A complex systems approach to granular rheology: interconnecting topology, stability, dynamics and function. The response of granular materials (e.g. soil, rocks) to applied stresses and strains will be characterised in detail. Information mined from experimental and simulation tests will be used to develop robust predictive models of granular behaviour, crucial for effective earthquake mitigation as well as greener mining and construction technologies.
Early-age cracking in concrete structures: mechanisms and control. This project aims to generate a comprehensive set of reliable data to examine all key factors governing the risk of early-age cracking in concrete structures, including a novel concept concerning zero-stress temperature. Expected outcomes include improved models for fundamental concrete properties from very early ages and tensile stresses due to restrained deformation accumulated from early stage, as well as guidelines for effect ....Early-age cracking in concrete structures: mechanisms and control. This project aims to generate a comprehensive set of reliable data to examine all key factors governing the risk of early-age cracking in concrete structures, including a novel concept concerning zero-stress temperature. Expected outcomes include improved models for fundamental concrete properties from very early ages and tensile stresses due to restrained deformation accumulated from early stage, as well as guidelines for effective crack control in concrete structures. It is expected these guidelines will enable significant cost savings and a more sustainable construction industry.Read moreRead less
Fire performance of concrete using novel fire testing. Thermal loading experienced by concrete samples in conventional tests cannot be accurately and independently controlled. This project, through using a novel thermal loading technique, aims to re-examine the performance of concrete in fire. By establishing the heat-flux as a parameter of study, concrete performance under a wide range of fire conditions is expected to be better quantified, eventually leading to a reliable performance-based des ....Fire performance of concrete using novel fire testing. Thermal loading experienced by concrete samples in conventional tests cannot be accurately and independently controlled. This project, through using a novel thermal loading technique, aims to re-examine the performance of concrete in fire. By establishing the heat-flux as a parameter of study, concrete performance under a wide range of fire conditions is expected to be better quantified, eventually leading to a reliable performance-based design of concrete structures. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of concrete performance under combined fire and other loadings, appropriate mathematical models for fundamental concrete properties and constitutive relations, and design recommendations for concrete performance under real fire exposures.Read moreRead less
Coupled effects of stress and temperature changes on concrete structures. The coupled effects of stress and temperature changes that concrete structures are commonly subject to are significant and need to be properly accounted for. However, existing engineering models accounting for these effects remain essentially empirical, necessarily limiting their predictive capability. This research aims to examine such coupled effects using an innovative approach combining original physical-based analytic ....Coupled effects of stress and temperature changes on concrete structures. The coupled effects of stress and temperature changes that concrete structures are commonly subject to are significant and need to be properly accounted for. However, existing engineering models accounting for these effects remain essentially empirical, necessarily limiting their predictive capability. This research aims to examine such coupled effects using an innovative approach combining original physical-based analytical study with novel tests and advanced numerical work. Expected outcomes include a robust yet simple engineering model, and guidelines for rational design of structures (incl. concrete spalling in fire) with due account for such coupled effects, thereby enabling to achieve more robust structures at substantial cost saving.Read moreRead less