvious, especially in places where most of the population is distributed near the coastline, it is also important to protect human life and property from torrential rains, floods, and tsunamis. Furthermore, in Japan, which has a small land area, the utilization of marine space, and development of marine resources, have become prominent. To secure water resources, conserve the environment, and improve safety from water disasters, it is necessary to elucidate the wide range of kinetic characteristics of water. Here, by learning the basics of water kinetics via theoretical, practical, and numerical analyses, students will acquire the sills required to develop technologies that will solve various problems related to hydrology, river engineering, coastal engineering, and marine engineering.

Doctoral Course

Equipment and Structural Engineering
Disaster Protective Technology and Engineering

To elucidate the mechanism of disasters occurring in general structures, ground, rivers, and coasts, with the objective of developing more rational disaster prevention, restoration and environmental conservation technologies, we conduct theoretical and empirical experiments and analyses, and promote education and research from a broad perspective.