Civil Engineering and Construction

The engineering programme at École nationale des ponts et chaussées prepares each student to become a real player in sustainable development and planning in all its dimensions. Engineers graduating from École nationale des ponts et chaussées are recognized by companies for their strong scientific skills combined with a capacity for practical implementation of knowledge and projects.

Engineering education at École nationale des ponts et chaussées leads to the development of skills in four dimensions:

• Advanced scientific and technical education: understanding and implementing conceptual, mathematical or numerical modelling approaches while knowing how to critically evaluate the results of a model is one of the foundations of the engineering profession that the School's training enables students to master.

• Project-based and on-the-job training: from the very first year, numerous collective or individual projects are developed, increasingly close to real engineering projects. For students entering the first year, four internships in laboratories and companies will punctuate the curriculum.

• Managerial, human and social skills: integrated from the first year, the human and social sciences give students an understanding of the world and the ability to take into account the problems of society. A solid knowledge of the business world is developed through courses, internships and projects.

• The ability to work in a team and to work internationally: 20% of teaching time is devoted to languages. International stays and contact with many foreign students enable engineering students to learn to work in a multicultural context.

In the context of admissions of international students from partner institutions, it should be specified that:

• The engineering degree from Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussées is a general engineering degree with prerequisites common to all teaching departments in the School's core disciplines: Mathematics (Optimization, Probability, Analysis and Scientific Computing), Continuous and Solid Mechanics, Quantum Physics and Statistics, Programming, Human and Social Sciences.

• The vast majority of courses in engineering training are in French. A B1 level in French is therefore required to be proven by a certificate (TEF, TCF, DELF, or DALF).

• A TOEIC score of at least 785 points (or an equivalent international test, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency, CAE or FCE) is required in order to obtain an engineering degree from Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussées at the end of the course. For this reason, a B1 level in English is required for admission, to be proven by a certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, CAMBRIDGE).

In addition, each department of engineering education has specific prerequisites:

Civil and Structural Engineering Department

Scientific analysis and calculation

Fundamental numerical methods for the engineer: finite differences for time integration of evolutionary equations, finite elements for solving variational problems.

Linear algebra, matrix calculus, tensor calculus.

Laplace transform, Fourier transform.

Partial differential equations and finite elements

Solid Mechanics

• Kinematics and dynamics of non-deformable solids

• Geometric Transformation: Eulerian and Lagrangian Descriptions

• Internal stresses for 3D continuous medium: Cauchy stress tensor, Green-Lagrange strain tensor, linearization

• Thermodynamic approach to linear thermoelastic behavior, three-dimensional linear thermo elasticity problems

• Flat deformations

• Theorem of kinetic energy

• The Theorems of Minimum Potential Energy and Complementary Energy

• Principle of the finite element method in linear elasticity

• Linear elasticity finite element method

• Concepts of Limit Analysis and the Study of Linear Elastic Curvilinear Media

Fluid mechanics

• Eulerian Kinematics

• Euler's equations

• Navier-Stokes equations

• Reynolds Number Irrotational plane flows of perfect incompressible fluid

• Actual and complex potential

• Conformal transformations

• Transformation and Zhukovsky profiles

Probabilities

• Fundamental notions (probability space, random variable, law, expectation ...)

• Usual laws with real and integer values.

• Concepts of convergence

• Strong Law of Large Numbers

• Central Limit Theorem

• Main algorithms for simulating random variables

• Monte-Carlo method

Curriculum:

• Theoretical foundations of mechanics and dynamics, applied to structures, soils, and fluids;
• A choice of further work on geotechnics, marine structures, the structures or energy properties of buildings, combining theoretical courses and experiment;
• Two long projects (building, bridge, port, road, or dam) involving technical experiment and the learning of design methods;
• Instruction on a wide range of more specific topics, covering all aspects of civil engineering and construction, as chosen by the student;
• Seminars.

• Advanced Dynamics of Constructions
• Advanced Structures Design
• Design of Geotechnical Works
• Applied Design of Geotechnical Works
• Bioclimatic building design project    
• Bridges Project
• Building materials and engineering design
• Buildings energy and comfort performance
• Concrete durability
• Concrete rheological properties and workability
• Dam Project
• Coastal and harbor Project
• Design of geotechnical structures
• Dynamics of Construction
• Dynamics of Structures
• Finite element method for civil engineering structures
• Fluid Mechanics for Incompressible Flows
• Future Construction Technologies : Techniques and Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Geomechanics and advanced geotechnics
• Highway Project
• Introduction to drawings and computers graphics (Rhino, Photoshop)
• Life cycle analysis
• Plasticity, limit analysis and Yield design
• Soil and rock mechanics
• Structural Design - Application
• Structural design - theoretical part
• Structures, energy and risks
• Wood structures    

► Course catalogue: follow the link 

Up to 30% of programme courses can be chosen among other departments (City, Environment, Transportation; Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science; Industrial engineering; Applied mathematics and computer science; Economics, management, finance; Languages and Cultures; Humanities and Social Sciences).

A qualification from the Civil and Structural Engineering Department opens up employment opportunities in all sectors of construction (building, public works, engineering works, geotechnical engineering, structures, maritime engineering, energy infrastructures…) and access to numerous careers: urban development, project management, project design, building contractor, research and development, methods.