Development of sophisticated structural design guidelines for the new building product known as Rapidwall. Rapidwall is an Australian made new composite building product made from formulated gypsum plaster and glass-fibre. This is a high-tech building product that has huge potential to be developed into a dominant building material in the future. It is economic, labor effective, eco-friendly, structural sound and fire, thermal resistant and has many advantages over the existing building material ....Development of sophisticated structural design guidelines for the new building product known as Rapidwall. Rapidwall is an Australian made new composite building product made from formulated gypsum plaster and glass-fibre. This is a high-tech building product that has huge potential to be developed into a dominant building material in the future. It is economic, labor effective, eco-friendly, structural sound and fire, thermal resistant and has many advantages over the existing building materials, such as concrete, steel and masonry. The lack of a technical design guidelines has fundamentally obstructed it from expanding its market share both in Australia and overseas. This proposal aims at developing a structural design manual for the new product.Read moreRead less
Enhanced Analysis of Time Dependent Viscous Behaviour of Soft Clay. Often post construction settlements of structures overlying clayey soils have been observed to be more than those predicted, or the predicted rate of settlement is not correct. The main benefit of this research is providing an accurate but simplified approach, which can be used by practicing engineers to predict the post construction settlement of structures in the design phase of construction projects. The community can conside ....Enhanced Analysis of Time Dependent Viscous Behaviour of Soft Clay. Often post construction settlements of structures overlying clayey soils have been observed to be more than those predicted, or the predicted rate of settlement is not correct. The main benefit of this research is providing an accurate but simplified approach, which can be used by practicing engineers to predict the post construction settlement of structures in the design phase of construction projects. The community can considerably benefit from the findings of this project including safer structures, significant reduction in the future maintenance costs and enhancing the performance of bridges, buildings, roads, railways and dams with less cracks and differential settlement.Read moreRead less
Failure Mechanisms of Roof Cladding under Fluctuating Wind Loads. Wind damage to low-rise buildings cause disruption to communities and result in economic losses. Improvements to the most vulnerable part (i.e. roof) will therefore have national benefits and associated economic benefits. Currently, roofing systems used in cyclonic areas are evaluated to DABM in the Northern Territory and to TR440 elsewhere, requiring the same product be tested under two different (and unsatisfactory) specificat ....Failure Mechanisms of Roof Cladding under Fluctuating Wind Loads. Wind damage to low-rise buildings cause disruption to communities and result in economic losses. Improvements to the most vulnerable part (i.e. roof) will therefore have national benefits and associated economic benefits. Currently, roofing systems used in cyclonic areas are evaluated to DABM in the Northern Territory and to TR440 elsewhere, requiring the same product be tested under two different (and unsatisfactory) specifications. This is due to the limited understanding of wind-induced fatigue of cladding. This project will provide the framework for understanding and minimizing cladding fatigue. A realistic single test will also reduce cost and result in better design systems.Read moreRead less
An integrated model for the assessment of urban sustainability. The redevelopment and improvement of outdated urban infrastructure and the establishment of new infrastructure to meet needs of a growing population and increased services is a challenge faced by urban planners and developers in most Australian cities. This research will develop a systems-based framework within which combinations of models and tools will be evaluated for inclusion in an integrated assessment tool. The tool will ena ....An integrated model for the assessment of urban sustainability. The redevelopment and improvement of outdated urban infrastructure and the establishment of new infrastructure to meet needs of a growing population and increased services is a challenge faced by urban planners and developers in most Australian cities. This research will develop a systems-based framework within which combinations of models and tools will be evaluated for inclusion in an integrated assessment tool. The tool will enable us to address urban growth and its inter-relationship with infrastructure systems and services, including transport, energy, water, affordable housing, education and other land-use issues in relation to a case study of urban development. Read moreRead less
The Development of a Hybrid Energy Simulation Model for Masonry Enclosures. This project aims to develop and validate a hybrid energy simulation model for assessing the thermal performance of masonry enclosures. The model will combine the zonal and computational fluid dynamics modelling techniques into a fully integrated computational tool. Once validated, the proposed model will be employed to evaluate the thermal performance of a wide range of wall designs taking into account the Australian cl ....The Development of a Hybrid Energy Simulation Model for Masonry Enclosures. This project aims to develop and validate a hybrid energy simulation model for assessing the thermal performance of masonry enclosures. The model will combine the zonal and computational fluid dynamics modelling techniques into a fully integrated computational tool. Once validated, the proposed model will be employed to evaluate the thermal performance of a wide range of wall designs taking into account the Australian climatic conditions, construction practices and typical residential developments. The results will be then employed to modify and refine the existing wall designs and develop optimum masonry walling system(s) that are well suited for the Australian climatic conditions.Read moreRead less
Experimental Modelling of Masonry Buildings' Thermal Performance. Mathematical modelling of the thermal performance of buildings has been identified as one of the key technologies necessary for designing energy-efficient buildings. The aim of this project is to develop an experimental model of the thermal response of typical masonry enclosures by establishing relationships between input and output measurements from several full-scale test houses rather than relying on conservation principles. On ....Experimental Modelling of Masonry Buildings' Thermal Performance. Mathematical modelling of the thermal performance of buildings has been identified as one of the key technologies necessary for designing energy-efficient buildings. The aim of this project is to develop an experimental model of the thermal response of typical masonry enclosures by establishing relationships between input and output measurements from several full-scale test houses rather than relying on conservation principles. Once validated, the proposed model will be employed to evaluate the thermal performance of a wide range of walling systems. This should lead to an improved understanding of mechanisms influencing the thermal behaviour of masonry enclosures under Australian climatic conditions.Read moreRead less
Smart Utilisation of Thermal Mass in Masonry Buildings. This study will help determine the effectiveness of a range of novel technologies for smart utilisation of thermal mass in masonry buildings. The ultimate goal is to improve the thermal performance of such constructions. The project focuses on the National Research Priority 3 because of the novel and advanced technological nature of the proposed research. The project has also a significant potential in contributing to the Federal Government ....Smart Utilisation of Thermal Mass in Masonry Buildings. This study will help determine the effectiveness of a range of novel technologies for smart utilisation of thermal mass in masonry buildings. The ultimate goal is to improve the thermal performance of such constructions. The project focuses on the National Research Priority 3 because of the novel and advanced technological nature of the proposed research. The project has also a significant potential in contributing to the Federal Government's effort in the Research Priority 1 because achieving better thermal efficiency in buildings will undoubtedly help to minimise electricity usage leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions.Read moreRead less
Retrofitting unreinforced masonry walls with fibre reinforced polymer strips. An efficient technique for increasing the safety of existing masonry structures under earthquake (and other) loading will be developed. This is essential to the safe continued use of existing infrastructure (avoid replacement = economic benefit). This new technique addresses many shortcomings in existing alternatives (increased performance, reduced cost). This research is particularly important in Australia where unrei ....Retrofitting unreinforced masonry walls with fibre reinforced polymer strips. An efficient technique for increasing the safety of existing masonry structures under earthquake (and other) loading will be developed. This is essential to the safe continued use of existing infrastructure (avoid replacement = economic benefit). This new technique addresses many shortcomings in existing alternatives (increased performance, reduced cost). This research is particularly important in Australia where unreinforced masonry accounts for most domestic construction, much light commercial infrastructure, as well as many heritage and post-disaster buildings. It also reinforces Australia's high international standing in developing innovative retrofitting alternatives using advanced materials in this rapidly developing area. Read moreRead less
Advanced analysis methods for locally unstable steel structures. The project will provide structural design and consulting engineers with advanced analysis tools which will help the profession to maintain its eminent position as a leader in the field, known for creating innovative solutions to complex structural engineering projects. The availability of advanced analysis tools will promote research and innovation by Australian producers of cold-formed and thin-walled steel construction products, ....Advanced analysis methods for locally unstable steel structures. The project will provide structural design and consulting engineers with advanced analysis tools which will help the profession to maintain its eminent position as a leader in the field, known for creating innovative solutions to complex structural engineering projects. The availability of advanced analysis tools will promote research and innovation by Australian producers of cold-formed and thin-walled steel construction products, such as BlueScope Steel, and will encourage innovation in industry which will translate to enhanced export opportunities. The end consumer will benefit from the superior structural products which will eventuate from the innovation stimulated by the analysis methods devised from this project.Read moreRead less
Integrated Autonomous Housing for Remote Australian Communities: Analysis, Synthesis and Testing. At remote mining communities, little consideration is given to comfort or energy efficiency in housing - services have not been optimised to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and solid waste. This project will address these environmental issues and the associated social problems by combining the resources of BHP Billiton and the University of Newcastle to develop a model for remot ....Integrated Autonomous Housing for Remote Australian Communities: Analysis, Synthesis and Testing. At remote mining communities, little consideration is given to comfort or energy efficiency in housing - services have not been optimised to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and solid waste. This project will address these environmental issues and the associated social problems by combining the resources of BHP Billiton and the University of Newcastle to develop a model for remote housing. The project aims to design and test an integrated low impact or autonomous transportable house. The results of this research are applicable to remote defence sites, small rural townships and Aboriginal communities as well as for international export.Read moreRead less