A Robust Optimization Technique for Identifying Geomechanical Parameters Using In-situ Measurements. The aim of this project is to develop a robust optimisation technique for identifying geomechanical parameters for subsequent stability analysis of rock structures in particular open pits. The development involves a novel solution method based on current work in finite element method and large-scale optimisation with partial differential equation constraints. The outcomes of the project will prov ....A Robust Optimization Technique for Identifying Geomechanical Parameters Using In-situ Measurements. The aim of this project is to develop a robust optimisation technique for identifying geomechanical parameters for subsequent stability analysis of rock structures in particular open pits. The development involves a novel solution method based on current work in finite element method and large-scale optimisation with partial differential equation constraints. The outcomes of the project will provide a sophisticated numerical technique for geotechnical engineers/scientists to determine geomechanical parameters accurately from in-situ observation and displacement measurements, leading to the optimal design of rock structures in subsequent analysis.Read moreRead less
The design and development of a novel high power-to-weight actuator. Powerful and compact actuators are becoming increasingly in demand due to the sophistication in a range of uses varying from aerospace to automotive accessories. The aim of this project is to develop an actuator with high performance and power-to-weight ratio, suitable for use in cutting-edge applications. In the first instance, the focus will be on developing an automotive mirror actuator in close collaboration with the indust ....The design and development of a novel high power-to-weight actuator. Powerful and compact actuators are becoming increasingly in demand due to the sophistication in a range of uses varying from aerospace to automotive accessories. The aim of this project is to develop an actuator with high performance and power-to-weight ratio, suitable for use in cutting-edge applications. In the first instance, the focus will be on developing an automotive mirror actuator in close collaboration with the industrial partner, but the generic research outcomes will be applicable to development of actuators for other purposes. The new generation actuators will contribute to Australian manufacturing exports to become internationally competitive.Read moreRead less
Robust Optimal Asset Liability Management via Stochastic Control Theory. The Australian federal and state governments are strongly exposed to the Australian and international investment markets, either directly or through entities such as the Future Fund, state-owned insurers and superannuation schemes. Additionally, the investment pool represented by individual Australian's superannuation savings managed by non-government organisations is significant. Robust and effective management of these ....Robust Optimal Asset Liability Management via Stochastic Control Theory. The Australian federal and state governments are strongly exposed to the Australian and international investment markets, either directly or through entities such as the Future Fund, state-owned insurers and superannuation schemes. Additionally, the investment pool represented by individual Australian's superannuation savings managed by non-government organisations is significant. Robust and effective management of these assets in order to meet future liabilities of these funds are essential to a stable Australian economy. This research has the potential to be a key component of reliable investment management, helping make Australia an important investment hub.Read moreRead less
Modelling the structure of Australian wool auction prices. Australian wool auction ($3.5-4 billions per year) is an on-going process. The prices paid in this auction market are used by the Australian production and service sectors to identify the quality preferences the international retail markets and the intermediate processors. The proposed research will optimise the information that can be extracted and used by these sectors in the production and distribution of the raw wool clip. A two- ....Modelling the structure of Australian wool auction prices. Australian wool auction ($3.5-4 billions per year) is an on-going process. The prices paid in this auction market are used by the Australian production and service sectors to identify the quality preferences the international retail markets and the intermediate processors. The proposed research will optimise the information that can be extracted and used by these sectors in the production and distribution of the raw wool clip. A two-stages algorithm in tree-based regression will be developed. The project will provide a challenge environment to train a Ph.D. student in agriculture modelling and optimisation.Read moreRead less
Scalable Robust Video Surveillance over Constrained Networks. Real-time monitoring of large numbers of people is becoming increasingly important for applications such as efficient service delivery and security against both common crime and terrorism. The use of human operators for such tasks is infeasible due to the large amount of data collected. Existing autonomous video surveillance systems are prone to high numbers of false alarms and often require expensive hardware. This proposal seeks ....Scalable Robust Video Surveillance over Constrained Networks. Real-time monitoring of large numbers of people is becoming increasingly important for applications such as efficient service delivery and security against both common crime and terrorism. The use of human operators for such tasks is infeasible due to the large amount of data collected. Existing autonomous video surveillance systems are prone to high numbers of false alarms and often require expensive hardware. This proposal seeks to address both difficulties by using rigorous statistical signal processing methods to optimally fuse information from a network of low-cost cameras.Read moreRead less
Improving train flows with connected driver advice systems. The project aims to develop new train control theory to determine the efficient movement of multiple trains, and to demonstrate a practical system for coordinating trains, on busy intercity rail corridors. Railways around the world are now deploying driver advice systems developed by the research team and the partner organisation, TTG Transportation Technology. The project is designed to enable these systems to coordinate the movements ....Improving train flows with connected driver advice systems. The project aims to develop new train control theory to determine the efficient movement of multiple trains, and to demonstrate a practical system for coordinating trains, on busy intercity rail corridors. Railways around the world are now deploying driver advice systems developed by the research team and the partner organisation, TTG Transportation Technology. The project is designed to enable these systems to coordinate the movements of many trains on a congested rail network to improve timekeeping, smooth the flow of traffic, increase capacity and reduce energy use.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the fidelity of low-cost human-in-the-loop physical sailboat simulators. The project will develop a new generation of human-in-the-loop (HiL) sailboat simulators to strengthen R&D within Australia's largest sporting goods market and to increase the participation rates in sailing. The resulting HiL develpments will be useful to a wide range of educational, sporting and training applications, including fo example motorcycle and automotive driver simulators. Furthermore, the innovative b ....Enhancing the fidelity of low-cost human-in-the-loop physical sailboat simulators. The project will develop a new generation of human-in-the-loop (HiL) sailboat simulators to strengthen R&D within Australia's largest sporting goods market and to increase the participation rates in sailing. The resulting HiL develpments will be useful to a wide range of educational, sporting and training applications, including fo example motorcycle and automotive driver simulators. Furthermore, the innovative boat-to-boat interaction capability of the simulations will lead to improved aids in high performance yacht racing like the America's Cup.Read moreRead less
Rapid optimisation in underground mining network design. This project represents a major advance in the problem of optimising the infrastructure of underground mines and providing powerful planning tools for management. The software tools we are developing will prove important to the mining industry because of their accuracy, flexibility and generality. Not only can they be used for benchmarking in the design of specific mines, but they also provide a reliable method for testing the cost-benefi ....Rapid optimisation in underground mining network design. This project represents a major advance in the problem of optimising the infrastructure of underground mines and providing powerful planning tools for management. The software tools we are developing will prove important to the mining industry because of their accuracy, flexibility and generality. Not only can they be used for benchmarking in the design of specific mines, but they also provide a reliable method for testing the cost-benefit of emerging technologies. This is an important project for ensuring that Australia's mining industry remains efficient and internationally competitive. Given our economic dependence on mineral resources, it will also benefit Australia as a whole.Read moreRead less
Integrating dynamic and optimization models for efficient pipeline system operations in an evolving water and energy market. Developing an integrated dynamical and optimisation model for a piped water distribution system will advance Australia's capacity to deploy the most recent optimisation approaches to achieve the high level of efficiency required in the delivery of water to dryland regions. The outcomes of this project will be readily transferable to other regions and indeed other water d ....Integrating dynamic and optimization models for efficient pipeline system operations in an evolving water and energy market. Developing an integrated dynamical and optimisation model for a piped water distribution system will advance Australia's capacity to deploy the most recent optimisation approaches to achieve the high level of efficiency required in the delivery of water to dryland regions. The outcomes of this project will be readily transferable to other regions and indeed other water distribution systems. This will provide capability in securing Australia's water supplies and delivery systems. There may also be associated benefits to other pipeline operators in the oil and gas industries.Read moreRead less
Decision tools for underground mine development. The aim of this project is to develop innovative new strategic tools to assist senior mine management in planning underground mine operations. It will be based on modelling underground mine layouts using the theory of abstract mathematical networks. For many years, there have been well-developed methods of modelling and optimising the operation of open-cut mines. The design of the infrastructure of underground mines has a similar potential for opt ....Decision tools for underground mine development. The aim of this project is to develop innovative new strategic tools to assist senior mine management in planning underground mine operations. It will be based on modelling underground mine layouts using the theory of abstract mathematical networks. For many years, there have been well-developed methods of modelling and optimising the operation of open-cut mines. The design of the infrastructure of underground mines has a similar potential for optimisation and strategic modelling. This design optimisation will lead to huge savings in the costs of underground mines. Similar methods will be used to plan drilling programs, which are major cost items.Read moreRead less