Civil Engineering

Discover the best information, whether you’re a new Civil Engineering student starting your first assignment or delving into a research project.

 

Key resources

Finding information for your assessments

Developing strong information searching skills saves time and brings results. Finding Information Skills covers everything you need for academic searching. Take the Finding Information Skills assessment for a personalised action plan.

Reading Lists

These are set up by your tutors to guide you to good quality, relevant and useful materials to help you with your studies. They are a great starting point before doing your own research - find out more about your Reading Lists.

Library Search

Library Search can make your academic life easier by helping you find a range of reliable and trustworthy sources for your work. It contains a wealth of information to help you make the most of your studies, including books/eBooks, journals/eJournals, articles, databases, and more.

Using Library Search may feel daunting at first, but don't worry, we have a range of guides on how to find relevant resources.

Library Search

Key resources for civil engineering students

Databases

Databases are searchable collections of good quality, academic material, particularly journal articles. They can be small subject specific or large collections covering a wide range of subject areas. Most databases provide access to full-text items.

The following databases are specifically for Civil Engineering

The largest full-text database of civil engineering research and practical publications.
A comprehensive online civil engineering resource with books on all topics of civil engineering.
Contains important construction and built environment information and enables you to access key industry documents. It includes information every stage of the construction lifecycle from design and completion to operation and ongoing use.

The following databases cover wider range of science, engineering and technology subjects:

Provides validated design methods, data and software tools covering a wide range of engineering disciplines. It is especially useful for aeronautical and mechanical engineering subjects.
Provides a wide range of video and text material focusing on engineering failures and successes.
Provides a comprehensive collection of journal articles, conference papers, books, and more on a wide range of science, engineering, and technology subjects.
Provides a large collection of journals and books, mainly in the science, technology, engineering, and medicine subject areas.
The largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. It also provides access to patents from five patent offices.
Online collection of journals, eBooks, reference works and protocols across a vast range of subject disciplines.

Standards

A standard is an established norm or set of requirements which describe the best way of doing something. This can relate to products, the use of materials, or delivering a service. Standards cover a huge range of activities.

British Standards Online Contains officially recognised British, European (EN) and International (ISO) standards.
ASTM Compass Provides technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.
Standards - Worldwide Standards Developing Organizations Index A commercial website providing bibliographic details of standards produced by over 460 technical societies around the world.

Industry Websites

There is a wealth of information on the internet, just remember to evaluate what you find carefully. The following are some trusted industry websites that support your studies and professional development.

An independent professional association for civil engineers, that includes news, events and conferences, publications, an image library, and career development opportunities.
The world’s leading professional body for structural engineering and public safety issues in the built environment. The fully searchable library is especially useful for tracing reports, papers and standards.
A global centre for innovation in transport and mobility; provides information on bridges, pavements and transportation.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers more than 9,000 professionally produced online courses covering a wide range of technical, creative and professional skills. 

Always use our institutional link to log in – you will need your University email address and password. The first time that you log in, you will be taken through a setup process to discover courses tailored to your interests.

Discover more in our video: Using LinkedIn Learning at Salford.

Print Books

You can borrow print books from the Library. The location details below are a guide, it is best to use Library Search for exact location of items:

Classmark Subject area
624 Civil Engineering
Study skills

Study better

University assessments

Whilst studying at Salford you will need to complete a range of assessments. We provide a range of guidance on how to approach the different assessment types you may come across. 

Referencing

We provide eLearning, written guides, and an extensive list of referencing examples. 

Skills A-Z

We have developed eLearning over a wide range of subjects for you to develop your academic skills at home and in your own time.

Here to help

Workshops

We offer online and face-to-face workshops to help you develop your academic skills. These engaging, interactive sessions cover a wide range of topics which take place throughout the year, so check up on the list regularly.

Click on a workshop title to book onto the session via Advantage. If a session has no remaining spaces, sign up to the waiting list in case a space becomes free!

Here to help

One to one appointments

You can book a one to one appointment with your Academic Support Team to discuss finding information, academic and writing skills, or digital support.

Follow the link below, choose your school and what you'd like support with, then select your chosen time slot and book on through Advantage.