Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theo ....Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theories for thermoforming, a standard method for material property characterization and new finite element models compatible with the most popular software available for industry. The project will form the basis for establishing the effective production window and enhance greatly the competitive edge of the Australian manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pr ....Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pressure vessels manufactured from low alloy ferritic steels. This project will increase confidence in relevant safety codes and standards, consequently increasing the likelihood of large scale uptake of hydrogen energy technologies. Read moreRead less
High Strength Concrete Beam-Columns with High-Strength Steel Reinforcement. The aim of this project is to develop the fundamental understanding needed to design and construct high-strength concrete columns with high-strength steel reinforcement, with the intended outcome of providing design rules for adoption by engineers and Standards bodies. With significant innovations in Australian steel bar technology, strengths grades of 750 megapascals, and higher, are becoming available. These high-stren ....High Strength Concrete Beam-Columns with High-Strength Steel Reinforcement. The aim of this project is to develop the fundamental understanding needed to design and construct high-strength concrete columns with high-strength steel reinforcement, with the intended outcome of providing design rules for adoption by engineers and Standards bodies. With significant innovations in Australian steel bar technology, strengths grades of 750 megapascals, and higher, are becoming available. These high-strength steels can be used in reinforced concrete building construction and would increase the competitiveness of Australia's manufacturing industry and enable the export of high-value-added technologies. Significant efficiencies in construction costs and in carbon emissions are possible.Read moreRead less
Integrated multilayered floor systems for high-performance buildings. This project aims to develop new integrated multilayered floor systems that is expected to increase the structural performance of inter-storey floors, minimise construction time and integrate the installation of services and structural components. This development will build on current construction techniques commonly available in Australia, such as composite steel-concrete systems, thin-metal products and prestressing techniq ....Integrated multilayered floor systems for high-performance buildings. This project aims to develop new integrated multilayered floor systems that is expected to increase the structural performance of inter-storey floors, minimise construction time and integrate the installation of services and structural components. This development will build on current construction techniques commonly available in Australia, such as composite steel-concrete systems, thin-metal products and prestressing techniques, and will combine their use in innovative arrangements which integrate services. A holistic theoretical framework intends to be established to develop and identify floor systems that maximise the structural efficiency while minimising the use of construction materials.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.
Read moreRead less
Behaviour of lifting inserts for precast concrete construction. The Australian market for precast concrete wall panels is estimated to be 5-6 million square metres per annum. This project will create the first guidelines for the design and safer usage of inserts for lifting operations, using novel analytical and numerical models to simulate structural behaviour and determine reliable procedures.
The Fundamentals of Liquid Flow Through A Reactive Packed Bed. A new and improved understanding of reactions that occur between liquids and coke in the lower zone of the blast furnace will enable ironmaking process optimization, and result in a significant reduction in carbon usage. This will decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The results will benefit metal refiners and associated support industries that utilize coal or coke in their process. Process optimization also helps to ensu ....The Fundamentals of Liquid Flow Through A Reactive Packed Bed. A new and improved understanding of reactions that occur between liquids and coke in the lower zone of the blast furnace will enable ironmaking process optimization, and result in a significant reduction in carbon usage. This will decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The results will benefit metal refiners and associated support industries that utilize coal or coke in their process. Process optimization also helps to ensure that Australia's vitally important steel industry remains internationally competitive, able to provide both quality steel for domestic and export markets and employment for thousands of Australians.Read moreRead less
Quantitative Atom Probe Tomography for Nanostructural Analysis of Materials. The ultimate in microscopy would involve the ability to image and chemically identify every atom or molecule in a specimen. This project involves the development of reconstruction and analysis methodologies for more accurately determining relative atomic positions in atom probe tomography. We will develop a comprehensive, platform-independent approach to enable quantitative atom probe tomography for the Australian resea ....Quantitative Atom Probe Tomography for Nanostructural Analysis of Materials. The ultimate in microscopy would involve the ability to image and chemically identify every atom or molecule in a specimen. This project involves the development of reconstruction and analysis methodologies for more accurately determining relative atomic positions in atom probe tomography. We will develop a comprehensive, platform-independent approach to enable quantitative atom probe tomography for the Australian research community. This development will be used to address current questions on the influence of the chemistry, crystallography, type and dispersion of sub-critical atomic clusters and supra-critical nanoscale precipitates on the strengthening mechanisms in light alloys used for structural applications in transport.Read moreRead less
Nano-scale Modification of Paint Surfaces for Contamination Resistance. The main aim of this work is to develop a process to produce a dirt resistant paint surface. Dirt resistance is an important characteristic of prepainted steel sheets often used in architectural situations where dirt build-up is unsightly. To develop the process it will be necessary to understand the mechanism of dirt adhesion to paints and the modes of operation of current dirt resistant processes. In addition work will be ....Nano-scale Modification of Paint Surfaces for Contamination Resistance. The main aim of this work is to develop a process to produce a dirt resistant paint surface. Dirt resistance is an important characteristic of prepainted steel sheets often used in architectural situations where dirt build-up is unsightly. To develop the process it will be necessary to understand the mechanism of dirt adhesion to paints and the modes of operation of current dirt resistant processes. In addition work will be required on the rate of surface segregation of additives to the paint solution. We propose to combine experimental and theoretical modelling approaches to obtain a fundamentally sound practical solution.Read moreRead less
Insoluble Oxide Product Formation and its Effect on Coke Dissolution in Liquid Iron. This investigation addresses the key issue of the effect of oxide formation on coke dissolution during ironmaking. A fundamental understanding of the nature of the oxide layer and its penetration by liquid metal is critical to the optimization of both traditional and new ironmaking technologies. The project will obtain kinetic data that will be used in process models to improve productivity, reduce coke consump ....Insoluble Oxide Product Formation and its Effect on Coke Dissolution in Liquid Iron. This investigation addresses the key issue of the effect of oxide formation on coke dissolution during ironmaking. A fundamental understanding of the nature of the oxide layer and its penetration by liquid metal is critical to the optimization of both traditional and new ironmaking technologies. The project will obtain kinetic data that will be used in process models to improve productivity, reduce coke consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This knowledge is particularly important for maintaining the competitiveness of Australian iron producers due to the high refractory oxide content of local coking coals.Read moreRead less