A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element an ....A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element analysis and experimentation, the research program will greatly enhance the fundamental understanding of the strengthening and failure mechanisms of z-pinned composites. A key outcome of the research will be design guidelines for optimising the pinning of composites for maximum structural performance in aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this plan ....The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this planet. This research project will result in technological advancement and provide important training for future generations of researchers. This will entrench the Australian engineering and scientific community as world leaders in this area of scientific research.Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers. The aim of this project is to gain a physical understanding of the process of turbulence in fluid motion, focusing on boundary layers adjacent to the surface of bodies, such as submarines and turbines. As turbulence is of fundamental importance in many engineering tasks, developing our understanding of the mechanisms involved will lead to progress in many areas. For example, accurate prediction of drag on vehicles, aircraft and ships, result ....The structure of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers. The aim of this project is to gain a physical understanding of the process of turbulence in fluid motion, focusing on boundary layers adjacent to the surface of bodies, such as submarines and turbines. As turbulence is of fundamental importance in many engineering tasks, developing our understanding of the mechanisms involved will lead to progress in many areas. For example, accurate prediction of drag on vehicles, aircraft and ships, resulting in reductions in fuel consumption. The wind tunnel used in this project is the largest of its type in the world, enabling pioneering experiments to be undertaken which will extend our understanding of the physics of turbulence for applied flows.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775656
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,000.00
Summary
High Rate Testing System for Materials and Structures. Human or natural disasters such as terrorist attack or tsunami take place and they have catastrophic consequences, in terms of fatalities and psyche of fear among the population, as well as enormous financial loss. Vehicle accident is another example. In Australia, 1636 people were killed in 1481 road crashes, in 2005 alone. There is a great demand for research into devising novel materials and structures for optimum performance under such c ....High Rate Testing System for Materials and Structures. Human or natural disasters such as terrorist attack or tsunami take place and they have catastrophic consequences, in terms of fatalities and psyche of fear among the population, as well as enormous financial loss. Vehicle accident is another example. In Australia, 1636 people were killed in 1481 road crashes, in 2005 alone. There is a great demand for research into devising novel materials and structures for optimum performance under such circumstances. The proposed new high rate testing system will significantly advance research in this area. The facility will directly support a range of research projects in material and structural design in military and civil vehicles, aerospace industry and defence.Read moreRead less
Life Extension of Equipment Suffering Environmentally-Assisted Cracking: An Innovative Approach to Mitigation by Engineering of Materials in Service. Environmentally-assisted cracking (EAC) represents a serious threat to infrastructure exposed to caustic and chloride environments in process, marine, energy and chemical industries in Australia. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus mechanism for EAC. This project will investigate a fresh approach to life extension of in-service equipm ....Life Extension of Equipment Suffering Environmentally-Assisted Cracking: An Innovative Approach to Mitigation by Engineering of Materials in Service. Environmentally-assisted cracking (EAC) represents a serious threat to infrastructure exposed to caustic and chloride environments in process, marine, energy and chemical industries in Australia. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus mechanism for EAC. This project will investigate a fresh approach to life extension of in-service equipment suffering EAC, by developing and testing a mitigation measure reasonably independent of the EAC mechanisms. The task includes development of a consolidated strategy based on: accurate determination of the fundamental parameters for crack propagation, and in-situ thermomechnical treatment for local manipulation of material at and ahead of crack-tip, in order to retard/stop crack propagation.Read moreRead less
Fatigue Life Prediction of Nano-filler Modified Composites. The proposed project aims to study the behaviour and the failure mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites under cyclic loading. The outcomes of the project will make original contributions to our knowledge base on such materials. The mechanics modelling and statistical analysis of the prediction of fatigue life will provide a sound physical basis and a useful tool for any future improvement and optimisation of the composites to achieve bett ....Fatigue Life Prediction of Nano-filler Modified Composites. The proposed project aims to study the behaviour and the failure mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites under cyclic loading. The outcomes of the project will make original contributions to our knowledge base on such materials. The mechanics modelling and statistical analysis of the prediction of fatigue life will provide a sound physical basis and a useful tool for any future improvement and optimisation of the composites to achieve better reliability and integrity in their intended applications. This study will bring economic benefits to the end-users of advanced material technology including the Australian materials industries. Read moreRead less
Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assem ....Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assemblages in a controlled environment, and comprehensive analytical modelling of both loading and response. The outcomes from this research will have direct application to the mining, insurance, construction and defence industries.Read moreRead less
Microstructure-Based Computational Homogenization of Geomaterials. This project seeks to establish a basis for virtual testing of materials. This type of non-destructive testing has numerous applications of obvious benefit to society and will contribute to the continued growth and development of a large number of industries in Australia and worldwide. The methods developed will allow for cheaper, faster, and more accurate testing of materials. The outcomes of the project can find direct applicat ....Microstructure-Based Computational Homogenization of Geomaterials. This project seeks to establish a basis for virtual testing of materials. This type of non-destructive testing has numerous applications of obvious benefit to society and will contribute to the continued growth and development of a large number of industries in Australia and worldwide. The methods developed will allow for cheaper, faster, and more accurate testing of materials. The outcomes of the project can find direct application in civil engineering as well as in environmental, mining and petroleum engineering which together make up a significant portion of the nation's industry.Read moreRead less
Thin-walled Structures Subjected to Impact and Blast Loading. Terrorist attacks have cost Australians much human grief and billions of dollars. Containing the consequences of a blast or impact is crucial to survival and restricting damage to critical civilian/defence infrastructure. Thin-walled structures are used extensively in such infrastructure. There is a lack of knowledge about their behaviour when subjected to impulse and blast loads. The investigators will establish the most economical m ....Thin-walled Structures Subjected to Impact and Blast Loading. Terrorist attacks have cost Australians much human grief and billions of dollars. Containing the consequences of a blast or impact is crucial to survival and restricting damage to critical civilian/defence infrastructure. Thin-walled structures are used extensively in such infrastructure. There is a lack of knowledge about their behaviour when subjected to impulse and blast loads. The investigators will establish the most economical means of designing passive blast protection into thin-walled structures and hence, Australia's critical infrastructure. This knowledge will be transferred into design standards and Australia's limited defence resources.Read moreRead less
Role of Reactive Particles in Explosive Emulsions. Concentrated water-in oil explosive emulsions are widely used in the minerals industry because they are cheap, easily detonated and relatively safe to handle. Their explosive energy can be significantly increased when reactive particles are introduced into the emulsion matrix. To do this, the interaction between the solid, oil, and water phases needs to be optimised. This investigation will increase our basic understanding of the physical and ch ....Role of Reactive Particles in Explosive Emulsions. Concentrated water-in oil explosive emulsions are widely used in the minerals industry because they are cheap, easily detonated and relatively safe to handle. Their explosive energy can be significantly increased when reactive particles are introduced into the emulsion matrix. To do this, the interaction between the solid, oil, and water phases needs to be optimised. This investigation will increase our basic understanding of the physical and chemical interactions that occur between the particle and the oil-water interface, and develop a more efficient explosive that can be produced continuously on a commercial scale.Read moreRead less