Assessment of structural integrity and deterioration of masonry walls. Brickwork for housing and medium-rise buildings is a traditional material, also much used for modern construction, with aesthetic appeal and modest cost. However, building regulators and others are increasingly concerned about evidence of slow building deterioration, particularly of older buildings. This increases public safety risks, even under normal conditions and more so under high winds or earthquake-induced ground-shaki ....Assessment of structural integrity and deterioration of masonry walls. Brickwork for housing and medium-rise buildings is a traditional material, also much used for modern construction, with aesthetic appeal and modest cost. However, building regulators and others are increasingly concerned about evidence of slow building deterioration, particularly of older buildings. This increases public safety risks, even under normal conditions and more so under high winds or earthquake-induced ground-shaking. This project will help address this issue. It will obtain unbiased evidence of typical masonry building deterioration. It will couple this with mathematical modelling and state-of-the-art non-destructive visual and dynamic techniques to develop tools for making fast, low-cost practical building risk assessments.Read moreRead less
Structural Protection of flywheel energy storage system . A flywheel energy storage system stores a large amount of energy in a rotating mass. Compared with other energy storage systems such as large-capacity batteries, the flywheel energy storage system features high power density, long lifespan, high efficiency and is carbon-free. Flywheel energy storage systems are typically constructed underground due to safety concerns from a potential rotor burst. In the present project, a high-performance ....Structural Protection of flywheel energy storage system . A flywheel energy storage system stores a large amount of energy in a rotating mass. Compared with other energy storage systems such as large-capacity batteries, the flywheel energy storage system features high power density, long lifespan, high efficiency and is carbon-free. Flywheel energy storage systems are typically constructed underground due to safety concerns from a potential rotor burst. In the present project, a high-performance confinement system is developed aiming at above-ground construction. The confinement systems which comprise low-carbon, rubberized concrete, energy-absorbing aluminum foam, and ductile steel cladding will allow for high-impact resistance, off-site prefabrication, and easy on-site installation. Read moreRead less
Structure-property relationships of next generation aero-engine materials. We aim to design a novel manufacturing process for superalloy aero-engine parts with superior mechanical properties. This is significant because optimisation of the hot-forging route of the most commonly used Alloy 718 will enable targeted control of its nanoscale precipitate microstructure leading to substantial increases in the high-temperature strength. The expected scientific outcomes are new physical metallurgy knowl ....Structure-property relationships of next generation aero-engine materials. We aim to design a novel manufacturing process for superalloy aero-engine parts with superior mechanical properties. This is significant because optimisation of the hot-forging route of the most commonly used Alloy 718 will enable targeted control of its nanoscale precipitate microstructure leading to substantial increases in the high-temperature strength. The expected scientific outcomes are new physical metallurgy knowledge of the microstructure-property relationships of superalloys. The expected technological and societal outcomes include enhanced aero-engine material performance, creating benefits such as shorter flights over longer distances, and safer, more fuel-efficient air travel.Read moreRead less
Advancing the Australian specialty alloy processing capability. This project aims to advance Australia’s specialty alloy processing capability by developing novel processing routes to overcome current bottlenecks that prevent supply meeting demand. New knowledge will be generated on alternative means of the processing of Rene 41, a Nickel-based superalloy with limited formability through a comprehensive experimental and modelling-based research program. Rene 41 is strategically important for man ....Advancing the Australian specialty alloy processing capability. This project aims to advance Australia’s specialty alloy processing capability by developing novel processing routes to overcome current bottlenecks that prevent supply meeting demand. New knowledge will be generated on alternative means of the processing of Rene 41, a Nickel-based superalloy with limited formability through a comprehensive experimental and modelling-based research program. Rene 41 is strategically important for manufacturing next generation turbofan engines. The expected outcome is the identification of innovative processing routes to provide stronger, defect-free specialty alloys for aerospace applications, vital to Australia’s advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Seismic analysis of cracking and deformations in concrete gravity dams. This project aims to establish a rational predictive capability for the responses of concrete gravity dams subject to extreme design earthquakes. This will include the development of innovative numerical methods for effective modelling of crack propagation and closure, large slips on crack faces and weak interfaces, dam-reservoir interaction, dam-foundation interaction and automatic mesh generation. The expected outcomes of ....Seismic analysis of cracking and deformations in concrete gravity dams. This project aims to establish a rational predictive capability for the responses of concrete gravity dams subject to extreme design earthquakes. This will include the development of innovative numerical methods for effective modelling of crack propagation and closure, large slips on crack faces and weak interfaces, dam-reservoir interaction, dam-foundation interaction and automatic mesh generation. The expected outcomes of the project will be a significantly improved prediction tool. It is also anticipated that the project will result in improvements in dam and public safety, and more efficient use of funds for dam safety upgrades and management.Read moreRead less
Concrete Mixes for Durability: A Hybrid Mathematical Optimisation Approach. This project will lead a paradigm shift in concrete mix design methodology, which is currently focused on meeting the mechanical performance objectives of concrete, to a holistic approach that maximises durability of concrete alongside its mechanical performance. The approach is based on a hybrid methodology involving mathematical optimisation of concrete mix based on empirically formulated objective functions for durabi ....Concrete Mixes for Durability: A Hybrid Mathematical Optimisation Approach. This project will lead a paradigm shift in concrete mix design methodology, which is currently focused on meeting the mechanical performance objectives of concrete, to a holistic approach that maximises durability of concrete alongside its mechanical performance. The approach is based on a hybrid methodology involving mathematical optimisation of concrete mix based on empirically formulated objective functions for durability properties and mechanical properties. The multi-objective nature of proposed optimisation model will allow simultaneous consideration of several design objectives including: minimising the overall risk of cracking, minimising the permeability; and maximising the rate of strength development. Read moreRead less
Novel Hydrophobic Concrete for Durable and Resilient Mining Infrastructure. The mining field is harsh with various corrosive media that cause rapid deterioration and ageing of concrete. This project aims to develop a novel hydrophobic concrete with integrated water-proofing and self-healing capacities and optimise its efficacy and cost-effectiveness for durable and resilient mining infrastructure using hybrid water-repellent nanoparticles and raw crystalline admixtures. The new hydrophobic concr ....Novel Hydrophobic Concrete for Durable and Resilient Mining Infrastructure. The mining field is harsh with various corrosive media that cause rapid deterioration and ageing of concrete. This project aims to develop a novel hydrophobic concrete with integrated water-proofing and self-healing capacities and optimise its efficacy and cost-effectiveness for durable and resilient mining infrastructure using hybrid water-repellent nanoparticles and raw crystalline admixtures. The new hydrophobic concrete is expected to significantly improve structural safety, durability, and service life of mining infrastructure while simultaneously reducing protection costs, repair needs, and reconstruction. The outcomes will offer desirable benefits for Australia’s mining industry, with significant reductions in maintenance costs.Read moreRead less
Structural assembly for remote housing using fibre reinforced composites. This project aims to address construction challenges in remote housing by off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly using fibre reinforced composites and digital made-to-measure approach. Its goal is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge and practical technologies for reliable, affordable and durable housing in remote harsh environments. Intended results include innovative connections and systems with valuable understa ....Structural assembly for remote housing using fibre reinforced composites. This project aims to address construction challenges in remote housing by off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly using fibre reinforced composites and digital made-to-measure approach. Its goal is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge and practical technologies for reliable, affordable and durable housing in remote harsh environments. Intended results include innovative connections and systems with valuable understanding of their performances under various loading scenarios and accurate digital visualization for remote construction. The outcomes expect to unlock remote development, enhance our competitive strengths for manufacturing and construction industries, and further offer new solutions in post-disaster recovery applications.Read moreRead less
Development of prefabricated composite building panels and connections . This project will develop a new prefabricated composite brick-concrete panel technology, by exploiting cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities for the production of bricks and concrete components. It is expected to generate new robust design methodologies at both service and ultimate conditions by relying on advanced testing and theoretical modelling.
The project is expected to transform the current brick industry by repla ....Development of prefabricated composite building panels and connections . This project will develop a new prefabricated composite brick-concrete panel technology, by exploiting cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities for the production of bricks and concrete components. It is expected to generate new robust design methodologies at both service and ultimate conditions by relying on advanced testing and theoretical modelling.
The project is expected to transform the current brick industry by replacing traditional labour-intense brick construction with advanced and cost-effective prefabricated technologies that will enable brick construction to enter new markets, such as those of multi-storey buildings and complex load-bearing facades, previously not feasible or cost-effective with traditional brick technology.
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Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and bla ....Shrinkage, cracking, self-healing and corrosion in blended cement concrete. This project aims to investigate the effects of binder quantity and composition on early-age cracking in Australian concretes caused by restrained shrinkage, the subsequent self-healing capability of the cracks, and the possibility of detrimental early chloride induced steel reinforcement corrosion, particularly in marine locations. This project will focus on concrete mix designs and the blends of cement, fly-ash and blast furnace slag that are prescribed in the revised version of the concrete bridge standard for the most severe exposure. This project will lead to a significant improvement in the serviceability and durability of concrete structures in severe environments.Read moreRead less