Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and bla ....Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and blast furnace slag that are prescribed in the revised version of the concrete bridge standard for the most severe exposure. This project will lead to a significant improvement in the serviceability and durability of concrete structures in severe environments.Read moreRead less
Development of ultra-high performance concrete columns against blasts. This project aims to develop cost-effective formulae for ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) material with superior strength, ductility and durability to replace conventional concrete in critical infrastructures. In recent years, increasing threat from terrorism activities highlights the need to develop advanced building materials to protect against disastrous blasts; UHPFRC is an ideal option in structu ....Development of ultra-high performance concrete columns against blasts. This project aims to develop cost-effective formulae for ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) material with superior strength, ductility and durability to replace conventional concrete in critical infrastructures. In recent years, increasing threat from terrorism activities highlights the need to develop advanced building materials to protect against disastrous blasts; UHPFRC is an ideal option in structural protective design. This project plans to develop a mixed design approach for cost-effective UHPFRC material. It also plans to conduct blast tests and numerical investigations study blast resistance of UHPFRC columns and to develop analytical approaches and design methods for the application of such columns in critical infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Mitigating Vehicular Crashes into Masonry Buildings . Around 2000 vehicles crash annually into school, home and shop buildings located at close proximity to heavily trafficked roads in Australia and cause significant distress to occupants of building and vehicle. The impacted walls mostly of masonry, suffer severe damage often with vehicle intrusion into the building. Despite this, the intrusion mechanism is not understood and no effective mitigation strategies exist at present. This project wi ....Mitigating Vehicular Crashes into Masonry Buildings . Around 2000 vehicles crash annually into school, home and shop buildings located at close proximity to heavily trafficked roads in Australia and cause significant distress to occupants of building and vehicle. The impacted walls mostly of masonry, suffer severe damage often with vehicle intrusion into the building. Despite this, the intrusion mechanism is not understood and no effective mitigation strategies exist at present. This project will uncover the mechanics of vehicle intrusions through masonry walls and develop novel mitigation strategies using high energy absorbing auxetic composite render and innovative vibration isolation at wall edges. These innovations will lead to new theories that can save lives in the building and vehicle.Read moreRead less
Gas Explosion Resistance of Non-Cement Based High Performance Concrete. This project aims to study gas explosion resistance of non-cement-based ultra-high performance concrete after fire hazards. Fuel gases such as natural gas and hydrogen are becoming increasingly more popular in Australia. Due to their wide flammability range, there is considerable concern about the potential fire and explosion hazard. Until now, there is limited knowledge on this topic and conventional concrete has been prove ....Gas Explosion Resistance of Non-Cement Based High Performance Concrete. This project aims to study gas explosion resistance of non-cement-based ultra-high performance concrete after fire hazards. Fuel gases such as natural gas and hydrogen are becoming increasingly more popular in Australia. Due to their wide flammability range, there is considerable concern about the potential fire and explosion hazard. Until now, there is limited knowledge on this topic and conventional concrete has been proved incapable of handling this multi-hazard scenario. The expected outcomes of this project include a detailed knowledge of multi-hazard scenario and a safety design with the non-cement-based ultra-high performance concrete. Successful delivery of this project ensures structural safety in Australia and wider community.Read moreRead less
Structural safety and reliability of unreinforced masonry shear walls. This project aims to investigate and quantify the role of spatial variability of material properties in the failure behaviour and safety of unreinforced masonry shear walls. In masonry buildings, shear walls provide the primary means for safely resisting lateral loads due to wind and earthquake. Failure of the shear walls can result in building collapse causing injuries and death and significant economy losses. Through experi ....Structural safety and reliability of unreinforced masonry shear walls. This project aims to investigate and quantify the role of spatial variability of material properties in the failure behaviour and safety of unreinforced masonry shear walls. In masonry buildings, shear walls provide the primary means for safely resisting lateral loads due to wind and earthquake. Failure of the shear walls can result in building collapse causing injuries and death and significant economy losses. Through experimental testing and numerical modelling the project will enable improved techniques for the assessment and design of masonry walls which account, for the first time, for the influence that spatial variability of material properties has in determining the failure behaviour and capacity of masonry shear walls.
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Performance based assessment of building cladding against hailstorms. Hailstorms cause billions of dollars of damage in Australia and hailstorm events are increasing in frequency with climate change. Robust cladding to resist extreme weather events is imperative for new and existing building stock. This project will develop technology to accurately assess the performance of aluminium cladding, glass facades and skylights under severe hailstorm events. The research outcomes will enable cost-effec ....Performance based assessment of building cladding against hailstorms. Hailstorms cause billions of dollars of damage in Australia and hailstorm events are increasing in frequency with climate change. Robust cladding to resist extreme weather events is imperative for new and existing building stock. This project will develop technology to accurately assess the performance of aluminium cladding, glass facades and skylights under severe hailstorm events. The research outcomes will enable cost-effective design of robust cladding solutions and the evaluation of the performance of existing cladding. This will benefit asset managers, homeowners, the insurance industry and the building and construction industry, and help save billions of dollars of economic loss.Read moreRead less
Stochastic hazard assessment of unreinforced masonry wall systems. This project aims to develop an improved understanding of the effects of wall-ties on structural behaviour and reliability of masonry wall systems. A comparison of structural reliabilities for new and existing construction will provide quantitative evidence of whether or not existing design criteria are inconsistent, too conservative in some cases, or incautious in others. The ability to more accurately evaluate the safety of exi ....Stochastic hazard assessment of unreinforced masonry wall systems. This project aims to develop an improved understanding of the effects of wall-ties on structural behaviour and reliability of masonry wall systems. A comparison of structural reliabilities for new and existing construction will provide quantitative evidence of whether or not existing design criteria are inconsistent, too conservative in some cases, or incautious in others. The ability to more accurately evaluate the safety of existing masonry structures will likely allow authorities to avoid unnecessary demolition or rehabilitation of such structures, or to correctly identify when such measures are essential. A more efficient use of structural masonry can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the sustainability of construction.Read moreRead less
Maximising the Use of Waste Glass in Sustainable Composite Columns. This project aims to develop novel structural concrete made with over 80% waste glass for use in manufacturing sustainable concrete-filled steel tubular columns used in buildings. Because of limited established markets for recycled glass, significant stockpiling of recycled and recyclable waste glass currently exists across Australia. This study will provide a suite of novel solutions to maximise the use of waste glass in struct ....Maximising the Use of Waste Glass in Sustainable Composite Columns. This project aims to develop novel structural concrete made with over 80% waste glass for use in manufacturing sustainable concrete-filled steel tubular columns used in buildings. Because of limited established markets for recycled glass, significant stockpiling of recycled and recyclable waste glass currently exists across Australia. This study will provide a suite of novel solutions to maximise the use of waste glass in structural concrete by fully replacing sand and gravel with crushed glass and up to 72% cement with glass powder. This will provide practical solutions to address not only Australia's glass recycling crisis but also the worldwide issue of disposal of waste glass.Read moreRead less
Functionally Graded Ultra High Perfomance Concete Structure under Flexure. This project aims to develop a novel multilayer functionally graded concrete structure that is a mixture of normal strength concrete and ultra high performance concrete with the mixing ratio varying in a layer-wise manner, offering a highly cost-effective structural design solution with significantly improved safety and durability over conventional concrete structures. The expected outcomes include the innovative design, ....Functionally Graded Ultra High Perfomance Concete Structure under Flexure. This project aims to develop a novel multilayer functionally graded concrete structure that is a mixture of normal strength concrete and ultra high performance concrete with the mixing ratio varying in a layer-wise manner, offering a highly cost-effective structural design solution with significantly improved safety and durability over conventional concrete structures. The expected outcomes include the innovative design, experimental data on the static and dynamic structural behaviour, development of reliable simulation techniques and optimal design procedures for the proposed structure with greatly reduced material costs. The project will have huge benefits to Australian civil engineering industry and national economy.
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Structural Fuses for Safer and More Economical Bridge Construction. This project aims to develop a novel structural system leading to more economical concrete bridge construction by utilising a customised structural fuse. A significant margin of safety is required in structural design to account for accidental over-loading and to reduce the risk of structural collapse. Such a margin leads to more material usage. Incorporation of a fuse into the structure that is triggered upon over-loading will ....Structural Fuses for Safer and More Economical Bridge Construction. This project aims to develop a novel structural system leading to more economical concrete bridge construction by utilising a customised structural fuse. A significant margin of safety is required in structural design to account for accidental over-loading and to reduce the risk of structural collapse. Such a margin leads to more material usage. Incorporation of a fuse into the structure that is triggered upon over-loading will cause a safer failure mode and prohibit further increase of loading, both of which result in a reduced structure without undermining safety. The project is expected to advance structural theory, and also provide significant benefits to the construction industry via cost reduction and more eco-friendly constructions.Read moreRead less