Anchorage of reinforcement in concrete structures subjected to loading and environmental extremes. The consequences of collapse of a reinforced concrete building are severe both in terms of cost and human lives. When subjected to extreme events, such as earthquake, blast, accidental impact or other overloads, a concrete structure should deform excessively, but not collapse, i.e. it must be robust. Robustness requires that the steel reinforcement is ductile and that it is adequately anchored in t ....Anchorage of reinforcement in concrete structures subjected to loading and environmental extremes. The consequences of collapse of a reinforced concrete building are severe both in terms of cost and human lives. When subjected to extreme events, such as earthquake, blast, accidental impact or other overloads, a concrete structure should deform excessively, but not collapse, i.e. it must be robust. Robustness requires that the steel reinforcement is ductile and that it is adequately anchored in the concrete. When a collapse does occur, it is often due to inadequate anchorage of the steel bars. This project will re-assess the anchorage requirements for reinforcement in concrete structures and provide reliable guidance to the construction industry. The project will lead directly to improvements in the safety and reliability of structures.Read moreRead less
FRACTURE OF STEEL FIBRE-REINFORCED CONCRETE: MODES I & II. In 2000-2001 Australia spent 17.5 billon dollars on heavy engineering infrastructure development (3% of its gross domestic product). As this infrastructure ages costs of repairs and maintenance magnifies. Conventional structural concrete can significantly deteriorate with time requiring regular and often costly maintenance. This research goes to the development of a class of "super" concretes with very high strengths and with excellent d ....FRACTURE OF STEEL FIBRE-REINFORCED CONCRETE: MODES I & II. In 2000-2001 Australia spent 17.5 billon dollars on heavy engineering infrastructure development (3% of its gross domestic product). As this infrastructure ages costs of repairs and maintenance magnifies. Conventional structural concrete can significantly deteriorate with time requiring regular and often costly maintenance. This research goes to the development of a class of "super" concretes with very high strengths and with excellent durability properties. With improved understanding of fracture and fracture processes with these materials, new models can be developed to represent the behaviour of structural elements fabricated with this "super" class of concretes and speed their implementation into Australian construction practice.Read moreRead less
A Re-evaluation of the Safety and Reliability Indices for Reinforced Concrete Structures. The use of concrete in Australian building structures exceeds 13 million tonnes per year and its impact on the environment is considerable. With 5% of total CO2 emissions coming from cement production, one of the main components of concrete, it is imperative that Australian standards produce efficient design solutions. Preliminary modelling shows that a minimum 5% efficiency gain is possible through a re-ev ....A Re-evaluation of the Safety and Reliability Indices for Reinforced Concrete Structures. The use of concrete in Australian building structures exceeds 13 million tonnes per year and its impact on the environment is considerable. With 5% of total CO2 emissions coming from cement production, one of the main components of concrete, it is imperative that Australian standards produce efficient design solutions. Preliminary modelling shows that a minimum 5% efficiency gain is possible through a re-evaluation of reliability indices with contemporary construction practices and materials, giving an immediate 180,000 tonne per annum reduction in carbon emissions. Added to this are savings through reduced transport and reduced water, sand and aggregate consumption, the potential saving on the environment, and economy, are considerable.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Damage Progression and its Effects on the Expected Safety and Satisfactory Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure. The extent of reinforcement corrosion in existing infrastructure will influence demolish/repair decisions, maintenance strategies and hence the frequency, timing, extent and required level of efficiency and effectiveness of repairs. The project will provide improved evaluation of existing structural systems by considering improved deterioration model ....Modelling of Damage Progression and its Effects on the Expected Safety and Satisfactory Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure. The extent of reinforcement corrosion in existing infrastructure will influence demolish/repair decisions, maintenance strategies and hence the frequency, timing, extent and required level of efficiency and effectiveness of repairs. The project will provide improved evaluation of existing structural systems by considering improved deterioration modelling and predictions of safety and satisfactory performance. The potential economic benefits of greater precision in infrastructure replacement or repair strategies and of the risks involved are large given that the size of Australia's infrastructure stock is valued at over $400 billion and its maintenance involves considerable costs.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354805
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring tog ....Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring together a multi-disciplinary team with complementary strengths to provide an integrated solution for rehabilitation of structures. The core of the network focuses on design tools, linking the various technologies to provide appropriate rehabilitation and understanding of life cycle demands for major infrastructure.Read moreRead less
DEBONDING FAILURE IN CFRP STRENGTHENED CONCRETE STRUCTURES. In 1999-2000 Australia spent $19 billion on civil engineering infrastructure renewal (3% of the country's GDP). The repair of damaged structures and strengthening of existing structures has become a research priority to maximise the life of aging infrastructure. A method that shows particular promise is the use of CFRP technology to retrofit structures. The repair technology, however, requires development and questions remain as to bond ....DEBONDING FAILURE IN CFRP STRENGTHENED CONCRETE STRUCTURES. In 1999-2000 Australia spent $19 billion on civil engineering infrastructure renewal (3% of the country's GDP). The repair of damaged structures and strengthening of existing structures has become a research priority to maximise the life of aging infrastructure. A method that shows particular promise is the use of CFRP technology to retrofit structures. The repair technology, however, requires development and questions remain as to bonding mechanics and debonding strength of the repair material from the structure. This research will provide high quality experimental data and will develop a rational analytical model for debonding between CFRP plates from the parent concrete.Read moreRead less
The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) ha ....The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) has resulted in concrete slabs with relatively brittle failure modes and its use has been the subject of much debate. This research will investigate the ductility of two-way slabs containing Class L mesh and the applicability of established design procedures. It will lead to safer and better performing r.c. floor systems and, if necessary, new ductility specifications for Class L steel.Read moreRead less
Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failur ....Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failures. This project aims to research the innovative use of steel fibre reinforced concrete in these slabs, which has been shown (at UNSW and elsewhere) in other applications to possess superior strength properties when subjected to a variety of loading regimes.Read moreRead less
Strength and Ductility of Steel Fibre Reinforced HSC Columns. Research has identified two problems in the use of HSC in columns; they are early spalling of the concrete cover and ductility. Ductility is an important feature of any structural member as it guards against unforeseen overload and sudden collapse. The provision of steel fibres has the potential to alleviate, if not solve, both problems. However, little research has been undertaken on the use of steel fibres in columns and questions s ....Strength and Ductility of Steel Fibre Reinforced HSC Columns. Research has identified two problems in the use of HSC in columns; they are early spalling of the concrete cover and ductility. Ductility is an important feature of any structural member as it guards against unforeseen overload and sudden collapse. The provision of steel fibres has the potential to alleviate, if not solve, both problems. However, little research has been undertaken on the use of steel fibres in columns and questions such as the quantity of fibres needed to control cover spalling and the degree that fibre reinforcement aids ductility remain largely unexplored. These issues are addressed in this project.Read moreRead less
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