Example engineering dissertation topic 11:

An evaluation of overpass structural integrity in Warwickshire

The 2006 collapse of the Concorde overpass in Laval, Quebec resulted in the death of five people; in the aftermath of the disaster approximately 150 such structures were inspected and 28 were demolished, with substantial repairs to a number of the others. In view of the age of similar structures in the UK, this dissertation undertakes a superficial survey of five concrete overpasses in Warwickshire and ascertains whether further structural testing is necessary to avoid catastrophic failure.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• O’Reilly, D. (2007) ‘Quebec overpasses under scrutiny after 2006 collapse near Montreal’, Engineering News Record, Vol. 259(9), pp. 13-15.
• Wood, J.G. (2008) ‘Implications of the collapse of the de la Concorde overpass’, Structural Engineer, Vol. 86(1), pp. 16-18.