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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
Read moreRead less