Finite Strain with large rotations: A new hybrid numerical/experimental approach. Deformation up to large strains and rotations is important in rocks, metals, polymers, and biomaterials. Computational mechanics is a standard tool for modelling such deformations. However, in earth sciences, mechanical theories use small-strain formulations or large-strain approaches with classical stress rates. Classical stress rates can lead to incorrect stored energies. This project proposes to test a new large ....Finite Strain with large rotations: A new hybrid numerical/experimental approach. Deformation up to large strains and rotations is important in rocks, metals, polymers, and biomaterials. Computational mechanics is a standard tool for modelling such deformations. However, in earth sciences, mechanical theories use small-strain formulations or large-strain approaches with classical stress rates. Classical stress rates can lead to incorrect stored energies. This project proposes to test a new large-strain theory tailored to rocks experimentally, and to apply it to a pivotal geological problem: shear zone formation. The project will advance our fundamental understanding of the mechanics and energetics of rock deformation and provide a novel tool for the modelling of large deformations.Read moreRead less
Assessing and enhancing the resilience of Australian beaches to sea level rise. Accurate forecasting of coastal recession due to sea level rise is required for planning and the design of coastal defences, but the existing method is widely disputed. With collaboration with world leading research partners, this study will perform unique laboratory experiments to determine the vulnerability of Australian beaches to sea level rise and to test environmentally sustainable measures to increase their re ....Assessing and enhancing the resilience of Australian beaches to sea level rise. Accurate forecasting of coastal recession due to sea level rise is required for planning and the design of coastal defences, but the existing method is widely disputed. With collaboration with world leading research partners, this study will perform unique laboratory experiments to determine the vulnerability of Australian beaches to sea level rise and to test environmentally sustainable measures to increase their resilience. The research will address longstanding uncertainties and significantly enhance the ability of communities to plan for a changing climate. The project will deliver new data and models of immediate benefit to professional engineers to enable robust engineering decisions which enhance the safety of coastal communities.Read moreRead less
Catastrophic Rock and Concrete Brittle Failures. Brittle rocks and concrete under extreme stresses fracture spontaneously and without pre-warning. In deep mining and tunnelling this causes fatalities, injuries and serious damage. Based on recent advances by the CIs in understanding the effect of biaxial loading and the free surface on catastrophic fracture propagation, the project aims to develop a new paradigm of monitoring, prediction and prevention of dangerous skin rock burst-type failures. ....Catastrophic Rock and Concrete Brittle Failures. Brittle rocks and concrete under extreme stresses fracture spontaneously and without pre-warning. In deep mining and tunnelling this causes fatalities, injuries and serious damage. Based on recent advances by the CIs in understanding the effect of biaxial loading and the free surface on catastrophic fracture propagation, the project aims to develop a new paradigm of monitoring, prediction and prevention of dangerous skin rock burst-type failures. A unique experimental methodology, measurements and analytical and numerical models will be employed to provide a better understanding of the fundamental processes in rock fracturing. This will lead to safer and more cost-effective deep rock engineering designs.Read moreRead less
Vortex and force characteristics of inclined offshore cylindrical structures in oscillatory flows. Understanding the effects of the inclination angle of an offshore cylindrical structure on hydrodynamic loads in waves is vitally important for safety and longevity of these structures. The project outcomes will be invaluable in minimising the chances of structural failure and enhancing Australia's capabilities in hydrodynamic research.
Local scour below offshore pipelines on calcareous sediments. This project will improve predictions of erosion around subsea structures in calcareous sediment, allowing potential pipeline self-burial. This will reduce the considerable costs currently spent on pipeline stabilisation and increase the viability of Australia's offshore resources and the competitiveness of the Australian oil and gas industry.
Predicting scour and scour-induced settlement of subsea infrastructure. This project aims to develop improved predictions and understanding of the potential and extent of scour and scour-induced settlement of subsea infrastructure on mobile seabeds. This is expected to enable scour and settlement to be accounted for directly in engineering stability and serviceability design, overturning current practice which ignores both effects on the basis of using scour protection and costly maintenance and ....Predicting scour and scour-induced settlement of subsea infrastructure. This project aims to develop improved predictions and understanding of the potential and extent of scour and scour-induced settlement of subsea infrastructure on mobile seabeds. This is expected to enable scour and settlement to be accounted for directly in engineering stability and serviceability design, overturning current practice which ignores both effects on the basis of using scour protection and costly maintenance and remediation. Development of accurate predictions is expected to be achieved through physical model testing, numerical modelling and analysis of field data. Predictions should improve subsea reliability and lead to omission of scour protection in some situations, increasing international competitiveness of our offshore oil and gas industry.Read moreRead less
Development and validation of an innovative wind stress model to obtain robust storm surge forecasts. Storm surges represent a major ocean flood hazard to coastal communities but present models have large errors, which are often dangerously low. Through international collaboration, this project will collect new field data and develop a new storm surge model which will enhance community safety by ensuring accurate forecasts of ocean flood levels.
Development of structural-functional integrated concrete. This project seeks to create a structural concrete to control indoor temperature using thermal energy storage aggregates (TESA). Such concrete would improve indoor comfort without human intervention and significantly reduce the energy consumed in heating and cooling. TESA concrete is made of porous lightweight aggregate impregnated with phase-change materials. The aim of this project is to investigate and optimise the structural and funct ....Development of structural-functional integrated concrete. This project seeks to create a structural concrete to control indoor temperature using thermal energy storage aggregates (TESA). Such concrete would improve indoor comfort without human intervention and significantly reduce the energy consumed in heating and cooling. TESA concrete is made of porous lightweight aggregate impregnated with phase-change materials. The aim of this project is to investigate and optimise the structural and functional performance of TESA concrete. In particular, it aims to reveal the microstructure, mechanical, thermal, durability properties of TESA concrete and ways to optimise its overall performance. This knowledge would provide a solid foundation for the numerical simulation of TESA concrete and its use in engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure ....Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure) of proppant and inadequate fracking control. The project results are expected to substantially increase the accuracy of design and monitoring of fracture opening, geometry and fluid flow to improve efficiency, safety and environmental security of the resource and energy extraction.Read moreRead less
Bed shear stress on beach sediment and coastal structures under wave run-up. The aim of this work is to obtain critical new information about the way waves interact with the coast and the damage they can cause to beaches and coastal protection structures. This new data will provide the basis for improved predictions of coastal erosion and better coastal engineering design in the face of sea-level rise and climate change.