Development of Novel Metaconcrete to Resist Impulsive Loads. This project aims to develop innovative metaconcrete for structural protection by utilising the concept of phononic crystals and metamaterials which has been recently developed by physicists. Traditional construction materials are used in new structural forms to mitigate dynamic loading effects by exploiting the unique characteristics of the proposed metaconcrete. Theoretical, numerical and experimental methods will be used to derive t ....Development of Novel Metaconcrete to Resist Impulsive Loads. This project aims to develop innovative metaconcrete for structural protection by utilising the concept of phononic crystals and metamaterials which has been recently developed by physicists. Traditional construction materials are used in new structural forms to mitigate dynamic loading effects by exploiting the unique characteristics of the proposed metaconcrete. Theoretical, numerical and experimental methods will be used to derive the best performing metaconcrete and verify its static and dynamic load resistant capacities. The expected outcomes of the project will lead to innovative extreme-loading resistant designs and provide significant benefit to the Australian construction industry, general public and economy.Read moreRead less
Developing innovative concrete composites by upscaling material properties. This project aims to develop an upscaling process to correlate micro-nano properties of engineering materials to their comprehensive physicochemical properties based on systematic mechanical and statistical analysis approaches and nanoindentation technology. The process will enable assessing material mechanical and viscoelastic properties at a microscale level thus will generate a new knowledge in structural engineering ....Developing innovative concrete composites by upscaling material properties. This project aims to develop an upscaling process to correlate micro-nano properties of engineering materials to their comprehensive physicochemical properties based on systematic mechanical and statistical analysis approaches and nanoindentation technology. The process will enable assessing material mechanical and viscoelastic properties at a microscale level thus will generate a new knowledge in structural engineering discipline including health monitoring, assessment of existing structures, historical buildings, and strengthening and repairing materials in structures. The outcomes are a multiscale link model for upscaling material properties and a development of innovative reinforced concrete composites which are cost-effective and efficient.Read moreRead less
A 21st century laboratory testing device for geotechnical engineering. This project aims to use advanced image analysis and cloud computing technologies to replace manual, time-consuming and subjective geotechnical engineering practices with a rapid, automated, and more rational approach. A new geo-materials testing system based on the existing triaxial apparatus will be developed that employs three-dimensional image capture hardware and advanced image analysis techniques. The data measured over ....A 21st century laboratory testing device for geotechnical engineering. This project aims to use advanced image analysis and cloud computing technologies to replace manual, time-consuming and subjective geotechnical engineering practices with a rapid, automated, and more rational approach. A new geo-materials testing system based on the existing triaxial apparatus will be developed that employs three-dimensional image capture hardware and advanced image analysis techniques. The data measured over the entire sample surface will feed into an automated, intelligent parameter selection procedure combining finite element analysis with numerical optimisation techniques. Application of the proposal’s findings will allow more accurate and efficient engineering design of transport and energy infrastructure that supports modern economies.Read moreRead less
Multi-hazard resilient hybrid modular structures. This project aims to develop the next generation of multi-hazard resilient modular construction methods for efficient, affordable and sustainable buildings. New demountable modular connections will be developed and the response of hybrid modular buildings to multiple hazards such as wind, earthquake, blast and impact will be investigated through a combination of experimental, numerical, and analytical studies. The project will develop knowledge o ....Multi-hazard resilient hybrid modular structures. This project aims to develop the next generation of multi-hazard resilient modular construction methods for efficient, affordable and sustainable buildings. New demountable modular connections will be developed and the response of hybrid modular buildings to multiple hazards such as wind, earthquake, blast and impact will be investigated through a combination of experimental, numerical, and analytical studies. The project will develop knowledge of the structural behaviour of hybrid modular buildings, and expects to deliver design methods and robust simplified models for building design purposes. This project will advance construction techniques and practices for resilient hybrid modular buildings.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100196
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,253,312.00
Summary
Development of multi-hazard resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This project aims to develop next generation construction of multi-hazard resilient structures for the safety and wellbeing of the public, society and economy, as well as structural health monitoring techniques for effective engineering asset management. Sustainable infrastructure development involves the use of green materials to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and new technologies to reduce construction and life-cycle mainte ....Development of multi-hazard resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This project aims to develop next generation construction of multi-hazard resilient structures for the safety and wellbeing of the public, society and economy, as well as structural health monitoring techniques for effective engineering asset management. Sustainable infrastructure development involves the use of green materials to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and new technologies to reduce construction and life-cycle maintenance cost. The project will use new green materials and techniques to prefabricate structural components which can be easily assembled and dismantled to meet the requirement for adaptation to technology advancement, urban planning and climate change. The project will advance the construction practice for sustainable infrastructure development.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
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC230100015
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure. This Centre aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation ....ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure. This Centre aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. Achieving carbon neutral infrastructure in its whole life will bring significant far-reaching benefits, including equipping industry with tools required to meet Australia’s emission reduction targets as well as economic, commercial, environmental, and social gains.Read moreRead less
Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing ....Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing the catalytic reforming of tar as part of the hot gas cleaning during the conversion of biomass. The technology will contribute to Australia’s improved energy security and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the carbon-constrained future.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100986
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,775.00
Summary
Blast Resistant Interlocking Brick Walls Using Engineered Waste Materials. This project aims to develop a next-generation building system integrated with robotic construction, using intelligent interlocking block units with hazard resistance, and sustainable engineered recycled plastic waste materials. It spans from discovery of using recycled waste materials to development of analysis and design methods for a new interlocking structure, as well as mitigation measures for blast resistance. The s ....Blast Resistant Interlocking Brick Walls Using Engineered Waste Materials. This project aims to develop a next-generation building system integrated with robotic construction, using intelligent interlocking block units with hazard resistance, and sustainable engineered recycled plastic waste materials. It spans from discovery of using recycled waste materials to development of analysis and design methods for a new interlocking structure, as well as mitigation measures for blast resistance. The successful implementation of this project will result in a technically, financially and environmentally sound structure form for the next-generation of robotic construction. This should lead to a revolution in construction that will substantially improve construction efficiency, quality and affordability.Read moreRead less