Short- and long-term corrosion of steels in highly calcareous seawaters . This project aims to quantify the development of the long-term (25-100 year) protective effect of calcareous deposits on the marine corrosion of mild steels. This is significant because such steels used extensively in major and very expensive coastal and offshore infrastructure. The project outcomes will improve scientific understanding, including the role of microbiological activity. It will develop and calibrate corrosio ....Short- and long-term corrosion of steels in highly calcareous seawaters . This project aims to quantify the development of the long-term (25-100 year) protective effect of calcareous deposits on the marine corrosion of mild steels. This is significant because such steels used extensively in major and very expensive coastal and offshore infrastructure. The project outcomes will improve scientific understanding, including the role of microbiological activity. It will develop and calibrate corrosion prediction models using classical and recently available 100 year data from Europe, the Pacific, Australia and also new project-specific experimental data. These models are expected to be of benefit for Australian engineering consultants in maintain their internationally competitive edge in offshore engineering.Read moreRead less
Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual defl ....Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual deflection leading to serviceability problems. The significance of this investigation hence lies in its potential to provide a solution to more accurately predict service-life deflections in post-tensioned concrete suspended slabs and validate the model with real-life deflections monitored over time on a current building project.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Water-swellable rubber with nanoparticle-enabled super capacity as smart water-leakage sealant. A novel water-swellable rubber (WSR) sealant with continuous hydrophobic phase and isolated hydrophilic phase is developed for stopping water leakage from gaps and cracks. Nanoparticle-enabled blocks and network channels in rubber matrix effectively improve the integrity and capability of WSR as smart water-leakage sealants in various applications.
Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it r ....Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it represents the stress amplitude below which fatigue failures should not occur. Its existence in unnotched pipes and in the newer PVC materials is uncertain. This project will quantify fatigue thresholds and the mechanisms involved in crack initiation in uPVC , mPVC and oPVC.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453480
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$236,899.00
Summary
Nanostructured Polymer Processing Network. The Nanostructured Polymer Processing Network will promote the understanding and manipulation of the processing of novel nanostructured plastic materials. High technology, online polymer processing equipment will be sought that will enable the design of nanostructured polymers via a range of techniques including insitu polymerisation, nanocomposites and polymer blending which are ideal for designing high value nanostructured polymers that are tailored f ....Nanostructured Polymer Processing Network. The Nanostructured Polymer Processing Network will promote the understanding and manipulation of the processing of novel nanostructured plastic materials. High technology, online polymer processing equipment will be sought that will enable the design of nanostructured polymers via a range of techniques including insitu polymerisation, nanocomposites and polymer blending which are ideal for designing high value nanostructured polymers that are tailored for high performance applications. The equipment in this proposal, when combined with existing leading edge polymer characterisation and analysis equipment, will provide a Network with international state-of-the-art equipment that will fast track the success of integrated research projects across the sites.Read moreRead less
High performance thermoplastic starch polymer films for controlled barrier and delivery. This project will deliver state of the art developments in high performance sustainable plastics. Specifically the project will develop new biopolymers for high-performance applications, such as smart packaging, biomedical materials and drug delivery systems.
Development of PVC-Based Polymer Nanocomposites. The aim of the project is to develop a PVC polymer nanocomposite material to be used in water pipelines. It has been found that the inclusion of a nanoparticle phase, in this case calcium carbonate, leads to increases in strength, stiffness, toughness and abrasion resistance. This proposed project will develop and assess an optimum material in addition to investigating the mechanisms of deformation.
A surface modification techniques for wafers of semiconductor materials. The research will develop an innovative technique for producing large wafers of semiconductor materials with a superfine surface finish. This technique will combine the advantages of ultra-precision grinding and polishing into a single operation. An effective superfinishing technique for the new generation of large-size wafers of semiconductor materials is essential because they are one of the most important materials for i ....A surface modification techniques for wafers of semiconductor materials. The research will develop an innovative technique for producing large wafers of semiconductor materials with a superfine surface finish. This technique will combine the advantages of ultra-precision grinding and polishing into a single operation. An effective superfinishing technique for the new generation of large-size wafers of semiconductor materials is essential because they are one of the most important materials for information technology, integrated circuit technology and fabrication of micro-machines.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR MANUFACTURE OF BUILDING MATERIALS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES BASED ON GEOPOLYMERS. This project seeks to develop a new class of building materials based on geopolymers. These materials will have superior corrosion resistance, fire resistance, heat and noise insulating properties. The project will study in detail the effect of processing parameters on microstructure of these materials, and effect of structure and composition on properties. A good ....DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR MANUFACTURE OF BUILDING MATERIALS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES BASED ON GEOPOLYMERS. This project seeks to develop a new class of building materials based on geopolymers. These materials will have superior corrosion resistance, fire resistance, heat and noise insulating properties. The project will study in detail the effect of processing parameters on microstructure of these materials, and effect of structure and composition on properties. A good understanding of this would result in environmentally friendly inexpensive inorganic materials with superior durability, chemical and fire resistance, heat and noise insulation properties that can substitute organic polymers and ordinary Portland cement concrete in special applications.Read moreRead less
New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high tec ....New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high technology industries, as well as in harsh environments. Because we will be able to manipulate the structure and observe property changes, it should also give us a greater insight into the adhesion mechanisms used by many small animals and bugs.Read moreRead less