Elastocaloric cooling systems for buildings and the built environment. This project aims to develop elastocaloric cooling systems that will find application in buildings and the built environment. The main aims of the projects are to establish a new technology capable of enhancing the efficiency of traditional cooling systems used for building applications and of reducing the contribution of structural and architectural components to the urban heat island effect. This work will be supported by a ....Elastocaloric cooling systems for buildings and the built environment. This project aims to develop elastocaloric cooling systems that will find application in buildings and the built environment. The main aims of the projects are to establish a new technology capable of enhancing the efficiency of traditional cooling systems used for building applications and of reducing the contribution of structural and architectural components to the urban heat island effect. This work will be supported by a new theoretical platform that will incorporate the elastocaloric cooling behaviour into the structural, thermal and energy performance of the building components, as well as by prototype testing. The outcomes of the project will lead to new building cooling technologies, increasing efficiency of traditional cooling building systems.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Bridge Monitoring System Based on the GPS and Pseudolite Technologies. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can be used for precise deflection measurement of manmade structures such as buildings, bridges, etc. When integrated with additional signals from pseudolites (PL) that transmit GPS-like signals, changes in the height(s) of the monitored point(s) can be measured to millimetre accuracy. In collaboration with University of Nottingham researchers, a bridge structure in the ....An Integrated Bridge Monitoring System Based on the GPS and Pseudolite Technologies. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can be used for precise deflection measurement of manmade structures such as buildings, bridges, etc. When integrated with additional signals from pseudolites (PL) that transmit GPS-like signals, changes in the height(s) of the monitored point(s) can be measured to millimetre accuracy. In collaboration with University of Nottingham researchers, a bridge structure in the U.K. will be used as a testbed, and will be the first time that PLs have been used for such an application. The expected outcomes include a suite of deformation monitoring algorithms capable of online analysis of the combined GPS-PL outputs.Read moreRead less
Cost-effective integrated engineering and "community partnerships" solution to a latent water policy issue: private dam management and flood safety. Project aims to further develop an engineering model for cost-effective innovative flood safety design/review for private dams in Southeastern Australia and integrate this with community impact assessment. Together, this is a "community partnerships" solution to a significant water policy vacuum on private dam safety and flood policy. Expected outco ....Cost-effective integrated engineering and "community partnerships" solution to a latent water policy issue: private dam management and flood safety. Project aims to further develop an engineering model for cost-effective innovative flood safety design/review for private dams in Southeastern Australia and integrate this with community impact assessment. Together, this is a "community partnerships" solution to a significant water policy vacuum on private dam safety and flood policy. Expected outcomes: improved risk transparency for dam owners and State Government, minimising costs of failures, ie. loss of life, damage to public and private infrastructure and environment; giving owners an affordable and effective design/review procedure to better manage their dams, providing data on community responses and water law reform proposals consonant with international best-practice.Read moreRead less
Mitigating the Severity of Level Crossing Accidents and Derailments. Ongoing increases in the number of level crossings and heavy road vehicles cause more frequent and severe level crossing accidents and derailments. Despite the use of active warning systems, each year, on average, 100 level crossing accidents occur in Australia. With a view to mitigating these crashes, this research aims to formulate theories for reduction in crash energy and effective wheel constraints to prevent derailment by ....Mitigating the Severity of Level Crossing Accidents and Derailments. Ongoing increases in the number of level crossings and heavy road vehicles cause more frequent and severe level crossing accidents and derailments. Despite the use of active warning systems, each year, on average, 100 level crossing accidents occur in Australia. With a view to mitigating these crashes, this research aims to formulate theories for reduction in crash energy and effective wheel constraints to prevent derailment by modifying the levels of road and rail crossings and providing guard rails in the recesses of these modified level crossings. The theories are intended be developed using nonlinear dynamic computational methods and laboratory experiments. The outcomes are expected to enable reduction in the severity of level crossing accidents and hence save lives and costs of derailment.Read moreRead less
Unified analysis of steel and composite frame structures subjected to static, thermal, earthquake and blast loading. Understanding the science of extreme loading on engineering structures is essential for their design, and increasingly with terrorism threats there is a need for assessment and strengthening of identified vulnerable critical infrastructure. Rational design paradigms have not yet matured for extreme load scenarios, and they are much-needed to protect life, limb and amenity. Austral ....Unified analysis of steel and composite frame structures subjected to static, thermal, earthquake and blast loading. Understanding the science of extreme loading on engineering structures is essential for their design, and increasingly with terrorism threats there is a need for assessment and strengthening of identified vulnerable critical infrastructure. Rational design paradigms have not yet matured for extreme load scenarios, and they are much-needed to protect life, limb and amenity. Australian research is at the forefront in steel and composite structures, and this project will strengthen Australia's positioning in the discipline by developing transparent design and assessment procedures from an efficient algorithm that delivers hands-on guidance for engineering practitioners.Read moreRead less
Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is ....Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is excessive, and the high expense involved in providing this protection is leading structural steel being rejected in engineering design. This growing trend is leading to a potential downturn in structural steel production, which has serious economic and social ramifications on Australian communities whose fabric is centred on this activity.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
Strength of two-way steel fibre reinforced composite flooring systems. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems, and Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) applications are becoming widespread. Australia is a recognised world leader in the research of both composite structures and SFRC. Using SFRC in composite decks to eliminate conventional reinforcement is very efficient and cost-effective, b ....Strength of two-way steel fibre reinforced composite flooring systems. The construction industry in Australia is introducing efficient and economical long-span profiled steel sheeting for composite flooring systems, and Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) applications are becoming widespread. Australia is a recognised world leader in the research of both composite structures and SFRC. Using SFRC in composite decks to eliminate conventional reinforcement is very efficient and cost-effective, but surprisingly little relevant research aimed at the Australian industry has been reported. Comprehensive design guidance is much needed to advance this technology. This project will give designers confidence and expertise to advance these technologies, while maintaining Australian research and practice in composite structures at the forefront.Read moreRead less