Research

SGI’s research and development focuses on:

The geotechnical properties of soil and improving knowledge about the suitability of land for construction.
How can we reduce costs and lessen the impact on natural resources and the climate in construction.
The effects of climate change on increased risks of landslides and erosion, and how adaptation measures can enhance societal resilience.
Risk assessment and remediation methods for contamination in sediments, soil, and groundwater.

Examples of our research

Arbete med naturbaserade lösningar i Bärby.

Promoting the use of nature-based solutions in the North Sea Region

The MANABAS Coast project addresses how vulnerability to flooding and coastal erosion can be managed using nature-based solutions , and promotes their more widespread use.

EXPOSED? Risks of living in a contaminated area

How large is the metal exposure from contaminated soils and how can we better assess the risks? With this research project, we want to increase knowledge about how much metals people ingest via contaminated soil and develop methods to better assess the risks to human health.

Digital platform for simulation of soil health

We are trying to develop methods to predict how land use affects the spread of pollutants, soil functions and associated ecosystem services.

Research platforms

SGI participates in several platforms where we collaborate with universities, research institutes, and various stakeholders within the built environment sector. The aim is to identify knowledge gaps, initiate research, and disseminate knowledge.

Branschsamverkan i grunden, BIG

Within this programme, the Swedish Transport Administration, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Luleå University of Technology, and SGI have jointly initiated a large number of research projects focusing on geotechnics for road and railway infrastructure. The goal is to systematically reduce the long-term costs of constructing and maintaining transport infrastructure through targeted development.
More about BIG

European Large Geotechnical Institutes Platform, ELGIP

A European collaboration between 15 geotechnical institutes and universities. The objective is to raise public awareness of the importance of geotechnics and to strengthen geotechnical research. The platform enables the sharing of laboratory and field facilities as well as knowledge through collaboration. SGI holds the chair in two working groups: Climate Change Adaptation and Erosion. SGI also participates in the working groups Transport Infrastructure, Peat Behaviour, and Sustainability.
More about ELGIP

Soils for Europe, SOLO

SOLO aims to identify knowledge gaps, drivers, bottlenecks, and new research and innovation approaches to meet the objectives set by the EU mission "A Soil Deal for Europe". SOLO will serve as a knowledge hub for research and innovation in soil health. SGI has joined Think Tank #3: No net soil sealing and Increase the reuse of urban soils.
More about SOLO

Soil and Land Research Funding Platform for Europe, SOILveR

SGI contributes to and recognises the added value of coordinating, co-funding, and disseminating transnational research on soil and land management. We organise knowledge-sharing and exchange on priority issues jointly identified by the members, aiming to promote healthier soils and more effective land management.
More about SOILveR