Shallow foundations in unsaturated soils: mechanistic design through numerical modelling, analysis and experimental investigation. This project will close the knowledge gap of how shallow foundations perform in variably saturated soils. It will integrate expertise in unsaturated soil mechanics, theory of elasto-plasticity, numerical modelling, limit analysis and experimental investigation. It will achieve a rigorous understanding of footings founded on unsaturated soils subjected to monotonic lo ....Shallow foundations in unsaturated soils: mechanistic design through numerical modelling, analysis and experimental investigation. This project will close the knowledge gap of how shallow foundations perform in variably saturated soils. It will integrate expertise in unsaturated soil mechanics, theory of elasto-plasticity, numerical modelling, limit analysis and experimental investigation. It will achieve a rigorous understanding of footings founded on unsaturated soils subjected to monotonic loading using a recently developed experimental testing facility, and analyses using finite elements, the method of characteristics and zero extension line theory. Impact and adoption in industry will be direct through world first design tools which incorporate the influence of suction on bearing capacity, settlement and safety.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,000.00
Summary
An earthquake shaking table to investigate soil-structure interactions. An earthquake shaking table to investigate soil-structure interactions: This project aims to develop Australia's most advanced earthquake shaking table. Earthquakes are a problem of great significance to Australia. Infrastructure in civil, transport, mining and energy sectors may be at an unacceptable risk of damage under earthquake loading as current design practices do not account for the interaction between infrastructure ....An earthquake shaking table to investigate soil-structure interactions. An earthquake shaking table to investigate soil-structure interactions: This project aims to develop Australia's most advanced earthquake shaking table. Earthquakes are a problem of great significance to Australia. Infrastructure in civil, transport, mining and energy sectors may be at an unacceptable risk of damage under earthquake loading as current design practices do not account for the interaction between infrastructure and the ground under such loading. The shaking table will simulate earthquakes and enable controlled testing of three-tonne models of foundation and soil-structure interaction systems typical of Australia's infrastructure. The discoveries made are expected to be integral to the modernisation of Australia's seismic design standards so that earthquake-induced damage and risk exposure can be minimised.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100747
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,157.00
Summary
Reliability assessment of concrete-filled steel tubular frames designed by advanced analysis. Concrete-filled steel tubular structures have been increasingly used in high-rise buildings, bridges and other infrastructure due to their enhanced properties such as high strength, high ductility and large energy absorption capability. This project will evaluate the system reliability of concrete-filled steel tubular frames designed by advanced analysis. The influences of inherent uncertainties in load ....Reliability assessment of concrete-filled steel tubular frames designed by advanced analysis. Concrete-filled steel tubular structures have been increasingly used in high-rise buildings, bridges and other infrastructure due to their enhanced properties such as high strength, high ductility and large energy absorption capability. This project will evaluate the system reliability of concrete-filled steel tubular frames designed by advanced analysis. The influences of inherent uncertainties in loads, strength capacities, material properties and geometric properties on the system reliability of such frames will be studied. The outcomes of this project will be used to develop reliability-based provisions to achieve a target reliability range in the design of concrete-filled steel tubular structures.Read moreRead less
Collapse assessment of reinforced concrete buildings in regions of lower seismicity. This research aims to develop a new displacement based (DB) method for regions of lower seismicity, using 'Displacement Controlled' phenomenon, to assess the risk of collapse and seismic performance of buildings. The project will investigate the system behaviour of buildings in Australia that are laterally supported by lightly reinforced concrete geometric walls, including both torsional and wall floor interacti ....Collapse assessment of reinforced concrete buildings in regions of lower seismicity. This research aims to develop a new displacement based (DB) method for regions of lower seismicity, using 'Displacement Controlled' phenomenon, to assess the risk of collapse and seismic performance of buildings. The project will investigate the system behaviour of buildings in Australia that are laterally supported by lightly reinforced concrete geometric walls, including both torsional and wall floor interaction effects. The new DB method could allow buildings in regions of lower seismicity to be designed for robustness, gravity and wind loading and then checked using displacement principles for seismic compliance, which will dramatically simplify and improve the current seismic design process.Read moreRead less
Advancing laterally loaded pile analysis. This project will replace out-of-date solution techniques for the design of pile foundations subjected to wind, waves and other horizontally applied forces and, in so doing, lead to more efficient designs of the foundations for structures such as elevated highways, tall buildings, bridges, jetties, towers, wind turbines and offshore platforms.
Behaviour of ultra-high strength double-skin composite tubular construction. Ultra-high strength (UHS) steel tubes are currently used mainly in the vehicle industry due to their high strength and light weight. This project aims to enable the building of more resilient and sustainable infrastructure by utilising these UHS steel tubes in double-skin composite tubular construction. To date there has been little work to understand the effects of fire, earthquake and impact related incidents on these ....Behaviour of ultra-high strength double-skin composite tubular construction. Ultra-high strength (UHS) steel tubes are currently used mainly in the vehicle industry due to their high strength and light weight. This project aims to enable the building of more resilient and sustainable infrastructure by utilising these UHS steel tubes in double-skin composite tubular construction. To date there has been little work to understand the effects of fire, earthquake and impact related incidents on these structures. This project aims to access unique testing facilities for full size impact and fire testing and the state-of-the-art hybrid testing simulation. It is expected to increase the competitiveness of the Australian manufacturing industry by overcoming the bottleneck in the manufacture of steel sections.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL130100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,204,762.00
Summary
New Frontiers in offshore geotechnics: securing Australia's energy future. Offshore gas lies at the heart of Australia's prosperity, with $120 billion of infrastructure under construction, however its future requires new technology to safely build offshore foundations in our weak and problematic soils. This project will provide engineers with science-based tools to unlock the natural gas 'stranded' in our deep oceans.
Composite tubular construction subject to impact and blast loading. This project will advance the knowledge of composite tubular members and connections under impact and blast loading. It will provide confident design methodology against impact and blast loading for buildings designated as prominent targets or items of critical infrastructure, to save lives and reduce losses.
Seismic behaviour of drive-in steel storage racks. The purpose of this project is to study the behaviour, analysis and design of drive-in steel storage racks in an earthquake event. The main research outcome is the development of scientifically-based guidelines for the safe design of drive-in racks in seismic regions.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100138
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,000.00
Summary
National Drop Weight Impact Testing Facility. National drop weight impact testing facility:
The national drop weight impact testing facility aims to enable dynamic tests on geo- and construction materials and systems. This facility aims to provide state-of-the-art technology to observe the real-time behaviour of elements and sub-assemblies under combined quasi-static and impact loading. Understanding material behaviour under dynamic loading is essential in dealing with many engineering problems ....National Drop Weight Impact Testing Facility. National drop weight impact testing facility:
The national drop weight impact testing facility aims to enable dynamic tests on geo- and construction materials and systems. This facility aims to provide state-of-the-art technology to observe the real-time behaviour of elements and sub-assemblies under combined quasi-static and impact loading. Understanding material behaviour under dynamic loading is essential in dealing with many engineering problems. The facility may advance understanding of the fundamental behaviour of critical infrastructure exposed to impact loading and will foster innovations in design and construction. Applications may include improvement of the structural safety of infrastructure including railway networks, tunnels and bridges, and also the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly building and construction materials. Read moreRead less