The Research School Integral Design of Structures is an inter-university research institute, founded January 1, 1994, and accredited by the KNAW, the Royal Dutch Academy of Science. The aim of the School is to generate deeper and broader scientific knowledge in the field of structural design, structural engineering and building processes and to help ensure its application.
The  School also has a training programme for the junior researchers, the PhD students.

The Research School Integral Design of Structures provides a forum for Ph.D. research in the Universities of Delft, Eindhoven and Twente and offers structured education to Ph.D. candidates.

MISSION AND GOALS

The objectives of the Research School Integral Design of Structures are not only to generate deeper and broader scientific knowledge in structural design, structural engineering and building processes but also to disseminate that knowledge and stimulate its application. This is to be achieved principally by means of an integrated interdisciplinary approach. The School conducts research and develops technology with regard to the planning, design, production, construction and management of structures in the broadest sense. By providing a structured teaching programme for postgraduate students from the relevant faculties, the School helps to train experts for the construction field and contributes to the transfer of knowledge. The School cooperates in the development and exchange of knowledge with other research institutions, industry and government. 

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

The entire construction industry is currently facing new tasks and challenges: high-rise building, subsoil utilisation, new types of transport infrastructure and offshore structures. An increasing volume of business consists in the maintenance and modernisation of existing building stock and infrastructure. The technological status of the supply industry, of construction and building service companies as well as consultancies is now of vital importance to their ability to compete internationally. Perceptible changes are also taking place in the construction industry itself. These largely concern the continuing industrialisation and rationalisation of the construction process. The industry has an increasing need for knowledge relating to process organisation and associated technological developments, including integrated information and communication technology. In addition, there is a growing interest in quality management, product liability, logistics and industrialised building, while working conditions, the environment, health and energy aspects are becoming ever more important.