Seismic attenuation of structures through use of magnetorheological dampers. This project aims to improve understanding of the attenuating characteristics of the co-flowing of magnetised solid particles and fluid in a conduit subject to seismic waves generated by rapid ground movement. The distribution of magnetised solid particles in fluid plays an important role in the design of large-scale magnetorhelogical dampers for seismic conditions. These dampers promote the protection of historical str ....Seismic attenuation of structures through use of magnetorheological dampers. This project aims to improve understanding of the attenuating characteristics of the co-flowing of magnetised solid particles and fluid in a conduit subject to seismic waves generated by rapid ground movement. The distribution of magnetised solid particles in fluid plays an important role in the design of large-scale magnetorhelogical dampers for seismic conditions. These dampers promote the protection of historical structures and eliminate costly rebuilding of architectural structures. The project plans to perform experimental and numerical investigations to develop robust and accurate predictive models to improve understanding of the seismic attenuation of next-generation magnetorhelogical dampers, prevalent in semi-active control devices, and of the ability of such devices to suppress elevated structural vibrations.Read moreRead less
Delivering Digital Architecture in Australia. Design, documentation, and off-site prefabrication of numerous recent major international architectural projects, were achieved with evolving integrated 3D digital methods. While Australian architects, engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, and constructors have participated in a few such projects using these technologies, generally, local understanding and uptake of the opportunities is still very low. Growth in this area means growth in an existi ....Delivering Digital Architecture in Australia. Design, documentation, and off-site prefabrication of numerous recent major international architectural projects, were achieved with evolving integrated 3D digital methods. While Australian architects, engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, and constructors have participated in a few such projects using these technologies, generally, local understanding and uptake of the opportunities is still very low. Growth in this area means growth in an existing export rather than increasing reliance on importing these services and products. More fundamentally, it means a huge cultural dividend to Australia from greater affordable freedom of architectural expression.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Analysis And Behaviour Of Thin Concrete Axisymmeric Shells. This project concerns the highly complex behaviour of thin concrete shells and domes. These structures were in vogue in Australia in the 1970's because their construction is highly efficient, but their use ceased following several collapses. The reason was an inability at the time to predict their behaviour, which requires challenging theoretical methodologies and computer software. The project will develop sophisticated mathe ....Nonlinear Analysis And Behaviour Of Thin Concrete Axisymmeric Shells. This project concerns the highly complex behaviour of thin concrete shells and domes. These structures were in vogue in Australia in the 1970's because their construction is highly efficient, but their use ceased following several collapses. The reason was an inability at the time to predict their behaviour, which requires challenging theoretical methodologies and computer software. The project will develop sophisticated mathematical tools, that include concrete shrinkage, creep, cracking and thermal effects, to enable the design of safe concrete shells and domes, and it is underpinned by and builds on support awarded recently by the ARC to the investigators.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Analysis and Behaviour of Shallow Concrete Arches. Concrete arches are widespread structural elements, but they are usually deep so that predicting their response is routine. The analysis of shallow arches is much more difficult, and with the contemporary use of higher strength concretes, shallow arches are often the optimum geometric configuration. This project aims to investigate the profoundly nonlinear behaviour of flat arches, which may be close to snap-through buckling, even unde ....Nonlinear Analysis and Behaviour of Shallow Concrete Arches. Concrete arches are widespread structural elements, but they are usually deep so that predicting their response is routine. The analysis of shallow arches is much more difficult, and with the contemporary use of higher strength concretes, shallow arches are often the optimum geometric configuration. This project aims to investigate the profoundly nonlinear behaviour of flat arches, which may be close to snap-through buckling, even under service load, due to creep and shrinkage. This research will fill an important gap in structural mechanics, and produce fundamental insights into the response of arches containing concrete. The outcomes will include much needed design guidance.Read moreRead less
Use of rammed earth in Aboriginal communities of Australia. An exhaustive set of engineering and construction guidelines for rammed earth will be elaborated in order to produce affordable, safe and cost-effective houses in Aboriginal areas of Australia. The outcome of this project is the production of a 'Proposal Form for Standards Development' for rammed earth to be submitted to Standards Australia.
Behaviour of Tunnels in Sedimentary Rocks of the Sydney Basin. The aim of this project is to gain understanding of ground behaviour around tunnels in the Sydney region, how the ground interacts with fibre reinforced shotcrete tunnel linings, and how changes in material performance affect risk to users and the reliability of the tunnel structures. These aims will be met by a combination of field and laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. The outcome will be a rational and reliable de ....Behaviour of Tunnels in Sedimentary Rocks of the Sydney Basin. The aim of this project is to gain understanding of ground behaviour around tunnels in the Sydney region, how the ground interacts with fibre reinforced shotcrete tunnel linings, and how changes in material performance affect risk to users and the reliability of the tunnel structures. These aims will be met by a combination of field and laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. The outcome will be a rational and reliable design method for shotcrete lined tunnels in the Sydney basin.Read moreRead less
Determination of the condition and strength capacity of in-service timber poles in energy networks. The project addresses an important issue facing power industries and engineering community worldwide, that is, reliable and optimal management of power distribution infrastructures. The outcomes lead to new technologies that not only provide great social-economic benefits but advance knowledge and practice of the research at international level.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100196
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,253,312.00
Summary
Development of multi-hazard resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This project aims to develop next generation construction of multi-hazard resilient structures for the safety and wellbeing of the public, society and economy, as well as structural health monitoring techniques for effective engineering asset management. Sustainable infrastructure development involves the use of green materials to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and new technologies to reduce construction and life-cycle mainte ....Development of multi-hazard resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This project aims to develop next generation construction of multi-hazard resilient structures for the safety and wellbeing of the public, society and economy, as well as structural health monitoring techniques for effective engineering asset management. Sustainable infrastructure development involves the use of green materials to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and new technologies to reduce construction and life-cycle maintenance cost. The project will use new green materials and techniques to prefabricate structural components which can be easily assembled and dismantled to meet the requirement for adaptation to technology advancement, urban planning and climate change. The project will advance the construction practice for sustainable infrastructure development.Read moreRead less
Properties and Characterisation of Magneto-Rheological Materials under Rotating Magnetic Field Excitation. Through the proposed theoretical and experimental studies, new electro-magneto-mechanical phenomena of the MR materials under various vectorial magnetisations will be observed. Based on the in-depth understanding of the complex vectorial magneto-rheological mechanisms, an accurate coupled model will be developed for design and analysis of novel dampers. These outcomes will greatly enhance t ....Properties and Characterisation of Magneto-Rheological Materials under Rotating Magnetic Field Excitation. Through the proposed theoretical and experimental studies, new electro-magneto-mechanical phenomena of the MR materials under various vectorial magnetisations will be observed. Based on the in-depth understanding of the complex vectorial magneto-rheological mechanisms, an accurate coupled model will be developed for design and analysis of novel dampers. These outcomes will greatly enhance the design capacity of Australian industry in smart structures, i.e. using novel dampers to reduce harmful vibrations and protect people in vehicles, buildings, and bridges. This will help Australians to live in a safer and healthier environment, and could save billions of dollars per year nationwide for treatment, recovery, and insurance claims.Read moreRead less
Fatigue Behaviour of Dragline Tubular Structures. Fatigue failure is a major concern for dragline tubular structures. Several catastrophic collapses of such structure occurred. The fatigue behaviour of such large tubular structures is unknown. Fatigue cracks were observed in many existing draglines. The latest international design codes are inadequate to address this issue. The project will develop reliable methodologies for design, inspection, strengthening and assessment of such structures. Th ....Fatigue Behaviour of Dragline Tubular Structures. Fatigue failure is a major concern for dragline tubular structures. Several catastrophic collapses of such structure occurred. The fatigue behaviour of such large tubular structures is unknown. Fatigue cracks were observed in many existing draglines. The latest international design codes are inadequate to address this issue. The project will develop reliable methodologies for design, inspection, strengthening and assessment of such structures. The outcome will be reduced manufacturing and operational costs and a reduced catastrophic failure risk. This will increase the international competitiveness of Australian mining industry. Several other industry sectors will be benefited from the technology developed in this project.Read moreRead less