Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex ....Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex than current micropile theory; this project will research the mechanism of load transfer from micropiles to the soil and soil response.Read moreRead less
Seismic behaviour of drive-in steel storage racks. The purpose of this project is to study the behaviour, analysis and design of drive-in steel storage racks in an earthquake event. The main research outcome is the development of scientifically-based guidelines for the safe design of drive-in racks in seismic regions.
Understanding the performance of cold-formed steel frame wall systems in fires to design for superior fire resistance. This project will develop new light gauge steel frame (LSF) wall systems with superior fire resistance rating and associated design rules to enable innovative and safe applications of these wall systems in various building applications. This will enable expansion of the worldwide market for LSF wall systems by the industry partner.
Development of Fibre Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products. The construction industry is one of the world's largest consumers of raw materials and it is widely accepted that current material usage trends are unsustainable. Development of new more efficient construction materials is paramount to overcoming this. This novel research will use advanced high strength glass and carbon fibres and polymer resins to improve the structural behaviour, versatility and economic viability of a natio ....Development of Fibre Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products. The construction industry is one of the world's largest consumers of raw materials and it is widely accepted that current material usage trends are unsustainable. Development of new more efficient construction materials is paramount to overcoming this. This novel research will use advanced high strength glass and carbon fibres and polymer resins to improve the structural behaviour, versatility and economic viability of a nationally significant construction material known as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. The material technologies developed by this research will lead to more efficient material use, a more sustainable materials solution and the potential to export the technology worldwide.Read moreRead less
Innovative and safe design solutions for aluminium façade systems. This project plans to develop design rules and mullion profiles to support the use of façades using aluminium members with complex shapes. The façade is of great importance to the structural safety, energy efficiency and aesthetics of a building. Commonly used façade systems are made of glass supported by aluminium mullions with complex shapes. Current aluminium design standards do not consider the instability and failures caused ....Innovative and safe design solutions for aluminium façade systems. This project plans to develop design rules and mullion profiles to support the use of façades using aluminium members with complex shapes. The façade is of great importance to the structural safety, energy efficiency and aesthetics of a building. Commonly used façade systems are made of glass supported by aluminium mullions with complex shapes. Current aluminium design standards do not consider the instability and failures caused by wind actions on facades using such complex aluminium members. This project aims to conduct full-scale tests and develop advanced numerical models to resolve several critical problems and identify designs with superior wind resistance. Based on this, the project aims to provide innovative, accurate and safe design rules for the façade engineering profession and building industry.Read moreRead less
Fire resistance of complex light gauge steel framed wall systems. This project aims to investigate the thermal and structural behaviour of high-strength Light gauge Steel Framed (LSF) wall systems when exposed to fire, and develop a generic model for predicting fire resistance levels of all LSF wall systems. Plasterboard-lined LSF walls are increasingly used as cost-effective load-bearing walls in low and mid-rise buildings worldwide. This has required new wall designs with complex steel stud wa ....Fire resistance of complex light gauge steel framed wall systems. This project aims to investigate the thermal and structural behaviour of high-strength Light gauge Steel Framed (LSF) wall systems when exposed to fire, and develop a generic model for predicting fire resistance levels of all LSF wall systems. Plasterboard-lined LSF walls are increasingly used as cost-effective load-bearing walls in low and mid-rise buildings worldwide. This has required new wall designs with complex steel stud wall configurations, but their fire resistance is not understood. This project will provide validated fire resistance data and fire design methods for a proposed national Fire Design Handbook and steel design codes, enabling more widespread, safer use of these walls. This will benefit the Australian steel industry, the construction industry and the community.
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Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix ....Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix concrete industry with a “green” product for the residential construction market. Expected benefits include the increased use of a waste resource (used tyres), reduced use of a scarce natural resource (sand), and the development of an economic but green alternative concrete option for residential builders and owners.Read moreRead less
Structural behaviour of innovative hollow flange steel members subject to local and lateral distortional buckling effects. This project will investigate the local and lateral distortional buckling behaviour of a new generation of innovative and cost-effective thin and high strength steel hollow flange sections (HFS) being developed using a unique dual weld and roll-forming technology. It will use experiments and advanced numerical modelling to develop fundamental behavioural and design data for ....Structural behaviour of innovative hollow flange steel members subject to local and lateral distortional buckling effects. This project will investigate the local and lateral distortional buckling behaviour of a new generation of innovative and cost-effective thin and high strength steel hollow flange sections (HFS) being developed using a unique dual weld and roll-forming technology. It will use experiments and advanced numerical modelling to develop fundamental behavioural and design data for HFS flexural members. Effects of web corrugations and punched holes will also be investigated. The research will enable innovative applications using HFS in the building industry in Australia and overseas. It will bring significant economic benefits to the industry partner, steel building industry, and Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of thin bed concrete masonry structural walls. Masonry is one of the most well regarded construction systems for low and medium rise buildings, but requires skilled labour. The current skills shortage incurs project delays, leading to direct and indirect costs to the Australian community. Thin bed technology for concrete masonry will utilise special blocks and binders for easy adoption by unskilled labour, without compromising personal safety or structural integrity. As thin bed wal ....Development of thin bed concrete masonry structural walls. Masonry is one of the most well regarded construction systems for low and medium rise buildings, but requires skilled labour. The current skills shortage incurs project delays, leading to direct and indirect costs to the Australian community. Thin bed technology for concrete masonry will utilise special blocks and binders for easy adoption by unskilled labour, without compromising personal safety or structural integrity. As thin bed walls require less volume of cement reduced binders, the technology will also lead to reduced carbon emission. Thus, this project addresses two of Australia's greatest challenges: environmental degradation and our critical skills shortage.Read moreRead less
Structural Behaviour of Innovative LiteSteel Beams, their Design Improvements and Applications. This project will develop a significant knowledge base, accurate design models and innovative application methods for the new LSB, which will be fully used by the collaborating partner in marketing them in Australia and overseas. Both construction and manufacturing industry sectors will benefit through the increased use of the innovative and lightweight hollow flange sections. Using the new sections a ....Structural Behaviour of Innovative LiteSteel Beams, their Design Improvements and Applications. This project will develop a significant knowledge base, accurate design models and innovative application methods for the new LSB, which will be fully used by the collaborating partner in marketing them in Australia and overseas. Both construction and manufacturing industry sectors will benefit through the increased use of the innovative and lightweight hollow flange sections. Using the new sections and the wealth of design information from this research, Australian engineers can develop cost-effective and safer building systems. Community at large, in particular rural and regional communities will gain through cheaper building systems, additional employment in LSB manufacturing and design, and opportunities locally and overseas.Read moreRead less