Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354805
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring tog ....Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring together a multi-disciplinary team with complementary strengths to provide an integrated solution for rehabilitation of structures. The core of the network focuses on design tools, linking the various technologies to provide appropriate rehabilitation and understanding of life cycle demands for major infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failur ....Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failures. This project aims to research the innovative use of steel fibre reinforced concrete in these slabs, which has been shown (at UNSW and elsewhere) in other applications to possess superior strength properties when subjected to a variety of loading regimes.Read moreRead less
Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia inc ....Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia including road, offshore, building and mining industries. It will increase the international competitiveness of Australian steel industry and infrastructure maintenance capability. Australia will be better positioned in this region for potential technology transfer to Asian countries.Read moreRead less
Economical Particleboard Product from Hardwood Sawmill Waste for Domestic and Industrial Applications. The proposed project is aimed at developing a methodology to produce particleboard using hardwood saw-mill residue. Currently, 20% of logs used to produce sawn hardwood are disposed of by burning or as fertiliser. Using innovative concepts of high-moisture pressing and understanding composite material behaviour and internal dynamics during hot-pressing of particleboard, the proposed project wil ....Economical Particleboard Product from Hardwood Sawmill Waste for Domestic and Industrial Applications. The proposed project is aimed at developing a methodology to produce particleboard using hardwood saw-mill residue. Currently, 20% of logs used to produce sawn hardwood are disposed of by burning or as fertiliser. Using innovative concepts of high-moisture pressing and understanding composite material behaviour and internal dynamics during hot-pressing of particleboard, the proposed project will have a significant potential for revolutionising particleboard technology. Outcomes will be a significant contribution towards sustainability of the Australian Timber Industry and the environment by reducing logging for custom flaked softwood chips, which will be of significant benefit to regional and rural communities as well.Read moreRead less
Long-term behaviour of thin-walled concrete curved members strengthened with externally bonded composite materials. Concrete arches and domes are prone to catastrophic failures which involve loss of life and limb, and many global iconic structures are of this form. When subjected to creep, shrinkage and thermal effects, their behaviour is non-linear and complex. This proposal will keep Australian research at the forefront by developing a fundamental understanding of these structural forms over t ....Long-term behaviour of thin-walled concrete curved members strengthened with externally bonded composite materials. Concrete arches and domes are prone to catastrophic failures which involve loss of life and limb, and many global iconic structures are of this form. When subjected to creep, shrinkage and thermal effects, their behaviour is non-linear and complex. This proposal will keep Australian research at the forefront by developing a fundamental understanding of these structural forms over time, when strengthened with externally-bonded composite materials in an innovative retrofit procedure. It encompasses the priority goal of frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industry, will lead to valuable guidance for engineers, and will contribute to the training of skilled PhD scholars.Read moreRead less
Long Term Behaviour Of Composite Steel-Concrete Beams And Its Effect On Composite Dynamic Response. Composite steel-concrete construction has proven to be a most prolific area of research over the last few decades with Australian researchers at the forefront in the field internationally. Despite this and the great significance of the problem to the Australian building industry (in 2000-2001 alone Australia spent 17.5 billion dollars on heavy engineering infrastructure development), there appears ....Long Term Behaviour Of Composite Steel-Concrete Beams And Its Effect On Composite Dynamic Response. Composite steel-concrete construction has proven to be a most prolific area of research over the last few decades with Australian researchers at the forefront in the field internationally. Despite this and the great significance of the problem to the Australian building industry (in 2000-2001 alone Australia spent 17.5 billion dollars on heavy engineering infrastructure development), there appears to be no systematic study of time effects, such as creep and shrinkage, on the static and dynamic response of composite beams. This project will explore these phenomena, both theoretically and experimentally, leading to development of valuable theoretical models and design aids for practicing engineers.Read moreRead less