Load-displacement and consolidation behaviour of soft soils stabilised by stone columns for transport infrastructure. The project outcomes will guarantee better understanding of the benefits of stone columns for stabilising soft soil foundations through numerical and experimental processes. The enhanced load-carrying capacity and mitigation of excessive soil movements will contribute to sustainable development of transport infrastructure.
Cyclic behaviour of unstable soils stabilised by lignosulfonate with special reference to rapid transport infrastructure. The project will pioneer the use of the paper industry by-product, lignosulphonate, to stabilise unstable soils in rural and regional Australia. The prevention of unacceptable erosion, settlement and mass movement of these soils will enable efficient operation of high speed rail and busy highways that are vital for agriculture and mineral industries.
Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. This project aims to enhance the longevity of roads and tracks based on improved geotechnical design. The demand for safe and durable roads and railways to accommodate faster and heavier traffic has increased steadily in the past decade. This project will research the performance of compacted granular waste (coalwash & flyash) under cyclic loads, particularly relevant t ....Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. This project aims to enhance the longevity of roads and tracks based on improved geotechnical design. The demand for safe and durable roads and railways to accommodate faster and heavier traffic has increased steadily in the past decade. This project will research the performance of compacted granular waste (coalwash & flyash) under cyclic loads, particularly relevant to heavy haul industry, from a geomechanics perspective. It will use geotechnical laboratory testing and field monitoring to develop a computational model, incorporating the relevant strength and deformation properties at varied load frequencies. The anticipated outcome is sustainable, more resilient transport infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100028
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
A national facility for in situ testing of soft soils. A mobile in situ testing laboratory will permit the investigation of devices for measuring geotechnical conditions on soft and swampy sites which are often being encountered on key infrastructure projects. The new facility will improve the modelling and testing of soft soils and ensure the safe and economic development of Australian infrastructure.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering. To pioneer new scientific approaches for geotechnical design of Australia's energy and transport infrastructure. Australia will spend over $250 billion during the next five years on the provision of physical infrastructure for energy and transport, which is the critical importance to the nation's future prosperity. The Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering will develop new computational and experimental approaches to un ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering. To pioneer new scientific approaches for geotechnical design of Australia's energy and transport infrastructure. Australia will spend over $250 billion during the next five years on the provision of physical infrastructure for energy and transport, which is the critical importance to the nation's future prosperity. The Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering will develop new computational and experimental approaches to underpin the geotechnical design of this infrastructure and provide a national focus for geotechnical research. New scientific approaches and software for designing cheaper and safer infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors.Read moreRead less
The effects of cyclic loading on partially saturated soils. This project aims to predict the settlement and strength of the upper, partially saturated layer of the ground when it is subjected to cyclic loading. Most of our critical infrastructure is built on or in this layer, but currently we cannot reliably predict the ground response of partially saturated soils to the cyclic loads that arise from earthquakes, traffic and construction processes. The project is expected to develop a new numeric ....The effects of cyclic loading on partially saturated soils. This project aims to predict the settlement and strength of the upper, partially saturated layer of the ground when it is subjected to cyclic loading. Most of our critical infrastructure is built on or in this layer, but currently we cannot reliably predict the ground response of partially saturated soils to the cyclic loads that arise from earthquakes, traffic and construction processes. The project is expected to develop a new numerical model that can predict the effects of cyclic loads, and provide updated engineering guidance to ensure the integrity of infrastructure dependent on partially-saturated soils. Improved predictions of the processes involved resulting from this project will have significant economic benefits, as well as ensuring the safety and security of infrastructure and reduced maintenance costs.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100010
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Cyclic Testing of High-speed Rail (FCTHSR). National facility for cyclic testing of high-speed rail: Frontier technologies in rail transport demand access to state-of-the-art testing facilities for track modelling. The proposed national Facility for Cyclic Testing of High-Speed Rail (FCTHSR) is internationally a first-of-its-kind and it will be designed and built in-house for examining an array of Australian ground conditions and integrated track components. This unique fac ....National Facility for Cyclic Testing of High-speed Rail (FCTHSR). National facility for cyclic testing of high-speed rail: Frontier technologies in rail transport demand access to state-of-the-art testing facilities for track modelling. The proposed national Facility for Cyclic Testing of High-Speed Rail (FCTHSR) is internationally a first-of-its-kind and it will be designed and built in-house for examining an array of Australian ground conditions and integrated track components. This unique facility will offer a national and international hub for industry-driven research and consulting. The project outcomes will propel more Australian researchers to be among the world-leaders of rail technologies providing better solutions to challenging track environments. Prototype testing will ensure safer and cost-effective track designs.Read moreRead less
Understanding mud pumping in heavy haul railroads. This project aims to examine the factors that cause mud pumping and evaluate the effectiveness of sub-surface drainage to prevent rail track instability. Fast heavy haul operations (such as loads used in mining and agriculture) impart repeated loads on the natural formation that can result in mud pumping. If the build-up of water pressure becomes excessive this can cause track failure. Through an experimental program and field study, the mechani ....Understanding mud pumping in heavy haul railroads. This project aims to examine the factors that cause mud pumping and evaluate the effectiveness of sub-surface drainage to prevent rail track instability. Fast heavy haul operations (such as loads used in mining and agriculture) impart repeated loads on the natural formation that can result in mud pumping. If the build-up of water pressure becomes excessive this can cause track failure. Through an experimental program and field study, the mechanisms of mud pumping, incorporating train loads and frequencies, will be studied, and the role of vertically installed drains will be quantified for improved practical design. The project aims to contribute to improved track longevity and reduced maintenance costs, with a corresponding boost in rail productivity.Read moreRead less
Performance of Soft Clay Consolidated by Biodegradable and Geosynthetic Vertical Drains under Vacuum Pressure for Transport Infrastructure. Along Australia's coast, the abundance of soft clay often hampers the design and construction of transport infrastructure including embankments. The use of vacuum pressure and prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) ensures rapid drainage and consolidation of the clay, thus increasing its shear strength and bearing capacity while reducing long term deformation. ....Performance of Soft Clay Consolidated by Biodegradable and Geosynthetic Vertical Drains under Vacuum Pressure for Transport Infrastructure. Along Australia's coast, the abundance of soft clay often hampers the design and construction of transport infrastructure including embankments. The use of vacuum pressure and prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) ensures rapid drainage and consolidation of the clay, thus increasing its shear strength and bearing capacity while reducing long term deformation. The main aim of this project is to achieve technological advancement in sustainable and cost effective PVD-vacuum systems by minimising the time to achieve the desired degree of consolidation, thereby controlling post construction settlement and lateral movement. Extensive laboratory and field studies supported by numerical modelling aim to result in new industry guides and standards.Read moreRead less
Synthetic energy absorbing composite for improved track performance. This project aims to study the performance of a novel synthetic energy absorbing composite (SEAC) placed beneath the railway ballast to minimise degradation. The use of coal wash and steel slag blended with shredded recycled rubber as SEAC constituents is environmentally beneficial. The role of SEAC with respect to impact and cyclic loads will be assessed through extensive geotechnical laboratory and numerical analysis. The res ....Synthetic energy absorbing composite for improved track performance. This project aims to study the performance of a novel synthetic energy absorbing composite (SEAC) placed beneath the railway ballast to minimise degradation. The use of coal wash and steel slag blended with shredded recycled rubber as SEAC constituents is environmentally beneficial. The role of SEAC with respect to impact and cyclic loads will be assessed through extensive geotechnical laboratory and numerical analysis. The research outcomes based on the proposed energy considerations will lead to improved track design and analysis in view of stability, safety and operational efficiency.Read moreRead less