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
Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project a ....Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project aims at investigating the mechanical and acoustic properties of the newly discovered interlockable geometries (cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra and icosahedra) and identifying the areas of application. The project will promote the international leading role of the collaborating institutions in this novel field.Read moreRead less
A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types o ....A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types of interlocked assemblies will be modelled, produced and tested to determine their mechanical and acoustic properties. A range of experimental techniques tailored for these unusual assemblies will be employed. The expected outcome will be the implementation of the new design principle in multifunctional materials and structures.Read moreRead less
Securing Longevity of Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure Through Enhanced Cathodic Protection Design. The sustainability of Australia's extensive maritime infrastructure is impaired by corrosion, causing ongoing rehabilitation and reduced service life. Cathodic protection (CP) is most widely used to restore corrosion-damaged concrete, however the design principles are debated and uncertainty exists on how ongoing performance should be monitored. Australian Industry will benefit from: (i) Less ex ....Securing Longevity of Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure Through Enhanced Cathodic Protection Design. The sustainability of Australia's extensive maritime infrastructure is impaired by corrosion, causing ongoing rehabilitation and reduced service life. Cathodic protection (CP) is most widely used to restore corrosion-damaged concrete, however the design principles are debated and uncertainty exists on how ongoing performance should be monitored. Australian Industry will benefit from: (i) Less expenditure and disruption to operations of key infrastructure; (ii) More sustainable maritime infrastructure requiring less labour, time and capital expenditure on inspection, testing, maintenance and rehabilitation works;(iii)Availability of experts with advanced training in CP of reinforced concrete; (iv) Update Australian CP Standard AS 2832.5-2002Read moreRead less
Integrity analysis of advanced composites after lightning strike. Lightning strike presents a great threat to various engineered structures made of fibre-reinforced polymer composites. This project aims to develop fundamentals for a framework of integrity analysis for such composites after lightning strike. This involves mechanistic models for coupled electrical-thermal-mechanical analysis and experimental characterisation, addressing intensive resistant-heat generation, pyrolysis of matrices an ....Integrity analysis of advanced composites after lightning strike. Lightning strike presents a great threat to various engineered structures made of fibre-reinforced polymer composites. This project aims to develop fundamentals for a framework of integrity analysis for such composites after lightning strike. This involves mechanistic models for coupled electrical-thermal-mechanical analysis and experimental characterisation, addressing intensive resistant-heat generation, pyrolysis of matrices and ablation of fibres, pore gas explosion, shock stresses and prediction of residual strength. The expected outcomes of the project are critical for the development of procedures for enhanced structural integrity assessment, driving down maintenance costs and extending the life-span of engineered composite structures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Selective laser melting - an advanced manufacturing and physical modelling technology for the digital age. Selective laser melting is a new manufacturing technology that creates parts layer by layer directly from a computer model, eliminating the need for tooling or machining. This technology will be applied to a diverse range of research areas from producing the next generation of medical implants and devices to improving our understanding of geo-materials.
Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices a ....Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices and systems such as reconfigurable and highly efficient actuators/generators, catalysts, sensors, and electronic and optical components.Read moreRead less
A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element an ....A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element analysis and experimentation, the research program will greatly enhance the fundamental understanding of the strengthening and failure mechanisms of z-pinned composites. A key outcome of the research will be design guidelines for optimising the pinning of composites for maximum structural performance in aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Condition monitoring and process control of injection molding. Injection molding has been widely used in automotive industry and improvement of the productivity and quality of the products is very important for the injection molding production to be internationally competitive. The aim of this project is to develop a condition monitoring and process control system to monitor the key parameters of the injection molding processes, to optimise the design and process conditions, and consequently, to ....Condition monitoring and process control of injection molding. Injection molding has been widely used in automotive industry and improvement of the productivity and quality of the products is very important for the injection molding production to be internationally competitive. The aim of this project is to develop a condition monitoring and process control system to monitor the key parameters of the injection molding processes, to optimise the design and process conditions, and consequently, to more actively control the processes. This will lead to an more reliable process, improved productivity and production of higher quality of moldings.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