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Novel materials

This section of the website explores the use of novel materials in construction.

Topics covered include:

  • Developments and good practice
  • Practical uses as a structural material
  • Climate impact, carbon emissions and sustainable design
 
 

Resources and events

Course
Perspective view of underground parking.

Deep basement design and construction - October 2027

Deep basement design and construction - October 2027
This course gives guidance on the key design and constructability considerations when planning the construction of deep basements. It covers various types of embedded walls for both bottom-up and top-down construction.
Date – 13 October 2027
Location – Online
Price – £330 - £485 + VAT
Course
highrise apartment blocks

Eurocode 4: composite design - September 2027

Eurocode 4: composite design - September 2027
This course supports the practising designer with composite design to Eurocode 4. It enables an understanding of the essential requirements of this code in structural design and how the code operates.
Date – 14 September 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
Metal fastening systems for wooden products

Eurocode 5: connections and advanced topics in timber design - June 2027

Eurocode 5: connections and advanced topics in timber design - June 2027
This course introduces timber connections in detail and several other advanced topics in timber design to Eurocode 5.
Date – 23 June 2027
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
A wooden bamboo bridge with cover

Structural engineering with bamboo - June 2027

Structural engineering with bamboo - June 2027
This course equips attendees with practical knowledge about structural design with bamboo stems (culms). The course considers aspects of concept design, detailed design and durability by design.
Date – 1 June 2027
Location – Online
Price – £330 - £485 + VAT
Course
Perspective view of underground parking.

Deep basement design and construction - October 2026

Deep basement design and construction - October 2026
This course gives guidance on the key design and constructability considerations when planning the construction of deep (greater than 5 meters) basements. It covers various types of embedded walls for both bottom-up and top-down construction.
Date – 15 October 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
highrise apartment blocks

Eurocode 4: composite design

Eurocode 4: composite design
This course supports the practising designer with composite design to Eurocode 4. It enables an understanding of the essential requirements of this code in structural design and how the code operates.
Date – 12 October 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Regional
Low-angle view of a circular, vaulted ceiling made of radial bamboo beams.

25 years tinkering with bamboo connections

25 years tinkering with bamboo connections
A technical talk on using bamboo as a structural material.
Date – 22 September 2026
Location – Online
Price – Free
Training
Large piles of brown dirt and soil next to a concrete wall at a construction site.

Structural potential of excavated earth

Structural potential of excavated earth
This technical lecture explores the core principles of regenerative design and how the utilisation of site excavation for load bearing purposes can transform the construction industry. The lecture highlights earth as the only truly local construction material.
Date – 25 March 2026
Author – Various
Price – Free
News

News release: Bamboo guidance

News release: Bamboo guidance
The Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE) new guidance focuses on the design of permanent bamboo structures. This new design guide is a significant milestone in realising the benefits of bamboo to widen its adoption.
Date – 19 January 2026
Author – Dr David Trujillo CEng, Kent Harries PEng, Sebastian Kaminski CEng, Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez CEng.

Featured events and resources

Guidance

Essential Knowledge Text No.8 New structural materials

Essential Knowledge Text No.8 New structural materials

This text presents a range of emerging materials, both natural and man-made which, in the right circumstances, can offer significant advantages over traditional materials.

Date – 1 October 2018
Author – M. Evernden
Price – £0/£24.95/£38.95