Mechanistic investigation of fluorinated coatings for stone preservation. We will investigate mechanisms governing the synthesis of a latex used for stone preservation. This latex is made from novel and unusual starting materials, and will be the most complex system for which mechanisms have been investigated. We will redesign the synthesis procedure to control particle size and composition of the functional species at the particle surface. This will enable both particle size and surface composi ....Mechanistic investigation of fluorinated coatings for stone preservation. We will investigate mechanisms governing the synthesis of a latex used for stone preservation. This latex is made from novel and unusual starting materials, and will be the most complex system for which mechanisms have been investigated. We will redesign the synthesis procedure to control particle size and composition of the functional species at the particle surface. This will enable both particle size and surface composition to be tailored as desired. The results will be used to investigate the influence of these quantities on interactions between particles and sandstone surfaces. The outcomes will be used by the industrial partner to devise improved protective coatings for stone surfaces in Australian conditions.Read moreRead less
Securing Longevity of Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure Through Enhanced Cathodic Protection Design. The sustainability of Australia's extensive maritime infrastructure is impaired by corrosion, causing ongoing rehabilitation and reduced service life. Cathodic protection (CP) is most widely used to restore corrosion-damaged concrete, however the design principles are debated and uncertainty exists on how ongoing performance should be monitored. Australian Industry will benefit from: (i) Less ex ....Securing Longevity of Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure Through Enhanced Cathodic Protection Design. The sustainability of Australia's extensive maritime infrastructure is impaired by corrosion, causing ongoing rehabilitation and reduced service life. Cathodic protection (CP) is most widely used to restore corrosion-damaged concrete, however the design principles are debated and uncertainty exists on how ongoing performance should be monitored. Australian Industry will benefit from: (i) Less expenditure and disruption to operations of key infrastructure; (ii) More sustainable maritime infrastructure requiring less labour, time and capital expenditure on inspection, testing, maintenance and rehabilitation works;(iii)Availability of experts with advanced training in CP of reinforced concrete; (iv) Update Australian CP Standard AS 2832.5-2002Read moreRead less
Mid-Holocene coral reef bleaching and recovery in the South China Sea and its implications for the modern Great Barrier Reef. Strong evidence shows the mid-Holocene was 1-2 ºC warmer than the present, implying a greater probability for coral bleaching. We have collected well-preserved mid-Holocene reef corals from the northern South China Sea, which contain growth hiatuses reflecting bleaching and mortality. We propose to use high-resolution Sr/Ca, d18O and microstructure analysis and high-preci ....Mid-Holocene coral reef bleaching and recovery in the South China Sea and its implications for the modern Great Barrier Reef. Strong evidence shows the mid-Holocene was 1-2 ºC warmer than the present, implying a greater probability for coral bleaching. We have collected well-preserved mid-Holocene reef corals from the northern South China Sea, which contain growth hiatuses reflecting bleaching and mortality. We propose to use high-resolution Sr/Ca, d18O and microstructure analysis and high-precision U-series dating of coral growth bands to determine the season and sea-surface temperature when each growth hiatus occurred and to establish the timing and duration of the growth hiatus. Reconstructed mid-Holocene coral bleaching history has important implications for management of the Great Barrier Reef during predicted global warming.Read moreRead less
Understanding the lessons of Australia's Gold Coast through the late 20th century debate on criticality and instrumentality in architecture. This project will investigate the role of architecture in the western city through problems in 20th century architectural theory. It will show how the Gold Coast offers new insights into contemporary architecture and will result in two closely related books: an architectural history of the Gold Coast; and a new account of contemporary architectural theory.
Urban Imaginaries/Cultural Landscapes: An Asia-Pacific Transnational and Cross-Cultural Research Collaboration. The aim of the program is to foster research collaboration between the ANU's Humanities Research Centre and Lingnan University's Cultural Research and Development Program by examining public culture, transnational culture, urban landscapes and urban cultural identities in the contemporary Asia-Pacific and Australian context. We will do this by extending ties with researchers from the ....Urban Imaginaries/Cultural Landscapes: An Asia-Pacific Transnational and Cross-Cultural Research Collaboration. The aim of the program is to foster research collaboration between the ANU's Humanities Research Centre and Lingnan University's Cultural Research and Development Program by examining public culture, transnational culture, urban landscapes and urban cultural identities in the contemporary Asia-Pacific and Australian context. We will do this by extending ties with researchers from the region including early career and students and by developing a comparative cross-cultural methodology capable of encompassing specific socio-historical patterns and processes of dynamically changing public cultural formations in contemporary urban centres in the Asia-Pacific, including Australia. Specific outcomes include a book, e-journal and a multi-media exhibition.
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Campus: Building Modern Australian Universities. This project plans to examine the post-World War Two evolution of the Australian university campus. Modern campuses created opportunities for the realisation of innovative solutions in urban planning, architecture and landscape. The project plans to reveal the physical impacts of political, institutional, social and cultural demands through comparative thematic investigation, digital visualisation and detailed case studies. Foregrounding landscape ....Campus: Building Modern Australian Universities. This project plans to examine the post-World War Two evolution of the Australian university campus. Modern campuses created opportunities for the realisation of innovative solutions in urban planning, architecture and landscape. The project plans to reveal the physical impacts of political, institutional, social and cultural demands through comparative thematic investigation, digital visualisation and detailed case studies. Foregrounding landscape and site, the project aims to establish new historical knowledge, identify campuses as catalysts for urban thinking, and demonstrate strategies for their conservation and adaptation to meet future needs in the tertiary sector.Read moreRead less
Making better decisions about built assets: learning by doing. This research will assist the built environment professions and their clients to make better decisions about new developments through a novel 'learning by doing' approach. Used successfully in other fields such as natural resource management, this idea will capitalise on the large number of asset investments undertaken to benchmark original stakeholder intentions and aspirations against the reality of current performance. Decisions w ....Making better decisions about built assets: learning by doing. This research will assist the built environment professions and their clients to make better decisions about new developments through a novel 'learning by doing' approach. Used successfully in other fields such as natural resource management, this idea will capitalise on the large number of asset investments undertaken to benchmark original stakeholder intentions and aspirations against the reality of current performance. Decisions will be re-evaluated in the context of contemporary economic, social and environmental criteria to enable existing multi-criteria models to deliver more sustainable outcomes that are also feasible and in the national interest, and consequently minimise the industry's current exposure to future climate change.Read moreRead less
Strategic Assessment of Building Adaptive Reuse Opportunities. This research will review a large database of existing buildings, many of which have exceeded their useful life. An innovative model will be developed to enable Australia's building and property industries to identify the most viable opportunities for building adaptive reuse. The model will integrate financial, environmental and social sustainability, enabling community stakeholders to make informed decisions with widespread benefits ....Strategic Assessment of Building Adaptive Reuse Opportunities. This research will review a large database of existing buildings, many of which have exceeded their useful life. An innovative model will be developed to enable Australia's building and property industries to identify the most viable opportunities for building adaptive reuse. The model will integrate financial, environmental and social sustainability, enabling community stakeholders to make informed decisions with widespread benefits. The research is aligned with the national priority area: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia: Transforming Existing Industries. The expertise developed in this project will be regionally and internationally applicable, providing momentum for the growing adaptive design and conservation market.Read moreRead less
Innovative procurement theories to optimise education per cost of school. Innovative procurement theories to optimise education per cost of school. This project aims to develop a whole-of-life procurement decision-making framework so schools can make delivering better education more cost effective. This framework—which draws on state-of-the-art and Nobel prize-winning theories and a new theory the project will develop—will be used in government and private schools. The effectiveness of this fram ....Innovative procurement theories to optimise education per cost of school. Innovative procurement theories to optimise education per cost of school. This project aims to develop a whole-of-life procurement decision-making framework so schools can make delivering better education more cost effective. This framework—which draws on state-of-the-art and Nobel prize-winning theories and a new theory the project will develop—will be used in government and private schools. The effectiveness of this framework in improving schools will be shown using a new approach to make school facilities deliver educational outcomes and account for their total production and transaction costs. This research is expected to deliver more efficient ways to future-proof schools to create a well performing school system and more resilient infrastructure vital to Australia’s future prosperity.Read moreRead less
The Baroque in Architectural Culture, 1880-1980. This project will show the significance of historical architecture in the present day, and lead to better understanding of the cultural role of building. It will enhance the reputation of Australian research on the architectural history of early modern Europe, and on issues of historical method. It will train emerging researchers and develop a research environment for further research on this field. The project will foster international connection ....The Baroque in Architectural Culture, 1880-1980. This project will show the significance of historical architecture in the present day, and lead to better understanding of the cultural role of building. It will enhance the reputation of Australian research on the architectural history of early modern Europe, and on issues of historical method. It will train emerging researchers and develop a research environment for further research on this field. The project will foster international connections and collaborations and support the publication of internationally relevant research.Read moreRead less