School of Engineering College of Health & Science

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Civionics is a discipline concerned with the interface of the use of electronic devices for the monitoring of civil engineering infrastructure. The term was first coined in Canada by the Centre for Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures. Like the disciplines of Avionics and Bionics, it is an interdisciplinary field founded in solving problems of an applied nature for industry. Avionics and Bionics have seen huge advances for the Aircraft and Biomedical industries respectively. It is expected that the field of Civionics will play a vital role for government instrumentalities and companies involved in infrastructure development.

The School of Engineering at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) is home to one of Australia’s best laboratories for independent testing and monitoring for the construction and manufacturing industries. Its expertise is especially relevant to civil, structural and signal processing engineering businesses and regulatory bodies.

UWS continues to strengthen and deepen its research presence and demonstrate competitiveness in the Australian innovation system. The strategic goal of the University (as stated in the UWS Research Plan 2004-2008) is to “achieve outstanding performance in research and scholarship that is distinguished by its interdisciplinary focus and relevance to industry, government and the community.”

This brochure serves as an entrée into the activities of the newly established node for Civionics at UWS. It highlights current node projects, projects funded by the Australian Research Council and industry and provides summaries of our staff expertise. I hope this document serves to galvanise interaction between your organisation and UWS and welcome you to contact us if you are interested in future interaction with our Node.

Yours sincerely

Professor Brian Uy

Civionics at UWS

Research overview 1

Construction technology research services 2

Current node projects 4

Australian Research Council 7

ARC Discovery Projects 8

ARC Linkage Projects 11

Organisational chart 12

Staff profiles 13

UWS Innovation and Consulting 28

Engage with the Civionics Research Node 29

Contents

1

The recently established Civionics Research Node is the first of its kind in Australia and enables the School of Engineering to conduct unique cross-disciplinary research across the Engineering, Construction and Industrial Design programs.

Research into this field will provide engineers with the feedback necessary to aid in optimising design techniques and understanding infrastructure performance, behaviour and state of condition to assist with intelligent maintenance and repair of structures in the future.

Civionics Research NodeIn March 2008, the School of Engineering formed the Civionics Research Node – a discipline focussing on the application of electronics to civil structures for structural health monitoring purposes.

The areas into which the Research Node will initially focus its research efforts on are:

Health Monitoring of Infrastructure; »Intelligent Infrastructure Design; and »Intelligent Maintenance and »Repair of Infrastructure.

Looking aheadThe Research Node aims to substantially increase the School’s research performance in the field of Civionics by producing high quality and high impact research outputs whilst offering students the opportunity to be involved in a high quality research training program.

It is envisaged that the Research Node will develop into a UWS Research Group/Centre with strong support from the School, College and University and will rapidly grow into a high level research concentration in the nominated areas with national and international reputation and impact.

ENGINEERING

CONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Research overview

Construction technology research services

Research and Consulting ServicesSchool of Engineering

The University of Western

Sydney, through the School

of Engineering, provides an

extensive range of independent

testing, monitoring and

consulting services. It is well

equipped with state-of-the-

art facilities for conducting

research in various engineering

fields including civil/structural,

electrical, mechatronics

and signal processing.

The School has a particular

emphasis on the construction

and manufacturing industries

and works in close partnership

with industry-based clients

in developing new products

and processes to improve

efficiency and costs.

Our PeopleThe School has a strong multi-disciplinary structure and focus. UWS engineering academics specialise in the following areas:

Civil/Structural engineering »Computer/Mechanical/Electrical and »Telecommunications EngineeringConstruction technology »Mechatronics and signal processing »Industrial design »

Research ExpertiseThe School is especially experienced in the monitoring of movements, strains and vibrations of various structures including bridges, multi-storey buildings and other isolated structures. Extensive facilities to assess and determine modal frequencies of structures are available.

Academics in the School of Engineering are also conducting research in environmental engineering, power engineering, fire safety engineering, construction and industrial design.

Consulting ServicesThe School offers highly specialised engineering consulting and research capabilities aimed at identifying practical and efficient solutions to clients’ needs across the main disciplines of construction technology, engineering and industrial design.

This includes providing expert assessments of products, procedures and/or design criteria in the fields of construction (civil/structural) works along with providing new product support in the form of structural assessment and development performance.

By utilising the experience of various disciplines within the School of Engineering, assessments beyond the structural requirements are also possible with experts in materials, electronics and industrial design applications.

This expertise is delivered to corporate and government clients from academic staff in the School of Engineering facilitated by the UWS Innovation and Consulting Unit. The UWS Innovation and Consulting Unit is the conduit for the corporate and government sector to engage with UWS (refer page 28).

3Construction technology research services

The Construction Technology

Research Laboratory at the

UWS Kingswood campus

is a NATA accredited testing

facility, complying with

Australian and ISO standards.

These services include both

static and dynamic testing for

components and assemblies at

the research laboratory or site.

Testing ServicesWe have five load frames on site with a capacity up to 5000kN (500 tonnes). These frames are complemented by a 16 by 8 metre multi-configurable strong floor with numerous actuators ranging from 150kN to 2000kN. The range and multi-purpose nature of the facility enables the testing of many configurations. These tests may be full-scale, or on components of assemblies to ascertain the behaviour of the sub-structure or components. Concrete, steel and plastics, and composites of these, as well as polystyrene, alloys and timber are all tested using this facility.

Other facilities include:Geomechanics Lab »Environmental Engineering Lab »Linux Lab for high speed »computing and simulation Engineering Digital Lab »Telecommunications Lab »Precision Robotics and Assembly Lab »Rapid Prototype Facilities »Structural Monitoring Services »

Previous ProjectsCompressive tests on upright »specimens 3.5 metres with loads up to 3000kNFull-scale composite steel »and concrete beamsMulti-span multiple loading point »bending tests, with both equal and unequal span loading3 metre walls subjected to combined »raking, vertical and out of plane loadingFull-scale wall to floor connections »to determine the shear moment interaction of connectorsFull-scale prestress and post- »tensioned slab bending testsTests on samples to determine »material properties (including steel, alloys, concrete, timber, polystyrene and other plastics)Bending and tensile tests on concrete »slabs with the monitoring of crack width with varying stress levelsVarious formwork and propping »components with vertical or combined vertical lateral loadingDetermination of sectional properties »of timber members prior to placement in bridge structures

Testing LaboratorySchool of Engineering, Kingswood Campus

This project aims to (a) develop

advanced image processing

algorithms for the accurate

detection of multiple targets in

noisy images at the sub-pixel

level; and (b) measure shear

and multi-strains to gain new

insights into the behaviour of

beams and columns under

various deformations.

Current node projects

Determination of strains based on visual informationInvestigators: Jeffrey Zou, Brian Uy, Yang Xiang and Lawrence Pap

Strains are usually caused by the deformation of structural members under loading or other actions (see Figure 1). Traditional techniques for strain measurements using displacement devices, such as wire strain gauges and inductive transducers, are normally appropriate for point-wise measurements however, it would be cumbersome and time consuming to use them for multiple-point measurements. Other techniques to evaluate strains at multiple points in the past have included fibre optic sensors such as Bragg Gratings, however these are relatively costly and also do not lend themselves to surface strain measurement, being more pertinent as embedded sensors.

Recently, photogrammetric techniques have been introduced to measure the deformation of structural members [Maas2006]. A major advantage of these techniques is that they are capable of measuring the coordinates of an almost arbitrary number of three-dimensional points within the camera’s field of view, and hence they can be used to measure multiple-point strains efficiently. These techniques have been applied to various tasks in civil engineering [Lee2008] [Koke2008] [Grytten2007].

One challenge in using photo-grammetric techniques for strain measurements is the precision that can be achieved. The primary causes for the inaccuracy in photogrammetric measurements include the detection of targets and the noise in images [Grytten2007]. Another challenge is the accurate determination of transverse shear strains and multi-strains in beams and columns. Although a number of theories have been developed to describe strains in beams and columns, their verification is often difficult because of the complex measurements involved.

The anticipated outcomes of this project include advanced image processing algorithms that deal with the challenge of imprecise detection of targets in noisy images for strain measurements (see Figure 2). The outcomes also include new insights into the behaviour of beams and columns under various deformations. They will contribute to the knowledge base of a multi-disciplinary area, covering structural engineering, photogrammetry and image processing.

Figure 2: Sub-pixel target detection: (Left) a circle; (Right) the circle after non-linear interpolation

Figure 1: Strains of a structural member after deformation

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References[Grytten2007] Grytten, F, Fagerhold, E, Auestad, T, Forre, B, Borvik, T (2007). Out-of-plane deformation measurements of an aluminium plate during quasi-static perforation using structured light and close-range photogrammetry. International Journal of Solids and Structure, vol 44, pp.5752–5773.[Koke2008] Kobe, I, Muller, WH, Ferber, F, Mahnken, R, Funke, H (2008). Measuring mechanical parameters in glass fiber-reinforced composites: standard evaluation techniques enhanced by photogrammetry. Composite Science and Technology, vol 68, pp 1156–1164.[Lee2008] Lee, TK, Al-Mahaidi, R, (2008). An experimental investigation on shear behaviour of RC T-beams strengthened with CFRP using photogrammetry. Composite Structures, vol 82, pp 185–193.[Maas2006] Maas, HG, Hampel, U (2006). Photogrammetric techniques in civil engineering material testing and structure monitoring. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, vol 72, pp 1–7.

5

Passive wireless sensors for structural health monitoringInvestigators: Ranjith Liyanapathirana, Brian Uy and Yang Xiang

The availability of low-power

and passive unpowered

sensors will make structural

health monitoring successful

in future smart buildings. The

sensors will be interrogated

(in the case of passive

sensors) and monitored

over secure networks.

This project will investigate novel wireless sensors for measuring strains in structural components. While traditional metal foil strain gauges provide high resolution, wireless sensors to date exhibit low-resolution and are susceptible to severe interference from surrounding structures.

This is especially problematic in steel structures and reinforced concrete buildings. Passive wireless sensors that can be interrogated through the use of radio frequencies in the unlicensed Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands will be investigated theoretically and experimentally. The sensors are embedded within a concrete structure and interrogated by sending a radio signal of suitable amplitude and phase characteristic.

We investigate the use of pulsed modulation as a means of obtaining a high-resolution output from the resonant cavity of the sensor. Once the resonant frequency has been established to an adequate accuracy, it will be possible to compute the strain by referring to the unstrained (no load) resonant frequency of the cavity resonator1. In the experiment cylindrical cavity resonators of various geometrical sizes will be enclosed in concrete with an integrated patch antenna operating at ISM band. A loading frame will be used to apply load to the sample giving rise to strain. Measurement of strain and resonant frequency will be made for a range of static loads.

1 Chuang J, Thomson DJ, and Bridge, GE

(2005), “Embeddable wireless strain sensor

based on resonant RF cavities”, Review of Sci-

entific Instruments (online), Vol 26, 094703

Actual SHM surveillance unit used in this project.

The system will contain built-in intelligence to initiate calls (can be video (MMS), voice call or text (SMS)) as a result of predefined adverse events, for example, strain gauge or displacement sensor exceeding the normal operating range or a particular surveillance camera detecting an unauthorised entry to the SHM area.

The operator will be able to manipulate the camera over the 3G wireless network for a more detailed view or to focus on an offending structural component. In the normal operating mode, the device will gather data for periodic transmission to a central monitoring station.

This project consists of the following tasks:System Controller Design; »Data Acquisition and Interface Design; »Image/Video Detection; »Image/Video Capturing Software; and »PCB Design. »

The system controller consists of a microcontroller to control the various signal processing operations, monitoring functions and video camera remote control operations.

The interface will enable the connection of, among others, optical fibre sensors and metal foil strain gauges to the system. Sensor data outputs of individual sensors will be sent via a simple SMS, whereas images will be sent by initiating a video call to the 3G network.

An MMS, voice or SMS message could be initiated in response to an alarm situation or for routine inspection of the structure. A stepper motor control unit will enable the camera to be operated remotely. An image/video detection unit, along with the video capturing software, will enable intruder detection and transmittal of more detailed views (if needed) of the structure to the operator. All of the above subsystems will be combined into compact PCBs within the prototype unit.

The outcome of this pilot project would be a proto-type system operated over existing 3G wireless networks for monitoring embedded sensors in a structure combined with a remotely controlled video camera. Passive wireless sensors will be investigated in such a way that they can be implemented practically at the design and construction stages of a building.

Remote monitoring and control of sensors over 3G wireless networksInvestigators: Ranjith Liyanapathirana, Upul Gunawardana, Brian Uy and Yang Xiang

The objective of this project is

to design and build a prototype

system that could monitor

any number of multiple-type

sensors (including passive

sensors and optical fibre

sensors), along with surveillance

image signals obtained via a

small video camera which can

be remotely controlled through

the 3G wireless network.

Current node projects

Sensor data outputs of individual sensors will be sent via a simple SMS

7

Discovery ProjectsThe Discovery Projects scheme provides funding for research projects undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.

Discovery Projects aim to: support excellent fundamental »research by individuals and teams;enhance the scale and focus of »national research priorities;assist researchers to undertake »their research in conditions most conducive to achieving best results;expand Australia’s knowledge »base and research capability;foster the international competitiveness »of Australian research; andencourage research training in high- »quality research environments.

Linkage ProjectsThe Linkage Projects scheme involves a collaborating organisation from outside the higher education sector who makes a significant contribution that is equal to, or greater than, the ARC funding, in cash and/or in kind, to the project.

Linkage Projects aim to:encourage and develop long-term »strategic research alliances between higher education institutions and industry in order to apply advanced knowledge to problems, or to provide opportunities to obtain national economic or social benefits; support collaborative research »on issues of benefit to regional and rural communities;foster opportunities for »postdoctoral researchers to pursue internationally competitive research in collaboration with industry;provide industry-oriented research »training to prepare high-calibre postgraduate research students; andproduce a national pool of world- »class researchers to meet the needs of Australian industry.

The Australian Research

Council (ARC), under the

National Competitive Grants

Program (NCGP), provides

financial assistance towards

facilities and equipment

that researchers need to be

internationally competitive. The

program is designed to build

Australia’s research capability,

expand and enhance research

networks and collaborations,

and develop centres of research

excellence. It also provides

incentives for Australia’s most

talented researchers to work

in partnership with leading

researchers throughout

the national innovation

system and internationally,

and to form alliances with

Australian industry.

National Competitive Grants ProgramReference: ARC website (arc.gov.au)

Australian Research Council

Understanding and controlling high frequency vibration response is of crucial importance in aircraft, satellites and other space vehicles. When a thin-walled structure is subjected to a high frequency, the response can lead to forced vibration or heat. Excessive vibration and unacceptable noise can create great fluctuations of mechanical loads and stresses resulting in fatigue of structural components, friction, wear, and damage of electronic and other delicate components.

“These problems need to be controlled at the design stage and this can be done with analysis methods that are able to predict the structural response” says Professor Xiang. “Current computational methods lack the numerical stability to do this, so our aim is to create an algorithm that combines accuracy with flexibility overcoming the shortcomings of present methods.”

The research will assist engineers to understand the responses of thin-walled structures of varying shapes and sizes when subjected to a range of complex loading conditions.

Computation of thin-walled structuresJuly 2006

Professor Yang Xiang, School

of Engineering, is developing

computational methods

for analysis of thin-walled

structures. This ARC Discovery

Project will address some of

the difficulties associated with

the mechanical behaviour of

thin-walled structures, such

as high frequency vibration,

stress concentration and

buckling after being subjected

to various loading conditions.

ARC Discovery Projects

Project Title: Development of a local spectral method for the computations of thin-walled structuresFunding: $240,000Contact Details: y.xiang@uws.edu.au

Understanding and controlling high frequency vibration response is of crucial importance in aircraft, satellites and other space vehicles.

Thin-walled structures, such as aeroplanes, can be subjected to excessive vibration resulting in fatigue of structural components.

9

May the force be with youDecember 2007

“Composite steel-concrete beams are the most widely used method of construction for steel framed structures such as bridges, stadia and buildings. They are considered to provide elegant form and design with minimum weight and are also re-usable and therefore environmentally sustainable” says Professor Uy. “While much is known about the structural and load bearing properties of the beams when subjected to forces that may bend them, less is known of their behaviour and strength when subjected to different forces such as twisting, shearing or torsion. This knowledge would greatly expand the possibilities for design and construction of large structures. This project aims to develop a unified theory of the behaviour of steel-concrete building materials to integrate what we know about bending stresses with new knowledge of other types of stresses and strains that may also be encountered in building engineering and design.”

Professor Uy will conduct a series of experiments designed to test how the beams react when subjected to different forces – individually and in combinations of two or more different directional forces at the same time. Beams will be tested to the point of failure and analysed to determine the patterns of stress that led to their structural failure.

This project addresses a national research priority, Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, through the development of advanced materials and the structural systems which they will create. Improved understanding of the complex behaviour of steel-concrete building structures, plus the ability to analyse them more accurately, will lead to increased economy of design, confidence in design and incorporation of these materials into structures and Australian Standards. Economic benefits to Australia will also flow from this research, by placing the engineering and structural design professions at the forefront of developments in their field and thus improving Australia’s international competitiveness.

Professor Brian Uy from

the School of Engineering

is exploring the behaviour

and design of composite

steel-concrete beams in

large scale construction

projects through a three year

ARC Discovery Grant.

Project Title: Unified theory for the behaviour and design of composite steel-concrete beams subjected to generalised loading and support conditionsFunding: $300,413Contact Details: b.uy@uws.edu.au

Improved understanding of the complex behaviour of steel-concrete building structures will lead to increased economy of design and confidence in design.

High performance steel in buildingFebruary 2008

“HPS are steels which exhibit improved strength, corrosion resistance and energy absorption” says Professor Uy. “These enhanced properties, compared to conventional steels, may give HPS protective properties against extreme loads that may occur in events such as explosions, earthquakes, fire, hurricanes and accidental impacts. Such events are severe for buildings, bridges and other infrastructures, and need innovative structural engineering solutions. The subject of this project is to explore the possibility of reducing the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure systems to such events through cost-effective protective systems using high-performance steels.”

Professor Brian Uy from the

School of Engineering is

collaborating with

Dr Alex Remennikov from the

University of Wollongong and

Professor Jat Yuen (Richard)

Liew from the National

University of Singapore,

through a three year ARC

Discovery project, to explore the

benefits of High-Performance

Steels (HPS) for protection

against extreme loads and

events in bridges and other

engineered structures.

Project Title: Utilising the benefits of High Performance Steels (HPS) and infill materials for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) against extreme loads.Funding: $371,000Contact Details: b.uy@uws.edu.au

The research team will compare high-performance steel beams and columns with the same structures made from stainless steel, and will also compare the performance of HPS columns and concrete-filled plates with conventional composite structures. The columns and beams will be tested on state-of-the-art simulation machinery in order to analyse the relative performance of the different materials against sharp impacts and shocks, explosive blasts, and continuous load pressures. This will allow analysis and modelling of characteristics of particular interest to the real life world of engineering, including energy absorbing capacity.

The results of this project will provide comprehensive engineering and design parameters for high-performance steel to enable effective use of these innovative materials. The benefit from the increased safety of critical infrastructure will provide greater security against physical and financial losses if an extreme event should ever take place.

ARC Discovery Projects

Explosions, earthquakes, fire, hurricane and accidental impacts can have severe effects on bridges and other infrastructure.

11

Ground improvement works

are commonly required to

overcome poor underlying soils

in conjunction with infrastructure

and housing development.

An extensively employed and

popular improvement technique

is to impart mechanical

compaction to the ground in

an effort to achieve adequate

strength and favourable

load-deformation behaviour

(stiffness) for the construction

of civil infrastructure, including

buildings and roads.

Compaction rapidly decreases soil porosity and in the absence of sufficient moisture to replace the entire air content in the voids, the compacted soil becomes essentially unsaturated. Upon compaction, the matric suction generated within the soil is a function of the current moisture content and the grain size distribution of the soil. In order to assess whether a sufficient level of compaction is achieved to meet future design requirements, the means to confirm the quality of compaction and to acquire an innate knowledge of the relationships among matric suction, moisture content and unsaturated shear strength will be imperative. In this project, a characterisation method is proposed that is non-classical for verifying the standard of compaction. This involves a low cost and efficient non-destructive passive ambient noise-based method, which will be calibrated against a set of both in-situ and laboratory test data. The proposal will be based on a pilot study of two compacted fill sites at Penrith Lakes in Western Sydney and centred on two main phases of research. The first phase concerns the ambient noise-based method including refinement of current techniques, ambient noise measurements at Penrith Lakes and interpretation, validation and calibration of the measured data to characterise the compacted layer and the underlying soil profile.

The second phase of research work will involve a series of field measurements, undisturbed field sample retrieval and a series of laboratory tests on these retrieved samples including process simulation and pressure membrane testing. This will enable the fundamental soil properties to be calibrated with the ambient noise test data, hence establishing empirical relationships representing the quality of soil compaction that is currently not available for practicing engineers.

Expected OutcomesA well described, more efficient and »economical site characterisation method based on ambient noise techniques with particular reference to Vs profile which will, in turn, be calibrated to useful soil properties reflecting the quality of field compaction.Better interpretation of engineering »properties of compacted fill through basic understanding of the nature of compaction effort (i.e. static rolling, dynamic and/or impact), which are directly relevant to the future construction at Penrith Lakes.Design charts, analytical and »visualisation tools to assist the end users in making control and for optimising decisions in the compaction of the sandy clay fills.An in-depth know-how package »for practicing engineers on the optimum use of ambient noise techniques including other potential applications (eg for assessment of edge stability of the lakes) not just specific only to Penrith Lakes.Rigorous training of PhD students in »an area of study that is essential for challenging infrastructure construction efforts currently launched in Australia.

Geotechnical characterisation of compacted ground based on passive ambient noise techniquesOctober 2008

Funding ArrangementsThis project is an interdisciplinary collaboration of University of Western Sydney and University of Wollongong engineering staff spanning the fields of experimental and theoretical geomechanics, geophysics and signal processing.Project Title: Geotechnical characterisation of compacted ground based on passive ambient noise techniquesFunding: $211,000Contact Details: c.leo@uws.edu.au

ARC Linkage Projects

Tomograph used for horizontal/vertical spectral ratio analysis

Organisational chart

College of Health & SciencePotential Relationships with Civionics

Professor David Ellsworth

Professor Anthony Maedar

PAFSCIVIONICS

SCAM

SBHS

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

UWSPotential Civionics Relationships

CIVIONICS MARCS Professor Denis Burnham

PAFS - Plant and Food ScienceSCAM - School of Computing and MathematicsSBHS - School of Biomedical and Health Science

13

Research ExpertiseBrian has been involved with research in steel-concrete composite structures for more than 15 years and he has published over 350 articles. Much of this research has been underpinned by competitive grant funding from the ARC and industry totalling over $6 million. Brian serves on the editorial boards of seven international journals for structural engineering and is a significant contributor to international codes of practice in steel and composite construction. He currently serves on the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Task Committee 5 on Composite Construction and the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers, Working Commission 2 on steel, timber and composite structures. Brian also served as a member on the Amercian Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Structural Engineering Institute, Technical Committee and Composite Construction. Brian is a chartered engineer in Australia, the UK and USA and regularly provides higher level consulting advice for certification and forensic purposes.

Top 10 PublicationsUy B (2008) Stability and ductility of high performance steel sections with concrete infill, Journal 1 of Constructional Steel Research, An International Journal, vol 64(7-8) pp 748-754, ISSN 0143-974X.Uy B and Bradford MA (2007) Composite action of structural steel beams and precast 2 concrete slabs for the flexural strength limit state, Special Issue: Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, vol 7(2), pp 123-134, ISSN 1328-7982.Uy B (2006) Local and interaction buckling in composite columns, ch 8, Stability of Plated 3 Structures: Analysis and Design, Woodhead Publishing Company, ISBN 1-85573-967-4.Uy B and Nethercot DA (2005) Effects of partial shear connection on the required and available 4 rotations of semi-continuous composite beam systems, The Structural Engineer, International Journal of IStructE, vol 83(4), pp 29-39, ISSN 0039-2553.Uy B (2003) High strength steel-concrete composite columns for buildings, Structures and 5 Buildings, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, vol 156(1), pp 3-14, ISSN 0965-0911.Uy B and Liew JYR (2002) Composite steel-concrete structures, Civil Engineering Handbook, 6 CRC Press, ch 51, ISBN 0-8493-0958-1.Uy B (2001) Local and post-local buckling of fabricated thin-walled steel and steel-concrete 7 composite sections, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 127(6), pp 666-677, ISSN 0733-9445.Uy B (2000) Strength of short concrete filled steel box columns incorporating local buckling, 8 Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, vol 126(3), pp 341-352, ISSN 0143-974X.Uy B (1998) Local and post-local buckling of concrete filled steel welded box columns, Journal 9 of Constructional Steel Research, An International Journal, Elsevier, vol 47(1-2), pp 47-72, ISSN 0143-974X.Uy B and Bradford MA (1996) Elastic local buckling of steel plates in composite steel-concrete 10 members, Engineering Structures, An International Journal, Elsevier, vol 18(3), pp 193-200, ISSN 0141-0296.

GrantsUnified theory for the behaviour and design of composite steel-concrete beams subjected to »generalised loading and support conditions (Uy), ARC Discovery Grant, 2008-10, $300,413.Utilising the benefits of high performance steels (HPS) and infill materials for critical infrastructure »protection (CIP) against extreme loads (Uy and Remennikov), ARC Discovery Grant, 2008-10, $371,000.Time dependent response and deformations of composite beams with innovative deep »trapezoidal decks (Bradford, Uy, Ranzi and Filonov), ARC Linkage Projects (Round 1), 2008-10, $256,188 (ARC) + $252,900 (BlueScope Lysaght).Innovative retrofitting techniques for the protection of anchorage zones in cable stayed bridges »subjected to blast loads (Mendis, Samali and Uy), ARC Linkage Projects (Round 2), 2008-11, $211,000 (ARC) + $178,638 (RTA).Development of innovative beam-column connections within robust composite steel-concrete »structural frames (Goldsworthy, Gad, Uy and Fernando), ARC Linkage Projects (Round 2), 2006-09, $450,000 (ARC) + $465,000 (Ajax, OneSteel, Smorgon).

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Staff profiles

Brian UyProfessor / Head of School

Brian is Head of School and Professor at UWS. Prior to this, he was Professor of Structural Engineering and Head of the School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wollongong from 2004–06. He has also held academic positions at the University of New South Wales, Sydney; Imperial College of Science Technology & Medicine, London; National University of Singapore; Ove Arup & Partners (now ARUP); Wholohan Grill & Partners (now Worley) and Wargon Chapman & Partners (now Hyder).

Brian is currently the Engineers Australia, College of Structural Engineers representative of the Standards Australia Committee BD32 and a member of BD2. In 2008 Brian was elected Vice-Chair of the Australia Division of the Institution of Structural Engineers, United Kingdom and continues this role in 2009.

CIVIL ENGINEERING Research ExpertiseYang has extensive research expertise in the areas of stability and vibration analyses of structures and development of computational methods for the analyses of solid and structural mechanics problems. His research on the buckling and vibration behaviour of thick plates has made a significant impact in this area with results being widely cited. He obtained exact solutions for buckling and vibration of plates and shells which provide important benchmark values for engineers and researchers in this field. He developed several effective computational methods for the analysis of thin-walled structures. His current research interests include nonlocal beam theory for the analysis of micro/nano rods, photogrammetry technique for strain and deformation measurement, DSC algorithm for the analysis of thin-walled structures, and analysis of plates and shells with surface cracks. Top 10 Publications

Shen HS and Xiang Y (2008) Buckling and postbuckling of anisotropic laminated cylindrical shells 1 under combined axial compression and torsion, Composite Structures, Elsevier, vol 84(4), pp 375-386, ISSN 0263-8223.Xiang Y (2007) Vibration of plates with abrupt changes in properties, Analysis and Design of 2 Plated Structures: Dynamics, Woodhead Publishing Limited, vol 2, ch 8, ISBN 1-84569-116-4.Zhang L and Xiang Y (2007) Exact solutions for vibration of stepped circular cylindrical shells, 3 Journal of Sound and Vibration, Elsevier, vol 299(4-5), pp 948-964, ISSN 0022-460X.Xiang Y and Wei GW (2004) Exact solutions for buckling and vibration of stepped rectangular 4 mindlin plates, International Journal of Solids and Structures, Elsevier, vol 41(1), pp 279-294, ISSN 0020-7683.Xiang Y (2003) Exact solutions for buckling of multispan rectangular plates, Journal of Engineering 5 Mechanics, ASCE, vol 129(2), pp 181-187, ISSN 0733-9399.Wei GW, Zhao YB and Xiang Y (2002) Discrete singular convolution and its application to the 6 analysis of plates with internal supports, Theory and Algorithm, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, part 1, vol 55(8), pp 913-946, ISSN 0029-5981.Liew KM, Wang,CM, Xiang Y and Kitipornchai S (1998) Vibration of mindlin plates, Programming 7 the p-Version Ritz Method, Elsevier, 212 pp, ISBN 978-0-08043-341-7.Xiang Y, Kitipornchai S and Liew KM (1996) Buckling and vibration of thick laminates on 8 Pasternak foundations, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, vol 122(1), pp 54-63, ISSN 0733-9399.Liew KM, Xiang Y and Kitipornchai S (1995) Research on thick plate vibration - a literature survey, 9 Journal of Sound and Vibration, Elsevier, vol 180(1), pp 163-176, ISSN 0022-460X.Xiang Y, Liew KM and Kitipornchai S (1993) Transverse vibration of thick annular sector plates, 10 Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, vol 119(8), pp 1579-1599, ISSN 0733-9399 .

GrantsStudy on the mechanical behaviour of single-walled carbon nanotubes subjected to temperature »change and existence of structural defects (Xiang), UWS Research Grant Scheme, 2009, $23,315. Development of a novel numerical method for the computations of thin-walled structures (Xiang), »ARC Discovery Grant, 2006-2008, $240,000.

Yang XiangProfessor / Associate Head of School

Yang joined UWS as a lecturer in 1996 and has since contributed to the course development and coordination of the civil engineering program. He was appointed to the position of Associate Head of School (Engineering) in July 2007 and was promoted to Professor in 2008.

Yang is a member of Engineers Australia and the Amercian Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE). He has also been a member of the Stability Committee, Engineering Mechanics Division, ASCE since 2004. Yang has served on the editorial board of the International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics since 2003.

Staff profiles

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Chin LeoAssociate Professor

Chin is an Associate professor within the School of Engineering. Prior to this, he was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Sydney from 1994–1995 and was a visiting academic to École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’État, France, in 2004 and 2006. He has also held engineering positions at the Public Works Department in Singapore. Chin is currently a member of Engineers Australia.

Research ExpertiseChin’s major research interests fall broadly in the areas of computational geomechanics and environmental geomechanics with particular regard to soft soils, groundwater flow and contamination problems in soils and soil remediation. He is also interested in coupled problems in porous media. Chin is a civil engineer with professional engineering experience in infrastructure and geotechnical engineering including the maintenance, design and construction of roads, road tunnels and slopes. He has previously undertaken both preliminary and detailed design for road widening, new expressways and expressway interchanges – the scope of which include soil investigation, studies of cuts and fills, slope stability analysis and proposals for dealing with problematic soft soils.

Top 10 PublicationsLeo CJ, Kumruzzaman M, Wong K, Yin JH (2008) Behaviour of EPS geofoam in true triaxial 1 compression tests, Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Elsevier, 26(2), pp 175-180, ISSN 0266-1144.Wong K, Leo CJ, Pereira JM and Dubujet P (2007) Sedimentation-consolidation of a double 2 porosity material, Computers and Geotechnics, Elsevier, vol 34, pp 532-538, ISSN 0266-352X.Leo CJ and Wong K (2007) Closed form solutions of contaminant transport into semi-infinite soil 3 with non-equilibrium sorption from a finite diminishing surface source, Revue Européenne de Génie Civil, Hermes Science Publication, Vol 11(3), pp 355-382, ISSN 1774-7120.Wong K and Leo CJ (2006) A simple elastoplastic hardening constitutive model for EPS geofoam, 4 Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Elsevier, vol 24, pp 299-310, ISSN 0266-1144. Leo CJ (2004) Equal strain consolidation of fine-grained compressible soils by vertical drains, 5 Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, vol 130(3), pp 316-327, ISBN 1090-0241.Zou Y, Small JC and Leo CJ (2000) Behaviour of EPS geofoam in model test on pavements, 6 Geosynthetics International, Thomas Telford Limited, vol 7(1), pp 1-22, ISSN 1751-7613.Leo CJ and Booker JR (1999) A boundary element method for analysis of contaminant transport 7 in porous media I: homogeneous porous media, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 23(14), pp 1681-1699, ISSN 0363-9061.Leo CJ and Booker,JR (1999) A boundary element method for analysis of contaminant transport 8 in porous media II: non homogeneous porous media, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 23(14), pp 1701-1715, ISSN 0363-9061.Leo CJ and Booker JR (1999) Semi-analytic solutions of contaminant transport from deeply 9 buried cylindrical repository surrounded by zoned media, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 23(14), pp 1797-1815, ISSN 0363-9061. Leo CJ and Booker JR (1996) A time stepping finite element method for analysis of contaminant 10 transport in fractured porous media, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 20, pp 847-864, ISSN 0363-9061.

GrantsGeotechnical characterisation of compacted ground based on passive ambient noise techniques »(Leo, Indraratna, Zou, Rujikiatkamjorn, Golaszewski, McWilliam, Wong and Bergado) ARC Linkage Grant, 2009-11, $211,000.Remediation of dioxin-contaminated soils by high power ultrasound (Leo, Collings, Sosa-Pintos »and Gwan) Environment Trust Seed Grant, 2008-09, $15,700Development of constitutive models for EPS compressible inclusion used in earth retaining »structures (Leo), UWS Internal Research Grant , 2004-05, $18,000An investigation into the behaviour of creeping soft soils (Leo) UWS Internal Research Grant, »2002-03, $18,000.Behaviour of EPS geofoam on soft soils (Leo and Booker), ARC Large Grant, 1997-99, $140,000 »

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Research ExpertiseFidelis’ research interests are in fatigue and fracture mechanics, with specialisation in fatigue of welded steel connections. He has published over 60 articles in journals and conference proceedings. Fidelis has worked on research projects that are applicable to the mining, road transport and agricultural industries. He is a referee of the Journal of Constructional Steel Research (JCSR) and the Thin-Walled Structures Journal (TWS). He also occasionally reviews papers for the Journal of Structural Engineering – ASCE (USA), Journal of Bridge Engineering – ASCE (USA) and the Materials and Structures Journal.

Top 10 publicationsPacker JA, Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Willibald S (2007) Static and fatigue design of CHS-to-RHS 1 connections using a branch conversion method, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 63(1), pp 82-95, ISSN 0143-974X.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Hirt MA and Nussbaumer (2007) Size effect of welded thin-walled tubular 2 joints, International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, World Scientific Publishing, vol 7(1), pp 101-127, ISSN 0219-4554.Mashiri F and Zhao XL (2006) Thin circular hollow section-to-plate T-joints: stress concentration 3 factors and fatigue failure under in-plane bending, Thin-Walled Structures, vol 44(2), Elsevier, pp 159-169, ISSN 0263-8231.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2004) Stress concentration factors and fatigue failure of 4 welded T-connections in circular hollow sections under in-plane bending, International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, World Scientific Publishing, vol 4(3), pp 403-422, ISSN 0219-4554.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2004) Stress concentration factors and fatigue behaviour of 5 welded thin-walled CHS-SHS T-joints under in-plane bending, Engineering Structures, Elsevier, vol 26(13), pp 1861-1875, ISSN 0141-0296.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2002) Fatigue tests and design of thin cold-formed square 6 hollow section-to-plate T-connections under in-plane bending, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, vol 128(1), pp 22-31, ISSN 0733-9445.Mashiri F, Zhao XL, Grundy P and Tong L (2002) Fatigue design of very thin-walled SHS-to-plate 7 joints under in-plane bending, Thin-Walled Structures, Elsevier, vol 40(2), pp 125-151, ISSN 0263-8231.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2002) Fatigue tests and design of welded T-connections in thin 8 cold-formed square hollow sections under in-plane bending, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, vol 128(11), pp 1413-1422, ISSN 0733-9445.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2001) Effect of weld profile and undercut on fatigue crack 9 propagation life of thin-walled cruciform joint, Thin-Walled Structures, Elsevier, vol 39(3), pp 261-28, ISSN 0263-8231.Mashiri F, Zhao XL and Grundy P (2000) Crack propagation analysis of welded thin-walled joints 10 using boundary element method, Computational Mechanics, Springer-Verlag, vol 26(2), pp 157-165, ISSN 0178-7675.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Dr Fidelis MashiriSenior Lecturer

Fidelis joined UWS as a senior lecturer in January 2009 from the University of Tasmania. Prior to this, he was a research fellow at Monash University following the completion of his PhD at the same university.

Fidelis has worked as a site engineer on dam projects in Zimbabwe and as a consulting engineer in Chile and Australia.

Staff profiles

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Dr Ataur RahmanSenior Lecturer

Ataur is a senior lecturer within the School of Engineering. Prior to this, Ataur held positions with Sinclair Knight Merz; CRC for Catchment Hydrology (Monash University); and the Physical Infrastructure Centre at the Queensland University of Technology.

Ataur has specialises in water and environmental engineering and has over 25 years of experience in industry, academia and research.

Research ExpertiseAtaur’s research interests include hydrologic modelling, catchment simulation, urban water cycle modelling (water sensitive urban design and rain water harvesting) and water quality management. He has published over 80 refereed technical papers and received the N. G. Alexander Medal from Engineers Australia in 2002 for his research on hydrologic modelling. Top 10 Publications

Rahman A, Islam SM, Dbais J and Bhuiyan T (2008) A Windows-based computing tool for 1 rainwater tank analysis and design in multistorey developments, 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, Engineers Australia, 15-17 April, Adelaide, pp 2755-2766, ISBN 0-858-257-351.Rahman A, Haddad K, Caballero W and Weinmann PE (2008) Progress on the enhancement of 2 the probabilistic rational method for Victoria in Australia, 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, Engineers Australia, 15-17 April, Adelaide, pp 940-951, ISBN 0-858-257-351.Rahman A, Carroll D, Mahbub P, Khan S and Rahman K (2007) Application of the Monte 3 Carlo simulation technique to design flood estimation in urban catchments: a case study for the Coomera River catchment in Gold Coast Australia, Water Practice and Technology, IWA Publishing, vol 2(2), ISSN 1751-231X.Mitchell C and Rahman A (2007) Rainwater tanks: costs and benefits, Issues, Control 4 Publications, vol 79, pp 41-42, ISSN 0819-8101.Rahman A, Islam M, Rahman K, Khan S and Shrestha S (2006) Investigation of design 5 rainfall temporal patterns in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, Australian Journal of Water Resources, Engineers Media, vol 10(1), pp 49-61, ISSN 1324-1583.Rahman A (2005) A quantile regression technique to estimate design floods for ungauged 6 catchments in South-East Australia, Australian Journal of Water Resources, Engineers Media, vol 9(1), pp 81-89, ISSN 1324-1583.Rahman A, Weinmann PE, Hoang TMT, Laurenson EM (2002) Monte Carlo simulation of flood 7 frequency curves from rainfall, Journal of Hydrology, Elsevier, vol 256(3-4), pp 196-210, ISSN 0022-1694.Rahman A, Weinmann PE and Mein RG (2002) The use of probability-distributed initial losses in 8 design flood estimation, Australian Journal of Water Resources, Engineers Media, vol 6(1), pp 17-30, ISSN 1324-1583.Weinmann PE, Rahman A Hoang T, Laurenson EM, Nathan RJ (2002) Monte Carlo simulation 9 of flood frequency curves from rainfall – the way ahead, Australian Journal of Water Resources, Engineers Media, vol 6(1), pp 71-80, ISSN 1324-1583.Bates BC, Rahman A, Mein RG and Weinmann PE (1998) Climatic and physical factors that 10 influence the homogeneity of regional floods in South-Eastern Australia, Water Resources Research, American Geophysical Union, vol 34(12), pp 3369–3381, ISSN 0043–1397.

GrantsRegional flood methods for Australia (Rahman), Engineers Australia, 2008, $103,000. »Australian rainfall and runoff - regional methods for design flow estimation in ungauged »catchments in New South Wales (Rahman), Engineers Australia, 2007, $28,000.Australian rainfall and runoff - Victorian regional flood frequency - sensitivity analysis (Rahman), »Department of Sustainability and Environment Victoria and Engineers Australia, 2007, $9,000.Research and development of the 96 hours and 120 hours design rainfall temporal patterns for »the Gold Coast region in Queensland (Rahman), Sinclair Kinght Merz, 2006, $8,000.Application of the Monte Carlo simulation technique to the Coomera River catchment for design »flood estimation (Rahman), Gold Coast City Council, 2005, $7,000.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Research ExpertiseXinqun has been involved in research in structural dynamics, especially in structural health monitoring and condition assessment, vehicle-bridge/road/track interaction analysis and smart sensor technology for more than 10 years. He has published over 90 articles and also participated in 19 research project grants. Xinqun’s significant contribution is condition assessment of civil infrastructure in operational environment. Currently, he works on integrated health monitoring for civil infrastructures in operational environment and provides high level consultancy services in this area.

Top 10 PublicationsZhu XQ, Hao H and Peng XL (2008) Dynamic assessment of underwater pipeline systems using 1 statistical model updating, International Journal of Stability and Structural Dynamics, World Scientific Publishing, vol 8(2), pp 271-297, ISSN 0219-4554.Xia Y, Hao H, Deeks AJ and Zhu XQ (2008) Condition assessment of shear connectors in slab-2 girder bridges via vibration measurements, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE, vol 13(1), pp 43-54, ISSN 1084-0702.Ren WX, Hao H and Zhu XQ (2007) Structural condition assessment, monitoring and 3 improvement, Science Press, vol I & II, ISBN 978-7-900224-62-0. Zhu XQ and Law SS (2007) A concrete-steel interface element for damage detection of reinforced 4 concrete structures, Engineering Structures, Elsevier, vol 29(12), pp 3515-3524, ISSN 0141-0296.Zhu XQ and Law SS (2007) Nonlinear characteristics of damaged reinforced concrete beams from 5 Hilbert-Huang transform, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, vol 133(8), pp 1186-1191, ISSN 0733-9445.Zhu XQ and Law SS (2007) Damage detection in simply supported concrete bridge structures 6 under moving vehicular loads, Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, ASME, vol 129(1), pp 58-65, ISSN 1048-9002.Zhu XQ, Law SS and Bu JQ (2006) A state space formulation for moving loads identification, 7 Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, ASME, vol 128(4), pp 509-520, ISSN 1048-9002.Bu JQ, Law SS and Zhu XQ (2006) Innovative bridge condition assessment from dynamic 8 response of a passing vehicle, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, vol 132(12), pp 1372-1379, ISSN 0733-9399. Zhu XQ and Law SS (2006) Wavelet-based crack identification of bridge beam from operational 9 deflection time history, International Journal of Solids and Structures, Elsevier, vol 43(7-8), pp 2299-2317, ISSN 0020-7683.Zhu XQ and Law SS (2006) Moving loads identification on multi-span continuous bridges with 10 elastic bearings, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Elsevier, vol 20(7), pp 1759-1782, ISSN 0888-3270.

Dr Xinqun ZhuLecturer

Xinqun is a lecturer of structural engineering in the School of Engineering. He has held academic positions at Shijiazhuang Railway Institute, Shijiazhuang; the University of Manchester, Manchester; the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and the University of Western Australia, Perth. He was also the manager of the laboratory on Sensor Technology and Signal Processing at Shijiazhuang Railway Institute from 1990-1998. He is currently the member of the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) and the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII).

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Staff profiles

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Research ExpertiseZhong has focused on the research of steel-concrete composite structures since 1996. He has been successful in attracting 16 major research grants in China and Australia since 2003. He has been involved in the production of over 100 publications at national and international level and was awarded five patents by the Chinese National Bureau of Knowledge Property Right in recent years. In order to successfully transfer research results into technology applications, Zhong has played an important role in drafting five Chinese design codes, and had significant consulting experience in the structural design of steel-concrete hybrid multi-story buildings.

Top 10 PublicationsTao Z, Uy B, Han LH and He SH (2008) Design of concrete-filled steel tubular members according 1 to the Australian Standard AS 5100 model and calibration, Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, Engineers Media, vol 8(3), pp 197-214, ISSN 1328-7982.Tao Z, Han LH and Zhuang JP (2008) Cyclic performance of fire-damaged concrete-filled steel 2 tubular beam-columns repaired with CFRP wraps, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 64(1), pp 37-50, ISSN 0143-974X.Tao Z, Han LH and Wang LL (2007) Compressive and flexural behaviour of CFRP repaired 3 concrete-filled steel tubes after exposure to fire, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 63(8), pp 1116-1126, ISSN 0143-974X.Tao Z and Han LH (2007) Behaviour of fire-exposed concrete-filled steel tubular beam-columns 4 repaired with CFRP wraps, Thin-Walled Structures, Elsevier, vol 45(1), pp 63-76, ISSN 0263-8231.Tao Z, Han LH and Wang DY (2007) Experimental behaviour of concrete-filled stiffened thin-walled 5 steel tubular columns, Thin-Walled Structures, Elsevier, vol 45(5), pp 517-527, ISSN 0263-8231.Tao Z, Han LH and Zhuang JP (2007) Axial loading behavior of CFRP strengthened concrete-filled 6 steel tubular stub columns, Advances in Structural Engineering, Multi-Science Publishing Co Ltd, vol 10(1), pp 37-46, ISSN 1369-4332. Tao Z and Yu Q (2006) New types of composite columns experiments, Theory and Methodology, 7 Science Press, p 356 (in Chinese), ISBN 7-03-016824-0.Tao Z and Han LH (2006) Behaviour of concrete-filled double skin rectangular steel tubular 8 beam–columns, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 62(7), pp 631–646, ISSN 0143-974X.Tao Z, Han LH and Wang ZB (2005) Experimental behaviour of stiffened concrete-filled thin-walled 9 hollow steel structural (HSS) stub columns, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 61(7), pp 962-983, ISSN 0143-974X.Tao Z, Han LH and Zhao XL (2004) Behaviour of concrete-filled double skin (CHS inner and CHS 10 outer) steel tubular stub columns and beam-columns, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier, vol 60(8), pp 1129-1158, ISSN 0143-974X.

11 Grants

Seismic behaviour of spatial steel-concrete hybrid structures (Tao and Wang), Fujian Provincial »Government, 2008-10, $43,500.Seismic behaviour and application of new types of steel-concrete hybrid structures (Tao and Han), »Fok Ying Tong Education Foundation, 2008-10, $23,700.Australian-Chinese research collaboration on concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns »under extreme loads (Tao, Uy and Han), International Research Initiatives Scheme of University of Western Sydney, 2008-09, $26,700. Behaviour of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns incorporating global slenderness effect »(Tao and Uy), Research Grant Scheme of University of Western Sydney, 2008, $25,000.Cyclic behaviour of RC shear walls framed with concrete-filled steel tubes (Tao and Liao), National »Natural Science Foundation of China, 2007-09, $56,500.

Dr Zhong TaoPostdoctoral Fellow

Zhong was appointed as a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UWS in August 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the Zhengzhou Grain College (1993); a Master degree from Harbin University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (1998); and a PhD from Harbin Institute of Technology (2001). He has also held a position of professor and associate professor of structural engineering at Fuzhou University, China.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Dr Samanthika LiyanapathiranaSenior Lecturer

Samanthika completed her PhD at the University of Western Australia in 1999. From 1999 – 2003 she worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Geotechnical Research at the University of Sydney, and from 2003 – 2008 she worked as a lecturer and then senior lecturer at the University of Wollongong.

In 2009, Samanthika joined the School of Engineering at UWS as a Senior Lecturer. She received the Thomas A Middlebrooks Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ACSE) in 2007 for research carried out in the design of pile foundations in seismically active regions. In 2008, she received the University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor’s Award for outstanding contribution for Teaching and Learning.

Research ExperienceSamanthika has been involved in geotechnical engineering research for more than 10 years. She has experience in computational geomechanics, foundation engineering and earthquake engineering. She has worked as a reviewer for many geotechnical engineering journals including the International Journal of Geomechanics (ASCE), Canadian Geotechnical Journal and Journal of Engineering Mechanics (ASCE) and as an external examiner for PhD students from other Australian Universities. She has worked in review committees of numerous local and international conferences. She was also invited to be an international reviewer for the Austrian National Science Fund.

Top 10 PublicationsLiyanapathirana DS, Carter JP and Airey DW (2009) Drained Bearing response of shallow 1 foundations on structured soils, Computers and Geotechnics, Elsevier, (available online 11 June 2008), ISSN 0266-352X.Liyanapathirana DS, Carter JP and Airey DW (2005) Nonhomogeneous behaviour of structured 2 soils in triaxial tests, International Journal of Geomechanics, ASCE, vol 5(1), pp 10-23, ISSN 1532-3641.Liyanapathirana DS and Poulos HG (2005) Seismic analysis of piles in liquefying soil, Journal of 3 Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, vol 131(12), pp 1466-1479, ISSN 1090-0241.Liyanapathirana DS and Poulos HG (2005) Pseudostatic approach for seismic analysis of piles in 4 liquefying soil, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, vol 131(12), pp 1480-1487, ISSN 1090-0241.Liyanapathirana DS and Poulos HG (2004), Assessment of soil liquefaction incorporating 5 earthquake characteristics, International Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Elsevier, vol 24, pp 867-875, ISSN 0267-7261.Liyanapathirana DS and Poulos HG (2002) Numerical simulation of soil liquefaction due to 6 earthquake loading, International Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Elsevier, vol 22, pp 511-523, ISSN 0267-7261.Liyanapathirana DS and Poulos HG (2002) A numerical model for dynamic soil liquefaction 7 analysis, International Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Elsevier, vol 22, pp 1007-1015, ISSN 0267-7261.Liyanapathirana DS, Deeks AJ and Randolph MF (2001) Numerical modelling of the driving 8 response of thin-walled open-ended piles, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 25(9), pp 933-953, ISSN 0363-9061.Liyanapathirana DS, Deeks AJ and Randolph MF (2000) Numerical modelling of large 9 deformations associated with driving of open-ended piles, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 24(14), pp 1079-1101, ISSN 0363-9061.Liyanapathirana DS, Deeks AJ and Randolph MF (1998) Numerical analysis of the soil plug 10 behaviour inside open-ended piles during driving, International Journal of Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, John Wiley & Sons, vol 22, pp 303-322, ISSN 0363-9061.

11 Grants

Piling in Clay (Liyanapathirana), University of Wollongong Research Grant, 2008, $8000. »New design guidelines and simplified analysis methods for geosynthetic reinforced pile supported »embankments (Liyanapathirana), University of Wollongong Research Grant, 2007, $15,000.Design of geosynthetic reinforced embankments on deep mixed cement columns »(Liyanapathirana), University of Wollongong Research Grant, 2006, $11,000.High capacity facility for precision testing of structures under abnormal (extreme) loading »(Remennikov, McCarthy, Uy, Hadi, Aziz, Montgomery and Liyanapathirana), University of Wollongong Research Grant, 2005, $43,000.Numerical modelling of coarse aggregate fracture using DEM (Liyanapathirana), University of »Wollongong Research Grant, 2004-05, $14,000.

Staff profiles

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

21

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Research ExpertiseRanjith’s areas of research interest are Information Theory and Coding, Mobile Communication, Biomedical Engineering and Civionics. He is a Member of the IEEE and the Australian Computer Society (ACS). He has a hobby interest in amateur radio (VK6BHV).

Top 10 PublicationsNguyen KC, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2008) Fast simulation of space-time 1 block codes concatenated with convolutional codes over quasi-static rayleigh fading channels, Electronics Letters, Institution of Engineering and Technology, vol 44(3), pp 219–220, ISSN 0013-5194.Gunawardana U, Nguyen KC and Liyanapathirana R (2007) Fast simulation of turbo codes over 2 AWGN channels, Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT ‘07), IEEE, 17-19 October, Sydney, Australia, pp 1176–1181, ISBN 1-4244-0977-2.Nguyen KC, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2007) Fixed-point performance of space-3 time turbo trellis codes on fast fading channels, Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT ‘07), IEEE, 17-19 October, Sydney, Australia, pp 1187–1190, ISBN 1-4244-0977-2.Nguyen KC, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2007) Optimisation of sliding window 4 algorithm for space-time turbo trellis codes, Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT ‘07), IEEE, 17-19 October, Sydney, Australia, pp 1182–1186, ISBN 1-4244-0977-2.Nguyen KC, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2006) Fixed-point performance of space-5 time turbo trellis coded modulation, 2006 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2006), 14-17 November, Hong Kong, China, 4pp, ISBN 1-4244-0549-1.Nguyen KC, Philipsz R, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2006) Importance sampling 6 simulation of orthogonal space-time block coded systems, 2006 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2006), 14-17 November, Hong Kong, China, 4pp, ISBN 1-4244-0549-1.Conti PG, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2006) Loosely synchronised spreading codes 7 in full-time early-late tracking loops, 2006 IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium (RWS), 17-19 January, San Diego, USA, pp 135–138, ISBN 0-7803-9412-7.Huimin G, Cheng Q, Liyanapathirana R (2005) Performance comparison of blind symbol timing 8 estimation in cyclic prefixed OFDM systems, 2005 IEEE Region 10 (TENCON 2005), 21-24 November, Melbourne, Australia, 5pp, ISBN 0-7803-9311-2.Conti PG, Gunawardana U and Liyanapathirana R (2005) On the performance of Walsh-LS 9 codes in CDMA systems, 2005 IEEE Region 10 (TENCON 2005), 21-24 November, Melbourne, Australia, 4pp, ISBN 0-7803-9311-2.Liyanapathirana R, Ilic V and Gunawardana U (2005) Monitoring of the coalesced ice ball in 10 cryosurgery tortal, 2005 IEEE Region 10 (TENCON 2005), 21-24 November, Melbourne, Australia, 4pp, ISBN 0-7803-9311-2.

GrantsPassive wireless sensors for structural health monitoring/remote monitoring and control of sensors »over 3G wireless networks (Liyanapathirana, Uy and Xiang), UWS College of Health and Science, Research Futures Fund Grant, 2008, $15,000.

Dr Ranjith Liyana-PathiranaSenior Lecturer

Ranjith Liyanapathirana received the BScEng(Honours) degree in electronic and telecommunication engineering from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 1981, the MEng and PhD degrees in electrical engineering (signal processing and communications) from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada in 1987 and 1995, respectively. He was an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Moratuwa, from 1981 to 1983, a Telecommunication Engineer with Saudi Telecom, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1983 to 1984, a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, from 1985 to 1993, an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Western Australia, from 1994 to 1995, and a Research Fellow in the CRC for Broadband Telecommunications and Networking, Perth, from 1996 to 1998. In 1998 he joined the University of Western Sydney, School of Mechatronic, Computer and Electrical Engineering, as a Lecturer, and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Research ExpertiseJeffrey’s research interests include digital image processing, pattern recognition, signal processing and their applications to structural health monitoring and geotechnical characterisation. He has been involved in research in strain measurement based on visual information, ambient noise analysis for soil structure determination, video surveillance, computer vision for driver assistance, DNA microarray image processing, ultrasound imaging, computer-aided cartooning, digital image compression and shape representation. His research results have been published in high-impact international journals and presented in premier international conferences.

Top 10 PublicationsMorrison P and Zou JJ (2007) Triangle refinement in a constrained delaunay triangulation skeleton, 1 Pattern Recognition, Elsevier, vol 40(10), pp 2754–2765, ISSN 0031-3203. Zou JJ (2006) Efficient skeletonisation based on generalised discrete local symmetries, Optical 2 Engineering, SPIE, vol 45(7), article 077205 (7 pages), ISSN 0091-3286.Morrison P and Zou JJ (2006) Skeletonisation based on error reduction, Pattern Recognition, 3 Elsevier, vol 39(6), pp 1099–1109, ISSN 0031-3203.Zou JJ and Yan H (2005) A deblocking method for BDCT compressed images based on adaptive 4 projections, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, vol 15(3), pp 430–435, ISSN 1051-8215.Zou JJ (2004) Reducing artefacts in BDCT-coded images by adaptive pixel-adjustment, 5 Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR’04), IEEE, 23-26 August, Cambridge, UK, vol 1, pp 508–511, ISBN 0-7695-2128-2 .Zou JJ, Yan H and Levy DC (2003) Reducing artifacts in block coded images using adaptive 6 constraints, Optical Engineering, SPIE, vol 42(10), pp 2900–2911, ISSN 0091-3286.Zou JJ and Yan H (2001) Skeletonisation of ribbon-like shapes based on regularity and singularity 7 analyses, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, part B, vol 31, pp 401–407, ISSN 0018-9472.Zou JJ, Chang HH and Yan H (2001), Shape skeletonisation by identifying discrete local 8 symmetries, Pattern Recognition, Elsevier, vol 34, pp 1895–1905, ISSN 0031-3203. Xiao Y, Zou JJ and Yan H (2001) An adaptive split-and-merge method for binary image contour 9 data compression, Pattern Recognition, Elsevier, vol 22, pp 299–307, ISSN 0031-3203.Zou JJ and Yan H (1999) Extracting strokes from static line images based on selective searching, 10 Pattern Recognition, Elsevier, vol 32, pp 935–946, ISSN 0031-3203.Searching”, Pattern Recognition, vol 32, pp 935–946.

GrantsGeotechnical characterisation of compacted ground based on passive ambient noise (Leo, »Indraratna, Zou, Rujikiatkamjorn, Golaszewski, McWilliam, Wong and Bergado), ARC Linkage Projects (Round 1), 2009-11, $211,000.A computer-aided cartooning system (sole chief investigator and ARC postdoctoral fellow), ARC »Discovery Projects, 2003-06, $218,000 (relinquished in June 2003).

Dr Ju Jia (Jeffrey) ZouSenior Lecturer/Associate Head of School

Jeffrey received a PhD degree in digital image processing from The University of Sydney in 2001. His PhD research was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and a Norman I Price Scholarship. He was a research associate and then an Australian postdoctoral fellow at The University of Sydney from 2000 to 2003, working on projects funded by the Australian Research Council and AusIndustry.

Jeffrey joined UWS as a Lecturer in June 2003, where he is currently a Senior Lecturer and Associate Head of School in Engineering.

Staff profiles

23

Research ExpertiseQi is an expert on radar signal processing. Among many of his contributions, he developed fast algorithms for array calibration and the determination of the number of targets. He co-edited a book (published in 2004 by Marcel Dekker) and was included in Marquis “Who’s Who in the World”, 2005 and Marquis “Who’s Who in Science and Technology”, 2005-06. In the last couple of years, Qi has focused on signal processing in OFDM systems. He has proposed methods for frequency and timing synchronisation and channel identification. He is currently interested in waveform design in MIMO signal processing and the application of signal processing techniques to magnetic resonance imaging enhancement.

Top 10 PublicationsQiu W, Cheng Q, and Skafidas E (2007) A hybrid routing protocol for wireless sensor networks, 1 Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT ‘07), IEEE, 16-19 October 2007, Sydney, Australia, pp 1383-1388, ISBN 1-4244-0977-2.Cheng Q and Qiu W (2007) Preamble-based time synchronization for OFDM WLAN systems, 2 Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT ‘07), IEEE, 16-19 October 2007, Sydney, Australia, pp 190-193, ISBN 1-4244-0977-2.Cheng Q (2006) Pilot-assisted semi-blind carrier frequency offset estimation for OFDM flat fading 3 channels, Proceedings of the 5th Workshop on the Internet, Telecommunications and Signal Processing, December 2006, Hobart, Australia, ISBN 0-9756934-2-5.Cheng Q (2006) On parameter estimation of damped sinusoids, 2006 IEEE Region 10 Conference 4 (TENCON 2006), 14-17 November, Hong Kong, China, pp 548-551, ISBN 1-4244-0549-1.Cheng Q (2005) Simplified estimation error expression for 2-D harmonic retrieval, IEEE 5 Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, vol 41(1), p 371, ISSN 0018-9251. Cheng Q, Yang R, and Zhang H (2005) Optimally weighted ESPRIT using uniform circular arrays, 6 Computers and Electrical Engineering, Elsevier, vol 31(4-5), pp 272-281, ISSN 0045-7906.Cheng Q (2005) Performance of OFDM carrier frequency offset estimation based on multiple 7 blocks, 2005 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2005), 23-25 November, Melbourne, Australia, 4pp, ISBN 1-4244-0549-1.Cheng Q (2005) Blind channel and carrier frequency offset estimation for zero-prefix OFDM 8 systems, 2005 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2005), 23-25 November, Melbourne, Australia, 6pp, ISBN 1-4244-0549-1.Cheng Q and Hua Y (2004) A review of high-resolution parametric methods, High-Resolution and 9 Robust Signal Processing, Marcel Dekker, ch 1, pp 1-62, ISBN 978-0-8247-4752-7. Cheng Q, Hua Y and Stoica P (2000) Asymptotic performance of optimal sensor gain and phase 10 estimation of a sensor arrays, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, vol 48(12), pp 3587-3590, ISSN 1053-587X.

Dr Qi ChengLecturer

Qi is a Lecturer within the School of Engineering at UWS. He obtained the Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees from the Anhui University (1982), University of Science and Technology of China (1985) and the University of Melbourne (1995) respectively, all in electrical engineering. Since 1995, Qi has been a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Melbourne, the Northern Territory University and the University of Western Sydney. Qi is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Australian Association for Engineering Education. He was session chair for IEEE Tencon in 2003 and 2006.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Research ExpertiseKenny’s main research interests and technical expertise are wind engineering and structural dynamics, particularly wind effects on buildings and structures, wind tunnel tests, environmental fluid mechanics, vibration control and occupant comfort assessment. He has published over 350 articles in book chapters, keynote papers, journal and conference papers. He has been awarded more than $4.5 million in research grants and undertaken wind engineering consultancy projects in Australia, Hong Kong and other countries worth over $4 million. He is editorial board member of three international journals in wind engineering and structural engineering. He is currently a member of BD006-02 on wind loading code AS/NZS 1170.2, a member of Technical Committee for the Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong, and a Scientific Advisor to the Hong Kong Observatory.

Top 10 PublicationsQin XR, Kwok K, Fok CH, Hitchcock PA and Xu YL (2007) Wind-induced self-excited vibrations of 1 a twin-deck bridge and the effect of gap width, Wind and Structures, Techno-Press, vol 10(5), pp 463-480, ISSN 1226-6116.Burton MD, Kwok K, Hitchcock PA and Denoon RO (2006) Frequency dependence of human 2 response to wind-induced building motion, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, vol 132(2), pp 296-303, ISSN 0733-9445.Campbell S, Kwok K and Hitchcock PA (2005) Dynamic characteristics and wind-induced 3 response of two high-rise residential buildings during typhoons, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vol 93, pp 461-482, ISSN 0167-6105.Tang UF and Kwok K (2004) Interference excitation mechanisms on a 3-DOF aeroelastic CAARC 4 building model, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vol 92, pp 1299-1314, ISSN 0167-6105.Thepmongkorn S and Kwok K (2002) Wind-induced responses of tall buildings experiencing 5 complex motions, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vol 90, pp 515-526, ISSN 0167-6105.Wood GS, Kwok K, Motteram NA and Fletcher DF (2001) Physical and numerical modelling of 6 thunderstorm downbursts, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vol 89, pp 535-552, ISSN 0167-6105.Hitchcock PA, Kwok K, Watkins RD and Samali B (1997) Characterisation of liquid column 7 vibration absorber (LCVA), Engineering Structures, Elsevier, vol 19(2), pp 126-134, ISSN 0141-0296.Kwok K and Samali B (1995) Performance of tuned mass dampers under wind loads - auxiliary 8 damping systems for vibration mitigation of tall structures, Engineering Structures, Elsevier, vol 17(9), pp 655-667, ISSN 0141-0296.Kwok K, Kim DH, Smedley DJ and HF Rohde (1992) Snowdrift around building in Antarctic 9 environment, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vols 41-44, pp 2797-2808, ISSN 0167-6105.Kwok K and Macdonald PA (1990) Wind-induced response of Sydney Tower, Engineering 10 Structures, Elsevier, vol 12(3), pp 153-162, ISSN 0141-0296.

GrantsMotion simulator MKIII (Kwok and Tung), HKUST Research Equipment Funding, 2007-09, »HKD1530,000.Numerical wind load prediction and aerodynamic shape optimisation of tall buildings (Chan, Kwok »and Kot), RGC CERG, 2006-09, HKD609,000.Innovative design technologies for tall buildings in a typhoon prone urban environment (Kwok, »Chan, Chang, Ding, Hitchcock, Katafygiotis and Lam), RGC CAG, 2005-08, HKD3,345,000.

Kenny KwokProfessor

Kenny joined UWS in 2008 as a Professor in the School of Engineering. He was a member of the engineering panel of Research Grant Council of Hong Kong (1999-2005). From 1998 to 2008, he was professor of civil engineering and director of the CLP Power Wind/Wave Tunnel Facility at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and held positions as professor of wind engineering, associate dean of engineering, director of wind engineering services, and director of Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Sydney (1977-2002).

Kenny is currently the Asia-Pacific Regional Co-ordinator and member of the Executive Board of the International Association for Wind Engineering.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Staff profiles

25Staff profiles

Research ExpertiseGu’s main research interests include mobile robot exploration and control, including neural network and fuzzy logic control, force control for industrial robots and robot applications in healthcare and construction, computer vision in robotic applications and particle swarm optimisation in robotics. His papers have been nominated for a number of best paper awards with one of his papers awarded the best paper in an international conference. He is a Visiting Scholar at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Top 10 PublicationsHa QP, Kwok NM, Liu DK and Fang G (2009) Contrast enhancement and intensity preservation 1 for gray-level images using multi-objective particle swarm optimisation, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, vol 6(1), pp 145-155, ISSN 1545-5955.Kwok NM, Ha QP, Liu DK and Fang G (2007) Motion coordination for construction vehicles using 2 swarm intelligence, International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, In-Tech, vol 4(4), pp 469-476, ISSN 1729-8806.Kwok NM, Ha QP, Huang S, Dissanayake G and Fang G (2007) Mobile robot localisation 3 and mapping using a gaussian sum filter, International Journal of Automation and Control, InderScience Publishers, vol 5(3), pp 251-268, ISSN 1740-7516.Kwok NM, Ha QP, Liu DK, and Fang G (2006) Intensity preserving contrast enhancement for gray-4 level images using multi-objective particle swarm optimisation, IEEE Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE 2006), 8-10 October, Shanghai, China, ISBN 1-4244-0311-1, (finalist for the Best Paper Award).Kwok NM, Buchholz J, Fang G, and Gal J (2005) Sound source localisation: microphone array 5 design and evolutionary estimation, Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT ‘05), 14-17 December, Hong Kong, pp 281-286, ISBN 0-7803-9484-4 (Best Paper Nomination).Fang G, Dissanayake G, Kwok N and Huang S (2005) Near minimum time path planning 6 for bearing-only localisation and mapping, Proceedings of the 2005 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2005), 2-6 August, Edmonton, Canada, pp 850-855, ISBN 0-7803-8912-3.Xu ZL and Fang G (2004) Fuzzy-neural impedance control for robots, Robotic Welding, 7 Intelligence and Automation, Springer-Verlag, pp 263–275, ISBN 978-3-540-20804-4.Dissanayake G and Fang G (2001) Minimum-time trajectories for reducing load sway in quay-8 cranes, Engineering Optimisation, Taylor & Francis, vol 33, pp 643-662, ISSN 0305-215X.Fang G and Dissanayake MWMG (1998) Experiments on a neural network based method for 9 time-optimal trajectory planning, Robotica, Cambridge University Press, vol 16, pp 143-158, ISSN 0263-5747.Fang G and Dissanayake MWMG (1993) A neural network based algorithm for robot trajectory 10 planning (1993) Proceedings of the International Conference of Robots for Competitive Industries, ARAA, July, Brisbane, Australia, pp 521-530 (Best Student Paper Award).

GrantsAutonomous systems for road bridge maintenance - stage 1 (Liu and Fang), jointly funded by »Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) and University of Technology, Sydney, 2006-07, $200,000.24 bit optical post processor (Fang), AusIndustry R&D Start Graduate Placement Grant, 2002-04, »$90,000.Adaptable low-cost, low-volume automation (Fang, Roberts and Gal), Hawker de Havilland Pty »Ltd, 1998-2002, ($110,000)Vector display system (Fang and Roberts), Ausindustry, R&D Start Graduate Placement Grant, »1998-2000, $110,000. Robot precision control using neural networks (Fang), ARC Small Grant, 1999-2000, $25,345. »

Dr Gu FangSenior Lecturer

Gu is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Engineering. Gu’s teaching and research are mainly in the areas of robotics, control systems and artificial intelligence. He has worked at universities in Australia and China and has published numerous papers in books, international journals and conferences. Gu has served as a referee for various international journals and conferences and is a member of Engineers Australia and IEEE.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Research ExpertiseJonathon’s research interests include new and emerging materials and technologies; design’s role in addressing social and environmental concerns; sustainable design; transport design – particularly public transport; augmenting people’s capabilities through perceptive design; designing for people with disabilities; and, alternative interfaces.

Top 10 PublicationsAllen J, Coxon S and Napper R (2007) Changing the climate of public transport – a design 1 research initiative, The 30th Australasian Transport Research Forum, Planning and Transport Research Centre, 25-27 September, Melbourne, 13pp.Coxon S, Napper R and Allen J (2007) The role of industrial design in addressing the disparity 2 between user perceptions of public and private transport, The 30th Australian Transport Research Forum, Planning and Transport Research Centre, 25-27 September, Melbourne, 15pp.Napper R, Coxon S and Allen J (2007) Bridging the divide: design’s role in improving multi-modal 3 transport, The 30th Australian Transport Research Forum, Planning and Transport Research Centre, 25-27 September, Melbourne, 12pp.Currie G and Allen J (2007) Australians with disabilities: transport disadvantage and disability, 4 No Way to Go – Transport and Social Disadvantage in Australian Communities, Monash ePress, Melbourne, pp 07.1-07.13, ISBN 978-0-9803616-2-9.Allen J, Coxon S, Richardson M and de Bono A (2007) Public transport design research initiative, 5 ConnectED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, UNSW, 9-12 July, Sydney.Allen J (2006) Human augmentation: transference of design approaches from designing for sports 6 to designing for disability, Wonderground: Design Research Society International Conference, CEIADE, 1–4 November, Lisbon, Portugal, paper 0080, ISBN 978-972-98701-7-0. Allen, J (2005) Designing desirability in an augmentative and alternative communication device, 7 Universal Access in the Information Society Journal, Springer-Verlag, vol 4(2), pp 135-145, ISSN 1615-5289.Allen J (2004) Beyond functionality – product semantics in assistive device design, Designing a 8 More Inclusive World, Springer, pp 101-110, ISBN 978-1-85233-819-0.Allen J (1997) Some problems of designing for the needs of augmentative and alternative 9 communication users: an enquiry through practical design activity, International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development (IDATER 97), Loughborough University, [date], Loughborough.Coxon S, Allen J, De Bono A and Richardson M (2007) Design in the world kitchen - a case study 10 in multi-national collaborative design education, ConnectED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, UNSW, 9-12 July, Sydney.

Dr Jonathon AllenAssociate Professor/ Associate Head of School

Jonathon is the Associate Head of School of Industrial Design in the School of Engineering.

He holds a PhD in industrial design and a bachelor degree in industrial design and technology. He has held academic posts over the last years in the UK, New Zealand and Australia.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Staff profiles

27

Research ExpertiseAlan has been involved in dynamics research for over 30 years, and has produced over 300 publications. His research has included investigations into the dynamic behaviour of structures, in the field and on five continents, including induced vibration tests on over forty structures. This work has included measurements of the response of dams, tall buildings, bridges and offshore structures. His work on dams was recognised with the award of the Telford Gold Medal. His work on damping has been incorporated into codes of practice in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. His work has been featured on television programs in the UK, China and Australia. Additionally, his work on dynamics formed a fundamental theme that resulted in the award of a Higher Doctorate by the University College London.

Top 10 PublicationsJeary AP and Ortigao A (2007) The response of a 218-metre tall lattice tower, 12th International 1 Wind Engineering Conference, AWES, 2-6 July, Cairns, Australia, Paper K4C6.Jeary AP (2007) Damping – estimation, measurement and influence on response, 12th 2 International Wind Engineering Conference, AWES, 2-6 July, Cairns, Australia, Paper T3A1.Jeary AP (2005) Codification changes as a response to disasters, Proceedings of the Conference 3 on Disasters and Governance, Sweet & Maxwell, Asia, Hong Kong (also book on The Asian Tsunami published 2006), ISBN 10-962-661-306-8.Fang JQ, Jeary AP, Li QS and Wong CK (1999) Random damping in buildings and its AR model, 4 Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Elsevier, vol 79(1-2), pp 159-167, ISSN 0167-6105.Jeary AP (1997) Damping in structures, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 5 Elsevier, vol 72(1-3), pp 345-355, ISSN 0167-6105.Jeary AP (1992) Establishing non-linear damping characteristics of structures from non-stationary 6 response time-histories, The Structural Engineer, IStructE, vol 70(4), pp 61-66, ISSN 1466-5123. Jeary AP (1986) Damping in tall buildings: a mechanism and a predictor, Journal of Earthquake 7 Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Wiley & Sons, vol 14, pp 733-750, ISSN 0098-8847. DeSouza VCM, Jeary AP and Sparks PR (1980) Concideracoes sobre o comportamento 8 dinamico de edificios premoldados, Revista Brasileira de Technologia, Universidade de Niteroi, pp 219-231. Severn RT, Jeary AP and Ellis BR (1980) Forced vibration tests and theoretical studies on dams, 9 Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford Limited, part 2, vol 69, pp 605-634 and discussion part 2, vol 71, pp 575-595 (1981).Jeary AP (1974) Damping measurements from the dynamic behaviour of several large multi-flue 10 chimneys, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford Limited, paper 7697, pp 321-329.

GrantsWind engineering - all aspects (Jeary), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 2008-11, »US$50,000.Fires in tunnels (Jeary), Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, 2002-05, $700,000. »Damping in full-scale structures (Jeary), UPGC Research Grant, 1999-02, HK$860,000. »The wind climate of Hong Kong (Jeary), CityU Faculty Strategic Grant, 1996-99, HK$2,200,00. »Mechanisms for the cracking of concrete in full-scale structures (Jeary), UPGC Research Grant, »1992-95, HK$450,000

CONSTRUCTION

Alan JearyProfessor

Alan is the Foundation Professor of Construction in the School of Engineering. Prior to this, he was also guest professor at the Global Center of Excellence in wind engineering at the Tokyo Polytechnic University and was the head of the department of building and construction at the City University of Hong Kong. He has previously worked for the Building Research Establishment in the UK as a senior research officer.

Alan has represented various organisations in Europe, Asia and Australia on national and international code committees. He is currently a member of the AS/NZS 1170 wind loading code committee. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building, the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK and the Royal Meteorological society.

UWS Innovation and Consulting

UWS aims to provide a

research-rich environment

valued for the quality,

distinctiveness and impact

of its research programs

and training, and their ability

to enrich its teaching and

community engagement.

The University is increasingly

taking its expertise to the

global market and is engaged

in various activities in the

Asian Pacific region.

How to Become Involved as a Partner with UWS Engineering ExpertsUWS operates commercial engagement with the business community through UWS Innovation and Consulting. This provides business partners with a single clear point of access to UWS leading edge research and delivery of projects utilising high calibre staff. This dedicated unit comprised of professionals with extensive corporate experience, can be the catalyst to help your business keep in touch and up-to-date. We invite you to discuss with us some of the issues your business is facing.

All projects facilitated by UWS Innovation and Consulting are allocated to a project manager who acts as the primary point of contact between the University and a client. This ensures and maintains a consistent high quality of delivery tailored to commercial imperatives.

Our team of dedicated business support professionals are available to discuss your specific needs. For information on consultancy services, assistance in finding a specialist to meet your particular needs or information on current commercialisation opportunities please contact:

UWS Innovation and ConsultingTel: +61 2 9685 9800Email: Innovate@uws.edu.auFax: +61 2 9685 9850

Locked Bag 1797Penrith South DCNSW 1797

www.uws.edu.au

Businesses that can achieve high levels of performance in innovation will be well placed to be leaders in the future.

29

The Civionics Research Node

is keen to engage with industry

and goverment partners in

both short and long-term

contemporary collaborative

research projects of mutual

interest and benefit.

What the Civionics Research Node can offer your businessThe Civionics Research Node will provide your business with:

potential exposure at a global scale; »knowledge of what is going on at »the cutting edge of research; andexpertise to support the successful »outcome of collaborative research projects.

How to become involved as a partnerFor information on how your company can be involved contact:

Brian Uy Head of School, Engineering Tel: +61 2 4736 0228 Fax +61 2 4736 0137 Mob 0420 946 178 Email: b.uy@uws.edu.au

Robyn BowesAdministrative Officer – Civionics Research NodeTel: +61 2 4736 0289Email: r.bowes@uws.edu.au

Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797

www.uws.edu.auhttp://www.uws.edu.au/engineering/soe

Engage with the Civionics Research Node

The Civionics Research Node will be the first of its kind in Australia and will be seen as an innovator in the field.

University of Western SydneyLocked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC 1797 NSWwww.uws.edu.au

School of Engineeringhttp://www.uws.edu.au/engineering/soe