Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemAggregate interlock in fractured concrete mesoscale models: a novel finite element modelling approach(SPRINGERNATURE, 2022-07-17)Abstract Aggregate interlock is a stress transfer mechanism in cracked concrete. After concrete cracks under tensile loading, crack interfaces can experience significant slip deformation due to the applied crack kinematics. Upon rising slip along crack interfaces, aggregate interlock stresses are generated which transfer shear stress and normal stress. Many experimental programmes and analytical expressions have been developed for several decades. However, a finite element model considering realistic crack surfaces was still not developed. The complexity of developing a FE model lies due to the mesoscopic nature of the problem. In this study, concrete mesoscale models were employed to generate realistic cracked concrete surfaces. Uniaxial tensile fracture propagation in concrete mesoscale models were achieved using Zero-thickness cohesive elements approach. Once cracked concrete FE models are developed, validation of the proposed FE models was conducted against two experimental campaigns. The study comprises the evaluation of the surface roughness index of the cracked concrete surfaces. The FE model predicts secondary cracking under low initial crack widths and mixed mode angles. FE predictions were further compared with Walraven’s simplified formulae, Bažant’s rough crack model, Cavagnis’s aggregate interlock formulae and contact density model and consistence agreement was observed. Finally, strengths and weaknesses of the proposed FE modelling approach for aggregate interlock was discussed and further implementations were also highlighted.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableUpcycling opportunities and potential markets for aluminium composite panels with polyethylene core (ACP-PE) cladding materials in Australia: A review(ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2022-11-28)Many buildings worldwide have high fire-risk materials as part of their cladding. As governments in Australia strive to make buildings safer, it is expected that a large volume of end-of-life dangerous cladding will be replaced with safer materials. This high volume of hazardous materials might be upcycled into value-added products. This article presents a systematic market analysis and literature review in identifying current and potential uses for the raw materials used in hazardous ACP-PE cladding. The most promising areas were identified to be non-food-contact packaging (US$228 M p.a.), non-pressure pipes (US$30 M p.a.), footwear (US$5.29 M p.a.) and 3D printer filament (US$2.73 M p.a.)
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ItemMulti-Criteria Analysis of a Developed Prefabricated Footing System on Reactive Soil Foundation(MDPI, 2021-11)The need for advancements in residential construction and the hazard induced by the shrink–swell reactive soil movement prompted the development of the prefabricated footing system of this study, which was assessed and compared to a conventional waffle raft using a multi-criteria analysis. The assessment evaluates the structural performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability using finite element modelling, life cycle cost analysis, and life cycle assessment, respectively. The structural performance of the developed prefabricated system was found to have reduced the deformation and cracking by approximately 40%. However, the cost, GHG emission, and embodied energy were higher in the prefabricated footing system due to the greater required amount of concrete and steel than that of the waffle raft. The cost difference between the two systems can be reduced to as low as 6% when prefabricated systems were installed in a highly reactive sites with large floor areas. The life cycle assessment further observed that the prefabricated footing systems consume up to 21% more energy and up to 18% more GHG emissions. These can significantly be compensated by reusing the developed prefabricated footing system, decreasing the GHG emission and energy consumption by 75–77% and 55–59% with respect to that of the waffle raft.
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ItemDesign of prefabricated footing connection using a coupled hydro-mechanical finite element model(ERNST & SOHN, 2022-10)Abstract The use of prefabricated systems can alleviate the inadequate housing and skilled workers in most developed countries by expediting required construction time, reducing material wastage, decreasing the effect of weather impacts, minimizing unexpected costs, skilled labor dependence, and construction hazards. The full potential of prefabricated construction is yet to be realized in part due to most advancements being focused on its superstructure. The development of prefabricated substructures for lightweight buildings needs to consider the susceptibility to damage induced by the shrink‐swell movement of expansive soils causing significant global financial losses. Prefabricated substructures should have robust connections in discontinued regions to transfer forces and moments. Due to these issues, the aim of this study is to develop a connection for prefabricated raft substructures of single‐detached dwellings on expansive soils using a combined soil‐structure contact analysis and strut‐and‐tie model approach. The developed substructure system was validated using experiments and further investigated through numerical simulations. The developed prefabricated connection was observed to have satisfactory performance, potentially overcoming most construction limitations of conventional monolithic cast‐in‐place raft substructures, such as faster, safer, and more sustainable construction, while providing comparable strength and serviceability.
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ItemMicrostructural Investigation of High-Volume Fly Ash Composites Containing Nano-Calcium Silicate Hydrate Crystals(ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 2021-12-01)
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ItemEffect of wind speed and direction on facade fire spread in an isolated rectangular building(Elsevier, 2022-05-01)This paper investigates the influence of wind speed and direction on external fire spread in an isolated rectangular building using computational fluid dynamics models validated with wind tunnel data and facade fire tests. Two wind speeds (2 m/s, 4 m/s) are considered for each of four wind directions (0°, 45°, 90°, 180°) and compared to a reference case of no wind. Results indicate that facade fire spread is heavily influenced by the near-wall flow fields generated by the building geometry. These flow fields explain counterintuitive findings such as the upstream tilting of flames under the influence of reverse flow near the side walls. The presence of external wind was found to inhibit the initial development of facade fires, but can greatly exacerbate fire spread once the fire has fully developed. The largest fire occurred for the case of no wind (7.5 GJ in 15 min) while the smallest fire occurred for the 4 m/s diagonal wind case (2.2 GJ). An additional case with temporally varying wind conditions demonstrated a 50% increase in fire spread area compared to no wind. The study provides valuable insight into wind and fire interaction in building facades that can help improve fire safety of buildings.
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ItemDesigning Post COVID-19 Buildings: Approaches for Achieving Healthy Buildings(MDPI AG, 2022-01-12)The COVID-19 pandemic forced the accessibility, social gathering, lifestyle, and working environment to be changed to reduce the infection. Coronavirus spreads between people in several different ways. Small liquid particles (aerosols, respiratory droplets) from an infected person are transmitted through air and surfaces that are in contact with humans. Reducing transmission through modified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building design are potential solutions. A comprehensive review of the engineering control preventive measures to mitigate COVID-19 spread, healthy building design, and material was carried out. The current state-of-the-art engineering control preventive measures presented include ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), bipolar ionization, vertical gardening, and indoor plants. They have potential to improve the indoor air quality. In addition, this article presents building design with materials (e.g., copper alloys, anti-microbial paintings) and smart technologies (e.g., automation, voice control, and artificial intelligence-based facial recognition) to mitigate the infections of communicable diseases.
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