Fuzzy finite element analysis of smart structures using concepts of optimization. The major aim of this research is to develop an innovative approach using fuzzy finite element method for the analysis and design of smart control systems for civil engineering structures subjected to vibrations due to earthquakes. The significance of this project is the proposal to combine, for the first time, techniques such as finite element, fuzzy logic and optimization in a unified manner. The final result wil ....Fuzzy finite element analysis of smart structures using concepts of optimization. The major aim of this research is to develop an innovative approach using fuzzy finite element method for the analysis and design of smart control systems for civil engineering structures subjected to vibrations due to earthquakes. The significance of this project is the proposal to combine, for the first time, techniques such as finite element, fuzzy logic and optimization in a unified manner. The final result will produce an efficient design tool for a structural system integrated with smart sensors/actuators for vibration control.Read moreRead less
Unified approach for the stability analysis of large concrete dams due to ageing degradation. The expected outcome of this research is the availability of an innovative methodology for the safety assessment of aged concrete dams. Most of the concrete dams built in Australia and elsewhere have been in service for over 50 years. Degradation effects on aged concrete dams, and resistant ability of such aged concrete dams against hostile natural events, such as earthquakes, are of great concern for e ....Unified approach for the stability analysis of large concrete dams due to ageing degradation. The expected outcome of this research is the availability of an innovative methodology for the safety assessment of aged concrete dams. Most of the concrete dams built in Australia and elsewhere have been in service for over 50 years. Degradation effects on aged concrete dams, and resistant ability of such aged concrete dams against hostile natural events, such as earthquakes, are of great concern for engineers. The safety assessment of aged concrete dams can be done rationally by the proposed method which will provide a better knowledge of the ageing effects on concrete dams. The approach will provide a tool for rational decision-making as to the structural rehabilitation of large concrete dams affected by ageing degradation.Read moreRead less
Interaction of Local and Distortional Buckling in Thin-Walled High Strength Steel Sections. Recent research at the University of Sydney has shown that the local and distortional buckling modes in thin-walled high strength steel sections may have adverse interaction. Cold-Formed steel sections of this type are used in residential construction, ceiling systems, partitioning systems in offices and other light gauge applications. The project will develop mathematical models of the interaction beha ....Interaction of Local and Distortional Buckling in Thin-Walled High Strength Steel Sections. Recent research at the University of Sydney has shown that the local and distortional buckling modes in thin-walled high strength steel sections may have adverse interaction. Cold-Formed steel sections of this type are used in residential construction, ceiling systems, partitioning systems in offices and other light gauge applications. The project will develop mathematical models of the interaction behaviour of sections of this type for a wide range of section geometries. A major outcome will be design methods which accurately quantify the interaction behaviour based on the models. Testing will be undertaken to support the theoretical developments and to calibrate the design models.Read moreRead less
Development of Fibre Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products. The construction industry is one of the world's largest consumers of raw materials and it is widely accepted that current material usage trends are unsustainable. Development of new more efficient construction materials is paramount to overcoming this. This novel research will use advanced high strength glass and carbon fibres and polymer resins to improve the structural behaviour, versatility and economic viability of a natio ....Development of Fibre Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products. The construction industry is one of the world's largest consumers of raw materials and it is widely accepted that current material usage trends are unsustainable. Development of new more efficient construction materials is paramount to overcoming this. This novel research will use advanced high strength glass and carbon fibres and polymer resins to improve the structural behaviour, versatility and economic viability of a nationally significant construction material known as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. The material technologies developed by this research will lead to more efficient material use, a more sustainable materials solution and the potential to export the technology worldwide.Read moreRead less
Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding o ....Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding of the factors that influence corrosion mechanics in marine environments, to re-examine corrosion process in practical concrete structures and to develop a model for corrosion to enable prediction of structural deterioration and improved risk assessment.Read moreRead less
Behaviour and design of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns at ambient and elevated temperatures. Stainless steel is recognised as an advanced construction material for its merits of corrosion resistance, attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. It has enormous potential for use in steel-concrete composite construction, which will provide the structural engineering community with greater choice in terms of aesthetics, constructability, cost and sustainability. The research put ....Behaviour and design of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns at ambient and elevated temperatures. Stainless steel is recognised as an advanced construction material for its merits of corrosion resistance, attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. It has enormous potential for use in steel-concrete composite construction, which will provide the structural engineering community with greater choice in terms of aesthetics, constructability, cost and sustainability. The research put forward in this proposal will promote the better use of stainless steel in Australia's building, bridge and offshore infrastructure, thereby providing significant socio-economic benefits to Australia. Moreover it will greatly increase Australia's infrastructure maintenance capability.Read moreRead less
Limit and shakedown analyses allowing for geometric effects and physical instability. The accurate safety assessment of structures is a fundamental requirement for their safe and cost effective design and management. In this respect, understanding the implications of geometric effects and physical instability on the failure behaviour of structures is a vital and challenging one. This project aims at achieving this by developing innovative approaches in which the classical, so-called, limit and s ....Limit and shakedown analyses allowing for geometric effects and physical instability. The accurate safety assessment of structures is a fundamental requirement for their safe and cost effective design and management. In this respect, understanding the implications of geometric effects and physical instability on the failure behaviour of structures is a vital and challenging one. This project aims at achieving this by developing innovative approaches in which the classical, so-called, limit and shakedown, analyses are extended to incorporate these effects. The project will result in a significant advance in Australia's capability for enhanced diagnosis of its aging infrastructure and potentially also, through this newly developed computational ability, for the rapid transition of new materials to emerging technologies.Read moreRead less
Utilising the benefits of high performance steels (HPS) and infill materials for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) against extreme loads. This project will provide an improved understanding of the behaviour of structural elements subjected to impact and blast loads. The structural engineering community will benefit from the state of the art knowledge whilst the general community will benefit from the increased safety of critical infrastructure which will provide greater security against ....Utilising the benefits of high performance steels (HPS) and infill materials for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) against extreme loads. This project will provide an improved understanding of the behaviour of structural elements subjected to impact and blast loads. The structural engineering community will benefit from the state of the art knowledge whilst the general community will benefit from the increased safety of critical infrastructure which will provide greater security against physical and financial losses. This project extends on work conducted by the first Chief and Partner Investigator in a completed ARC Discovery Project. It is also directly related to research being carried out by the Second Chief Investigator as part of the ARC, Research Network for a Secure Australia.Read moreRead less
A study of the correlation between pre- and post- demolition performance assessment for prestressed concrete beams in a 45 year old major road bridge. In 2002 a major prestressed concrete bridge in Tasmania was demolished after only 45 years in service because of fears about the corrosion of the prestressing bars. Earlier, very extensive investigations were carried out to attempt to assess the rate of its deterioration and to establish the remaining margin of safety.
The present project aims ....A study of the correlation between pre- and post- demolition performance assessment for prestressed concrete beams in a 45 year old major road bridge. In 2002 a major prestressed concrete bridge in Tasmania was demolished after only 45 years in service because of fears about the corrosion of the prestressing bars. Earlier, very extensive investigations were carried out to attempt to assess the rate of its deterioration and to establish the remaining margin of safety.
The present project aims to investigate the degree of correlation between the performance assessment before and after demolition. Extensive pre-demolition documentation provided by the industry partner and detailed new assessments will give valuable research insight about the meaningfulness and reliability of investigative techniques for safety assessment. It will assist road authorities in structural assessment of bridges close to coastal marine environments.
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Unified theory for the behaviour and design of composite steel-concrete beams subjected to generalised loading and support conditions. Steel framed construction for bridges, buildings and stadia is considered to provide a more elegant form of construction which often results in a minimum weight solution and can be linked with reconstructability and sustainability. This project, which provides for an improved understanding of steel framed construction, will result in the community being provided ....Unified theory for the behaviour and design of composite steel-concrete beams subjected to generalised loading and support conditions. Steel framed construction for bridges, buildings and stadia is considered to provide a more elegant form of construction which often results in a minimum weight solution and can be linked with reconstructability and sustainability. This project, which provides for an improved understanding of steel framed construction, will result in the community being provided with more efficient structural forms. From a technical perspective a greater understanding of steel framed construction will provide the structural engineering community with greater choice in their design process. This will often allow for the most effective solution in terms of aesthetics, constructability, cost and sustainability.Read moreRead less