Long term stabilisation of expansive soils by polymer addition. Expansive soils can cause serious damage to infrastructure. The project aims to study the feasibility of reducing the long term swelling potential of expansive soils by polymer addition. The project involves advanced experimental testing to identify suitable candidates amongst different polymers and to test their long term performance.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100212
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,229.00
Summary
Behaviour and reliability of Veneer Based Composite structures manufactured from waste hardwood plantation thinning. This project will investigate the structural behaviour, strength and reliability of innovative veneer based composite structures manufactured from waste hardwood plantation thinning. Unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross-sectional shapes and can be made in sizes currently not available in timber. Yet due to the proportion of natural singularities in the materia ....Behaviour and reliability of Veneer Based Composite structures manufactured from waste hardwood plantation thinning. This project will investigate the structural behaviour, strength and reliability of innovative veneer based composite structures manufactured from waste hardwood plantation thinning. Unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross-sectional shapes and can be made in sizes currently not available in timber. Yet due to the proportion of natural singularities in the material, the variability in their mechanical properties is not fully understood and their actual strength cannot be accurately predicted. Additionally, their exact structural behaviour and failure modes require attention. This project aims to fill these gaps in knowledge and ultimately establish probability-based limit state design criteria for these sections.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
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
Geotechnical properties and compaction characteristics of granular wastes as potential port reclamation fill. In moving towards sustainable waste management, the Australian mining and steel industry is proactively seeking large scale recycling schemes for coal wash and slag. If the construction potential of these wastes is favourable for reclamation, then the environmental and socio-economic benefits will be substantial due to less quarrying of fresh rock and reduced volume of waste tips on oth ....Geotechnical properties and compaction characteristics of granular wastes as potential port reclamation fill. In moving towards sustainable waste management, the Australian mining and steel industry is proactively seeking large scale recycling schemes for coal wash and slag. If the construction potential of these wastes is favourable for reclamation, then the environmental and socio-economic benefits will be substantial due to less quarrying of fresh rock and reduced volume of waste tips on otherwise usable land. The research outcomes will be published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, raising Australia's scientific profile in granular waste management. The geotechnical community will benefit through the rigorous training of professionals, while industry hosted seminars will promote the dissemination of knowledge gained to practitioners.Read moreRead less
The role of vegetation and associated root suction and reinforcement on the stabilisation of transport corridors and sloping ground. The project will promote the concept of green corridors and green hills for stabilising unstable soils through optimum root reinforcement and suction. The improved load capacity, control of unacceptable soil movement and slope stabilisation will provide an efficient platform for sustainable development of transport and building infrastructure.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101512
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Behaviour of novel FRP-timber composite thin-walled structural members. This project aims to investigate the structural behaviour of innovative hybrid Fibre Reinforced Polymer - Timber Composite (FRPTC) sections manufactured from small 'sawlog' timber. These FRPTC sections are made by taking advantage of the orthotropic material properties and, unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross sectional shapes and can be made easily in different sizes to match the requirements. Even thou ....Behaviour of novel FRP-timber composite thin-walled structural members. This project aims to investigate the structural behaviour of innovative hybrid Fibre Reinforced Polymer - Timber Composite (FRPTC) sections manufactured from small 'sawlog' timber. These FRPTC sections are made by taking advantage of the orthotropic material properties and, unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross sectional shapes and can be made easily in different sizes to match the requirements. Even though preliminary studies have shown promising results, behaviour of these FRPTC sections are not yet fully understood. This project aims to investigate the behaviour of these novel FRPTC sections and to develop numerical models to allow wide usage of these sections.Read moreRead less
Behaviour of novel FRP-timber ultralight thin-walled structural members. This project aims to investigate the structural behaviour of innovative hybrid fibre reinforced polymer–timber composite (FRPTC) thin-walled members which could be used as structural members in roof systems, façade systems, floor systems, etc. These FRPTC sections are made by taking advantage of the orthotropic material properties. Unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross-sectional shapes and can be made ea ....Behaviour of novel FRP-timber ultralight thin-walled structural members. This project aims to investigate the structural behaviour of innovative hybrid fibre reinforced polymer–timber composite (FRPTC) thin-walled members which could be used as structural members in roof systems, façade systems, floor systems, etc. These FRPTC sections are made by taking advantage of the orthotropic material properties. Unlike sawn timber, these structures have efficient cross-sectional shapes and can be made easily in different sizes to match the requirements. Preliminary studies have shown promising results, however the behaviour of these novel FRPTC members is not yet fully understood. This project aims to investigate the behaviour of these novel FRPTC thin-walled members, specifically Cee-section members.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