The Characterisation of Fires in Tunnels. A series of 22 fires ranging from 2 megawatt up to 20 megawatt intensity will be set under controlled conditions in unused tunnel facilities, in New South Wales. Instrumentation in the tunnel, donated by the State Rail Authority of New South Wales, will monitor the movement of particulates (smoke). This information is vital to tunnel design, and for passenger life safety. This information will be applicable to all tunnels worldwide.
Development of a Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) Database. In recent years, incidents of fire flashover have caused considerable destruction to property and the loss of life. Fire prediction and understanding is an area of significance to both the Australian public and the firefighting profession. The NSW Fire Brigade has recently introduced Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT). To extend this scheme, a database of configurations will be developed using computational modelling, ....Development of a Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) Database. In recent years, incidents of fire flashover have caused considerable destruction to property and the loss of life. Fire prediction and understanding is an area of significance to both the Australian public and the firefighting profession. The NSW Fire Brigade has recently introduced Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT). To extend this scheme, a database of configurations will be developed using computational modelling, allowing firefighters the ability to experience virtually different situations. Detailed experimental studies will be conducted to validate the numerical model. This database will have use and significance beyond Australia and successful implementation promises reductions in the loss of life and property.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical study of sprinklers for improved fire safety. Fire sprinklers are a common method for extinguishing fires. Current lack of detailed knowledge about sprinklers can lead to conservative design and excessive cost, often limiting the installation of these proven life-saving devices. This project sees the involvement of Arup Pty Ltd and the NSW Fire Brigade in examining the behaviour of sprinklers using a custom-designed test-rig, laser based measurement and a numerical mod ....Experimental and numerical study of sprinklers for improved fire safety. Fire sprinklers are a common method for extinguishing fires. Current lack of detailed knowledge about sprinklers can lead to conservative design and excessive cost, often limiting the installation of these proven life-saving devices. This project sees the involvement of Arup Pty Ltd and the NSW Fire Brigade in examining the behaviour of sprinklers using a custom-designed test-rig, laser based measurement and a numerical model. This will result in improved confidence in sprinkler specification and installation and the project will have use and significance beyond Australia. Successful implementation promises reductions in the loss of life and property as well as financial savings.Read moreRead less
Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detaile ....Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detailed laboratory and field testing, and advanced numerical modelling, the outcome will be the ability to confidently assess various foundation remediation strategies in reactive clay soils, and provide much needed design guidance to the geotechnical profession and building industry.Read moreRead less
Improving thermal performance of low-cost houses for better health of occupants and to reduce costs of temperature control. Recent projects in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities show that internal house temperatures can vary from accepted temperature ranges that promote well-being, particularly in young children, by up to 20ºC in both summer and winter.
Low-cost housing with poor thermal performance often results in reliance on 'active', often costly-to-run, heating and cooli ....Improving thermal performance of low-cost houses for better health of occupants and to reduce costs of temperature control. Recent projects in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities show that internal house temperatures can vary from accepted temperature ranges that promote well-being, particularly in young children, by up to 20ºC in both summer and winter.
Low-cost housing with poor thermal performance often results in reliance on 'active', often costly-to-run, heating and cooling appliances.
Measured internal temperatures, energy and water-use data from Indigenous houses will be analysed to demonstrate the link between low-cost house design and poor thermal performance. A methodology and prioritised guidelines for improving temperature control in existing and new low-cost housing will be formulated.
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Strength of two-way steel fibre reinforced composite flooring systems. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems, and Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) applications are becoming widespread. Australia is a recognised world leader in the research of both composite structures and SFRC. Using SFRC in composite decks to eliminate conventional reinforcement is very efficient and cost-effective, b ....Strength of two-way steel fibre reinforced composite flooring systems. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems, and Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) applications are becoming widespread. Australia is a recognised world leader in the research of both composite structures and SFRC. Using SFRC in composite decks to eliminate conventional reinforcement is very efficient and cost-effective, but surprisingly little relevant research aimed at the Australian industry has been reported. Comprehensive design guidance is much needed to advance this technology. This project will give designers confidence and expertise to advance these technologies, while maintaining Australian research and practice in composite structures at the forefront.Read moreRead less
Time-Dependent Response and Deformations of Composite Beams with Innovative Deep Trapezoidal Decks. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems. Australia is a world leader in the research of composite structures. Composite beams undergo deformations because the concrete creeps and shrinks, and because the slab slips relative to the steel joist. Surprisingly little research has address ....Time-Dependent Response and Deformations of Composite Beams with Innovative Deep Trapezoidal Decks. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems. Australia is a world leader in the research of composite structures. Composite beams undergo deformations because the concrete creeps and shrinks, and because the slab slips relative to the steel joist. Surprisingly little research has addressed these issues collectively; they are of paramount significance with trapezoidal decks and research is much-needed. This research will investigate the interaction of creep, shrinkage and partial interaction in these composite beams, producing valuable design guidance to keep Australian research and practice at the forefront internationally.Read moreRead less
Behaviour of post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs. Post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs represent an attractive and novel form of construction capable of combining the advantages of the two most commonly used flooring systems in the Australian building industry which consist of post-tensioned slabs in the case of concrete structures and of composite slabs for steel structures. The advantages of this novel system cannot be exploited as yet as no design guidelines are currently a ....Behaviour of post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs. Post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs represent an attractive and novel form of construction capable of combining the advantages of the two most commonly used flooring systems in the Australian building industry which consist of post-tensioned slabs in the case of concrete structures and of composite slabs for steel structures. The advantages of this novel system cannot be exploited as yet as no design guidelines are currently available. The proposed research team embraces all the construction building industry and will investigate the structural behaviour of post-tensioned composite slabs, producing valuable design guidance to keep Australian research and practice at the forefront internationally.Read moreRead less
Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam phy ....Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam physics, new knowledge of the thermodynamic environment used in physical vapour deposition of thin films and new knowedge in the application of Ion beam Technology to optical thin film growth and characteristics.
This project is significant, developing core knowledge and understanding with potential to lead to process efficiency gains, improved optical film characteristics and accessing new areas of research (rf/photoic devices). This project will advance the current state of art in the field of Ion Beam Technology and Ion Beam assisted physical vapour deposition.
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Development of a Novel and Quantitative Approach to Phase Imaging with Applications to Functional Nanomaterials. This project will improve and apply an innovative approach to obtaining phase information from electron microscopy images, currently being commercialised by IATIA Ltd. We will develop the approach so that it is fully quantitative, even at the nanoscale, and explore the effect of experimental parameters such as beam coherence, aberrations, specimen contamination and diffraction. We wil ....Development of a Novel and Quantitative Approach to Phase Imaging with Applications to Functional Nanomaterials. This project will improve and apply an innovative approach to obtaining phase information from electron microscopy images, currently being commercialised by IATIA Ltd. We will develop the approach so that it is fully quantitative, even at the nanoscale, and explore the effect of experimental parameters such as beam coherence, aberrations, specimen contamination and diffraction. We will apply the method to both physical and molecular nanomaterials, including a new class of self-organising molecules. Phase imaging can visualise the structures, polarities, charge and conductivity distributions in these materials and so assist in the development of new materials and devices.Read moreRead less