Non-differentiable Energy Minimisation For Modelling Fractured Porous Media. This project is aimed at advancing theoretical, computational and experimental bases for the fracturing of geomaterials, and providing scientists and engineers with much needed predictive tools for quantitative assessment of the responses. By incorporating previously neglected aspects such as energy minimisation, advanced constitutive modelling, and non-planar interacting fracture growth, confidence in the design and pl ....Non-differentiable Energy Minimisation For Modelling Fractured Porous Media. This project is aimed at advancing theoretical, computational and experimental bases for the fracturing of geomaterials, and providing scientists and engineers with much needed predictive tools for quantitative assessment of the responses. By incorporating previously neglected aspects such as energy minimisation, advanced constitutive modelling, and non-planar interacting fracture growth, confidence in the design and planning of engineering processes in fractured porous media will be increased to the point that costly over/under designs are avoided. Through the use of the tools developed, it will be possible to detect weaknesses in the design, assess the impact and implement effective measures to improve performance.Read moreRead less
Passive biofiltration processes for nitrogen removal from polluted waters. Traditional urban wastewater treatment is energy and resource demanding. By combining principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) with advanced pollutant removal processes, we will create necessary knowledge to underpin development of novel sustainable urban water treatment systems. This project aims to understand and utilise Simultaneous Nitrification, Anammox and Denitrification (SNAD) processes within passive pla ....Passive biofiltration processes for nitrogen removal from polluted waters. Traditional urban wastewater treatment is energy and resource demanding. By combining principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) with advanced pollutant removal processes, we will create necessary knowledge to underpin development of novel sustainable urban water treatment systems. This project aims to understand and utilise Simultaneous Nitrification, Anammox and Denitrification (SNAD) processes within passive plant-soil-based biofilters for cost-effective removal of nitrogen from a range of polluted urban water sources. The project will open a potential for a new technological advancements in urban water management, while simultaneously providing benefits to the environment and community through greening and waterway protection.Read moreRead less
Geopolymer concrete for thin-walled structures in marine environment. This project aims to develop ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete thin-walled structures for the critical infrastructure in the marine environment. It is expected that this project will develop novel design rules for ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete thin-walled structures based on experimental testing, numerical modelling, validation, and simulation. This project is expected to increase the durability of coasta ....Geopolymer concrete for thin-walled structures in marine environment. This project aims to develop ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete thin-walled structures for the critical infrastructure in the marine environment. It is expected that this project will develop novel design rules for ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete thin-walled structures based on experimental testing, numerical modelling, validation, and simulation. This project is expected to increase the durability of coastal infrastructures and significantly reduce the loss of their capacities due to corrosion-induced damage. The development of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete thin-walled structures is a significant engineering discovery, which is in line with the Australian government 2030 vision for sustainable development.Read moreRead less
Scalable daytime radiative cooling for buildings and the built environment . This project aims at the development of a scalable daytime radiative cooling technology suitable for large deployments in the built environment that will help mitigating the urban heat island effect, and reduce future cooling energy needs in buildings. The main outcomes of the project will consist of the development of radiative coolers that will be able to operate in the built environment under Australian climatic cond ....Scalable daytime radiative cooling for buildings and the built environment . This project aims at the development of a scalable daytime radiative cooling technology suitable for large deployments in the built environment that will help mitigating the urban heat island effect, and reduce future cooling energy needs in buildings. The main outcomes of the project will consist of the development of radiative coolers that will be able to operate in the built environment under Australian climatic conditions, and of clear guidelines for their large deployment. The technology is based on a passive cooling strategy requiring no energy for its operations. The outcomes of the project will also have a beneficial impact on the Australian building and construction industry.Read moreRead less
Innovative composite systems with enhanced resilience to extreme loads. The rapidly increasing global population (projected to be 9.8 billion by 2050) and global urbanisation have created a demand for the construction industry, thereby increasing the pressure on our planet’s limited resources for the construction industry. This high demand can yield detrimental effects to the environment due to the high carbon footprint of conventional construction materials, and is amplified by the threat of ac ....Innovative composite systems with enhanced resilience to extreme loads. The rapidly increasing global population (projected to be 9.8 billion by 2050) and global urbanisation have created a demand for the construction industry, thereby increasing the pressure on our planet’s limited resources for the construction industry. This high demand can yield detrimental effects to the environment due to the high carbon footprint of conventional construction materials, and is amplified by the threat of accidental or deliberate extreme loadings to buildings, which can trigger fatal progressive collapse events. The proposed project aims to develop an innovative structural system with that possesses superior structural resilience to extreme loads and progressive collapse using lightweight eco-friendly materials. Read moreRead less
Computational fracture analysis of structures and materials. This project aims to develop a computer simulation technique to address the safety of engineering structures. A novel numerical framework based on the scaled boundary finite element method will be developed to model the fracture process critical to assessing structural integrity. The expected outcomes of this project include an innovative technology for numerical simulation and improved capabilities to generate high-fidelity predictio ....Computational fracture analysis of structures and materials. This project aims to develop a computer simulation technique to address the safety of engineering structures. A novel numerical framework based on the scaled boundary finite element method will be developed to model the fracture process critical to assessing structural integrity. The expected outcomes of this project include an innovative technology for numerical simulation and improved capabilities to generate high-fidelity predictions of structural safety at minimum human efforts. The fully automatic and robust numerical tool developed in this project will help engineers and government authorities to perform safe and cost-effective design and management of engineering structures that are vital to modern economies.Read moreRead less
Novel multiple-constraint model for green buildings and life-cycle analyses. This project aims to develop a multiple-constraint automation model to perform life-cycle analyses for projects in the Australian construction industry. The model will optimise construction methods for green-building implementation and offer a realistic approach to Green-star status achievement. The Life-cycle model analyses for cost, greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption allowing the construction methods to b ....Novel multiple-constraint model for green buildings and life-cycle analyses. This project aims to develop a multiple-constraint automation model to perform life-cycle analyses for projects in the Australian construction industry. The model will optimise construction methods for green-building implementation and offer a realistic approach to Green-star status achievement. The Life-cycle model analyses for cost, greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption allowing the construction methods to be optimised for minimum environmental impact. Utilisation of the model should significantly shape an organisations’ strategic planning, while a recognised high Green-star status from Green Building Council of Australia will improve their reputation and bring benefits to the construction industry.Read moreRead less
Maximising the Use of Waste Glass in Sustainable Composite Columns. This project aims to develop novel structural concrete made with over 80% waste glass for use in manufacturing sustainable concrete-filled steel tubular columns used in buildings. Because of limited established markets for recycled glass, significant stockpiling of recycled and recyclable waste glass currently exists across Australia. This study will provide a suite of novel solutions to maximise the use of waste glass in struct ....Maximising the Use of Waste Glass in Sustainable Composite Columns. This project aims to develop novel structural concrete made with over 80% waste glass for use in manufacturing sustainable concrete-filled steel tubular columns used in buildings. Because of limited established markets for recycled glass, significant stockpiling of recycled and recyclable waste glass currently exists across Australia. This study will provide a suite of novel solutions to maximise the use of waste glass in structural concrete by fully replacing sand and gravel with crushed glass and up to 72% cement with glass powder. This will provide practical solutions to address not only Australia's glass recycling crisis but also the worldwide issue of disposal of waste glass.Read moreRead less
Reliability and design of 3D printed metal structures. The project will produce a design framework for additively manufactured (3D printed) metal structures. The project will develop open source algorithms for predicting (i) mechanical properties of 3D printed metals for given printing parameters and (ii) internal stresses and distortions arising from the printing process. Underpinned by experiments on structural components and structural reliability analyses, models will be calibrated for the n ....Reliability and design of 3D printed metal structures. The project will produce a design framework for additively manufactured (3D printed) metal structures. The project will develop open source algorithms for predicting (i) mechanical properties of 3D printed metals for given printing parameters and (ii) internal stresses and distortions arising from the printing process. Underpinned by experiments on structural components and structural reliability analyses, models will be calibrated for the nonlinear analysis of 3D printed structures, and a methodology will be set out for designing 3D printed metal structures with acceptably low probability of failure. The project will enable structural engineers to safely and efficiently design 3D printed metal structures and components.Read moreRead less
Microplastics in Landfills and Surrounding Environments. This project aims to build a risk-based framework for managing micro- and nano-plastic particles in landfills and surrounding environments. It expects to develop a new experimentally validated theory of micro/nano-plastic transport in soils, focussing on lining systems used in landfills worldwide to protect aquifers from contamination. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to generate ....Microplastics in Landfills and Surrounding Environments. This project aims to build a risk-based framework for managing micro- and nano-plastic particles in landfills and surrounding environments. It expects to develop a new experimentally validated theory of micro/nano-plastic transport in soils, focussing on lining systems used in landfills worldwide to protect aquifers from contamination. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to generate new knowledge on micro/nano-plastic fate in lining systems and their effects on the mobility of heavy metals and organic pollutants. This should provide significant benefits including safe plastic containment and groundwater protection from landfill waste, a major reservoir of plastic in the environment.Read moreRead less