A multi-scale approach to investigate desiccation cracking in clayey soils. The project plans to develop a model of the mechanism of drying shrinkage and associated cracking in soils. Soil desiccation cracking can adversely affect the stability and performance of many vital geo-infrastructures. For example, desiccation cracks have contributed to dam and slope failures incurring significant damages. Our understanding of the mechanism of drying shrinkage cracking and ways to control or avoid such ....A multi-scale approach to investigate desiccation cracking in clayey soils. The project plans to develop a model of the mechanism of drying shrinkage and associated cracking in soils. Soil desiccation cracking can adversely affect the stability and performance of many vital geo-infrastructures. For example, desiccation cracks have contributed to dam and slope failures incurring significant damages. Our understanding of the mechanism of drying shrinkage cracking and ways to control or avoid such cracking in soils is not yet fully developed. This project aims to advance knowledge of the nature of crack initiation and propagation in clayey soils induced by moisture evaporation, through the use of advanced experimental and modelling techniques. Outcomes are expected to lead to new continuum models for reliable prediction of soil desiccation cracking.Read moreRead less
Design and Construction Error Mitigation in Infrastructure Projects. Human errors committed during the design and construction process of infrastructure projects increase costs by as much as 25 per cent. The costs associated with such errors would be significantly higher in the event of an engineering failure and loss of life. This research will develop a model that can be used to mitigate errors and improve the performance and safety of infrastructure projects. A reduction in errors will reduce ....Design and Construction Error Mitigation in Infrastructure Projects. Human errors committed during the design and construction process of infrastructure projects increase costs by as much as 25 per cent. The costs associated with such errors would be significantly higher in the event of an engineering failure and loss of life. This research will develop a model that can be used to mitigate errors and improve the performance and safety of infrastructure projects. A reduction in errors will reduce the financial burden placed on taxpayers for cost overruns experienced as well as improve the profitability of organisations. This will lead to greater investment, and contribution to gross domestic product.Read moreRead less
The use of innovative anchors for the achievement of composite action for rehabilitating existing and deployment of demountable steel structures. This project will develop an innovative technology to connect steel and concrete elements in steel framed structures. This will allow new structures to be made demountable and will increase the remaining life of existing infrastructure. This will provide methodologies to increase the sustainability benefits of steel structures in construction.
Control of cracking caused by early-age contraction of concrete. An extensive program of laboratory testing will be undertaken to quantify the extent of cracking in concrete walls and slabs due to early-age cooling and shrinkage of concrete. Analytical models for quantifying restraint in walls and slabs will be developed, as will methods for the prediction and control of crack widths and crack spacings.
Impact of rolling dynamic compaction. The project will lead to improved understanding and greater use of rolling dynamic compaction (RDC). RDC is a relatively new compaction technique that can be used to improve soft and derelict ground prior to the construction of roads, railways, subdivisions and structures. This project will also lead to greatly reduced ground improvement costs.
Containment and reduction of rework in offshore oil and gas projects. This research will ensure that hydrocarbon projects are delivered successfully, on time and budget, safely to specified quality and with minimal environment impact. The successful delivery of such projects is thwarted by rework made during the design process. Strategies to reduce rework from occurring in the future will be developed.
Assessment of Dynamic Pile Driving Using Machine Learning. This project aims at developing new technology to determine ground properties and foundation capacity in real-time during pile installation by adopting rigorous numerical simulation, laboratory experiments and artificial intelligence-based computational model. Although impact driving is used commonly to install piles on site, there is no technology currently available to interpret collected data accurately and in real-time to provide liv ....Assessment of Dynamic Pile Driving Using Machine Learning. This project aims at developing new technology to determine ground properties and foundation capacity in real-time during pile installation by adopting rigorous numerical simulation, laboratory experiments and artificial intelligence-based computational model. Although impact driving is used commonly to install piles on site, there is no technology currently available to interpret collected data accurately and in real-time to provide live feedback and optimise construction processes. This research will provide new machine learning model to assess the ground and foundation characteristics during construction, and will increase certainty in infrastructure investment in Australia particularly for costly transport assets and infrastructure.Read moreRead less
The behaviour and design of composite columns coupling the benefits of high strength steel and high strength concrete for large scale infrastructure. This project will involve the development of a novel structural column system which will be more efficient, robust and require less maintenance than current systems. The outcomes will involve improved design methodologies which will enable large scale infrastructure to be enhanced and will involve the use of materials which improve sustainability.
Lightweight, durable and self-sustainable modular composites buildings. This project aims to establish a modular composites building system that is lightweight, integrated with power supply system and is highly resistant to harsh environments. Buildings today are designed and constructed using conventional craft-based labour-intensive methods and materials. This results in high cost and consequences for quality, safety, resource and environmental impact. By developing the modular building system ....Lightweight, durable and self-sustainable modular composites buildings. This project aims to establish a modular composites building system that is lightweight, integrated with power supply system and is highly resistant to harsh environments. Buildings today are designed and constructed using conventional craft-based labour-intensive methods and materials. This results in high cost and consequences for quality, safety, resource and environmental impact. By developing the modular building system using lightweight and durable fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and innovative connection methods for fast assembly, the project outcomes can largely lift productivity in construction industry and further provide self-sustainable civil infrastructure not only in urban and rural regions but also in remote areas.Read moreRead less
Connections for hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures. Connections play a vital role in overall performance, reliability, and adaptability of civil structures. This project aims to develop innovative, easy to fabricate and efficient connections for hybrid structural systems that fully exploit advantages of steel, concrete and engineered timber to reduce the self-weight, cost and negative environmental impact and enhance opportunities for deconstruction, reusing and upgrading of the structures. ....Connections for hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures. Connections play a vital role in overall performance, reliability, and adaptability of civil structures. This project aims to develop innovative, easy to fabricate and efficient connections for hybrid structural systems that fully exploit advantages of steel, concrete and engineered timber to reduce the self-weight, cost and negative environmental impact and enhance opportunities for deconstruction, reusing and upgrading of the structures. Structural performance of the connections will be assessed by laboratory testing and advanced numerical modelling. Comprehensive knowledge on stiffness, strength, and ductility and world-first provisions for safe and cost-effective design of the hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures are generated.Read moreRead less