New Systems for High Rise Steel Structures in Rising Factory Construction. This project will develop new and innovative ways of constructing steel structures using the rising factory concept. The rising factory is a 10 storey enclosure where the final high-rise building is safely constructed within a watertight envelope which rises as the building progresses. The project will perform the necessary research to make possible high-rise steel structural systems consisting of hot-rolled (heavy gauge ....New Systems for High Rise Steel Structures in Rising Factory Construction. This project will develop new and innovative ways of constructing steel structures using the rising factory concept. The rising factory is a 10 storey enclosure where the final high-rise building is safely constructed within a watertight envelope which rises as the building progresses. The project will perform the necessary research to make possible high-rise steel structural systems consisting of hot-rolled (heavy gauge) and cold-formed (light gauge) steel structural members and connections which can be used in the rising factory. The main benefits of the rising factory are the waterproof construction environment and the substantially increased safety as a result of no external cranes.
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Hybrid steel-framed structural systems for mid-rise buildings. The project aims to develop solutions for lightweight structural systems. Hybrid steel structures are those constructed from a mixture of conventional hot-rolled steel sections and tubes combined with lightweight cold-formed steel structural members. There is an increasing need to provide prefabricated structural systems that are highly constructible and modular in mid-rise (5–10 storeys) residential apartment and commercial building ....Hybrid steel-framed structural systems for mid-rise buildings. The project aims to develop solutions for lightweight structural systems. Hybrid steel structures are those constructed from a mixture of conventional hot-rolled steel sections and tubes combined with lightweight cold-formed steel structural members. There is an increasing need to provide prefabricated structural systems that are highly constructible and modular in mid-rise (5–10 storeys) residential apartment and commercial buildings. The major problem in producing efficient hybrid systems is the connections between the hot-rolled framing members and the lightweight cold-formed members. The main aim of the project is to carry out experimental and theoretical research into the hybrid connections. The expected outcomes of the research are more efficient and standardised structural connections and systems.Read moreRead less
Cold-rolled Aluminium Structural Members and Systems. BlueScope Permalite has recently demonstrated that it is possible to produce aluminium structural sections by roll-forming. This presents a faster and less energy consuming method of production than conventional extrusion. Through experiments and numerical simulations, the project aims to develop guidelines for the design of single members and complete structural systems in cold-rolled aluminium. The project intends to quantify the strength e ....Cold-rolled Aluminium Structural Members and Systems. BlueScope Permalite has recently demonstrated that it is possible to produce aluminium structural sections by roll-forming. This presents a faster and less energy consuming method of production than conventional extrusion. Through experiments and numerical simulations, the project aims to develop guidelines for the design of single members and complete structural systems in cold-rolled aluminium. The project intends to quantify the strength enhancements achievable by the cold-rolling process and devise guidelines for determining the strength of cold-rolled aluminium sections and systems, considering the prevalent buckling modes for C- and Z-sections, their interactions and the effect of gradual yielding.Read moreRead less
Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex ....Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex than current micropile theory; this project will research the mechanism of load transfer from micropiles to the soil and soil response.Read moreRead less
Achieving structural morphing via functionalising nonlinear buckling. This project aims to develop a general framework to analyse and design functional components of buildings and structures, where they change shapes (morphing) by buckling. Australian buildings consume 20% of the nation’s total energy production on heating and cooling, and projected population increases are likely to increase energy demands. The shape changes are optimised, e.g. to reduce energy consumption by minimising solar r ....Achieving structural morphing via functionalising nonlinear buckling. This project aims to develop a general framework to analyse and design functional components of buildings and structures, where they change shapes (morphing) by buckling. Australian buildings consume 20% of the nation’s total energy production on heating and cooling, and projected population increases are likely to increase energy demands. The shape changes are optimised, e.g. to reduce energy consumption by minimising solar radiation loads or maximising natural air ventilation. The project expects to develop building technology solutions to reduce Australia's energy consumption, and provide domestic and global market opportunities in the high-tech manufacturing sector.Read moreRead less
A novel method to stabilise expansive soils by alkali-activation . This project aims to address durability and sustainability issues with traditional lime-based methods used to stabilize expansive soils by alternatively advancing an alkali-activation approach. It expects to generate new knowledge in using alkali-activation to suppress the swelling potential of expansive soils which have been deleterious to roads, pavements and overlying structures. Expected outcomes of this project include deve ....A novel method to stabilise expansive soils by alkali-activation . This project aims to address durability and sustainability issues with traditional lime-based methods used to stabilize expansive soils by alternatively advancing an alkali-activation approach. It expects to generate new knowledge in using alkali-activation to suppress the swelling potential of expansive soils which have been deleterious to roads, pavements and overlying structures. Expected outcomes of this project include development of a long-term durable treatment with reduced carbon footprint and use of waste materials. This should provide significant benefits commercially and critical insights to overcome expansive soils which cover approximately one-fifth of Australia’s surface area and six out of eight of its largest cities.Read moreRead less
Advancing the Engineering of Minipile Systems to Frontier Applications. This project aims to develop new knowledge on the performance of battered minipile systems used in a wide range of applications from solar panels to traffic signs. Minipiles provide concrete-free foundation systems, yet their behaviour under more complex loading such as wind, is yet to be fully understood. This project will examine the loading conditions experienced during installation and throughout service life. This will ....Advancing the Engineering of Minipile Systems to Frontier Applications. This project aims to develop new knowledge on the performance of battered minipile systems used in a wide range of applications from solar panels to traffic signs. Minipiles provide concrete-free foundation systems, yet their behaviour under more complex loading such as wind, is yet to be fully understood. This project will examine the loading conditions experienced during installation and throughout service life. This will include complex full-scale laboratory tests and advanced computer modelling to verify the performance against expected cyclic loading. New design approaches will be developed for this emerging foundation system, enabling more widespread adoption of this technology in the building and construction industry.Read moreRead less
Development of deep soil mixing technology utilising industrial by-products. This project will investigate the sustainable use of industrial wastes in ground improvement works using deep soil mixing. Currently, ground improvement projects use large amounts of highly carbon intensive materials. This project aims to develop low carbon alternatives by using geopolymers, which are a mixture of industrial waste by-products such as fly ash and slag with alkali activators. This project will explore the ....Development of deep soil mixing technology utilising industrial by-products. This project will investigate the sustainable use of industrial wastes in ground improvement works using deep soil mixing. Currently, ground improvement projects use large amounts of highly carbon intensive materials. This project aims to develop low carbon alternatives by using geopolymers, which are a mixture of industrial waste by-products such as fly ash and slag with alkali activators. This project will explore the consolidation effects and stress–strain responses of soft soil improved with geopolymers under static and dynamic loading. The main expected outcome of the project is an innovative ground improvement technique using geopolymers as an alternative green binder.Read moreRead less
Next generation transport infrastructure using high performance materials. This project aims to provide structural engineers with the tools required to develop ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete materials and to utilise their unique material properties in design. Recent feasibility studies have shown that the replacement of conventional concrete and steel transport infrastructure with ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete has the potential to revolutionise the sector. Fo ....Next generation transport infrastructure using high performance materials. This project aims to provide structural engineers with the tools required to develop ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete materials and to utilise their unique material properties in design. Recent feasibility studies have shown that the replacement of conventional concrete and steel transport infrastructure with ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete has the potential to revolutionise the sector. For these cost savings benefits to be realised, guidelines for the low cost development and testing of new materials, and for the application in structural design are required. This project is expected to deliver these guidelines and potentially maximise the impact of government spending on road and rail infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Clogging of Permeable Reactive Barrier when treating Acidic Groundwater. Proper understanding of soil-water interaction is vital for sustainable development of floodplains, and to halt acid mine drainage caused by the oxidation of pyritic soil. Permeable reactive barriers (PRB) offer a cost-effective solution to neutralize acidified groundwater. The project aims to quantify the clogging potential of PRB’s granular medium by coupling geotechnical fundamentals with integrated hydro-bio-geochemical ....Clogging of Permeable Reactive Barrier when treating Acidic Groundwater. Proper understanding of soil-water interaction is vital for sustainable development of floodplains, and to halt acid mine drainage caused by the oxidation of pyritic soil. Permeable reactive barriers (PRB) offer a cost-effective solution to neutralize acidified groundwater. The project aims to quantify the clogging potential of PRB’s granular medium by coupling geotechnical fundamentals with integrated hydro-bio-geochemical processes. Time-dependent clogging will be evaluated through geotechnical laboratory & field testing. Expected outcomes are enhanced PRB design methods and sound geotechnical field monitoring to provide significant industry benefits, such as mine-site rehabilitation, increased productivity and infrastructure longevity.Read moreRead less