The behaviour and design of composite columns coupling the benefits of high strength steel and high strength concrete for large scale infrastructure. This project will involve the development of a novel structural column system which will be more efficient, robust and require less maintenance than current systems. The outcomes will involve improved design methodologies which will enable large scale infrastructure to be enhanced and will involve the use of materials which improve sustainability.
Fundamental study of fracture-controlled compensation grouting for ground movement. This project aims to investigate the fundamentals of fracture-controlled compensation grouting in various types of soil, so as to optimise the compensation efficiency and to minimise the risk of collapse of nearby structures. This will result in the minimisation of ground movements induced by underground excavations, which pose a major threat to existing infrastructure and communities worldwide. Small-scale labor ....Fundamental study of fracture-controlled compensation grouting for ground movement. This project aims to investigate the fundamentals of fracture-controlled compensation grouting in various types of soil, so as to optimise the compensation efficiency and to minimise the risk of collapse of nearby structures. This will result in the minimisation of ground movements induced by underground excavations, which pose a major threat to existing infrastructure and communities worldwide. Small-scale laboratory experiments, centrifuge tests and numerical analyses will be conducted to develop an effective and economical grouting method that will provide a valuable design tool for engineers.Read moreRead less
Cyclic behaviour of unstable soils stabilised by lignosulfonate with special reference to rapid transport infrastructure. The project will pioneer the use of the paper industry by-product, lignosulphonate, to stabilise unstable soils in rural and regional Australia. The prevention of unacceptable erosion, settlement and mass movement of these soils will enable efficient operation of high speed rail and busy highways that are vital for agriculture and mineral industries.
Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. This project aims to enhance the longevity of roads and tracks based on improved geotechnical design. The demand for safe and durable roads and railways to accommodate faster and heavier traffic has increased steadily in the past decade. This project will research the performance of compacted granular waste (coalwash & flyash) under cyclic loads, particularly relevant t ....Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. This project aims to enhance the longevity of roads and tracks based on improved geotechnical design. The demand for safe and durable roads and railways to accommodate faster and heavier traffic has increased steadily in the past decade. This project will research the performance of compacted granular waste (coalwash & flyash) under cyclic loads, particularly relevant to heavy haul industry, from a geomechanics perspective. It will use geotechnical laboratory testing and field monitoring to develop a computational model, incorporating the relevant strength and deformation properties at varied load frequencies. The anticipated outcome is sustainable, more resilient transport infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Development of Intelligent Structures that can Self-evaluate Deterioration. This project aims to transform traditional civil structures into smart structures that can accurately identify current and future structural deterioration conditions and automatically notify the infrastructure management authority for timely maintenance. Civil structures deteriorate over their long life spans. Currently, we have no effective method to identify when deterioration has reached the point where maintenance is ....Development of Intelligent Structures that can Self-evaluate Deterioration. This project aims to transform traditional civil structures into smart structures that can accurately identify current and future structural deterioration conditions and automatically notify the infrastructure management authority for timely maintenance. Civil structures deteriorate over their long life spans. Currently, we have no effective method to identify when deterioration has reached the point where maintenance is required. The project plans to develop innovative structural deterioration evaluation systems using output-only vibration data and versatile optimisation algorithms to enable long-term deterioration assessment and maintenance management even under demanding operating conditions. These could be used with both conventional data acquisition systems and modern monitoring systems with smart wireless sensors. Expected project outcomes will enhance structural safety and maintenance efficiency.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering. To pioneer new scientific approaches for geotechnical design of Australia's energy and transport infrastructure. Australia will spend over $250 billion during the next five years on the provision of physical infrastructure for energy and transport, which is the critical importance to the nation's future prosperity. The Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering will develop new computational and experimental approaches to un ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering. To pioneer new scientific approaches for geotechnical design of Australia's energy and transport infrastructure. Australia will spend over $250 billion during the next five years on the provision of physical infrastructure for energy and transport, which is the critical importance to the nation's future prosperity. The Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering will develop new computational and experimental approaches to underpin the geotechnical design of this infrastructure and provide a national focus for geotechnical research. New scientific approaches and software for designing cheaper and safer infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors.Read moreRead less
Thermal Upheaval Buckling of Functionally Graded Pavement Slabs. Upheaval buckling or blowup of concrete pavements due to high environment temperature is a serious problem in transportation infrastructure which quite often leads to road failure or even traffic hazards. The proposed project presents a combined theoretical, numerical and experimental investigation on the effective enhancement of thermal buckling capacity of pavement slabs with or without initial imperfection by using light and gre ....Thermal Upheaval Buckling of Functionally Graded Pavement Slabs. Upheaval buckling or blowup of concrete pavements due to high environment temperature is a serious problem in transportation infrastructure which quite often leads to road failure or even traffic hazards. The proposed project presents a combined theoretical, numerical and experimental investigation on the effective enhancement of thermal buckling capacity of pavement slabs with or without initial imperfection by using light and green functionally graded concrete materials with reduced usage of plain Portland cements for less carbon dioxide emissions. The research outcomes will contribute significantly to the society by offering a novel environmental friendly pavement solution with greatly improved road safety.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
Spatial network analysis for multimodal urban transport systems: a planning decision support tool. This research explores and assesses the development and use of accessibility tools for integrated land use and transport planning. It will establish international benchmarks for sustainable accessibility providing evidentiary support for government decision making and investment in sustainable urban development and public transport infrastructure.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100089
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Performance level structural testing facility. A structural testing facility is proposed for the new Advanced Engineering Building at The University of Queensland. The focus of the research supported by this facility will ensure the functionality of Australia’s infrastructure resources and the development of new engineering solutions that will enhance the country’s long-term economic growth.