Computerised diffraction tomography for structural health monitoring. Structural health monitoring (SHM) offers the prospect of a quantum gain in performance and efficiency for the design and structural integrity management of high-value assets (e.g. aircraft). The aims of this project are to develop and validate efficient computational tools for:
(i) Characterising the scattering of the Lamb waves by defects or boundaries, and
(ii) Implementing robust and versatile approaches to tomographic i ....Computerised diffraction tomography for structural health monitoring. Structural health monitoring (SHM) offers the prospect of a quantum gain in performance and efficiency for the design and structural integrity management of high-value assets (e.g. aircraft). The aims of this project are to develop and validate efficient computational tools for:
(i) Characterising the scattering of the Lamb waves by defects or boundaries, and
(ii) Implementing robust and versatile approaches to tomographic imaging of laminar defects or damage from experimental/synthetic scattered field data.
This project will result in the development of a validated and versatile SHM system for quantifying damage that is analogous to computerised tomography in medical imaging.Read moreRead less
Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discove ....Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discovering novel geometries to underpin new meta-structure architectures, validated by appropriate fabrication techniques considering their geometric complexity. Such capabilities will benefit defence, civil, aerospace, energy and transport industries that pursue competitive advantage through innovation.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
Optimisation of Buildable Structures for 3D Concrete Printing. This project aims to establish a systematic approach to seamlessly integrate optimisation, characterisation, and 3D concrete printing (3DCP) manufacturing for the construction and building industry. New optimisation algorithms will first overcome the manufacturing limitations of 3DCP by considering the print path and early-age concrete properties, and directly create high-performance and innovative designs of buildable structures. Th ....Optimisation of Buildable Structures for 3D Concrete Printing. This project aims to establish a systematic approach to seamlessly integrate optimisation, characterisation, and 3D concrete printing (3DCP) manufacturing for the construction and building industry. New optimisation algorithms will first overcome the manufacturing limitations of 3DCP by considering the print path and early-age concrete properties, and directly create high-performance and innovative designs of buildable structures. The outcomes of this project include a powerful design tool that enables architects and engineers to optimally design and construct the next generation of cost-saving and aesthetically pleasing buildings and infrastructures through the adoption of modern 3DCP technology.Read moreRead less
Novel quantitative sizing of inaccessible and hard-to-inspect defects to address the challenges posed by innovations in airframe design. Modern unitised aircraft structures cannot be reliably inspected using traditional techniques. This project will develop new techniques to quantify defects required for this innovation in aircraft component design. This research will improve the through-life support of future metallic and composite aircraft structures and improve air safety.
Response of Metallic Foam Core Sandwich Panels under Impact and Blast Loadings. Human or natural disasters such as vehicle crashes, terrorist attacks or tsunami take place with catastrophic consequences, including significant loss of life and considerable financial losses. For example, in Australia in 2002 over 1,700 people died as a result of vehicle crashes. Research on new materials composites and novel composite structures for use in vehicles, buildings and other man-made structures will be ....Response of Metallic Foam Core Sandwich Panels under Impact and Blast Loadings. Human or natural disasters such as vehicle crashes, terrorist attacks or tsunami take place with catastrophic consequences, including significant loss of life and considerable financial losses. For example, in Australia in 2002 over 1,700 people died as a result of vehicle crashes. Research on new materials composites and novel composite structures for use in vehicles, buildings and other man-made structures will be undertaken to evaluate their performance under extreme or disastrous conditions. This project will investigate the performance of sandwich panels with a cellular core structure under high impact or blast loading conditions. The findings will be directly applicable to structural design of military and civil vehicles and components for the aerospace industry in order to mitigate the level of impact or blast loading under extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Properties of Mechanical Metamaterials: Optimization and Experiment. The aim of this project is to develop novel mechanical metamaterials through topology optimization for manipulating the propagation of elastic and acoustic waves. Mechanical metamaterials achieve exotic dynamic properties, which have many applications ranging from noise management and vibration control to defence. The computational tool and optimization algorithms to be developed will seamlessly integrate with additive ....Dynamic Properties of Mechanical Metamaterials: Optimization and Experiment. The aim of this project is to develop novel mechanical metamaterials through topology optimization for manipulating the propagation of elastic and acoustic waves. Mechanical metamaterials achieve exotic dynamic properties, which have many applications ranging from noise management and vibration control to defence. The computational tool and optimization algorithms to be developed will seamlessly integrate with additive manufacturing to enable the end-users to characterize, design and fabricate the next generation of mechanical metamaterials in an effective way. The outcomes of this project offer significant benefits for the long-term and sustainable development of knowledge-based economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Interaction between consolidation and lubrication of biological joints. This project aims to develop a computational model to be used in conjunction with experimental studies to understand complex lubrication systems in biological joints. Nature has equipped biological joints with a remarkable ability to achieve ultralow friction even at relatively high contact force, however the mechanisms used remain uncertain. This project intends to provide a deeper, fundamental understanding of the friction ....Interaction between consolidation and lubrication of biological joints. This project aims to develop a computational model to be used in conjunction with experimental studies to understand complex lubrication systems in biological joints. Nature has equipped biological joints with a remarkable ability to achieve ultralow friction even at relatively high contact force, however the mechanisms used remain uncertain. This project intends to provide a deeper, fundamental understanding of the friction and contact mechanisms occurring in biological joints. The project outcomes could lead to bioinspired innovation in future engineering design and advancements in materials science that have the potential to significantly benefit Australian society.Read moreRead less
Topological Optimization of Load-carrying Structural Systems with Repetitive Geometrical Patterns. Periodic structures are increasingly used in the design of the structural systems or sub-systems of buildings, bridges, aircraft, motor vehicles etc. The duplication of identical or similar modules significantly reduces the production cost and greatly simplifies the assembly process. In many cases periodic structures are also selected for their distinctive aesthetic appeal. The proposed research wi ....Topological Optimization of Load-carrying Structural Systems with Repetitive Geometrical Patterns. Periodic structures are increasingly used in the design of the structural systems or sub-systems of buildings, bridges, aircraft, motor vehicles etc. The duplication of identical or similar modules significantly reduces the production cost and greatly simplifies the assembly process. In many cases periodic structures are also selected for their distinctive aesthetic appeal. The proposed research will develop advanced techniques for the optimal design of such structures. The new design tool will enable Australian engineers and architects to create innovative and efficient structural systems for a wide range of applications and to become involved in high profile international projects. Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this plan ....The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this planet. This research project will result in technological advancement and provide important training for future generations of researchers. This will entrench the Australian engineering and scientific community as world leaders in this area of scientific research.Read moreRead less