Composite Structures of High-Strength Steel and Concrete. This project plans to investigate the use in building frames of composite steel-concrete members that use high-strength steel (HSS) instead of mild steel (MS). HSS is finding increased use in construction, and HSS has a much greater strength-to-weight ratio than MS, leading to lighter composite structures, less material usage and smaller foundations. Overall, this reduces the cost and carbon footprint of steel-framed buildings. The invest ....Composite Structures of High-Strength Steel and Concrete. This project plans to investigate the use in building frames of composite steel-concrete members that use high-strength steel (HSS) instead of mild steel (MS). HSS is finding increased use in construction, and HSS has a much greater strength-to-weight ratio than MS, leading to lighter composite structures, less material usage and smaller foundations. Overall, this reduces the cost and carbon footprint of steel-framed buildings. The investigation is planned to involve physical testing, numerical studies, developing structural models and crafting design guidance for T-beams, columns and joints. The major intended outcome of the project is design guidance that will support the expanded use of HSS.Read moreRead less
Development of economical beam-column connections for robust composite steel-concrete structural frames. The proposed construction systems will offer a competitive and more robust alternative for developers, building owners and occupants. The successful development of the proposed construction systems will lead to an increased market for blind bolts, steel circular hollow sections, steel Universal Beams and metal decking. An added benefit of the proposed systems is an anticipated improvement in ....Development of economical beam-column connections for robust composite steel-concrete structural frames. The proposed construction systems will offer a competitive and more robust alternative for developers, building owners and occupants. The successful development of the proposed construction systems will lead to an increased market for blind bolts, steel circular hollow sections, steel Universal Beams and metal decking. An added benefit of the proposed systems is an anticipated improvement in performance, relative to existing systems, under low probability, high consequence events such as 2500-year return period level earthquakes (in the relevant region) or blast loading. These unique and innovative structural solutions should drive the competitive advantage of Australian engineers in international markets.Read moreRead less
Innovative Retrofitting Techniques for the Protection of Anchorage Zones in Cable-Stayed Bridges Subjected to Blast Loads. The project will seek to develop an innovative technology to retrofit anchorage zones in cable-stayed bridges subjected to close-in detonations and severe impulsive loading, through a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study. The innovative material used for the strengthening purposes developed as part of the study will greatly assist engineers in protection and retr ....Innovative Retrofitting Techniques for the Protection of Anchorage Zones in Cable-Stayed Bridges Subjected to Blast Loads. The project will seek to develop an innovative technology to retrofit anchorage zones in cable-stayed bridges subjected to close-in detonations and severe impulsive loading, through a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study. The innovative material used for the strengthening purposes developed as part of the study will greatly assist engineers in protection and retrofitting schemes of bridges. The results can be communicated directly to the relevant authorities, thus improving Australia's capabilities in dealing with extreme events.Read moreRead less
High Strength Concrete Beam-Columns with High-Strength Steel Reinforcement. The aim of this project is to develop the fundamental understanding needed to design and construct high-strength concrete columns with high-strength steel reinforcement, with the intended outcome of providing design rules for adoption by engineers and Standards bodies. With significant innovations in Australian steel bar technology, strengths grades of 750 megapascals, and higher, are becoming available. These high-stren ....High Strength Concrete Beam-Columns with High-Strength Steel Reinforcement. The aim of this project is to develop the fundamental understanding needed to design and construct high-strength concrete columns with high-strength steel reinforcement, with the intended outcome of providing design rules for adoption by engineers and Standards bodies. With significant innovations in Australian steel bar technology, strengths grades of 750 megapascals, and higher, are becoming available. These high-strength steels can be used in reinforced concrete building construction and would increase the competitiveness of Australia's manufacturing industry and enable the export of high-value-added technologies. Significant efficiencies in construction costs and in carbon emissions are possible.Read moreRead less
Integrated multilayered floor systems for high-performance buildings. This project aims to develop new integrated multilayered floor systems that is expected to increase the structural performance of inter-storey floors, minimise construction time and integrate the installation of services and structural components. This development will build on current construction techniques commonly available in Australia, such as composite steel-concrete systems, thin-metal products and prestressing techniq ....Integrated multilayered floor systems for high-performance buildings. This project aims to develop new integrated multilayered floor systems that is expected to increase the structural performance of inter-storey floors, minimise construction time and integrate the installation of services and structural components. This development will build on current construction techniques commonly available in Australia, such as composite steel-concrete systems, thin-metal products and prestressing techniques, and will combine their use in innovative arrangements which integrate services. A holistic theoretical framework intends to be established to develop and identify floor systems that maximise the structural efficiency while minimising the use of construction materials.Read moreRead less
Development of prefabricated composite building panels and connections . This project will develop a new prefabricated composite brick-concrete panel technology, by exploiting cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities for the production of bricks and concrete components. It is expected to generate new robust design methodologies at both service and ultimate conditions by relying on advanced testing and theoretical modelling.
The project is expected to transform the current brick industry by repla ....Development of prefabricated composite building panels and connections . This project will develop a new prefabricated composite brick-concrete panel technology, by exploiting cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities for the production of bricks and concrete components. It is expected to generate new robust design methodologies at both service and ultimate conditions by relying on advanced testing and theoretical modelling.
The project is expected to transform the current brick industry by replacing traditional labour-intense brick construction with advanced and cost-effective prefabricated technologies that will enable brick construction to enter new markets, such as those of multi-storey buildings and complex load-bearing facades, previously not feasible or cost-effective with traditional brick technology.
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Behaviour of lifting inserts for precast concrete construction. The Australian market for precast concrete wall panels is estimated to be 5-6 million square metres per annum. This project will create the first guidelines for the design and safer usage of inserts for lifting operations, using novel analytical and numerical models to simulate structural behaviour and determine reliable procedures.
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
Scalable Graphene Enabled Smart Composites. The need for lightweight composite materials is increasing exponentially in the context of renewable energy, e-mobility and related emission reductions. This project aims to develop novel approaches to integrate graphene nanomaterials into structural composites, enabling damage sensing and structural health monitoring functionalities. The outcome of this project will be a new class of smart composites that will address the critical need for improving s ....Scalable Graphene Enabled Smart Composites. The need for lightweight composite materials is increasing exponentially in the context of renewable energy, e-mobility and related emission reductions. This project aims to develop novel approaches to integrate graphene nanomaterials into structural composites, enabling damage sensing and structural health monitoring functionalities. The outcome of this project will be a new class of smart composites that will address the critical need for improving structural integrity, safety and reliability, while significantly reducing lifecycle costs. This should provide significant benefits in creating confidence to increase investment in Australia for manufacturing graphene enabled smart materials and technologies with enormous export potential.Read moreRead less
Laser Ultrasonic Health Monitoring for Australia’s Infrastructure Assets. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor the health of Australia’s ageing infrastructure with the use of a unique laser ultrasonic device. The laser device will be used to conduct experiments that are expected to develop a set of techniques for monitoring the critical areas of structures with most frequently observed ageing problems. Precise estimates of damage will be made by processing signals from a combinat ....Laser Ultrasonic Health Monitoring for Australia’s Infrastructure Assets. This project aims to develop technologies to monitor the health of Australia’s ageing infrastructure with the use of a unique laser ultrasonic device. The laser device will be used to conduct experiments that are expected to develop a set of techniques for monitoring the critical areas of structures with most frequently observed ageing problems. Precise estimates of damage will be made by processing signals from a combination of simulation and experimental modelling. Feedback from the user community is expected to further improve the techniques.Read moreRead less