Friction and contact in soil-structure-interaction. Frictional contact, which occurs at soil-structure interfaces, has a major influence on the behaviour of many civil engineering structures such as building foundations and soil anchor systems. To better understand this phenomenon, new theoretical models and solution algorithms are needed to simulate soil-structure interaction. This project aims to develop these models and algorithms. Its outcomes will lead to improved prediction methods and bet ....Friction and contact in soil-structure-interaction. Frictional contact, which occurs at soil-structure interfaces, has a major influence on the behaviour of many civil engineering structures such as building foundations and soil anchor systems. To better understand this phenomenon, new theoretical models and solution algorithms are needed to simulate soil-structure interaction. This project aims to develop these models and algorithms. Its outcomes will lead to improved prediction methods and better geotechnical design strategies.Read moreRead less
Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding o ....Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding of the factors that influence corrosion mechanics in marine environments, to re-examine corrosion process in practical concrete structures and to develop a model for corrosion to enable prediction of structural deterioration and improved risk assessment.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Bridge Monitoring System Based on the GPS and Pseudolite Technologies. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can be used for precise deflection measurement of manmade structures such as buildings, bridges, etc. When integrated with additional signals from pseudolites (PL) that transmit GPS-like signals, changes in the height(s) of the monitored point(s) can be measured to millimetre accuracy. In collaboration with University of Nottingham researchers, a bridge structure in the ....An Integrated Bridge Monitoring System Based on the GPS and Pseudolite Technologies. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can be used for precise deflection measurement of manmade structures such as buildings, bridges, etc. When integrated with additional signals from pseudolites (PL) that transmit GPS-like signals, changes in the height(s) of the monitored point(s) can be measured to millimetre accuracy. In collaboration with University of Nottingham researchers, a bridge structure in the U.K. will be used as a testbed, and will be the first time that PLs have been used for such an application. The expected outcomes include a suite of deformation monitoring algorithms capable of online analysis of the combined GPS-PL outputs.Read moreRead less
An innovative wastewater treatment system for the removal of persisting organic pollutants (POPs). Photocatalysis is an emerging technology in wastewater treatment that is capable of completely converting POPs into harmless compounds. In this research, we will combine the expertise of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in water reuse technologies, and Chonnam National University (CNU) in advanced oxidation processes with that of UTS' in physico-chemical treatment processes to dev ....An innovative wastewater treatment system for the removal of persisting organic pollutants (POPs). Photocatalysis is an emerging technology in wastewater treatment that is capable of completely converting POPs into harmless compounds. In this research, we will combine the expertise of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in water reuse technologies, and Chonnam National University (CNU) in advanced oxidation processes with that of UTS' in physico-chemical treatment processes to develop a novel photocatalysis hybrid system. Through long term collaboration we aim to: (i) establish an innovative hybrid system for POPs removal, (ii) prepare industry grants, (iii) research training of postgraduate research students, and (iv) help to commercialize our research outcomes for domestic benefit and export.Read moreRead less
A better way to remove arsenic from drinking water. Arsenic is a serious pollutant of drinking water in parts of Australia and in Asia, We propose to developed an inovative technology to remove arsenic from water. Our international partnership combines the expertise of the University of Regina (UR), Canada in physico-chemical treatment processes with that of the UTS in membrane processes. Through a long term collaboration we aim to: (i) establish a full-scale innovative system for arsenic remova ....A better way to remove arsenic from drinking water. Arsenic is a serious pollutant of drinking water in parts of Australia and in Asia, We propose to developed an inovative technology to remove arsenic from water. Our international partnership combines the expertise of the University of Regina (UR), Canada in physico-chemical treatment processes with that of the UTS in membrane processes. Through a long term collaboration we aim to: (i) establish a full-scale innovative system for arsenic removal, (ii) prepare joint publications and apply for more industry grants, (iii) research training of postgraduate research student, and (iv) help to commercialize our research outcomes for domestic benefit and export.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel filtration hybrid system in wastewater treatment and reuse. Water industries in Australia and Japan are aiming at developing compact wastewater treatment and reuse systems. This project will form the basis for a long-term study on coupling a new static floccuator/filter system being developed at UTS and a hanging sponge cubes bioreactor being developed at NUT. A properly designed physico-chemical biological hybrid system will be cost-effective in removing a wide range of ....Development of a novel filtration hybrid system in wastewater treatment and reuse. Water industries in Australia and Japan are aiming at developing compact wastewater treatment and reuse systems. This project will form the basis for a long-term study on coupling a new static floccuator/filter system being developed at UTS and a hanging sponge cubes bioreactor being developed at NUT. A properly designed physico-chemical biological hybrid system will be cost-effective in removing a wide range of pollutants with little maintenance. This study will establish a rational hybrid system through detailed bench and pilot-scale experimentation. It will make the optimum use of the complementary expertise and facilities at NUT and UTS.Read moreRead less
Nanofiltration in Wastewater treatment for Reuse: Effect of Pretreatment for Long-term Application. Low pressure nanofiltration (NF) is a relatively new technology. The main problem of membrane fouling on NF could successfully be avoided by pretreatment. In this study, novel high rate pretreatment methods employing flocculation and biosorption concepts will be investigated to prolong membrane life time. A compact wastewater treatment technology established through this research will be useful in ....Nanofiltration in Wastewater treatment for Reuse: Effect of Pretreatment for Long-term Application. Low pressure nanofiltration (NF) is a relatively new technology. The main problem of membrane fouling on NF could successfully be avoided by pretreatment. In this study, novel high rate pretreatment methods employing flocculation and biosorption concepts will be investigated to prolong membrane life time. A compact wastewater treatment technology established through this research will be useful in small and isolated communities. This study will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Yamamoto of University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan and Prof. Kim of Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology (KJIST), Korea, who are international experts on nanofiltration and water reuse technologies respectively.Read moreRead less
Two-scale modelling of geomaterials. Engineering structures such as buildings, highways, bridges, tunnels, dams and offshore oil platforms are all built on or in soils and rocks. The ability to predict the response of these materials under various loading conditions is therefore of major importance in civil engineering design. The traditional method in modelling these materials requires extensive and often costly experimental data. The proposed micro-macro modelling approach will enable us to ta ....Two-scale modelling of geomaterials. Engineering structures such as buildings, highways, bridges, tunnels, dams and offshore oil platforms are all built on or in soils and rocks. The ability to predict the response of these materials under various loading conditions is therefore of major importance in civil engineering design. The traditional method in modelling these materials requires extensive and often costly experimental data. The proposed micro-macro modelling approach will enable us to take advantage of the fast-growing computing power to release some of the pressure in geotechnical testing. It will also improve the quality of engineering analysis and hence leads to more efficient and effective engineering design.Read moreRead less