Retrofit of Steel Connections subject to Fatigue Load by Utilizing carbon fibre reinforced polymeric (CFRP) and Modified Epoxy Structural Adhesives. The proposed research project will challenge conventional methods of repairing or strengthening steel structures by using an advanced material (CFRP) together with modified epoxy structural adhesives. It will not only provide reliable retrofitting of existing structures but will also build safe, more economic and smarter steel structures. It will co ....Retrofit of Steel Connections subject to Fatigue Load by Utilizing carbon fibre reinforced polymeric (CFRP) and Modified Epoxy Structural Adhesives. The proposed research project will challenge conventional methods of repairing or strengthening steel structures by using an advanced material (CFRP) together with modified epoxy structural adhesives. It will not only provide reliable retrofitting of existing structures but will also build safe, more economic and smarter steel structures. It will contribute to the socio-economic wellbeing of Australia, including road and railway infrastructure, offshore, mining and recreation industries, increasing the international competitiveness of the Australian steel industry and infrastructure maintenance capability. Australia will be better positioned in the region for potential technology transfer to Asian and surrounding countries.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric marine corrosion for structural reliability assessment. The project deals with structural deterioration due to steel corrosion. It is at the cutting-edge of international structural reliability research and based on the CI's previous successful corrosion modeling research. It will provide improved understanding of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric corrosion and novel physically-based mathematical models for the progression of co ....Mathematical modelling of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric marine corrosion for structural reliability assessment. The project deals with structural deterioration due to steel corrosion. It is at the cutting-edge of international structural reliability research and based on the CI's previous successful corrosion modeling research. It will provide improved understanding of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric corrosion and novel physically-based mathematical models for the progression of corrosion with time. These can provide input for modern risk-based techniques for safety and functional performance assessment to assist with cost-effective planning, maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. The project has national economic implications for the design, maintenance and rehabilitation of Australian physical assets, including deteriorating civil infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia inc ....Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia including road, offshore, building and mining industries. It will increase the international competitiveness of Australian steel industry and infrastructure maintenance capability. Australia will be better positioned in this region for potential technology transfer to Asian countries.Read moreRead less
Structural reliability and remaining life estimation for deteriorating steel infrastructure. The risk-based approach to infrastructure performance allows the likelihood and extent of corrosion damage to be modelled. This will allow the safety of new and existing steel infrastructure to be assessed, and the safe remaining service life to be calculated.
An Investigation into the Behaviour of Light Gauge Steel Structures under Fire Conditions. This research will clearly result in a major national benefit with potential reduction in loss of life, loss of property and reduced insurance rates with improved fire resistant construction. Australian maufacturers will have a leading edge internationally with the use of high strength steels. There is an opportunity for Australia to become a world leader in an area of fire research. The project will assis ....An Investigation into the Behaviour of Light Gauge Steel Structures under Fire Conditions. This research will clearly result in a major national benefit with potential reduction in loss of life, loss of property and reduced insurance rates with improved fire resistant construction. Australian maufacturers will have a leading edge internationally with the use of high strength steels. There is an opportunity for Australia to become a world leader in an area of fire research. The project will assist in developing fire resistant prefabricated building systems. In also provides valuable research training to young Australians. Most importantly it will contribute to Australia's major initiatives in protecting its critical infrastructure.Read moreRead less
The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) ha ....The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) has resulted in concrete slabs with relatively brittle failure modes and its use has been the subject of much debate. This research will investigate the ductility of two-way slabs containing Class L mesh and the applicability of established design procedures. It will lead to safer and better performing r.c. floor systems and, if necessary, new ductility specifications for Class L steel.Read moreRead less
Vulnerability of Steel Lattice Towers to Fire. Steel lattice towers find widespread use as structural components in electricity transmission systems and as base towers in UHF and microwave communications networks. They tend be protected from bushfire damage by active backburning or clearing through their easement or right of way, because the response of towers to bushfires is surprisingly unknown, and it is not known if they can provide passive protection without clearing/backburning. A world fi ....Vulnerability of Steel Lattice Towers to Fire. Steel lattice towers find widespread use as structural components in electricity transmission systems and as base towers in UHF and microwave communications networks. They tend be protected from bushfire damage by active backburning or clearing through their easement or right of way, because the response of towers to bushfires is surprisingly unknown, and it is not known if they can provide passive protection without clearing/backburning. A world first, this Project aims to use advanced numerical techniques to assess the fragility and resilience of lattice towers in fire using a systems approach based on fire load data available with a further goal to explore potential pragmatic strengthening strategies if necessary and feasible.Read moreRead less
The impact of high strength, low ductility reinforcement on the ductility and serviceability of concrete structures. The behaviour of reinforced concrete structures has been adversely affected by the recent introduction in Australia of 500 MPa steel reinforcement(with higher strength and lower ductibility than the previously available 400MPa steel bars). Structures with reduced ductility, greater deflection and larger crack widths will result. Unexpected overloads may now cause fracturing of the ....The impact of high strength, low ductility reinforcement on the ductility and serviceability of concrete structures. The behaviour of reinforced concrete structures has been adversely affected by the recent introduction in Australia of 500 MPa steel reinforcement(with higher strength and lower ductibility than the previously available 400MPa steel bars). Structures with reduced ductility, greater deflection and larger crack widths will result. Unexpected overloads may now cause fracturing of the steel, resulting in brittle and catastrophic collapse. This project aims to investigate, analytically and experimentally, the impact of the new reinforcement on the design and performance of concrete structures, including strength, ductility and serviceability, and to provide rational design guidance to the structural engineering profession.Read moreRead less
Stiffness degradation of concrete members induced by reinforcement corrosion. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures exposed to coastal and marine environments. In Australia, corrosion-related repair and rehabilitation costs about $13 billion annually. Research carried out to date on the effects of corrosion in concrete structures has not considered the effects of sustained loads and shrinkage on corrosion and the deterioration of m ....Stiffness degradation of concrete members induced by reinforcement corrosion. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures exposed to coastal and marine environments. In Australia, corrosion-related repair and rehabilitation costs about $13 billion annually. Research carried out to date on the effects of corrosion in concrete structures has not considered the effects of sustained loads and shrinkage on corrosion and the deterioration of member stiffness with time. This project will develop a new theoretical basis to characterise corrosion effects on the in-service behaviour of concrete structures, essential for adequate assessment of durability of existing structures and for the safe design of new structures. Read moreRead less
Innovative coupled composite steel-concrete shear wall and frame systems. This project aims to develop an innovative coupled composite steel-concrete shear wall and frame system that revolutionises and improves the economical design and construction of multi-storey buildings. The proposed system uses novel cost-effective composite structural components that can be prefabricated and easily assembled on-site using innovative blind bolting techniques to speed up construction. The project will offer ....Innovative coupled composite steel-concrete shear wall and frame systems. This project aims to develop an innovative coupled composite steel-concrete shear wall and frame system that revolutionises and improves the economical design and construction of multi-storey buildings. The proposed system uses novel cost-effective composite structural components that can be prefabricated and easily assembled on-site using innovative blind bolting techniques to speed up construction. The project will offer a promising opportunity to promote prefabricated and modular construction which is believed will have a major benefit in shaping the future construction industry. This will provide significant benefits to Australian structural engineers and the construction industry in advancing their knowledge in composite construction.Read moreRead less