Composite Structures of High-Strength Steel and Concrete. This project plans to investigate the use in building frames of composite steel-concrete members that use high-strength steel (HSS) instead of mild steel (MS). HSS is finding increased use in construction, and HSS has a much greater strength-to-weight ratio than MS, leading to lighter composite structures, less material usage and smaller foundations. Overall, this reduces the cost and carbon footprint of steel-framed buildings. The invest ....Composite Structures of High-Strength Steel and Concrete. This project plans to investigate the use in building frames of composite steel-concrete members that use high-strength steel (HSS) instead of mild steel (MS). HSS is finding increased use in construction, and HSS has a much greater strength-to-weight ratio than MS, leading to lighter composite structures, less material usage and smaller foundations. Overall, this reduces the cost and carbon footprint of steel-framed buildings. The investigation is planned to involve physical testing, numerical studies, developing structural models and crafting design guidance for T-beams, columns and joints. The major intended outcome of the project is design guidance that will support the expanded use of HSS.Read moreRead less
Long-term corrosion of offshore steel structures in near-stagnant seawater. This project investigates the seawater corrosion of structural steels under near-stagnant and possibly polluted conditions. Better understanding of long-term corrosion of structural steels in near-stagnant seawaters is needed to predict the safety of steel offshore structures such as the pods supporting wind and wave energy generators. Also, the expensive maintenance of protective coatings and systems could be obviated o ....Long-term corrosion of offshore steel structures in near-stagnant seawater. This project investigates the seawater corrosion of structural steels under near-stagnant and possibly polluted conditions. Better understanding of long-term corrosion of structural steels in near-stagnant seawaters is needed to predict the safety of steel offshore structures such as the pods supporting wind and wave energy generators. Also, the expensive maintenance of protective coatings and systems could be obviated or reduced if corrosion remains acceptable. This project plans to investigate experimentally the temporal development and stochastic nature of general corrosion and pitting for steels under actual near-stagnant seawater conditions. It also plans to build mathematical-probabilistic models for corrosion prediction, calibrated to field data. These models will include allowance for microbiological corrosion effects, important under anthropological pollution.Read moreRead less
Failure Mechanisms of Roof Cladding under Fluctuating Wind Loads. Wind damage to low-rise buildings cause disruption to communities and result in economic losses. Improvements to the most vulnerable part (i.e. roof) will therefore have national benefits and associated economic benefits. Currently, roofing systems used in cyclonic areas are evaluated to DABM in the Northern Territory and to TR440 elsewhere, requiring the same product be tested under two different (and unsatisfactory) specificat ....Failure Mechanisms of Roof Cladding under Fluctuating Wind Loads. Wind damage to low-rise buildings cause disruption to communities and result in economic losses. Improvements to the most vulnerable part (i.e. roof) will therefore have national benefits and associated economic benefits. Currently, roofing systems used in cyclonic areas are evaluated to DABM in the Northern Territory and to TR440 elsewhere, requiring the same product be tested under two different (and unsatisfactory) specifications. This is due to the limited understanding of wind-induced fatigue of cladding. This project will provide the framework for understanding and minimizing cladding fatigue. A realistic single test will also reduce cost and result in better design systems.Read moreRead less
The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) ha ....The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) has resulted in concrete slabs with relatively brittle failure modes and its use has been the subject of much debate. This research will investigate the ductility of two-way slabs containing Class L mesh and the applicability of established design procedures. It will lead to safer and better performing r.c. floor systems and, if necessary, new ductility specifications for Class L steel.Read moreRead less
Innovative Retrofitting Techniques for the Protection of Anchorage Zones in Cable-Stayed Bridges Subjected to Blast Loads. The project will seek to develop an innovative technology to retrofit anchorage zones in cable-stayed bridges subjected to close-in detonations and severe impulsive loading, through a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study. The innovative material used for the strengthening purposes developed as part of the study will greatly assist engineers in protection and retr ....Innovative Retrofitting Techniques for the Protection of Anchorage Zones in Cable-Stayed Bridges Subjected to Blast Loads. The project will seek to develop an innovative technology to retrofit anchorage zones in cable-stayed bridges subjected to close-in detonations and severe impulsive loading, through a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study. The innovative material used for the strengthening purposes developed as part of the study will greatly assist engineers in protection and retrofitting schemes of bridges. The results can be communicated directly to the relevant authorities, thus improving Australia's capabilities in dealing with extreme events.Read moreRead less
The impact of high strength, low ductility reinforcement on the ductility and serviceability of concrete structures. The behaviour of reinforced concrete structures has been adversely affected by the recent introduction in Australia of 500 MPa steel reinforcement(with higher strength and lower ductibility than the previously available 400MPa steel bars). Structures with reduced ductility, greater deflection and larger crack widths will result. Unexpected overloads may now cause fracturing of the ....The impact of high strength, low ductility reinforcement on the ductility and serviceability of concrete structures. The behaviour of reinforced concrete structures has been adversely affected by the recent introduction in Australia of 500 MPa steel reinforcement(with higher strength and lower ductibility than the previously available 400MPa steel bars). Structures with reduced ductility, greater deflection and larger crack widths will result. Unexpected overloads may now cause fracturing of the steel, resulting in brittle and catastrophic collapse. This project aims to investigate, analytically and experimentally, the impact of the new reinforcement on the design and performance of concrete structures, including strength, ductility and serviceability, and to provide rational design guidance to the structural engineering profession.Read moreRead less
Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia inc ....Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia including road, offshore, building and mining industries. It will increase the international competitiveness of Australian steel industry and infrastructure maintenance capability. Australia will be better positioned in this region for potential technology transfer to Asian countries.Read moreRead less
Hybrid multiple-tube concrete columns incorporating composite materials. The project aims to investigate the behaviour of and design hybrid multiple-tube concrete columns, a form of column. These columns allow the use of small circular high-strength steel tubes, readily available in the market, to suit the specific needs of construction projects of various scales. In the column, a durable outer tube made of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites protects steel tubes, and their high yield stre ....Hybrid multiple-tube concrete columns incorporating composite materials. The project aims to investigate the behaviour of and design hybrid multiple-tube concrete columns, a form of column. These columns allow the use of small circular high-strength steel tubes, readily available in the market, to suit the specific needs of construction projects of various scales. In the column, a durable outer tube made of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites protects steel tubes, and their high yield stress can be fully exploited through section configuration. The new column is expected to enable wider, safer and more economical use of FRP and high-strength steel, and meet demands for resilient civil infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Composite structures: a game changer for modular buildings. Modular construction can tackle Australia's housing affordability crisis on a large scale. This project aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for the next generation of modular buildings by embracing recent breakthroughs in construction materials, computational modelling methods and construction techniques. Expected outcomes include a novel composite modular unit, a smart joining technique, a robust computational framework and desig ....Composite structures: a game changer for modular buildings. Modular construction can tackle Australia's housing affordability crisis on a large scale. This project aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for the next generation of modular buildings by embracing recent breakthroughs in construction materials, computational modelling methods and construction techniques. Expected outcomes include a novel composite modular unit, a smart joining technique, a robust computational framework and design guidelines that enable modular buildings to be built taller, safer, faster and thus cheaper than current practices allow. This project will position Australia at the forefront of modular construction technology, and make the local construction industry more competitive globally.Read moreRead less
Stiffness degradation of concrete members induced by reinforcement corrosion. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures exposed to coastal and marine environments. In Australia, corrosion-related repair and rehabilitation costs about $13 billion annually. Research carried out to date on the effects of corrosion in concrete structures has not considered the effects of sustained loads and shrinkage on corrosion and the deterioration of m ....Stiffness degradation of concrete members induced by reinforcement corrosion. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures exposed to coastal and marine environments. In Australia, corrosion-related repair and rehabilitation costs about $13 billion annually. Research carried out to date on the effects of corrosion in concrete structures has not considered the effects of sustained loads and shrinkage on corrosion and the deterioration of member stiffness with time. This project will develop a new theoretical basis to characterise corrosion effects on the in-service behaviour of concrete structures, essential for adequate assessment of durability of existing structures and for the safe design of new structures. Read moreRead less