Retrofitted brick masonry buildings - are they reliable over the long term? The aim of this project is to investigate the long-term reliability of a new earthquake strengthening technique for brick buildings. The technique involves the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips as reinforcement for brick walls and has been shown to give substantial instantaneous strength increases. However, no research has been undertaken to ensure that the improved strength is sustained over the remaining lif ....Retrofitted brick masonry buildings - are they reliable over the long term? The aim of this project is to investigate the long-term reliability of a new earthquake strengthening technique for brick buildings. The technique involves the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips as reinforcement for brick walls and has been shown to give substantial instantaneous strength increases. However, no research has been undertaken to ensure that the improved strength is sustained over the remaining life of the building. The only related research involves reinforced concrete which suggests that a reduction of at least 33 per cent could be expected. Hence, this project will quantify the long-term strength of FRP reinforced brickwork to enable engineers to safely apply this new cost-effective retrofit technique.Read moreRead less
Composite tubular construction subject to impact and blast loading. This project will advance the knowledge of composite tubular members and connections under impact and blast loading. It will provide confident design methodology against impact and blast loading for buildings designated as prominent targets or items of critical infrastructure, to save lives and reduce losses.
Ontology-based collaboration in design. The design process of a building project establishes function, form and performance for the final building. When multiple participants from varying professions are involved there is a serious problem in coordinating, communicating, and locating information around each design decision. Establishing an ontology for this process, and using this ontology to structure all participant communication, will allow the requisite information from all participants to b ....Ontology-based collaboration in design. The design process of a building project establishes function, form and performance for the final building. When multiple participants from varying professions are involved there is a serious problem in coordinating, communicating, and locating information around each design decision. Establishing an ontology for this process, and using this ontology to structure all participant communication, will allow the requisite information from all participants to be considered for each design decision. This will greatly reduce rework and poor design decisions based on missed information. It will also ensure that participants are aware of all related information for their particular design tasks.Read moreRead less
Improved analysis techniques for seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings with flexible floor/roof diaphragms. A major international collaboration between researchers in Australia, New Zealand and Italy is underway to develop a method for structural engineers to determine which masonry buildings post a significant hazard to the public in the event of an earthquake such as that which struck the city of Christchurch.
Symmetry in Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic s ....Symmetry in Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic science and unexpected technological benefits can easily arise (for example, in medical imaging). Fundamental mathematical research is absolutely necessary if Australia is to maintain a presence on the international scientific stage.
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Classification and Invariants in Complex Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is the study of shape using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area. Complex differential geometry refers to geometry based on the complex numbers, generally a rich and intriguing setting. Geometries will be distinguished by the construction of suitable invariants, both algebraic and analytic. Classification problems will be solved by these means. Of particular i ....Classification and Invariants in Complex Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is the study of shape using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area. Complex differential geometry refers to geometry based on the complex numbers, generally a rich and intriguing setting. Geometries will be distinguished by the construction of suitable invariants, both algebraic and analytic. Classification problems will be solved by these means. Of particular interest are geometries with a high degree of symmetry, a critical feature that pervades both mathematics and physics. Twistor theory provides the unifying theme for this project.Read moreRead less
Homotopical structures in algebraic, analytic, and equivariant geometry. This is a project for fundamental research in pure mathematics. It is focused on an emerging subfield of complex geometry concerned with spaces and maps that exhibit exceptional flexibility properties, which often go hand-in-hand with a high degree of symmetry. The project aims to develop the foundations of this new area, solve several open problems, and pursue interconnections with and applications to algebraic geometry, c ....Homotopical structures in algebraic, analytic, and equivariant geometry. This is a project for fundamental research in pure mathematics. It is focused on an emerging subfield of complex geometry concerned with spaces and maps that exhibit exceptional flexibility properties, which often go hand-in-hand with a high degree of symmetry. The project aims to develop the foundations of this new area, solve several open problems, and pursue interconnections with and applications to algebraic geometry, complex analysis, geometric invariant theory, and topology.Read moreRead less
Making architectural identity: the architecture of John Andrews. The important Australian architect John Andrews had a career unique for its success, first in Canada and the United States and then in Australia. Research into his design work and how it has been understood will develop new knowledge of design practices of the 1970s, how architecture is understood in terms of nationality, and how design has become globalised.
Symmetries in real and complex geometry. This project concerns an important area of abstract modern geometry. The results and techniques of the project will lead to significant progress in this area. It will benefit the national scientific reputation, strengthen the research profile of the home institutions, and provide training to young researchers.
Continuous non-invasive assessment of the physical condition of water distribution systems. Water distribution systems represent the single most important part of a society's infrastructure yet there are no comprehensive methods for detecting or assessing their physical condition. A suite of techniques (including those adapted from radar and sonar) for pro-active condition assessment will be developed in this research. The objective is to add significant intelligent and sophisticated numerical m ....Continuous non-invasive assessment of the physical condition of water distribution systems. Water distribution systems represent the single most important part of a society's infrastructure yet there are no comprehensive methods for detecting or assessing their physical condition. A suite of techniques (including those adapted from radar and sonar) for pro-active condition assessment will be developed in this research. The objective is to add significant intelligent and sophisticated numerical modelling capability to enable the non-invasive analysis of the transient pressure data, and to enable real-world application. This research will enable the continuous assessment of the physical condition of the entire water distribution system from an operations room resulting in significant savings.Read moreRead less