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
Unified analysis of steel and composite frame structures subjected to static, thermal, earthquake and blast loading. Understanding the science of extreme loading on engineering structures is essential for their design, and increasingly with terrorism threats there is a need for assessment and strengthening of identified vulnerable critical infrastructure. Rational design paradigms have not yet matured for extreme load scenarios, and they are much-needed to protect life, limb and amenity. Austral ....Unified analysis of steel and composite frame structures subjected to static, thermal, earthquake and blast loading. Understanding the science of extreme loading on engineering structures is essential for their design, and increasingly with terrorism threats there is a need for assessment and strengthening of identified vulnerable critical infrastructure. Rational design paradigms have not yet matured for extreme load scenarios, and they are much-needed to protect life, limb and amenity. Australian research is at the forefront in steel and composite structures, and this project will strengthen Australia's positioning in the discipline by developing transparent design and assessment procedures from an efficient algorithm that delivers hands-on guidance for engineering practitioners.Read moreRead less
Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is ....Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is excessive, and the high expense involved in providing this protection is leading structural steel being rejected in engineering design. This growing trend is leading to a potential downturn in structural steel production, which has serious economic and social ramifications on Australian communities whose fabric is centred on this activity.Read moreRead less
Demonstrating the feasibility of designing sustainable buildings using evolutionary systems. The design approach proposed in this research will result in two key areas of national benefit. First, the research will enable Australian built environment design professions to become more competitive in both domestic and international markets. There is a growing demand for environmentally-friendly buildings and the proposed design approach will enable Australian firms to be at the cutting edge of sust ....Demonstrating the feasibility of designing sustainable buildings using evolutionary systems. The design approach proposed in this research will result in two key areas of national benefit. First, the research will enable Australian built environment design professions to become more competitive in both domestic and international markets. There is a growing demand for environmentally-friendly buildings and the proposed design approach will enable Australian firms to be at the cutting edge of sustainable design. Second, the research will enable the Australian built environment to become more sustainable. The proposed approach will enable buildings to be designed that perform well, that are cost effective and that minimise their environmental impact. 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