Thermal-induced unilateral plate buckling of concrete pavements: design and evaluation. The project addresses the upheaval buckling of concrete pavements, which is caused by increasingly frequent heat spells. It will consider both the vulnerability assessment of existing pavements, and the design of new pavements made from low-carbon geopolymer concretes (which are lighter than conventional pavements) against upheaval buckling.
Adaptive Stochastic Dynamic Traffic Assignment. This project aims to address some of the limitations of dynamic transport network modelling in the planning process particularly related to traffic uncertainty, driver adaptivity and information-provision. Previous advances facilitate the proposed methods to introduce; new network routing algorithms that account for numerous increasingly important problem characteristics such as driver route-choice response to real-time information and uncertainty; ....Adaptive Stochastic Dynamic Traffic Assignment. This project aims to address some of the limitations of dynamic transport network modelling in the planning process particularly related to traffic uncertainty, driver adaptivity and information-provision. Previous advances facilitate the proposed methods to introduce; new network routing algorithms that account for numerous increasingly important problem characteristics such as driver route-choice response to real-time information and uncertainty; new formulations for the stochastic dynamic traffic assignment problem which employ the novel routing algorithms as sub-problems; and new methods for relevant bi-level optimisation transport applications such as network design and incident management.Read moreRead less
Trustworthy positioning for intelligent transport systems. This project aims to develop a holistic approach for reliable positioning for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). This project will address the challenges of integrity monitoring in ITS when using satellite-based technology, its integration with other sensors, and when supported by the proposed Australia National Positioning Infrastructure. It will consider Australian geography, large area, and sparse population, and emphasise rural tra ....Trustworthy positioning for intelligent transport systems. This project aims to develop a holistic approach for reliable positioning for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). This project will address the challenges of integrity monitoring in ITS when using satellite-based technology, its integration with other sensors, and when supported by the proposed Australia National Positioning Infrastructure. It will consider Australian geography, large area, and sparse population, and emphasise rural transport. Expected primary outputs include algorithms, a detailed analysis of required systems and recommendations that will help prepare Australia for the importation of self-driving vehicles.Read moreRead less
Motorway management system integrating safety, efficiency & sustainability. This project aims to develop a motorway management system that holistically optimises motorway safety, efficiency, and sustainability via intervening the traffic flow dynamics. In the current practice of motorway traffic flow management, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are fundamentally connected but separately managed as they are modeled by distinct methodologies. The new system is based on a proposed traffic flo ....Motorway management system integrating safety, efficiency & sustainability. This project aims to develop a motorway management system that holistically optimises motorway safety, efficiency, and sustainability via intervening the traffic flow dynamics. In the current practice of motorway traffic flow management, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are fundamentally connected but separately managed as they are modeled by distinct methodologies. The new system is based on a proposed traffic flow theory which includes a microscopic model for safety analysis and a derived macroscopic model for efficiency and sustainability analysis. This theory can be used to resolve the above-mentioned long unsettled challenge and significantly improve our motorway performance.Read moreRead less
Assessment and Prediction of Particle Breakage under Cyclic Loading. Every year, transport industries spend millions of dollars to maintain existing tracks suffering excessive settlement due to heavy traffic. In railways, differential settlement and track fouling are mostly due to ballast breakage. Frequent maintenance requires large amounts of quarried ballast causing environmental degradation. Simulation of particle breakage subject to cyclic loading is pioneering fundamental research that wi ....Assessment and Prediction of Particle Breakage under Cyclic Loading. Every year, transport industries spend millions of dollars to maintain existing tracks suffering excessive settlement due to heavy traffic. In railways, differential settlement and track fouling are mostly due to ballast breakage. Frequent maintenance requires large amounts of quarried ballast causing environmental degradation. Simulation of particle breakage subject to cyclic loading is pioneering fundamental research that will have significant impact on the design and maintenance of future rail and road networks. A full understanding of the breakage mechanisms of aggregates will lead to innovative techniques in design and construction, including faster trains carrying heavier loads with reduced maintenance costs.Read moreRead less
The effect of tunelling on existing rock bolts. As more underground facilities such as rail, road, sewerage and service tunnels are constructed in our major cities, more and more frequently new tunnels have to cross over or run alongside existing tunnels. As the roofs of tunnels are generally supported by rock bolts and lined with shotcrete, the support system can be damaged by the rock movements caused by the excavation of the new tunnel. Little research has been carried out on this problem, an ....The effect of tunelling on existing rock bolts. As more underground facilities such as rail, road, sewerage and service tunnels are constructed in our major cities, more and more frequently new tunnels have to cross over or run alongside existing tunnels. As the roofs of tunnels are generally supported by rock bolts and lined with shotcrete, the support system can be damaged by the rock movements caused by the excavation of the new tunnel. Little research has been carried out on this problem, and so often expensive deviations have to be made to tunnels to avoid going near existing ones. The proposed research will provide numerical tools to allow prediction of loads induced into rock bolts by nearby tunnels, leading to more economical and safer tunnel design.
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An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstr ....An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstructions, such as "rat-holes", and those experimental arising from the unusual flow characteristics of fine powders. The major objectives are to use experimental and advanced mathematical modelling techniques, to produce reliable design models which minimise the occurrence of stable obstructions and provide reliable methods for increasing fine powder flow rates.Read moreRead less
Sensitivity Analysis of Networked Feedback Systems. This project is concerned with the analysis of networks of interacting dynamic feedback systems. This fundamental area of research underpins transportation networks, biomolecular signalling networks, economic systems, water supply, smart electricity grids, communications and a range of other applications. This work aims to address critical questions relating to robustness and sensitivity analysis questions in this context. This fundamental adva ....Sensitivity Analysis of Networked Feedback Systems. This project is concerned with the analysis of networks of interacting dynamic feedback systems. This fundamental area of research underpins transportation networks, biomolecular signalling networks, economic systems, water supply, smart electricity grids, communications and a range of other applications. This work aims to address critical questions relating to robustness and sensitivity analysis questions in this context. This fundamental advance in knowledge is expected to advance Australia's standing as an international authority in the area.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a ....Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a two-phase continuum mechanical model for granular materials. This proposal will develop advanced mathematical models and computational procedures to predict complex two-phase granular flows for industrial problems.Read moreRead less
Design of micro-decisions in automated transport. This project aims to design methods and market algorithms for vehicle control to tackle traffic congestion with interactive micro-auctions, micro-tolling and cooperative games. Specifically, this project develops and designs incentives, auctions and behavioural and pricing rules to manipulate micro traffic dynamics such as lane-changing, merging, energy-efficient driving, and driving at intersections, in roads without defined lanes and shared spa ....Design of micro-decisions in automated transport. This project aims to design methods and market algorithms for vehicle control to tackle traffic congestion with interactive micro-auctions, micro-tolling and cooperative games. Specifically, this project develops and designs incentives, auctions and behavioural and pricing rules to manipulate micro traffic dynamics such as lane-changing, merging, energy-efficient driving, and driving at intersections, in roads without defined lanes and shared spaces to achieve collective macro benefits. The project targets mixed traffic where AVs and conventional human-driven vehicles interact and share the road. The project expects to generate new knowledge of transport science to lessen social, economic and environmental impacts of private cars.Read moreRead less