Development of Topological Optimisation Techniques for the Conceptual Design of Multi-storey Buildings. The building design process often begins with a case based preliminary design which derives its main parameters and features from a number of existing buildings of similar dimensions and functionality. This project aims to develop a design tool which incorporates two topological optimisation techniques in the conceptual design of multi-storey buildings. This design tool will enable inefficient ....Development of Topological Optimisation Techniques for the Conceptual Design of Multi-storey Buildings. The building design process often begins with a case based preliminary design which derives its main parameters and features from a number of existing buildings of similar dimensions and functionality. This project aims to develop a design tool which incorporates two topological optimisation techniques in the conceptual design of multi-storey buildings. This design tool will enable inefficient materials to be automatically removed from the design, thus producing a structurally efficient building system. At the same time, the new topologies generated by these optimisation techniques can be used by the designer to create innovative forms and layouts for the building.Read moreRead less
Multilevel converters. Until recently the vast majority of power electronic applications have been to low voltage systems. However, developments in high voltage semiconductor switches in the last decade have generated significant activity in high voltage power electronic applications.
Traditional two level converters have significant problems in high voltage applications - high output dv/dt damages insulation and motor bearings, and the semiconductor switches have high switching losses.
Mu ....Multilevel converters. Until recently the vast majority of power electronic applications have been to low voltage systems. However, developments in high voltage semiconductor switches in the last decade have generated significant activity in high voltage power electronic applications.
Traditional two level converters have significant problems in high voltage applications - high output dv/dt damages insulation and motor bearings, and the semiconductor switches have high switching losses.
Multilevel converters hold the promise of alleviating these problems. This project will research and develop multilevel converter technology for static VAR compensators and medium voltage drives, initially targeted at mining applications.Read moreRead less
Low emission, Gas Turbine Air Compressor (GTAC) demonstrator. Compressed air production consumes a significant portion of electricity generated world-wide. The fragility of power infrastructure in many developed countries, and the growing Chinese economy, has created very large markets for compressed air plants that run off Diesel and natural gas fuels. Australia's reliance on coal introduces the added greenhouse incentive of reduced electricity use.
This project will demonstrate a novel air ....Low emission, Gas Turbine Air Compressor (GTAC) demonstrator. Compressed air production consumes a significant portion of electricity generated world-wide. The fragility of power infrastructure in many developed countries, and the growing Chinese economy, has created very large markets for compressed air plants that run off Diesel and natural gas fuels. Australia's reliance on coal introduces the added greenhouse incentive of reduced electricity use.
This project will demonstrate a novel air compressor concept that features a natural gas fuelled micro-gas turbine. This device is expected to have comparable thermal efficiency to other air compressors, but with very significantly reduced greenhouse and overall emissions, much quieter operation, lower cost and increased device compactness.
Read moreRead less
Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally sui ....Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally suited for integration with air conditioning coils. Existing latent heat wheels are very bulky and are difficult to integrate into standard air conditioner installations.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Nitric Oxides and Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Bagasse-Fires Boilers. The project aims to develop computational models to predict emissions of nitric oxides and carbon monoxide from sugar-mill boilers burning bagasse. Bagasse combustion does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and clean and efficient combustion of this fuel has become very important for the sugar industry and for Australia. The project combines the opportunity of direct boiler measurements by SRI with the m ....Modelling of Nitric Oxides and Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Bagasse-Fires Boilers. The project aims to develop computational models to predict emissions of nitric oxides and carbon monoxide from sugar-mill boilers burning bagasse. Bagasse combustion does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and clean and efficient combustion of this fuel has become very important for the sugar industry and for Australia. The project combines the opportunity of direct boiler measurements by SRI with the modelling expertise at the University to develop combustion-kinetics models for these species. The models will be incorporated into the previously developed computational fluid dynamics - combustion code of the furnace to give the capability of emission prediction as a function of burner operating conditions and fuel parameters.Read moreRead less
Cue Acquisition as a Mediator of Cognitive Skills Development. As the Australian workforce ages and there is a consequent reduction in the availability of experienced practitioners, organisations are going to be faced with the dilemma of placing relatively inexperienced staff in positions that were once occupied by experts. The result is a potential increase in the risks to critical infrastructure, such as electricity transmission. In this project, we expect to develop a set of principles that c ....Cue Acquisition as a Mediator of Cognitive Skills Development. As the Australian workforce ages and there is a consequent reduction in the availability of experienced practitioners, organisations are going to be faced with the dilemma of placing relatively inexperienced staff in positions that were once occupied by experts. The result is a potential increase in the risks to critical infrastructure, such as electricity transmission. In this project, we expect to develop a set of principles that can ensure that scenario based training is targeted to those aspects of the situation that are most important in maintaining the integrity of the system. The outcome is not only a safer system, but one that provides a structured approach to the acquisition of skills amongst employees.Read moreRead less
Environmental and Social Responsibility in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Sector: Challenges and Prospects. The proposed research addressed two of the National Research Priorities, viz., promoting an environmentally sustainable Australia (Goal 2: Transforming existing industries), and promoting and maintaining good health (Goal 4: strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric). The research findings will identify best practices in the areas of environmental and social responsibili ....Environmental and Social Responsibility in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Sector: Challenges and Prospects. The proposed research addressed two of the National Research Priorities, viz., promoting an environmentally sustainable Australia (Goal 2: Transforming existing industries), and promoting and maintaining good health (Goal 4: strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric). The research findings will identify best practices in the areas of environmental and social responsibility in the SME sector thus contributing to the creation of environmentally and socially sustainable workplaces. By integrating perspectives from multiple stakeholders the research also addresses community environmental and social concerns.Read moreRead less
Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual defl ....Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual deflection leading to serviceability problems. The significance of this investigation hence lies in its potential to provide a solution to more accurately predict service-life deflections in post-tensioned concrete suspended slabs and validate the model with real-life deflections monitored over time on a current building project.Read moreRead less
Investigate control of in-situ termite and decay protection and control using microwave technologies. Australia has a very substantial investment in timber structures for example 11,000 km of timber bridges, railway sleepers, power poles and dwellings. Timber losses each year due to fungal, termite and other insect degradation, is very significant. The use of organochlorine compounds for ground poisoning and remedial treatment has been discontinued due to environmental, health and safety concern ....Investigate control of in-situ termite and decay protection and control using microwave technologies. Australia has a very substantial investment in timber structures for example 11,000 km of timber bridges, railway sleepers, power poles and dwellings. Timber losses each year due to fungal, termite and other insect degradation, is very significant. The use of organochlorine compounds for ground poisoning and remedial treatment has been discontinued due to environmental, health and safety concerns. Less toxic chemicals are less effective, require more regular inspection and don't address fundamental concerns associated with environment issues. This project will provide the community a cheap automated alarm system indicating when remedial treatment is required and a non-chemical technology for sterilising infected structures.Read moreRead less
The use of numerical and experimental techniques to develop energy efficient open refrigerated display cabinets. This project will provide knowledge for Australian industry to develop new energy efficient refrigerated display cabinets, putting Australia in the forefront of commercial refrigeration display cabinet technologies. This will have a significant impact on sustainability of our environment and will assist Australia to meet present and future international climate obligations by contrib ....The use of numerical and experimental techniques to develop energy efficient open refrigerated display cabinets. This project will provide knowledge for Australian industry to develop new energy efficient refrigerated display cabinets, putting Australia in the forefront of commercial refrigeration display cabinet technologies. This will have a significant impact on sustainability of our environment and will assist Australia to meet present and future international climate obligations by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse emissions. The Government has already introduced new MEPS levels, and are planning to increase these to more stringent levels in 2007. The development of the techniques proposed in this application will be essential for manufacturers if they are to economically meet these MEPS level requirements. Read moreRead less