Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and bla ....Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and blast furnace slag that are prescribed in the revised version of the concrete bridge standard for the most severe exposure. This project will lead to a significant improvement in the serviceability and durability of concrete structures in severe environments.Read moreRead less
Structural assembly for remote housing using fibre reinforced composites. This project aims to address construction challenges in remote housing by off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly using fibre reinforced composites and digital made-to-measure approach. Its goal is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge and practical technologies for reliable, affordable and durable housing in remote harsh environments. Intended results include innovative connections and systems with valuable understa ....Structural assembly for remote housing using fibre reinforced composites. This project aims to address construction challenges in remote housing by off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly using fibre reinforced composites and digital made-to-measure approach. Its goal is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge and practical technologies for reliable, affordable and durable housing in remote harsh environments. Intended results include innovative connections and systems with valuable understanding of their performances under various loading scenarios and accurate digital visualization for remote construction. The outcomes expect to unlock remote development, enhance our competitive strengths for manufacturing and construction industries, and further offer new solutions in post-disaster recovery applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100019
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,580.00
Summary
Collaborative robotics for structural assembly and construction automation. Recent robotic technologies present great opportunity for construction industry to improve quality and productivity while no state of the art research infrastructure has been developed yet for this need. The proposed facility aims to provide a unique platform on research and development for structural assembly and construction automation. It
features by a flexible and adaptive design and instrumentation of structures and ....Collaborative robotics for structural assembly and construction automation. Recent robotic technologies present great opportunity for construction industry to improve quality and productivity while no state of the art research infrastructure has been developed yet for this need. The proposed facility aims to provide a unique platform on research and development for structural assembly and construction automation. It
features by a flexible and adaptive design and instrumentation of structures and space for a team of collaborative robotics in an interactive environment to achieve automated prefabrication, assembly and building. The outcomes are expected to transform current labor-intensive construction industry to highly automated and accurate manufacturing industry with significant benefits to economy and safety.Read moreRead less
Lightweight, durable and self-sustainable modular composites buildings. This project aims to establish a modular composites building system that is lightweight, integrated with power supply system and is highly resistant to harsh environments. Buildings today are designed and constructed using conventional craft-based labour-intensive methods and materials. This results in high cost and consequences for quality, safety, resource and environmental impact. By developing the modular building system ....Lightweight, durable and self-sustainable modular composites buildings. This project aims to establish a modular composites building system that is lightweight, integrated with power supply system and is highly resistant to harsh environments. Buildings today are designed and constructed using conventional craft-based labour-intensive methods and materials. This results in high cost and consequences for quality, safety, resource and environmental impact. By developing the modular building system using lightweight and durable fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and innovative connection methods for fast assembly, the project outcomes can largely lift productivity in construction industry and further provide self-sustainable civil infrastructure not only in urban and rural regions but also in remote areas.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100646
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Active rheology control of fresh concrete using responsive additives. This project aims to investigate innovative techniques for Active Rheology Control (ARC) of concretes using responsive additives interacting with externally applied electromagnetic or temperature signals. ARC is a new concept which will revolutionise concrete pumping by overcoming limitations such as frequent pipe blockages. ARC will also be useful to solve the major barrier faced by 3D concrete printing (3DCP) from becoming a ....Active rheology control of fresh concrete using responsive additives. This project aims to investigate innovative techniques for Active Rheology Control (ARC) of concretes using responsive additives interacting with externally applied electromagnetic or temperature signals. ARC is a new concept which will revolutionise concrete pumping by overcoming limitations such as frequent pipe blockages. ARC will also be useful to solve the major barrier faced by 3D concrete printing (3DCP) from becoming a practical way of construction. 3DCP is an emerging idea for construction but a major barrier is that concrete needs to flow during pumping and extrusion but become stiff soon after placement. This project will explore ARC for achieving the “flow-on-demand” desired by both concrete pumping and 3DCP applications.Read moreRead less
Mixed Mode Torsion-Shear-Bending Failure in SFRC Elements . In 2017 and 2018 the Australian Standards for the design of concrete bridges and structures were released; these are some of the first in the world, to include design procedures for steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) in a comprehensive way. While rules have been introduced for shear and bending of SFRC girders, the rules exclude the use fibres to carry torsional moments. This study investigates the torsion-bending-shear interaction ....Mixed Mode Torsion-Shear-Bending Failure in SFRC Elements . In 2017 and 2018 the Australian Standards for the design of concrete bridges and structures were released; these are some of the first in the world, to include design procedures for steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) in a comprehensive way. While rules have been introduced for shear and bending of SFRC girders, the rules exclude the use fibres to carry torsional moments. This study investigates the torsion-bending-shear interaction performance of SFRC members. The study will provide vital data needed for for adoption by engineers and Standards bodies.Read moreRead less
Connections for hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures. Connections play a vital role in overall performance, reliability, and adaptability of civil structures. This project aims to develop innovative, easy to fabricate and efficient connections for hybrid structural systems that fully exploit advantages of steel, concrete and engineered timber to reduce the self-weight, cost and negative environmental impact and enhance opportunities for deconstruction, reusing and upgrading of the structures. ....Connections for hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures. Connections play a vital role in overall performance, reliability, and adaptability of civil structures. This project aims to develop innovative, easy to fabricate and efficient connections for hybrid structural systems that fully exploit advantages of steel, concrete and engineered timber to reduce the self-weight, cost and negative environmental impact and enhance opportunities for deconstruction, reusing and upgrading of the structures. Structural performance of the connections will be assessed by laboratory testing and advanced numerical modelling. Comprehensive knowledge on stiffness, strength, and ductility and world-first provisions for safe and cost-effective design of the hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures are generated.Read moreRead less
Torsion in innovative timber composite floors. Application of lightweight sustainably sourced timber panels combined with steel beams or reinforced concrete slabs in composite floors has the potential to significantly improve the speed and efficiency and reduce the carbon and energy footprint of the construction industry. This project aims to produce world first benchmark experimental data and advanced numerical and simple analytical models required for efficient, yet safe and reliable analysis ....Torsion in innovative timber composite floors. Application of lightweight sustainably sourced timber panels combined with steel beams or reinforced concrete slabs in composite floors has the potential to significantly improve the speed and efficiency and reduce the carbon and energy footprint of the construction industry. This project aims to produce world first benchmark experimental data and advanced numerical and simple analytical models required for efficient, yet safe and reliable analysis and design of timber-concrete and steel-timber composite floors subjected to complex 3-dimensional loading scenarios that involve combinations of torsion, bending and shear. The outcomes of this project are expected to promote innovation and advance knowledge in the field of structural mechanics.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,937,625.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure. The ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure aims to transform Australia’s rail construction and maintenance technologies through specialist training of industry-focused researchers. Generation of new knowledge and close collaboration with companies within the rail supply chain will result in enhanced rail capacity and supply chain efficiency across the rail network. This will include in ....ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure. The ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure aims to transform Australia’s rail construction and maintenance technologies through specialist training of industry-focused researchers. Generation of new knowledge and close collaboration with companies within the rail supply chain will result in enhanced rail capacity and supply chain efficiency across the rail network. This will include increased axle loads and higher speeds, greater safety margins, reduced construction and maintenance costs, and a body of competent railway professionals in the nation’s work force.Read moreRead less
Investigating the Pumpability and Extrudability of Concrete for 3D Printing. The project aims to develop a new rheological model for 3D printable concrete for construction. 3D concrete printing is an innovative and promising construction technique, but the main impediment to progress is lack of suitable material technology. In this study, a new stress and time dependent flow model will be formulated and implemented as a computational model. The model will facilitate the study of the effect of di ....Investigating the Pumpability and Extrudability of Concrete for 3D Printing. The project aims to develop a new rheological model for 3D printable concrete for construction. 3D concrete printing is an innovative and promising construction technique, but the main impediment to progress is lack of suitable material technology. In this study, a new stress and time dependent flow model will be formulated and implemented as a computational model. The model will facilitate the study of the effect of different concrete formulations, pumping and printer parameters on the primary printing properties, namely, pumpability, extrudability and buildability. The new model will also enable active control and modification of rheological parameters on-the-fly during large-scale printing, which is not currently possible.Read moreRead less