Development of controllable and durable green concretes through the understanding of feedstock chemistry and geopolymerisation mechanism. This project will develop key knowledge and technologies towards in geopolymer applications, evolving the current polluted cement/concrete industry into a much greener industry with up to 80 per cent lower carbon emissions. Successful completion of this project will keep Australia at the leading frontier of green technology and green industry.
Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix ....Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix concrete industry with a “green” product for the residential construction market. Expected benefits include the increased use of a waste resource (used tyres), reduced use of a scarce natural resource (sand), and the development of an economic but green alternative concrete option for residential builders and owners.Read moreRead less
Modelling and simulation of complex granular flows. Granular flows are of crucial importance in a wide range of problems related to civil infrastructure. These include landslides and similar catastrophic events, often leading to loss of life and property. The project aims to develop new methods for accurate prediction of such events thus allowing for the formulation of efficient mitigation strategies.
Development of Viable Geopolymer. This project aims to improve the manufacture of geopolymer. Geopolymer (‘green cement’) is produced by alkali activation of fly ash and is a sustainable, low carbon dioxide alternative to conventional cement. Evaluation of raw materials and ensuring reliable performance are critical issues in geopolymer manufacture. The project aims to understand the geopolymerisation process and the behaviour of fly ash and activator in the process. It plans to establish a reac ....Development of Viable Geopolymer. This project aims to improve the manufacture of geopolymer. Geopolymer (‘green cement’) is produced by alkali activation of fly ash and is a sustainable, low carbon dioxide alternative to conventional cement. Evaluation of raw materials and ensuring reliable performance are critical issues in geopolymer manufacture. The project aims to understand the geopolymerisation process and the behaviour of fly ash and activator in the process. It plans to establish a reactivity index to quantitatively evaluate fly ash and match it with activator to achieve efficient activation with predictable properties. The project is expected to result in a scientific tool to assess fly ash suitability and a method to design and produce viable geopolymers.Read moreRead less
Achieving structural morphing via functionalising nonlinear buckling. This project aims to develop a general framework to analyse and design functional components of buildings and structures, where they change shapes (morphing) by buckling. Australian buildings consume 20% of the nation’s total energy production on heating and cooling, and projected population increases are likely to increase energy demands. The shape changes are optimised, e.g. to reduce energy consumption by minimising solar r ....Achieving structural morphing via functionalising nonlinear buckling. This project aims to develop a general framework to analyse and design functional components of buildings and structures, where they change shapes (morphing) by buckling. Australian buildings consume 20% of the nation’s total energy production on heating and cooling, and projected population increases are likely to increase energy demands. The shape changes are optimised, e.g. to reduce energy consumption by minimising solar radiation loads or maximising natural air ventilation. The project expects to develop building technology solutions to reduce Australia's energy consumption, and provide domestic and global market opportunities in the high-tech manufacturing sector.Read moreRead less
Variational multiscale modelling of granular materials. Granular materials play an important role in a wide-range of problems related to physical infrastructure. These include landslides and similar catastrophic events often leading to loss of life and property. This project will aim to develop new methods for adequate simulation of granular flows to allow formulation of efficient risk mitigation strategies.
Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex ....Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. Braced batter micropile group: New design theory and performance framework. This project aims to research the design and performance of innovative biomimetic braced battered micropile group footings. This project will test Surefoot, the new concrete free footing, in the laboratory, in the field, and through numerical and analytical modelling. Surefoot’s mechanisms of action are poorly understood but clearly more complex than current micropile theory; this project will research the mechanism of load transfer from micropiles to the soil and soil response.Read moreRead less
Adaptive Base Isolation using Innovative Magnetorheological Elastomers. Base isolation is of great importance for the safety of infrastructure, such as hospitals, bridges and nuclear power plants. Utilisation of a traditional passive base isolator makes the base isolation system vulnerable and susceptible to unexpected/extreme dynamic loadings, such as earthquakes. This project aims to address this critical issue through the development of a novel adaptive seismic isolator working with an innova ....Adaptive Base Isolation using Innovative Magnetorheological Elastomers. Base isolation is of great importance for the safety of infrastructure, such as hospitals, bridges and nuclear power plants. Utilisation of a traditional passive base isolator makes the base isolation system vulnerable and susceptible to unexpected/extreme dynamic loadings, such as earthquakes. This project aims to address this critical issue through the development of a novel adaptive seismic isolator working with an innovative stiffness softening magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). This research represents a fundamental step towards the understanding of MRE behaviour and is expected to be the breakthrough for the development of a future smart base isolation system.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100289
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Structural design and distributed fabrication of folded sandwich structures. This project intends to develop a new type of modular structural form that retains the streamlined construction of existing prefabricated systems, but can be rapidly fabricated in non-specialist and low-cost manufacturing plants. ‘Folded sandwich structures’ are part of the emerging field of origami-inspired engineering design. This project intends to conduct numerical, experimental and theoretical structural analysis a ....Structural design and distributed fabrication of folded sandwich structures. This project intends to develop a new type of modular structural form that retains the streamlined construction of existing prefabricated systems, but can be rapidly fabricated in non-specialist and low-cost manufacturing plants. ‘Folded sandwich structures’ are part of the emerging field of origami-inspired engineering design. This project intends to conduct numerical, experimental and theoretical structural analysis and optimisation on plate and shell building components. Such a system would enable the establishment of a distributed local manufacturing network, for example to provide the short-term infrastructure needs of regions affected by natural disaster.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101070
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,124.00
Summary
Enhanced durability of geopolymers through phase engineering. This project aims to research geopolymer phases, their formation thermodynamics and formation kinetics and stability. Alkali-activated (geopolymer) binders and concretes are low-carbon dioxide alternatives to Portland cements and concretes, and ensuring their durability will enable the implementation of this greenhouse-friendly technology in industry. This project will develop a phase engineering approach to help industry manufacture ....Enhanced durability of geopolymers through phase engineering. This project aims to research geopolymer phases, their formation thermodynamics and formation kinetics and stability. Alkali-activated (geopolymer) binders and concretes are low-carbon dioxide alternatives to Portland cements and concretes, and ensuring their durability will enable the implementation of this greenhouse-friendly technology in industry. This project will develop a phase engineering approach to help industry manufacture high-durability green concrete, create a billion-dollar business, and provide safe and reliable construction products.Read moreRead less