Annual Report 08 - University of New South Walesvm.civeng.unsw.edu.au/annual_report/Annual_Report_2008.pdf · Annual Report 08 ©2009 School of ... Project Coordinator Mary O’Connell

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Annual Report 08

©2009 School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052

AUSTRALIA

Address

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (H20)

The University of New South Wales

UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052

AUSTRALIA

Enquiries

T +61 (0)2 9385 5033

F +61 (0)2 9385 6139

E [email protected]

W http://www.civeng.unsw.edu.au/

Project Coordinator

Mary O’Connell

with thanks to Kate Brown, Ron Cox, Irene Calaizis, Kurt Douglas, Ian Gilbert, Donald Macleod, Bill Peirson, David Waite

and Betty Wong and to all staff who provided information, reports, statistics and content for this Report

Graphic Design

Heléna Brusic

P3 Design Studio

F23 Mathews Building, UNSW

W http://www.p3.unsw.edu.au

Ref No.43146

Photography

KMP: Karen Mork Photography

T 0411 173 297

Mary O’Connell, Kurt Douglas, Keith Brown, WRL

Libraries: SHUTTERSTOCK, PHOTOSPIN

Printing

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mailto:[email protected]

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OUR PEOPLE

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T h e S c h o o l o f c i v i l a n d e n v i r o n m e n T a l e n g i n e e r i n g a n n u a l r e p o r T 2 0 0 8 > 2 2

acworth, R. Ian

Gary Johnston

Professor of Water

Management

BSc Leeds, MSc PhD

Birm., FGS

Research Interests:

Investigation of groundwater dynamics and

hydrochemical processes in the coastal zone:

Development of field instrumentation and

analysis methods in groundwater studies:

Electrical methods in the investigation of

groundwater and salinity: Relationship between

Palaeoclimate and dryland salinity.

al-Kilidar, Hiyam

Lecturer

B.Sc., M.Eng.Sc., PhD

UNSW

Research Interests:

Project Management:

HR Management:

Ethical and Cultural

Issues in Management: Quality Management.

andersen, Martin

Senior Lecturer

MSc in Engineering,

Ph.D. at DTU, Denmark

Research Interests:

Reactive flow and

transport modeling:

Investigation of geochemical processes and

groundwater dynamics in the coastal zone:

Surface water groundwater interactions.

attard, Mario

Associate Professor

BE PhD MHEd UNSW,

MIEAust, CPEng

Research Interests:

Finite Strain Isotropic

and Anisotropic

Hyperelastic Modeling: Fracture in Concrete

and Masonry: Crack Propagation due to Creep:

Ductility of High Strength Concrete Columns:

Buckling of Sandwich Columns: Lateral Buckling

of Thin-Walled Beams.

Bradford, Mark

ARC Federation Fellow

UNSW Scientia

Professor, Professor of

Civil Engineering

Director CIES

BSc BE PhD USyd., DSc

UNSW, CPEng, CEng,

MASCE, FIEAust, MIStructE

Research Interests: Structures subjected to

elevated temperatures, curved members,

arches, steel structures, composite steel-

concrete structures, concrete structures,

numerical methods, stability, viscoelastic effects,

non-discretisation techniques, design codes,

structural retrofit.

Carmichael, David

Professor of Civil

Engineering

BE MEngSc USyd., PhD

Cant., CPEng, FIEAust,

MASCE

Research Interests:

Management, systems applications of

optimisation, synthesis: Identification and

analysis: Contracts and disputes: Project

delivery: Construction operations: Project

management and management functional areas

including risk, economics, finances, people

resources and scope: Construction management:

Problem solving and decision making.

Cathers, Bruce

Senior Lecturer

BE USyd. DipHE Delft,

MEngSc UNSW, PhD

Manc.

Research Interests:

Numerical Methods:

Computational hydraulics: Physical and numerical

modeling: Artificial neural networks applied to

environmental problems.

Cox, Ron

Associate Professor

Director Academic

Finance Marketing

BE PhD UNSW, CPEng,

FIEAust

Research Interests:

Climate change adaptation for settlements

and infrastructure: Coastal engineering and

coastal zone management: Stability, design

and safety of coastal structures: Application of

sand filled geo-containers in coastal protection:

Environmental monitoring and modeling:

Desalination plant brine disposal: Hydraulics of

water and wastewater treatment plants: Flood

hydraulics and floodplain management: Life

safety, emergency warning and evacuation.

Davis, Steve

Lecturer

BE PhD UNSW

Research Interests:

Stochastic Systems:

Evolutionary

Programming: Parallel

Computing Applications to Civil Engineering

Douglas, Kurt

Pells Sullivan Meynink

Senior Lecturer of Rock

Mechanics

BE USyd. PhD UNSW,

MIEAust

My main interests lie in

the field of rock mechanics. Predicting strengths

of large-scale rock masses (hundreds of meters)

continues to be a major challenge. I am

attempting to improve our understanding using

laboratory tests, field studies and numerical

methods.

rESEarCH Interests of School Academic staff

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Foster, Stephen

Professor

BE NSWIT, MEngSc

PhD UNSW, MIEAustdf

Research Interests:

Non-flexural members

in Reinforced Concrete:

Analysis and design of reinforced concrete

deep beams, corbels, and nibs: High strength

concrete: Design of high strength concrete

columns. Design and analysis methods for

non-flexural members of high strength concrete.

Design with reactive powder concretes.

Numerical modeling: Non-linear finite element

modelling of reinforced concrete membrane

structures, 3D finite element modeling.

Gao, Wei

Lecturer

BE HDU, ME PhD

Xidian, MIIAV, MAAS

Research Interests:

Uncertain modelling

and uncertain methods:

Vehicle-bridge interaction dynamics: Wind and/

or seismic induced random vibration: Train-

rail-sleeper-foundation-tunnel/bridge system:

Stochastic nonlinear system: Vehicle dynamics

and vehicle rollover: Structural optimization and

control: Smart structures: Stability and reliability

analysis.

Gilbert, R Ian

Professor of Civil

Engineering

ARC Australian

Professorial Fellow

Deputry Director, CIES

BE PhD UNSW CPEng

FIEAust

Research Interests: Reinforced and prestressed

concrete structures; including serviceability

(deflection and crack control, tension stiffening),

time-dependent deformation and the effects of

creep and shrinkage on structural behaviour;

ductility and the use of low ductility reinforcing

materials; and reactive powder concrete.

Analytical and numerical modelling of structures.

Gowripalan,

Nadarajah

Senior Lecturer

BSc(Eng) Moratuwa,

MSc PhD Leeds,

MIEAust

Research Interests:

Influence of micro and macro cracking on service

life of HPC: Durability of concrete structures in

marine environments. Reactive Powder Concrete

(RPC) for very high strength composites

(200-800MPa): RPC in prestressed concrete

applications: Early age behaviour of concrete

slabs: Plastic shrinkage cracking, flatness and

levelness. Alternative reinforcements: Synthetic

fibre reinforced concrete, FRP Fibre Optics and

DIT for health monitoring of structures.

Han, Sangwon

Lecturer

BEng WKU, MSc HYU,

PhD UIUC

Research Interests:

Dynamic Project

Management

(DPM): Hybrid Simulation Modeling:Lean

Construction: Building Information Modeling

(BIM): Genetic Algorithm (GA) / Artificial Neural

Network (ANN): Green Building / Sustainable

Construction.

Khalili, Nasser

Professor

Deputy Director, CIES

Head of Geotechnical

and Transport

Engineering

BSc Teh., MSc Birm.,

PhD UNSW

Research Interests: Mechanics of unsaturated

soils:Flow and deformation in double porosity

media: Numerical methods applied to

geotechnical engineering: Pavement engineering.

McCabe, Matthew

Senior Lecturer

BE, PhD Newcastle

Research Interests:

applying remote

sensing approaches

to improve knowledge

of the Earth System, focusing predominantly

on water and energy cycles at the land surface,

but broadly interested in all applications

encompassing terrestrial, atmospheric and

oceanic components.

Moore, Stephen

Senior Lecturer

BE UNSW, MEngSc

Adel., CPEng, MIEAust

Research Interests:

Development of

environmental

material accounting techniques, such as

Material Flux Analysis, for regional and

corporate environmental management systems;

Simulation and decision analysis applied to waste

management systems.

Oeser, Markus

Lecturer

MEngSc (Univ.Dipl.-

Ing) & PhD (Dr- Ing.)

Dresden University of

Technology

Research Interests:

Numerical methods (FEM, BEM): Constitutive

models for Pavements (elastic and viscose

behaviour): Computational models for Pavement

(geometrically and physically non-linear

modelling of structural behaviour, thermic

modelling, hydraulic modelling): Multi-scaling

Methods, Bridging-scale Methods: Testing

of Pavement Material (crack propagation,

permanent deformation).


taiebat, Hossein

State Water Senior

Lecturer in Dam

Engineering

PhD USyd

Research Interests:

Caisson foundations:

Vertically loaded

anchors: Shallow foundations under combined

loading: Numerical modelling and liquefaction

analysis.

tin-Loi, Francis

Professor of Civil

Engineering

BE PhD Monash,

CPEng, MIEAust

Research Interests:

Identification of

quasibrittle fracture parameters: Smoothing of

contact mechanics problems: Limit analysis in

the presence of constitutive instabilities:Large

scale limit and shakedown analyses.

turner, Ian

Senior Lecturer

Deputy Director,

Research, Water

Research Laboratory

BSc(Hons) USyd.,

MEnvEngSc UNSW, PhD

USyd, MIEAust, MAGU

Research Interests: Coastal Engineering and

Coastal Management; Instrument development,

analysis and modelling of rapid (wave-by-

wave) bed level erosion/accretion at the critical

land-ocean beachface boundary; Assessment

of coastline adjustment to a changing climate;

Analysis of crescentic sand-bar behaviour;

Sediment transport mechanisms causing coastal

inlet infilling; video-based methods to support

coastal engineering and management.

peirson, William

Senior Lecturer

Co-Director, Water

Research Centre

Director, Water

Research Laboratory

BE BSc MEngSc PhD

UNSW

Bill is an international expert in Civil and

Environmental Engineering fluid mechanics

and undertakes specialist research in the fields

of coastal engineering, air-sea and air-water

interaction and exchange, fluvial hydraulics,

estuarine processes and the hydraulics and

mechanical behaviour of turbomachines.

peters, Greg

Senior Lecturer

Deputy Director, WRC

BE(Chemical), PhD

(USyd.)

Research Interests:

Sustainability of the

Australian agricultural sector: Development

of sustainability planning tools, including

environmental life cycle assessment:

Improvement of corporate environmental

reporting, including ecological footprint analysis:

Nutrient fluxes in natural environments.

russell, Adrian

Senior Lecturer

and Scholarships

Coordinator

BE, PhD UNSW,

PGCert(Bristol)

Research Interests:

Unsaturated soils: Fibre reinforced soils: Particle

crushing in granular media: In situ testing of

soils: Constitutive modelling of soils: Wind

turbine foundations.

Sharma, Ashish

Associate Professor

BE Roorkee, MTech IIT

Delhi, PhD Utah State

Research Interests:

Stochastic hydrology:

Synthetic generation

of seasonal streamflow; Medium to long-term

probabilistic forecasting: Stochastic downscaling

of hydrologic variables under climate change

scenarios: Radar rainfall estimation: Rainfall

runoff model and parameter uncertainty

assessment in a Bayesian framework: Water

Resources Management: new developments in

statistics to solve water problems.

Song, Chongmin

Associate Professor

BE ME Tsinghua, DEng

Tokyo

Research Interests:

Scaled Boundary

Finite-Element Method:

Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction: Structural

Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering:

Wave Propagation: Fracture Mechanics: Elasto-

Plastic-Damage Constitutive Modelling: Finite

Element Method, Boundary Element Method.

Stuetz, Richard

Professor

Co-Director, Water

Research Centre

BSc, PhD UNSW

Research Interests:

On-line instrumentation

for monitoring water and wastewater quality:

Biological monitoring for process control:

Biotreatment of odours and volatile emissions:

Bioprocesses for water and wastewater

treatment: Biodegradation of micropollutants.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r p e o p l e > 2 5

Vandebona, Upali

Senior Lecturer

BSc(Eng) Ceylon, MEng

AIT, PhD Monash

Research Interests:

Modelling of Transport

Systems: Development

of simulation and animation models for light rail

train systems and bus services. Facility Location:

Environmental considerations related to transport

facility location: Demand Modelling: Analysis

of public awareness and attitudes related to

transport systems: Air Transport: Intelligent

Transport Systems: Signage systems.

Waite, T David

Professor and Head of

School

BSc Tas., GradDip R

MIT, MAppSc Monash,

PhD MIT, FRACI

Research Interests:

Separation processes involving colloids and

particles in water and wastewater treatment;

redox chemistry at the solid-solution

interface; photochemistry in aquatic systems;

hydrogeochemistry; theoretical and experimental

studies on the fate and effects of chemical

pollutants; interactions between trace elements

and microbiota in aquatic systems.

Vrcelj, Zora

Senior Lecturer

BE(Hons 1) W’gong,

PhD UNSW

Research Interests:

Composite Steel-

Concrete Structures:

Creep and Shrinkage: Innovation in Engineering

Education: Structural Stability: Steel Structures.

Academic staff

KMP


Research, Adjunct & Visiting Academic StaffEmeritus ProfessorsJohn Black, BA, MTCP, PhD, CPEng, FIEAustThomas Chapman, BSc Leeds PhD Southampton FIEAustRobin Fell, BE MEngSc Qld. CPEng, FIEAustDavid Pilgrim, AM BE PhD DSc CPEng HonFIEAustSomasundaram Valliappan, BE Annam MS Northeastern PhD DSc Wales CPEng FIEAust

FASCE FIACM

Visiting ProfessorsNicholas Ashbolt, BAgSc PhD Tas MASMMarton Marosszeky, BE Newcastle MEngSc UNSW, FIEAust FAIB

Visiting Associate ProfessorIan Cordery, ME PhD UNSW

Gary Mostyn BE MEngSc BA (Geology) FIE Aust

AIAMA CPEng

Professorial Visiting FellowsBrian Shackel, BE Sheff, MEngSc PhD UNSW,

CPEng FIEAust

Kourosh Kayvani, PhD UNSW

Visiting FellowsRobert Care, BE PhD UNSW

Manabu Fujii, BE PhD Tohoku

Peter Hidas, MCEng DipTP PhD Bud

Andrew Kinsela, BSc PhD UNSW

Marion Minouflet, BSc Reunion MSc Metz PhD

GenevaJonathan O’Brien, BE UNSW MASc Tor. CPEng,

MIEAustStephen Samuels, BE MEngSc Monash PhD

Newcastle CPEng FIEAust MAAS MASA

Xiujiang Song

Gareth Swarbrick, BE Adel, PhD UNSW

GradIEAust

Senior Research FellowRajeshwar Mehrotra, BE MITS Gwalior ME IIT

Roorkee, PhD UNSW

Research FellowMartin Liu, BE MPhil PhD

Senior Research Associate Richard Collins, PhD Adelaide

Research AssociateChristopher Blenkinsopp, PhDShikha Garg, BE IIT Kanpur PhD UNSWBeatrice Giambastiani, PhDAnna GreveAndrew McCallum

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Professional staff

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Professional and technical staff play a vital role at all levels of university life and contribute significantly to a positive student experience. Efficient yet flexible administration, courteous student services and support of teaching and research activities in a variety of ways can bring huge benefits and assist the overall success of a School. The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering has several long serving, dedicated and outstanding professional and technical staff working in areas such as student administration, IT support, external relations, finances, and managing and supporting the School’s teaching and research laboratories.

Professional and Technical StaffSenior Administrative OfficerKarenne Irvine, BA UNSW

Administrative OfficersFlora Fan, BA CUHK, MEd HKU, MLib-IM UNSWPatricia McLaughlinAngela Spano

Personal Assistant to Head of School Betty Wong

Administrative AssistantsLes BrownJulie O’KeeffeAlice Yau

External Relations AdministratorMary O’Connell, BA UNSW PhD CSU

Computer Support OfficersRobert Hegedus, BSc MEngSc UNSW, MACS, MACMPatrick Vuong

Web/IT CoordinatorKate Brown, BArch, SU (Thailand),

MArch(Comp) UNSW

Professional OfficersGautam Chattopadhyay, BE PhD Jadavpur, MS Youngstown

Paul Gwynne, PDMPMR Sheffield Poly

Senior Technical OfficersAnthony MackenWilliam Terry

Technical OfficersRichard Berndt, BSc MacqRon MoncayKelvin Chun H Ong

ForepersonJohn Hart

Visiting FellowFrank Scharfe

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Technical staff


CIES StaffDirectorScientia Professor Mark Bradford, BSc BE PhDSyd DSc UNSW FTSE PEng CPEng CEng MASCEFIEAust MIStructE MACI

Deputy DirectorsProfessor Ian Gilbert, BE PhD UNSW CPEngFIEAust MACIProfessor Nasser Khalili, BSc Teh MSc Birm PhDUNSW

Administrative OfficerIrene Calaizis, BCom (Marketing) UNSW

ResearchersAssociate Professor Yong Lin Pi, BE Tongji ME Wuhan PhD UNSW CPEng MIEAustDr Zhen-Tian Chang, BE ME Hunan PhD UNSWDr Emre Erkmen, BE MSc PhD Ottawa PEng (Ontario)Dr Ehab Hamed, BSc MSc PhD TechnionDr Amin Heidarpour, BSc Isfahan MSc Sharif PhD UNSWDr Chi Kin (Jerry) Iu, BEng, PhD HK Poly UnivDr Xiaojing Li, BEng Wuhan PhD UNSW

Water Research Centre Staff Co-DirectorsProfessor Richard Stuetz, BSc, MAppSc, PhD UNSWDr Bill Peirson, BE BSc MEngSc PhD UNSW

Deputy DirectorsDr Ian Turner, (Deputy Director - Manly Vale - Research) BSc(Hons) USyd MEnvEngSc UNSW PhD USyd MIEAust MAGUDr Greg Peters, (Deputy Director - Kensington) BE(Chemical) PhD USyd

Business Manager - KensingtonRobert Steel

Administrative Assistant - KensingtonKirra-Lee DeanRobby Smith

Program Leaders - KensingtonStuart Khan, BSc Syd, PhD UNSW – MicropollutantGreg Peters, BE(Chemical) PhD Syd – Sustainable AssessmentDavid Roser, BSc UNSW, PhD La Trobe, MEnv, Mac – Environmental MicrobiologyRichard Stuetz, BSc MAppSc PhD UNSW – OdourProf David Waite, BSc Tas., GradDip R MIT, MAppSc Monash, PhD MIT, FRACI - Phys Chem Processes

Research Staff - KensingtonDr An Ninh Pham, BE PhD UNSWDr Heather Coleman Dr Richard Collins, BSc PhD Adelaide Dr Jing Guan, BE, ME China PhD UNSW Dr Rita Henderson Christine Kaucner, BSc Melbourne Dr Marcus Klein A/Prof Sven Lundie, BE Dip Ind Eng Hamburg & Karlesruhe PhD Lüneburg Dr James McDonald Dr Kate Murphy (P/T) Dr Andrew Rose, BE PhD UNSW Matthias Schulz Dr Xianguang Wang, BSc MSc PhD Nanjing UniversityDr Xiaomao Wang, BE PhD TsinghuaDr Jinling Wu

Research Assistant - KensingtonLeearna Brown, BSc (Hons) Syd

Volunteer - KensingtonLance Bowen

WRC Staff @ Water Research Laboratory - Manly ValeDirectorDr Bill Peirson, BE BSc MEngSc PhD UNSW

ManagerBrett Miller, BE BSc MEngSc MIEAust

ProfessorsIan Acworth, Gary Johnston Professor of Water Management, BSc Leeds, MSc PhD Birm, FGS

Research CEntrES Staff

Senior LecturersMartin Andersen, MSc(Eng) PhD DTU, DenmarkBruce Cathers, BE Syd., DipHE Delft, MEngSc UNSW, PhD Manc.

Senior Project Engineers - WRLDoug Anderson, BE MEngScJames Carley, BBuild MEngScDr William Glamore, BSc PhDSteven Pells, BE MEngSc MIEAustDr Wendy Timms, BSc Newcastle BSc ANU PhD UNSW MIAH

Research Associates - WRLAnna Greve, MScAndrew McCallum, BE BEGabriel Rau, Dipl Eng

Project Engineers - WRLAlexandra Badenhop, BEMatthew Blacka, BEIan Coghlan, BE, DipEngPracLuis Mallen Lopez, BE MIndEngAlessio Mariani, BE, MOceanEngDuncan Rayner, BE Dr Laurent Tarrade, BSc MSc PhDConrad Wasko, BE BSc

Professional Staff - WRLRoss Mathews – Purchasing OfficerJoan Terlecky – Admin AssistantWendy Thomason-Harper – Secretary

Technical Staff - WRLJohn Hart Anna Blacka Monika StielerHamish Studholme Robert Thompson

WRL LibraryCaroline Hedges, BSc Dip LibJane Fortt

Consulting Specialists - WRLProf. Ian P King, BA MS PhDDr Rein Nittim, BE MEngSc PhD Dip TCP MIEAustDavid B Tolmie, BScApp(IndChem) MBA MAIChEStephen Wyllie, BE

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our research

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The membership of the School’s Research Management Committee (RMC)

comprises a cross-section of the School’s most active research staff, and

includes representation from the School’s postgraduate research students.

The School’s research activity in 2008 was largely based in its two strong

Research Centres, the UNSW Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and

Safety and the UNSW Water Research Centre. The RMC supports and

encourages research activities across the School and liaises with and

contributes directly to the Faculty’s Research Management Committee and

the University’s Committee for Research. In 2008, the RMC met every

month to oversee and progress all research related aspects of the School’s

operation. Following are brief comments on various key roles undertaken

by the RMC in 2008.

Research Management and Strategies:

A major goal of the RMC is to assist staff in achieving identifiable research

outcomes and to meet the School’s research objective, including:

a. to maintain its research ranking as the leading Civil and Environmental

research school in Australia;

b. to implement strategies that will lay the basis for continuing improved

research performance; and

c. to be internationally recognised for research leadership in the fields of

sustainable infrastructure and water engineering.

Among the strategies that the RMC continued to implement in 2008 and

will continue to do so over the next few years are

reSearCh Management Committee Report

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m implement the School’s operational and strategic research plan (and

update the plan annually);

m Maintain strong, well funded, inter-disciplinary research groups

focussed in the School’s two large research centres (Centre for

Infrastructure Engineering and Safety and Water Research Centre);

m concentrate research effort and resources by:- distributing

discretionary funds to priority areas; targeting staff recruitment to

research priority areas; attracting, developing and retaining leading

research staff; redeveloping and improving key research facilities; and

seeking external funds for targeted positions;

m improve staff performance (both group and individual performances)

by:- implementing a mentoring process for new and junior staff;

setting research goals for staff (grants, publications, supervision,

collaboration, SSP etc); identifying and collecting key performance

data and key performance measures; benchmarking individuals,

groups and School with competitors; and transforming the School into

a performance based meritocracy;

m effectively communicate research plans, results and outcomes to better

promote our research activities and achievements;

m introduce measures to increase research student numbers (target

100), including a School Research scholarship scheme

m continue to manage and monitor all aspects of the postgraduate

research degree programs, and actively engage postgraduate research

students in all School activities.

Postgraduate Research Student Program

An important aspect of the Committee’s work involves the management

of the School’s postgraduate research student’s program. In 2008, the

School had 77 postgraduate research students enrolled in either ME or

PhD programs. Management of this vital research activity within the School

involves the assessment of applications to undertake higher degrees

within the School, the formulation of specific research plans for each

student accepted into the program, the nomination of suitable supervisors,

reviewing the progress of students at regular intervals, making

recommendations on progress to the Faculty’s Higher Degree Committee,

and finally, nominating examiners when the thesis is completed and, where

necessary, following up on the examination process.

Each student is assigned a review committee of three academic staff

chaired by a member of the RMC. The review committee meets to

interview the student and supervisor(s) at 6 or 12 monthly intervals,

depending on the student’s progress, and, at these reviews, the student

is invited to present a brief seminar outlining progress since the last

review. Most academic staff and several research only staff participated

in the student review panels in 2008. Much of the work load in this area

is carried by the School’s Postgraduate Research Student Coordinator, a

position filled very ably by Associate Professor Ashish Sharma. The student

review process continued relatively smoothly through 2008 with excellent

administrative support provided by Pattie McLaughlin.

The RMC provided funds to support each research student, including a PC

at the commencement of their studies, photocopying and library charges,

and up to $1000 in each of the first three years of their program for

attendance at conferences or other project related expenses. However,

the bulk of the funding to support research student projects in most cases

comes from external scholarships and/or from research grants won by the

student’s supervisor.

Research Grants and Publications

The RMC also provides input to the preparation and coordination of

research grant applications. This includes ranking the School’s applications

for internal Faculty Research Grants (FRGs) and Early Career Research

Grants (ECRs) and UNSW Research Infrastructure Grants (RIBG/MREII)

and reviewing applications for competitive external grants. The School

has continued to be successful in winning external grant income in 2008,

particularly from the highly competitive funding schemes of the Australian

Research Council (ARC). With School staff involved in 8 successful ARC

Discovery Grants and 3 successful ARC Linkage Grants all awarded in

2008, it is by far the most successful School/Department in its discipline

in Australia. The School also continued to attract funding from industry,

largely through the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety and

the Water Research Centre.

For over a decade the School has led the Faculty in the number of DEST

recognised publications produced by its staff and students. In 2008, the

publication output continued to grow with many outstanding contributions

across the entire School.

Seminar Program

An effective seminar program is considered vital to communication

of research activity both within and outside the School and the RMC

has conducted such a program for many years. The seminar program

continued smoothly throughout 2008 under the direction of Ms Pattie

McLaughlin. Seminars typically involve at least two half hour presentations

by either research students and/or academic staff in a generally similar

discipline area or by a visiting researcher or external invited speaker.


The School is engaged in a wide variety of exciting research projects. Just

some are listed below:

1. Nonsmooth mechanics (Francis Tin Loi): School researchers are

examining phenomenon in natural and engineered systems which

can be described as “non-smooth” through use of concepts such as

smoothing and quasi-differentiability. Use of appropriate advanced

mathematical tools enables analysis of quasi-brittle materials and

structures and materials exhibiting nonstandard plasticity and

constitutive instabilities.

2. Surface and Groundwater Connectivity (Ian Acworth, Martin

Andersen):examining the connectivity between surface and

groundwaters as a vital aspect of proper management of Australia’s

limited water resources.

3. Desalination Brine Disposal and/or Reuse (Brett Miller, Will Glamore,

David Waite, Stuart Khan): developing appropriate means of

disposal (and, where possible, reuse) of the concentrated brines

and pretreatment wastes that will be generated on increasing use of

desalination for water supply to drought-stricken cities.

4. Impact of climate change on water supply management (Ashish

Sharma, Raj Mehrotra, Fiona Johnson): Global climate models

are presently the best available tools for predicting changes in

atmospheric-surface behaviour but present computational limitations

are such that their results are of coarse resolution and do not

supply information of sufficiently local scale to directly answer

practical hydrological problems. A major research programme is

being undertaken by School researchers to understand this so-called

“downscaling” process and use the results of the global climate

models to answer specific water resources planning problems.

5. Sexy Feet/Carbon Footprints (Greg Peters, Sven Lundie): For

businesses to be competitive in an increasingly carbon-constrained

marketplace, knowing the carbon footprint of business operations

will become essential for realising both environmental and economic

benefits into the future. Using Life Cycle Analysis methodology,

School researchers are developing improved methods of determining

the carbon footprint of both agricultural and industrial activities in

Australia and New Zealand.

6. A Virtual Laboratory for Advanced Pavement Design (Markus Oeser,

Adrian Russell, Nasser Khalili): The need to handle ever increasing

levels of freight over the road networks has resulted in increased

incidences of cracking, rutting, roughness and flushing. In order

to lower expenditure for maintenance and repair and to improve

the structural integrity of the road network, the Australian design

approach needs to be revised and new design models and methods

need to be established. School researchers are taking a mechanistic

approach to pavement engineering and are developing an advanced

numerical model which will provide the basis for design and enhanced

performance prediction and will also be of use in selecting more

appropriate road materials.

7. Avoiding Peak Oil and Peak Phosphorus Through the Design of

Sustainable Regional Economies (Stephen Moore, Iain McGill): Around

the globe, regional agricultural systems are facing potentially severe

constraints from the increasing cost of oil and phosphate fertilisers.

School researchers are using the environmental material accounting

method of material flux analysis to analyse the flow of phosphorus and

energy in agricultural systems, and subsequently through cities where

the food is consumed enabling opportunities to be identified to better

cycle phosphorus back to agricultural soil, rather than being lost to

oceans.

8. The Ductility of Reinforced Concrete Slabs (Ian Gilbert): Extreme

actions, such as fire, earthquake, cyclone and blast loading,

unanticipated overloads and marine and other corrosive environments

impose severe demands on the performance of engineered structures.

School researchers are assessing the ramifications of the impacts of

extreme actions on structures and accounting for the problematic

attributes of modern high-strength materials in order to improve the

safety and lifetime of man-made structures such as high-rise buildings

and bridges.

9. Buckling Analysis Based on Hyperelastic Constitutive Modelling of

Materials (Mario Attard): Materials such as elastomers, polymers,

foams, nanocomposites and biological tissues can undergo very large

nonlinear “elastic” deformations under load. School researchers are

developing improved models that provide a much better measure of

the extent of deformation for an applied shear stress. These improved

models will be critical to proper understanding of column buckling and

to design of helical springs, elastomeric bearings, sandwich plates with

soft shear cores and built-up and laced columns.

10. Supercritical Sequestration of CO2 in Geologic Formations (Nasser

Khalili): Geologic sequestration of CO2 under supercritical conditions

is viewed as the most feasible option in the global strategy for carbon

mitigation but many uncertainties exist with regard to the reliability of

this technology. School researchers are actively addressing some of

the problem issues.

11. Post Failure Analysis of Embankment Dams (Hossein Taiebat): Most

Australian embankment dams have not been designed for earthquake

loading, however new studies suggest that an earthquake with a

Some cuRRent ReSeaRch projects atcivil and environmental engineering

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 3 3

magnitude of 7.5 M is a credible earthquake for most of the dams

in Australia. School researchers are applying dynamic analysis and

large deformation analysis to describe the likely post failure behaviour

of embankment dams and, on this basis, to develop improved

approaches to dam design.

12. Risk Assessment for Water Recycling (Stuart Khan, David Roser):

While there is increasing pressure to recycle waters for both potable

and non-potable purposes, concern exists due to the possible

presence of pathogenic organisms and chemical contaminants. School

researchers are developing improved methods for qualifying and

quantifying the risks from such contaminants in order to facilitate the

uptake of more sustainable water management practices in Australia.

13. Tracking the Hydrological cycle Using Water Isotopes (Matt McCabe,

Martin Andersen): School researchers are using improved methods of

isotopic measurement and modeling to characterize the pathways and

mechanisms of water movement through the Earth system in order to

develop an understanding of possible climate change implications on

the Earth’s water cycle.

14. Novel developments in predicting and mitigating coastal erosion and

infrastructure damage (Ian Turner, Ron Cox): While approximately

86% of Australians live in the coastal zone, existing coastal

infrastructure is increasingly being threatened by climate change and

sea level rise. School researchers are focussing on a number of key

areas of concern including the mechanisms dominating coastal erosion

and how might major coastal developments be impacted by changed

wave conditions and water levels arising from climate change.

15. Free Radical Processes in Natural and Engineered Systems (David

Waite, Ninh Pham, Shikha Garg): Generation of free radicals

(particularly the powerful oxidizing hydroxyl radical) is both critical

to the health of all living organisms and a powerful technology for

degrading contaminants. School researchers are using both redox-

active elements and external energy sources including solar radiation

and ultrasound to generate free radicals and, through innovative

experimental and modeling approaches, gaining greater insight into

how these processes operate and how they might be optimized for

effective treatment of waters and wastes.

16. Investigation of Factors Controlling Occurrence and Toxicity of Harmful

Algal Blooms (Andrew Rose, Shikha Garg, David Waite): Why are

cyanobacteria sometimes toxic and sometimes not? What controls the

succession of one species by another? School researchers are using

an innovative combination of chemical and biological approaches

underpinned by a “systems” modeling approach to find the answers to

these questions that are so important to the integrity of our drinking

water supplies and aquaculture environments.


GraNtS

School of civil and environmental Research Grant Income 2008

2008 cIeS Research Funding Summary

principal researchers

research project/topic type of Grant Value at 2008

MA Bradford Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel/concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures.

ARC Federation Fellowship $758,000

MA Bradford Time-dependent dynamic, creep and shrinkage response of curved structural members. ARC Discovery $302,500

MA Bradford, RI Gilbert

Nonlinear analysis and behaviour of thin concrete axisymmetric shells. ARC Discovery $185,000

MA Bradford, B Uy & Lysaght R&D Industry Partner

Composite beams using fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) profiled slabs. ARC Linkage $80,500

RI Gilbert The implications of low ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs.

ARC Discovery (incl. Australian Professorial Fellowship) $356,000

S Valliappan Unified approach for the stability analysis of large concrete dams due to ageing degradation

ARC Discovery $6,000

N Khalili, C Song & RTA Industry Partner

An integrated approach to modelling granular materials in a pavement system. ARC Linkage $249,000

N Khalili Experimental investigation and constitutive modelling of thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling effects in unsaturated porous media


N Khalili, A Russell, M Oeser, K Douglas, S Valliappan

A calibration chamber for testing unsaturated soils. UNSW Major Research Equipment and Infrastructure Initiative

$28,000

N Khalili, S Valliappan, B Loret, A Russell

Determination of unsaturated soil properties using cone penetrometer data ARC Discovery $152,000

S Foster Fracture of steel fibre-reinforced concrete; Modes I & II ARC Discovery $27,000

S Foster A Study on the Development of blast resistent RPC shell: HSC core composite columns UNSW (FRG) $7,000

Y-L Pi, F Tin-Loi Elasto-plastic distortional analysis and strength of structures doubly-curved in space ARC Discovery $51,000

Z Vrcelj, G Ranzi Long term behaviour of composite steel concrete beams and its effect on composite dynamic response


M Oeser Early career research program UNSW $10,000

M Oeser Laboratory equipment grant RMC $18,000

S Foster, MA Bradford, RI Gilbert, C Song, F Tin Loi

Advanced Computational Analysis Laboratory (ACAL) RIBG $3,500

L. Ge Structural monitoring and modelling CRCSI (Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information)

$60,000

tOtaL $2,669,500

In 2008 the School and its Research Centres received $10.7 million in

research grant income. This included nearly $4 million in funds from the

highly competitive ARC Discovery and ARC Linkage Grants.

The School continues to lead the way nationally in research and its

success in attracting external research income confirms our place as one

of UNSW’s most successful research schools. The School has been very

successful in recent years in winning external grant income, particularly

from the funding schemes of the Australian Research Council (ARC) and

from industry through the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety

and the Water Research Centre.

Applied and fundamental research income of $6.8 million was received in

2008, from industry, business and government sources.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 3 5

aRc grants 2008

In 2008 the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering continued to receive significant Australian Research Council (ARC) funding, totaling nearly

$4 million. Details of the successful ARC research projects by School and Centre staff and amounts granted for 2008 are listed below:

principal researchers research project/topic type of Grant Value at 2008

NJ Ashbolt, S Lundie Development of an integrated sustainability framework for best management practice of urban water systems

ARC Linkage with WSAA and Total Environment Centre

$12,682

MA Bradford Time-dependent dynamic, creep and shrinkage response of curved structural members.


MA Bradford, RI Gilbert Nonlinear analysis and behaviour of thin concrete axisymmetric shells. ARC Discovery $185,000

MA Bradford, B UY & Lysaght R&D Industry Partner

Composite beams using fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) profiled slabs. ARC Linkage $80,500

S Foster Fracture of steel Fibre-reinforced Concrete: Modes I and II ARC $27,000

R I Gilbert The implications of low ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs.

ARC Discovery $356,000 (includes funding for APF)

N Khalili, C Song, P Tamsett, and PS Ravindra.

An Integrated Approach to Modelling Granular Materials in a Pavement System

ARC Linkage $249,000

N Khalili, S Valliappan, B Loret and A Russell

Determination of unsaturated soil properties using cone penetrometer data.


N Khalili Experimental Investigation and Constitutive Modelling of Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Effects in Unsaturated Porous Media.


SJ Khan The Use of Chiral Pharmaceutical Compounds to Characterise Sewage Treatment Processes and Sewage Contamination of Surface Waters.


SJ Khan, R Stuetz, A Baker, M Storey

Fluorescence as a tool for sensitive detection of failures in recycled water treatment and distribution systems

ARC Linkage Project ARC and 8 partner organisations

$305,486

Y-L Pi, F Tin-Loi Elasto-plastic distortional analysis and strength of structures doubly-curved in space.


A Sharma, J Ball (UTS), Sivakumar (UC-Davis)

Stochastic Rainfall Generation for design flow simulation. ARC Discovery $65,000

A Sharma, I Cordery (UNSW), Kibria (Sydney Catchment Authority)

A Stochastic Downscaling Framework for Catchment Scale Climate Change Impact Assessment.

ARC Linkage grant with Sydney Catchment Authority Support

$119,000

Sharma, Nott, Marshall An Ensemble Modelling Framework for Prediction in Ungauged Catchments

ARC Discovery DP0879218 $95,000

Sharma, Pitman, Tuteja Integrated assessment of climate change, climate input errors and land-use change on soil-moisture and carbon-balance in a catchment simulation framework

ARC Linkage with NSW DECC Industry Partner support LP0883296

$65,000

R Stuetz Optimal Management of Corrosion and Odour Problems in Sewer Systems ARC Linkage Project LP0882016 through U.Q $108,429

R Stuetz Detection of Trace Concentrations of Chemical Contaminants in Urban Water Systems

ARC Linkage Infrastructure & Equipment (LIEF) Grant LE0883080. ARC, UQ, UTS, UNSW.

$1,028,261

Ian Turner, PR Russell (UK) and G Masselink (UK)

Wave-by-wave bed-level changes at the beachface of gravel and sand beaches.


Ian Turner, AD Short (Sydney), R Ranasinghe (NSW DNR)

Investigating large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes using a unique long-term data set and innovative video monitoring technology.

ARC Linkage $13,000

S Valliapan Unified Approach for the Stability Analysis of Large Concrete Dams due to Ageing Degradation.

ARC $6,000

Zora Vrcelj, Gianluca Ranzi Long Term Behaviour of Composite Steel Concrete Beams and its Effect on Composite Dynamic Response.


TD Waite, A Feitz Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to contaminant degradation through Fentons reagent oxidation

ARC Linkage LP0348062. Waste Technologies Australia.

$12,426

D Waite, S Khan Physico-Chemical controls on Growth, Toxicity and Succession of microcystis and Anabaena Species in Sydney Water Supply Reservoirs

ARC Linkage Project LP0883561. ARC, SCA. $30,000

TD Waite, P Le-Clech, S Chang Membrane fouling in submerged hollow fibre membrane bioreactor systems: theory, modelling and fouling control.


TD Waite, L Li (UQ), T Howes (UQ) Predicting Lyngbya blooms: impact of iron transformation kinetics on flux, distribution and rate of uptake of bioavailable iron and phosphorus.

ARC Linkage LP0455697 with Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnerships

$19,976

TD Waite, M Melville, I White (ANU), R Bush (USC), R Collins

Reducing export of acid sulphate soil products (particularly iron, aluminium, phosphorus and organic carbon) as contaminants to coastal waters.

ARC Linkage LP0455697 with Tweed Shire Council

$9,717


WRc Grants - Kensington

Key researchers research topic Funding Organisation amount received in 2008

TD Waite, A Feitz Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to contaminant degradation through Fentons reagent oxidation

ARC Linkage LP0348062Waste Technologies Australia

$12,426

NJ Ashbolt, S Lundie Development of an integrated sustainability framework for best management practice of urban water systems

ARC (LP0455742) Total Environment Centre WSAA

$12,682

TD Waite, M Melville, I White (ANU), R Bush (USC), R Collins

Reducing export of acid sulphate soil products (particularly iron, aluminium, phosphorus and organic carbon) as contaminants to coastal waters

ARC Linkage LP0455697Tweed Shire Council

$9,717

TD Waite, L Li (UQ), T Howes (UQ)

Predicting Lyngbya blooms: impact of iron transformation kinetics on flux, distribution and rate of uptake of bioavailable iron and phosphorus

ARC Linkage LP0455697Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnerships

$19,976

S Lundie, A Feitz, G Peters Life Cycle Analysis of the grass fed red meat industry Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd $94,310NJ Ashbolt Pathogen risk indicators for wastewaters and biosolids WERF through CRCWQT $13,332TD Waite, A Feitz, J Guan Optimisation of ZVI Manufacture

Extension of OptimisationOrica $40,714

G Swarbrick, R Stuetz, S Dever (PGH)

Former camide landfill, Horsley Park: Landfill gas drainage & biofiltration trial

CSR PGH $4,250

TD Waite, S Chang Membrane fouling in submerged hollow fibre membrane bioreactor systems: theory, modelling and fouling control

ARC DP0665515 $100,741

NJ Ashbolt, C Davies, C Kaucner

Riparian and water quality protection by influencing livestock movements.

Sydney Catchment Authority $56,400

NJ Ashbolt, D Roser, C Davies, S Petterson

Estimating the Relative Risk from Sewage Treatment Plant Effluent Sydney Catchment Authority $49,091

NJ Ashbolt, G Peters, D Roser, S Khan, C Davies

Managing the contaminants in feedlot waste products (Flot 333) Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd $368,345

A Sharma Climate change and its impacts on water supply and demand in Sydney The Cabinet Office (NSW) $87,000A Sharma, Pitman, Tuteja Integrated assessment of climate change, climate input errors and

land-use change on soil-moisture and carbon-balance in a catchment simulation framework

ARCLP0883296 with NSW DECC Industry Partner support

$65,000

A Sharma, L Nott, DJ Marshall

An Ensemble Modelling Framework for Prediction in Ungauged Catchments

ARC DP0879218 $95,000

A Sharma, B Sivakumar (Griffith), J Ball (UTS)

Stochastic Rainfall Generation for design flow simulation ARC DP0664652 $65,000

A Sharma, I Cordery (UNSW), Kibria (SCA)

A Stochastic Downscaling Framework for Catchment Scale Climate Change Impact Assessment

ARCLP0668397 with Sydney Catchment Authority Industry Partner Support

$119,000

S Khan The use of chiral pharmaceutical compounds to characterise sewage treatment processes and sewage contamination of surface waters

ARC DP0772864 $31,220

TD Waite, R Collins Element uptake by rice - root iron plaque formaqtion and implication to nutrient and toxicant uptake

DEST International Science Linkages FR070051

$1,619

G Peters Creating an environmental sustainability assessment tool (ESAT) Smart Water Fund $98,216TD Waite Impact of Metal-Reactive Species: Interactions on Growth and Toxicity

of Ichthyotoxic Algae in Australian Coastal WatersARC DP0880298 $117,300

R Stuetz Detection of Trace Concentrations of Chemical Contaminants in Urban Water Systems

ARC LIEF Grant LE0883080 UQ, UTS, UNSW

$1,028,261

S Khan, R Stuetz, A Baker M Storey

Fluorescence as a tool for sensitive detection of failures in recycled water treatment and distribution systems

ARC Linkage Project LP0776347 $305,486

TD Waite, J Guan, X Wang Fouling Control in Hybrid Membrane Systems : International Science Linkage Programme with Tsinghua University, China

DEST International Science Linkage CH070180

$35,000

R Stuetz, S Dever Passive drainage and biofiltration of landfill gas using recycled materials NSW Dept of Environment & Conservation $40,444TD Waite, S Khan Physico-Chemical controls on Growth, Toxicity and Succession of

microcystis and Anabaena Species in Sydney Water Supply ReservoirsARC Linkage Project LP0883561 with SCA

$30,000

R Stuetz Optimal Management of Corrosion and Odour Problems in Sewer Systems -

ARC Linkage Project LP0882016 through U.Q

$108,429

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 3 7


D Roser Premiers Water Fund- University of Western Australia - Assessing the Public Health Impacts of Recycled Water Use. Subcontract to UWA

UWA/PWF $160,000

R Collins ANSTO $4,010J McDonald ECR/FRG Grant UNSW/Engineering $27,130S Khan Development of and "Ecotoxicity Toolbox" to evaluate Water Quality for

Recycling - Part TwoDepartment of Water Western Australia $95,000

S Khan National Water Commission Fellowship: Quantitative Contaminant Assessment for Water Recycling Schemes

NWC $68,000

total in 2008 $3,363,099

applied Research Projects 2008

research topic Granting Organisation Cash received 2008CWWT - Workshops - aggregated account Various $0CWWT - Conferences - aggregated account Various $5,375CWWT - Atmospheric Emissions - aggregated account Various $59,410CWWT - Physical Chemical Processes - aggregated account Various $12,500CWWT - Microbiology - aggregated account Various $94,558CWWT - LCA & Sustainability - aggregated account Various $172,464CWWT - Analytical Services - aggregated account Various $0CWWT - Micropollutants - aggregated account Various $37,010total applied research $381,317


2008 Funding for Fundamental & Strategic Research led by WRL Investigators

Senior investigators/ researchers topic Funding Source total Funding2008(ex GSt)

I Acworth, B Kelly (Science), M Anderson, B Giambastiani (Science), A Greve and A McCallum

Surface- and groundwater connectivity in Maules Creek Cotton Catchment Communities CRC

$198,700

Martin AndersenFunding secured in collaboration with Professor Ian Acworth

Quantify surface water groundwater exchange using thermal and chemical measurements.

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation, Land & Water Australia

$586,000

Ian Turner, PR Russell (UK), G Masselink (UK) Wave-by-wave bed-level changes at the beachface of gravel and sand beaches

Australian Research Council – Discovery DP0770118

$105,000

Ian Turner, AD Short, University of Sydney, R Ranasinghe, NSW DECC

Investigating large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes using a unique long-term data set and innovative video monitoring technology.

Australian Research Council – Linkage LP0455157

$13,000

Ian Turner G Masselink (UK) PR Russell (UK) Beach change over individual wave cycles on sand and gravel beaches. UK Natural Environment Research Council

$125,000

Project Leader: J Williams (UK)

Barrier Dynamics Experiment (BARDEX)WorkPackage1: Barrier stability and Overwash – Williams et al (UK) WorkPackage2: Barrier Hydrology – Turner et al (UNSW) WorkPackage3: Swash sediment transport – Masselink et al (UK) WorkPackage4: Nearshore hydrodynamics and sediment transport - Williams et al (UK)

HYDROLAB III (European Union) $630,000

Ian Turner Development of video-based techniques for real-time monitoring and analysis for coastal engineering and coastal management.

NSW DECC and LQD EPA (UNSW Research Agreement)

$32,000

total $1,689,700

WRc Grants - Manly Vale

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 3 9


Stephen Moore Collaboration with National Taiwan University Australian Academy of Science $5,000

David Carmichael, Dr M. C. A. Balatbat (ASB, UNSW), A/Prof R. L. Tiong (NTU, Singapore)

"Role of Carbon Financing in Developing Nations in Mitigating GHG Emissions",

Contestable Funding for International Strategic Projects, UNSW

$30, 000

2008 Industry funded research undertaken by the WRc -WRL Projects team

Senior investigators and advisers

Subject area Industry Sponsors total Industry Funding(ex GSt)

James Carley, Ron Cox, Ian Turner, Doug Anderson, William Glamore, Bill Peirson

Coastal engineering and management

Clarence City Council, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Warringah Council, Byron Shire Council, Australian Fresh Corp., MTK Consulting, Pitt & Sherry, Glenorchy City Council,NSW Department Of Primary Industries, Dept Of Sustainability & Environment Victoria, NSW Department Of Lands

$427,425

James Carley, Ron Cox, William Glamore, Brett Miller,

Coastal structures and wave protection

Cardno Lawson Treloar, Delta Marine Consultants, Water Technology, Tonkin & Talyor, Leighton Contractors, Oceanlinx, Kellogg JV, Maunsell Australia, International Coastal Management

$571,222

Brett Miller; Ron Cox, James Carley Harbours and sheltered waterways P D Naidoo & Associates,Australian National Maritime Museum

$59,855

Brett Miller, William Glamore, Wendy Timms, Bill Peirson

Desalination intakes and outfall design for minimising environmental impacts

Sydney Water Corporation, John Holland, Pall Australia, GHD, Blue Water JV

$191,510

Brett Miller, William Glamore, Bill Peirson, Bruce Cathers

Sewage disposal in coastal waters and environmental impacts

United Group Infrastructure, NSW Department Of Commerce, Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation, Gunns Ltd

$326,200

William Glamore, Brett Miller Environmental restoration studies Hunter-Central Rivers CMA, NSW Maritime Authority, Dept. Of Environment,Water,Heritage & Art, NSW Dept Of Environment & Climate Change, NSW Department Of Primary Industries

$125,240

Brett Miller, William Glamore, Bill Peirson, Bruce Cathers

Estuarine water quality and environmental flows

Dept. Nat Resources Environment & Arts,MidCoast Water

$97,182

Wendy Timms, William Glamore, Doug Anderson, Ian Acworth, Ian Turner

Groundwater studies related to effluent disposal

NSW Department Of Commerce, Kempsey Shire Council

$81,772

Wendy Timms, Brett Miller, William Glamore, Doug Anderson, Ian Acworth, Ian Turner

Groundwater studies, supply, monitoring, salinity and pollutant transport

Orica Australia, NSW Dept Of Primary Industries, Caroona Coal Project, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, EWL Sciences, Cotton Catchment Communities CRC

$311,426

Brett Miller, James Carley, Bill Peirson, Bruce Cathers

Hydraulics of power generation Outotec, Oceanlinx $45,000

William Glamore, Brett Miller, Bill Peirson

Water resources, sedimentation & environmental flows

URS, Engineers Australia, Charles Darwin University $23,250

Brett Miller, Ron Cox, Bill Peirson, Doug Anderson

Flood modelling and floodplain management

Penrith Lakes Development Corp., SMEC $51,048

Brett Miller, Ron Cox, Bruce Cathers, Bill Peirson

Water/wastewater hydraulics and turbomachinery performance

Launceston City Council, Expella,Worley Parsons, Bluescope Steel

$177,880

Brett Miller, Bill Peirson, Bruce Cathers

Stormwater and pollution control Stramit Building Products, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cardno CCS, Ergon Energy, United Group Infrastructure

$56,740

General expert opinion and miscellaneous revenue

$58,206

total $2,603,955

Miscellaneous Grants


reSearCh Output in 2008

School Publications 2008BOOKS anD MOnOGRaPhS*Apgar D, *Witherspoon J, *Easter C, *Bassrai S, *Dillon C, *Torres E, *Bowker RPG, *Corsi R, *Davidson S, *Wolstenholme P, *Forbes B, *Quigley C, *Ward M, *Joyce J, *Morton R, * Weiss J, and Stuetz R (2008) Minimization of Odors and Corrosion in Collection Systems, WERF/IWAP, 220 pages (NON-DEST research handbook).

*Lemass B and Carmichael D (2008) Front – End Project Management, 2008 Pearson Education Australia.

Lundie S, *Ciroth A, *Huppes G (2008) Inventory methods in LCA – towards consistency and improvement. 152 pages. May, VDM Verlag, Saarbrucken, Germany.

Lundie S, Ashbolt N, *Livingston D, +Lai E, *Karrman E, *Blaikie J, *Anderson J (2008) Sustainability Framework, Water Services Association of Australia (NON-DEST research handbook).

*Maekawa K, *Vecchio F, and Foster S (eds), Practitioners’ Guide to Finite Element Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Structures, fib Bulletin 45, Fédération Internationale du Béton, 2008, 337pp.

*Trahair NS, Bradford MA, *Nethercot DA and *Gardner L (2008) The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3, 4th edition, Taylor & Francis, London.

BOOK chaPteR (ReFeReeD)Bradford MA, Pi Y-L (2008) A finite curved-beam element for thermoelastic buckling analysis of elastically supported arches. Chapter 9 of Trends in Computational Structures Technology, BHV Topping et al. (eds). Kippen, UK: Saxe-Coburg, pp197-222.

Foster S, Chapter 2, “Design Using Linear Stress Analysis”, in Practitioners’ Guide to Finite Element Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Eds. Maekawa K, Vecchio F, and Foster S, fib Bulletin 45, State-of-art-report, 2008, 337pp.

Foster S, Chapter 6, “Advanced Modelling and Analysis Concepts”, in Practitioners’ Guide to Finite Element Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Eds. Maekawa, K., Vecchio F, and Foster S, fib Bulletin 45, State-of-art-report, 2008, 337pp.

+Harley M, Turner I *Short AD and *Ranasinghe R (2007) Monitoring beach processes using conventional, RTK-GPS and video image-derived survey methods: Narrabeen Beach,

Bradford MA (2008) Non-linear in-plane buckling of rotationally restrained shallow arches under a central concentrated load in International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics.

Bradford MA, Pi YL (2008) Elastic flexural-torsional instability of structural arches under hydrostatic pressure in International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Vol.50(2), pp143-151.

Bradford MA, +Roufegarinejad A (2008) Elastic local buckling of thin-walled elliptical tubes containing elastic infill material, Interaction and Multiscale Mechanics, Vol.1(1), pp143-156.

Bradford MA, Pi YL, Tin-Loi F (2008) In-plane elastic nonlinear analysis of shallow circular arches with generic end restraints, Archives of Civil Engineering LIV:1, 58-71.

Bradford MA, +Luu TK, +Heidarpour A (2008) Generic nonlinear modelling of a steel beam in a frame sub-assembly at elevated temperatures in Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol.64(7-8), pp732-736.

Carmichael DG, *Balatbat M (2008) Probabilistic DCF analysis and capital budgeting and investment - A survey in Engineering Economist, Vol.53(1) pp84-102.

Carmichael DG, *Balatbat M (2008) The influence of extra projects on overall investment feasibility, Journal of Financial Management of Property and Constitution. Vol.13 No.3, pp161-175.

+Chaimoon K, Attard M, and Tin-Loi F (2008) Crack propagation due to time-dependent creep in quasi-brittle materials under sustained loading, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol.197(21-24), pp1938-1952.

+Chaimoon K and Attard M (2008) Experimental and numerical investigation of masonry under three-point bending (in-plane), Engineering Structures, Vol.31(1), pp103-112.

Chang S, Fane AG, Waite TD and Teo A (2008). Unstable filtration behaviour of hollow fibre membranes: A single hollow fibre membrane experiment. Journal of Membrane Science 308, pp107–114.

+Cheah CH, Ball J (2007) An alternative approach to modeling stormwater runoff from small urban catchments, International Journal of Water 3(4), pp322-333.

*Chong Kak Tien, Foster S, Gilbert RI (2008) Time-dependent modelling of RC structures using the cracked membrane model and solidification theory in International Journal of Computers and Structures, Vol.86 No.11-12, pp1305-1317.

Chowdhury S and Sharma A (2008) A simulation based approach for representation of rainfall uncertainty in conceptual rainfall runoff models. Hydrological Research Letters, 2(DOI: 10.3178/HRL.2.2): 5-8.

*Chumchean S, *Seed Alan and Sharma A (2008) An operational approach for classifying storms in real-time radar rainfall estimation, Journal of Hydrology, Vol.363, pp1-17.

Coleman HM, *Troester M, Khan S, *McDonald J, *Watkins G, Stuetz R (2008) Fate and analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a membrane bioreactor, Australian Journal of Ecotoxicology, Special Edition on EDCs. (pending).

Coleman H, Khan S, *Watkins G and Stuetz R (2008) Fate and analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals in some sewage treatment plants in Australia, Water, Science and Technology, Vol.11(58), pp2187-2194.

Cordery I, *Weeks B, *Loy A, *Daniell T, *Knee R, *Minchin S and *Wilson D (2007) Water resources data collection and water accounting, Australian Journal of Water Resources, Vol.11(2):257-266.

Duesterberg C, Mylon SE and Waite TD (2008) pH effects on iron-catalyzed oxidation using Fenton’s reagent. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42, 8522-8527.

Davies CM, *Mitchell VG, Petterson SM, *Taylor GD, *Lewis J, Kaucner C, Ashbolt N (2008) Microbial challenge-testing of treatment processes for quantifying stormwater recycling risks and management, Water Science and Technology, Vol.57(6), pp843-847.

*Davidson MA, +Morris BD, Turner I (2008) A simple numerical model for inlet sedimentation at intermittently open-closed coastal lagoons, Continental shelf research. (accepted).

*Davidson MA and Turner IL (2008) A behavioural-template beach profile model for predicting seasonal to interannual shoreline evolution. Journal of Geophysical Research – Earth Surface. Doi:10.1029/2007JF000888.

With 6 books or research monographs, 11

chapters in books, 128 papers in refereed

journals, 86 refereed conference papers, 32

non refereed articles in journals and conference

proceedings, 11 completed PhD theses as well

as numerous research reports and reports to

industry, the published output of the School

continues to be at a very high level.

*External author

+School research student

Australia. GIS for the Coastal Zone. Wollongong Papers on Maritime Policy No.16, Australia National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security, Wollongong, 151-164.

Khan S (2008) Chapter 12: Urban Reuse & Desalination. Water Policy in Australia: The impact of change and uncertainty, pp184-201.

Khan S and Leslie G (2008) Chapter 4: Advanced Water Treatment Technologies. In Purified Recycled Water for Drinking: The Technical Issues, Queensland Water Commission, 2008, pp86-126.

Lundie S, Peters G and Ashbolt NJ (2008) A review comparing the WSAA sustainability framework to the Gold Coast Waterfuture process. Sustainability Framework, 2 chapters in book. (NON-DEST research handbook).

Lundie S, Lenzen M (2008) Quantitative Nachhaltigkeitsberichtserstattung ‘ohne Systemgrenzen’. In: Isenmann, R Gormez M, Internetgestutzte Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung. Erich Schmidt Verlag, Berlin, pp99-112.

Postma D, Kjøller C, Andersen MS, de Melo T & Gauss I (2008): Geochemical modelling of processes controlling baseline compositions of groundwater. in: Natural Groundwater Quality.

Tin-Loi F (2008) ‘Limit analysis by linear programming’, in Plastic Analysis & Design of Steel Structures, 1st Edition, Butterworth Heinemann,. pp163-193.

Turner I (2008) Saltwater Wetlands Rehabilitation Manual, NSW Dept of Environment & Climate Change– Chapter 8: Groundwater, pp118-125. .

JOuRnaL aRtIcLeS (ReFeReeD)*Abedi-Koupai J, *Sohrab F, Swarbrick G (2008) Evaluation of hydrogel application on soil water retention characteristics in Journal of Plant Nutrition, Vol.31(2), pp317-331.

Acworth I and *Brain T (2008) Calculation of barometric efficiency in shallow piezometers using water levels, atmospheric and earth die data, Hydrogeology Journal (16): 1469-1481.

Andersen MS (2008) Investigation of a dynamic seawater intrusion event using strontium isotopes (Sr-87/Sr-86) in Journal of Hydrology.

Attard M and *Hunt GW (2008) Column buckling with shear deformations-A hyperelastic formulation in International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol.45(14-15), pp4322-4339.

Attard M (2008) Crack propagation due to time-dependent creep in quasi-brittle materials under sustained loading in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering.

Attard M and *Hunt GW (2008) Sandwich column buckling – A hyperelastic formulation, International Journal of Solids & Structures, Vol.45(21), pp5540-5555.

Attard M, *Lee Jun-Seok and *Kim Moon-Young (2008) Dynamic stability of shear-flexible beck’s columns based on Engesser’s and Haringx’s buckling theories, Computers and Structures, Vo;.86(21-22), pp2042-2055.

Auffan M, Achouak W, Rose J, Chanéac C, Waite TD, Masion A, Woicik JC, Wiesne M.R. and Bottero JY (2008) Relation between the redox state of iron-based nanoparticles and their cytotoxicity towards Escherichia coli. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42(17), 6730 - 6735.

*Bakkaus E, Collins RN, *Morel JL and *Gouget B (2008) Estimation of the potential phytoavailability of anthropogenic cobalt in soils using isotope dilution techniques, Science Total Environment Vol.406:pp108-115.

+Bazyar MH, Song CM (2008) A continued-fraction based high-order transmitting boundary for wave propagation in unbounded domains of arbitrary geometry in International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol.74, pp209-237.

Bradford MA (2008) Behaviour and design of shallow arches of large span as roofing structures under low levels of fire loading. Second International Symposium on Innovative Design of Steel Structures, Hong Kong (December).

Bradford MA (2008) Long span shallow steel arches subjected to fire loading. International Symposium on Innovations in Structural Steel, Singapore (December).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 4 1

Farvashany FE, Foster SJ and Rangan BV, Strength and Deformation of High Strength Concrete Shear Walls, ACI Structural Journal, Vol.105, No.1, Jan-Feb, 2008, pp21-29.

Fell R, *Corominas J, *Bonnard C, *Cascina L, *Leroi E and *Savage W (2008) Guidelines for landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk-zoning for land use planning, Engineeing Geology, Vol.102(3-4), pp85-98.

Fell R, *Corominas J, *Bonnard C, *Cascina L, *Leroi E and *Savage W (2008) Guidelines for landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk-zoning for land use planning Commentary, Engineeing Geology, Vol.102(3-4), 91-111.

Fell R, *Glastonbury J (2008) A decision analysis framework for the assessment of likely post-failure velocity of translational and compound rock slope landslides, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol.45, pp329-350.

Fell R, *Glastonbury J (2008) Geotechnical characteristics of large slow, very slow and extremely slow landslides, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol.45, pp984-1005.

Fell R, *Wan CF (2008) Assessing the potential of internal instability and suffusion in embankment dams and their foundations, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol.134(3), pp401-407.

*Fernando DR, *Marshall A, *Gouget B, *Carriere M, Collins R, *Woodrow IE (2008) Novel pattern of foliar metal distribution in a manganese hyperaccumulator in Functional Plant Biology, Vol.35(3), pp193-200.

Foster SJ and Kilpatrick AE (2008) The use of low ductility welded wire mesh in the design of suspended reinforced concrete slabs, Australian Journal of Structural Engineering (AJSE), Institution of Engineers Australia, Vol. 8 No.3, pp237-248.

Fujii M Ito, H Rose AL, Waite, T.D. and Omura, T. (2008). Development and application of an ion exchange separation method for characterization of the form and reactivity of iron in coastal waters. Marine Chem. 110, 165-175.

Fuji M, Ito H, Rose AL, Waite TD and Omura T (2008) Superoxide-mediated Fe(II) production from organically complexed Fe(III) in coastal waters. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta 72, 6079-6089.

Fujii M, Rose AL, Waite TD and Omura T (2008) Kinetics of Fe(III)-organic ligand complexation in natural waters in the absence and presence of divalent cations. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 72, 1335–1349.

Gao W and *N Zhang (2008) Probabilistic and interval static response analysis of truss structures with uncertain parameters, International Journal for Computational Methods in Engineering Science & Mechanics, Vol.9, pp260-269.

*Gengshu T, Pi YL, Bradford MA and Tin-Loi Francis (2008) In-plane Nonlinear buckling analysis of deep circular arches incorporating transverse stresses in Journal of Engineering Mechanics- ASCE, Vol.134(5), pp362-373.

Gilbert RI (2008) Closure to ‘Tension stiffening in lightly reinforced concrete slabs’ by R Ian Gilbert”, Authors’ Closure, Journal of Structural Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Vol.134, No.6.

Gilbert RI (2008) Control of flexural cracking in reinforced concrete, ACI Structural Journal, Vol.105 No.3, pp301-307.

Gilbert RI (2008) Control of flexural cracking in reinforced concrete in ACI Structural Journal, Vol.134(7), pp1264-1265.

Gilbert RI (2008) Instantaneous and time-dependent deflection of reinforced concrete flexural members, Concrete Forum, Journal of Concrete Institute of Australia, Vol.1 No.1, pp7-17.

Gilbert RI (2008) Revisiting the tension stiffening effect in reinforced concrete slabs, Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.8 No.3, pp189-196.

Gilbert RI (2008) Tension stiffening in lightly reinforced concrete slabs in Journal of Structural Engineering – ASCE Vol.105(3), pp301-307.

*Glastonbury J, Fell R (2008) A decision analysis framework for the assessment of likely post-failure velocity of translational and compound natural rock slope landslides in Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol.45(3), pp329-350.

*Glastonbury J, Fell R (2008) Geotechnical characteristics of large slow, very slow, and extremely slow landslides in Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol.45(7), pp984-1005.

+Green R, Waite TD, Melville M, *Macdonald B (2008) Effectiveness of an open limestone channel in treating acid sulfate soil drainage in Water Air and Soil Pollution, Vol.191(1-4), pp293-304.

Green R, Waite TD, Melville M, *Macdonald B (2008) Treatment of acid sulfate soil drainage using limestone in a closed tank reactor in Water Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 191(1-4), pp319-330.

Guan J (2008) Characterization of floc size and structure under different monomer and polymer coagulants on microfiltration membrane fouling in Journal of Membrane Science.

*Hanson JL, *Yesiller N, Swarbrick G and *Liu WL (2008) A new approach for surface n-factors, Journal of Cold Regions Engineering, ASCE, Vol.22(4).

+Harley MD and Turner IL (2008) A simple data transformation technique for processing survey data at embayed beaches. Coastal Engineering, Vol.55, pp63-68.

+Heidarpour A and Bradford MA (2008) Behaviour of a T-stud assembly in steel beam-to-column connections at elevated temperatures. Engineering Structures, Vol.30(10), pp2893-2899.

+Heidarpour A and Bradford MA (2008) Failure mechanisms for stocky webs under patch loading at elevated temperatures in Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol.64(10), pp1103-1111.

+Heidarpour A and Bradford MA (2008) Local buckling and slenderness limits for steel webs under combined bending, compression and shear at elevated temperatures, Thin-Walled Structures, Vol.46(2), pp128-146.

Jørgensen NO, Andersen MS, & Engesgaard P (2008): Investigation of a dynamic seawater intrusion event using strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr). Journal of Hydrology (doi.10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.10.001). 348, p 257-269.

Khan S, Roser D, Davies C, Peters G, Stuetz R, *Tucker R, Ashbolt NJ (2008) Chemical contaminants in feedlot wastes: Concentrations, effects and attenuation in Environment International, Vol.34(6), pp839-859.

Khalili N (2008) Effect of effective overburden pressure on geomembrane/soil interface transmissivity in Geosynthetics International, Vol.15(1, pp31-42.

Khalili N (2008) On generation of constitutive models from two dimensions to three dimensions, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods I, Vol.32(17), pp2045-2065.

Khalili N (2008) Two-phase fluid flow through fractured porous media with deformable matrix in Water Resources Research, Vol.44, paper W00C04.

Khalili N, +Habte MA and +Zargarbashi S (2008) A fully coupled flow deformation model for cyclic analysis soils including hydraulic and mechanical hystereses, Computers and Geotechnics, Vol.35, pp872-889.

+Kovalsky P, Wang XM, Bushell G, Waite TD (2008) Application of local material properties to prediction of constant flux filtration behaviour of compressible matter in Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.318(1-2), pp191-200.

*Koupai J, *Sohrab F and Swarbrick G (2008) Evaluation of hydrogel application on soil water retention characteristics, Journal of Plant Nutrition, Vol.31(2): pp317-331.

+Le T, Pham AN, Collins R, Waite TD (2008) Impact of soil consolidation and solution composition on the hydraulic properties of coastal acid sulfate soils. Australian Journal Soil Research, Vol.46(2), pp112-121.

+Le T, Collins R, Waite TD (2008) Influence of metal ions and pH on the hydraulic properties of potential acid sulfate soils in Journal of Hydrology, Vol.356(1-2), pp261-270.

Masin D and Khalili N (2008) A hypoplastic model for mechanical response of unsaturated oils, International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods I, Vol.32(15) pp1903-1926.

+Malik A and Foster SJ (2008) Behaviour of reactive powder concrete columns without steel ties, Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, Vol.6, No. 2, June, 2008, pp377-386.

+Marselina Y, Le-Clech P, Stuetz R, Chen V (2008) Detailed characterization of fouling deposition and removal on hollow fibre membrane by direct observation technique. Desalination, Vol.231, pp3-11.

*Matias A, *Vila-Concejo A, *Ferreira O, +Morris B, *Dias JA (2008) Sediment dynamics of barriers with frequent overwash, Journal of Coastal Research. (accepted)

McCabe M (2008) Estimating land surface evaporation: A review of methods using remotely sensed surface temperature data. Surveys in Geophysics, 29 (4-5), pp. 421-469.

+Mitchell HD, Turner I (2008) A simple data transformation technique for pre-processing survey data at embayed beaches in International Journal of Coastal Engineering, Vol.55(1), pp63-68.

+Mohammad HB and Song CM (2008) A continued-fraction based high-order transmitting boundary for wave propagation in unbounded domains of arbitrary geometry, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol.74, pp209-237.

Murphy KR, Stedmon CA, Waite TD and Ruiz GM (2008) Optical signatures of dissolved organic matter in high-salinity environments: discriminating between marine and terrestrial sources. Marine Chemistry 108, pp40-58.

Murphy KR, Field MP, Waite TD and Ruiz GM (2008) Trace elements in ships’ ballast water as tracers of mid-ocean exchange. Sci. Tot. Environ. 393, pp11-26.

*Nghiem LD, *Vogel D and Khan S (2008) Characterising humic acid fouling of nanofiltration membranes using bisphenol A as a molecular indicator, Water Research, Vol.42(15), pp4049-4058.

Oeser M and *Freitag S (2008) Modeling of materials with fading memory using neural networks, International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering. doi:10.1002/nme.2518.

Oeser M, *Pellinen T, *Scarpas A and *Kasbergen C (2008) Studies on creep and recovery of rheological bodies based upon conventional and fractional formulations and their application on asphalt mixture. International Journal of Pavement, 9:5, pp373-386.

Peirson W (2008) On the wind-induced growth of slow water waves of finite steepness in Journal of Fluid Mechanics. Vol.608, pp243-274.

Peirson W and *Garcia A (2008) On the wind-induced growth of slow water waves of finite steepness, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol.608, pp243-274.

Peirson W, *Figlus J, *Pells SE, Cox RJ (2008) Placed rock as protection against erosion by flow down steep slopes. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Vol.134, pp1370-1375.

Peters G (2008) Active learning about active learning, iNEER Special Volume: Innovations 2008. pp71-80.

Peters G, *Sack F, *Lenzen M, Lundie S, *Gallego B (2008) Towards a deeper and broader ecological footprint, Engineering Sustainability, Vol.161, pp31-37.

Pham A, Waite TD (2008) Modeling the kinetics of Fe(II) oxidation in the presence of citrate and salicylate in aqueous solutions at pH 6.0-8.0 and 25 degrees C in Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.112(24), pp5395-5405.

Pham A, Waite TD (2008) Oxygenation of Fe(II) in the presence of citrate in aqueous solutions at pH 6.0-8.0 and 25 & deg; C: Interpretation from an Fe(II)/citrate speciation perspective in Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.112(4), pp643-651.

Pham A, Waite TD (2008) Oxygenation of Fe(II) in natural waters revisited: Kinetic modeling approaches, rate constant estimation and the importance of various reaction pathways in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol.72(15), pp3616-3630.

Pi YL, Bradford MA (2008) Dynamic buckling of shallow pin-ended arches under a sudden central concentrated load in Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol.317(3-5), pp898-917.

Pi YL, Bradford MA (2008) Thermoelastic lateral-torsional buckling of fixed slender beams under linear temperature gradient in International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Vol.50(7), pp1183-1193.

Pi YL, Bradford MA and Tin-Loi F (2008) In-plane strength of steel arches, International Journal of Advanced Steel Construction, Vol.4(4), pp306-322.

Pi YL, Bradford MA and Tin-Loi F (2008) Nonlinear in-plane buckling of rotationally restrained shallow arches under a central concentrated load, International Journal of Non-linear Mechanics, Vol.43:1-17.

Rose, A, *Moffett J, Waite TD (2008) Determination of superoxide in seawater using 2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-one chemiluminescence in Analytical Chemistry, Vol.80(4) pp1215-1227.


Rose A, *Webb E, Waite TD, *Moffet J (2008) Measurement and implications of nonphotochemically generated superoxide in the equatorial pacific ocean in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol.42(7), pp2387-2393.

Russell A and *Wood M (2008) Point load tests and strength measurements for brittle spheres, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.04.004.

+Santiwong S, Chang S, Waite TD (2008) Determination of hydraulic and depth-dependent properties of nematically ordered montmorillonite assemblages during microfiltrationin in Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.313(1-2), pp232-241.

+Santiwong S, Guan J and Waite TD (2008) Effect of ionic strength and pH on hydraulic properties and structure of accumulating solid assemblages during microfiltration of montmorillonite suspensions, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.317(1), pp214-227.

*Shi G, *Shi Y *Wang Y and Bradford MA (2008) Numerical simulation of steel pretensioned bolted end-plate connections of different types and details, Engineering Structures, Vol.30(10), pp2677-2686.

Sivakumar B and Sharma A (2008) A cascade approach to continuous rainfall data generation at point locations in Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment (SERRA)(DOI 10.1007/s00477-007-0145-y): 1-9.

+Sivret EC, Peirson W and Stuetz R (2008) Nitrous oxide monitoring for nitrifying activated sludge aeration control: A simulation study. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol.101(1), pp109-118.

Song C (2008) A continued-fraction-based high-order transmitting boundary for wave propagation in unbounded domains of arbitrary geometry in International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol.74(2), pp209-237.

Song C and +Mohammad H (2008) Development of a fundamental-solution-less boundary element method for exterior wave problems in Communications in Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol.24, pp257-279.

Song CM, Vrcelj Z (2008) Evaluation of dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress using the scaled boundary finite-element method in Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Vol.75, pp1960-1980.

Sun Q, Feitz AJ, Guan J and Waite TD (2008). Comparison of the reactivity of nanosized zero valent iron (nZVI) particles produced by borohydride and dithionite reduction of iron salts. Nano 3(5), 341-349.

Tangaramvong S, Tin-Loi F (2008) Simultaneous ultimate load and deformation analysis of strain softening frames under combined stresses in Engineering Structures Vol.30(3) pp664-674.

Timms W and *Hendry JM (2008) Long-term reactive solute transport in an aquitard using a centrifuge model. Ground Water Vol.46(4), pp616-628.

*Tong G, Bradford MA, Pi YL and Tin-Loi F (2008) Buckling and second order effect in dual shear flexural systems, Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.134(11), pp1726-1732.

*Tong G, Pi Y-L, Bradford MA, Tin-Loi F (2008) In-plane nonlinear buckling analysis of deep circular arches incorporating transverse stresses. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, American Society of Civil Engineers 134(5):362-373.

Turner IL, *Russell P and *Butt T (2008) Measurement of wave-by-wave bed-levels in the swash zone. Coastal Engineering, Vol.55, pp1237-1242.

Walker J, Peirson W (2008) Measurement of gas transfer across wind-forced wavy air-water interfaces using laser-induced fluorescence in Experiments in Fluids, Vol.44(2), pp249-259.

*Wan CF, Fell R (2008) Assessing the potential of internal erosion and suffusion in embankment dams and their foundations. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol.134, No.3, pp410-407.

*Wang Jin, Guan J, +Santiwong S, and Waite TD (2008) Characterization of floc size and structure under different monomer and polymer coagulants on microfiltration membrane fouling, Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.321(2), pp132-138.

Wang XM, Chang S, +Kovalsky P, Waite TD (2008) Multiphase flow models in quantifying constant pressure dead-end filtration and subsequent cake compression. 1. Dilute slurry filtration in Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.308(1-2), pp35-43.

Wang XM, +Kovalsky P, Waite TD (2008) Multiphase flow models in quantifying constant pressure dead-end filtration and subsequent cake compression. 2. Concentrated slurry filtration and cake compression in Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.308(1-2), pp44-53.

Wang XM and Waite TD (2008) Gel layer formation and hollow fibre membrane filterability of polysaccharide dispersions. J. Membrane Science 322, 204-213.

Wang XM and Waite TD (2008) Impact of gel layer formation on colloid retention in membrane filtration processes. J. Membrane Sci. 325, 486-494.

*Wan CF, Fell R (2008) Assessing the potential of internal instability and suffusion in embankment dams and their foundations in Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol.134(3), pp401-407.

Westra S, Sharma A, Brown C and Lall U (2008) Multivariate streamflow forecasting using independent component analysis in Water Resources Research 44, W02437.

Wu J, Le-Clech P, Stuetz R, Fane AG, Chen V (2008) Novel filtration mode for fouling limitation in membrane bioreactors. Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.424, pp26-32.

Wu J, Le-Clech P, Stuetz R, Fane AG, Chen V (2008) Novel filtration mode for fouling limitation in membrane bioreactors. Water Research, Vol.42(14), pp3677-3684.

*Xia H, *Guo W, *Wu X, Pi YL and Bradford MA (2008) Lateral dynamic interaction analysis of a train-girder-pier system, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol.318(4-5), pp927-942.

Vrcelj Z and Bradford MA (2008) A simple method for the inclusion of external and internal supports in the spline finite strip method (SFSM) of buckling analysis in International Journal of Computers and Structure, Vol.86(6), pp529-544.

Vrcelj Z and Krishnan S (2008) Gender differences in student attitudes toward engineering and academic careers, Australasian Journal of Engineering Education, Vol.14(2), pp43-56.

+Zardari NH and Cordery I (2007) The use of multicriteria method in irrigation water allocations, Agricultural Journal, Vol.2(2):236-241.

JOuRnaL aRtIcLeS (unReFeReeD)Short M, Peters G (2008) Sexy feet – carbon footprinting in Australia. ALCAS News. September p4-5.

cOnFeRence PROceeDInGS (ReFeReeD)*Al-Deen S, Ranzi G and Vrcelj (2008) An experimental study on the long-term behaviour of full-scale composite steel-concrete beams, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Toowoomba, Queensland Australia.

Andersen MS and Jakobsen R (2008): From the aquifer to the sea - mapping and quantifying groundwater discharge and nitrate flux and transformations – a review of methods. GQ07: Securing Groundwater Quality in Urban and Industrial Environments, Proc. 6th International Groundwater Quality Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia, 2–7 December 2007. IAHS Publ. 324, 2008. p 459-466.

Andersen MS, Jakobsen R, Nyvang V, Christensen FD, Engesgaard P & Postma D (2008): Density driven seawater plumes in a shallow aquifer caused by a flooding event - Field observations, consequences for geochemical reactions and potentials for remediation schemes. GQ07: Securing Groundwater Quality in Urban and Industrial Environments, Proc. 6th International Groundwater Quality Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia, 2–7 December 2007. IAHS Publ. 324, 2008. p. 483-490.

Attard M (2008) Sandwich column buckling experiments, Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, pp373-377, Toowoomba, Queensland, December 2-5, 2008.

Attard M and Vrcelj Z (2008) Civil Engineering with Architecture @ UNSW, AaeE 2008: 19th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, Queensland Australia.

*Bennett A, Peirson W (2008) Fill in the Dams? Hydraulics in Water Engineering 2008, 9th National Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering, Darwin NT, September 23-26.

Bradford MA (2008) Elastic flexural-torsional buckling of web-tapered cantilevers. Design, Fabrication and Economy of Welded Structures-International Conference Proceedings 2008. International Conference on Design, Fabrication and Economy of Welded Structures, pp311-318, Miskolc, Hungary, April 24-26.

Bradford MA (2008) Nonlinear behaviour of concrete-filled welded steel box-section arches. Design, Fabrication and Economy of Welded Structures-International Conference Proceedings 2008. International Conference on Design, Fabrication and Economy of Welded Structures, pp279-286, Miskolc, Hungary, April 24-26.

Bradford MA (2008) Long span shallow steel arches subjected to fire loading. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Innovative Design of Steel Structures, Hong Kong, December 5, pp143-167.

Bradford MA, +Hamed E and Gilbert RI (2008) Indirect straining of shallow axisymmetric domes: analysis and behaviour, Proceedings, Conference on Structures and Granular Solids, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp219-229, June – July.

Bradford MA and +Heidarpour A (2008) Non-linear behaviour of composite beams with partial interaction under thermal loading. Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Eurosteel 2008 – Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Graz, Austria, September 3-5.

Bradford MA and Luu TK (2008) Restrained lateral-distortional buckling of steel I-beams subjected to fire loading. Proceedings of the fifth International Conference Thin-Walled Structures – Recent Innovations and Developments – Vol. 2, pp729-736, Gold Coast Australia, June 18-20.

Bradford MA, Pi Y-L, Uy B (2008) Ductility of composite beams with trapezoidal composite slabs. Composite Construction in Steel and Concrete VI, Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Colorado, USA; TE2-1.

Bradford MA and +Roufegarinejad A (2008) Unilateral and bilateral local buckling of thin-walled plates with built-in edges. Proceedings of the fifth International Conference Thin-Walled Structures – Recent Innovations and Developments – Vol. 1, pp15-28, Gold Coast Australia, June 18-20.

Bradford MA and Vrcelj Z (2008) On using Legendre polynomials and amended spline transformations in the SFSM for plate buckling analysis. Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures CIMS2008, Vol.2, pp41-49. Fifth International Conference on Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures, Sydney Australia, June 23-25.

Carmichael DG and *Balatbat MCA (2008) Cash flow correlation approximations in capital budgeting, 20th Annual Asian-Pacific Conference on International Accounting Issues, Paris, France, November 9-12, 2008.

Carmichael DG and *Balatbat MCA (2008) Gain and risk in sustainable-style investments, the 6th Symposium on Accountability, Governance and Performance: Meeting Sustainability, Griffith University Centre of Organisational Governance and Performance Measurement, February 15th, 2008, Brisbane.

Carmichael DG and *Balatbat MCA (2008) Sensitivity to one or more investments in DCF analysis with uncertainty, AFAANZ (Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand)/IAAER (International Association for Accounting Education and Research) Conference, Sydney 6-8 July 2008.

Carmichael DG and *Balatbat MCA (2008) The extension of probabilistic DCF analysis to multiple project investments, American Accounting Association Annual Meeting, August 3–6, 2008, Anaheim, California.

Carmichael DG and *Balatbat MCA (2008) Uncertainty and the finance feasibility of projects, International Conference on Project Management (ICoPM), Kuala Lumpur, November 18-20, 2008.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 4 3

*Castelle B, Turner IL, *Tomlinson RB, *Bertin X (2008) Evolution de la morphologie de la baie de Coolangatta (Gold Coast, Australia): impact des rechargements de plage at du systeme permanent de bypass de sediment. (In French) In Proceedings; Xémes Journées Nationales de Génie Côtier, - Génie Civil, Sophia Antipolis, France, October 2008, Vol.1, pp211-220.

Chang ZT, Bradford MA, Gilbert RI (2008) A local failure mode for shallow spherical concrete domes subjected to uniform radial pressure. Sixth International Conference on Computational Analysis of Shell and Spatial Structures, Cornell, New York, USA; 72.

+Cheah CH, *Ball J, Cox RJ (2008) Modelling roof runoff in a small urban catchment, Proceedings of Water Down Under 2008, April, Adelaide.

+Cheah CH, *Ball J, Cox RJ (2008) Kinematic wave modeling of surface runoff quality for small urban catchments, Proceedings of 11th International Conference on Urban Drainage, August – September, Edinburgh, Scotland.

*Chernicharo CAL and Stuetz R (2008) Improving the design and operation of UASB reactors for treating domestic wastewater: management of gaseous emissions, IX Latin American Workshop and Seminar on Anaerobic Digestion, Eastern Island, Chile, October 18-19, pp504-512.

Chowdhury S and Sharma A (December 2007) Dynamic model mixing for enhancing the predictability of hydroclimatic variables. MODSIM 2007 Congress. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australian and New Zealand, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Coleman H, *Troester M, Khan S, McDonald J, *Watkins G and Stuetz R (2008) Membrane bioreactors as decentralized systems – Efficiency of removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Conference Proceedings, Australian Water Association Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage and Recycling Conference, Benalla Australia, October 12-15, pp208-215.

Collins RN, +Jones AM, Glamore W, *Hancock M, *Stainlay B&N, *Garcia-Cuenca S, Pham AN, Melville MD and Waite TD (2009) A catchment-scale approach for the effective remediation of coastal acid sulfate soils. Joint Conference of the 6th International Acid Sulfate Soil Conference and the Acid Rock Drainage Symposium, Guangzhou, China, September.

*Dever S and Swarbrick G (2008) Field testing of methane from the world’s largest bioreactor, Woodlawn, NSW, Enviro2008, Melbourne, Australia, May 5-7, WMAA.

*Dever S, Swarbrick G and Stuetz R (2008) Design of a passive landfill gas drainage and biofiltration system, Fifth Intercontinental Landfill Research Symposium, Copper Mountain, Colorado, September 10 - 13.

*Dever S, *Roberts A and Swarbrick G (2008) Reducing the greenhouse impacts of landfill gas, NSW Waste Management Conference, Sydney, Australia, September 16-18, WMAA.

*Dever S and Swarbrick G (2008) How to achieve sustainable management of landfill gas in Australia, Enviro2008, Melbourne, Australia, May 5-7, WMAA.

*Diambra A, *Ibraim E, *Wood M and Russell A (2008) Effect of sample preparation on the behaviour of fibre reinforced sands, Deformation Characteristic of Geomaterials, 4th International Symposium on deformation characteristic of Geomaterials, IS Atlanta 2008, September 22-24, 2008.

+Erkmen RE and Bradford MA (2008) A plastic hinge formulation for the elasto-plastic analysis of I-beams curved in-plan. Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, pp829-833, Toowoomba, Queensland, December 2-5.

+Erkmen RE, Bradford MA and *Moharab ME (2008) A complementary energy formulation for torsional buckling of columns. Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, pp843-847, Toowoomba, Queensland, December 2-5.

Foster SJ and Kilpatrick AE, Review of flexural strength requirement for suspended RC slabs reinforced with class L mesh, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM20, December 2-5, Toowoomba, Queensland, pp437-443.

Gao W, Attard M and Vrcelj Z (2008) Static response analysis of structures and materials, Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, the 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Toowoomba, Queensland, December 2-5, pp817-822.

Gao W and Tin-Loi F (2008) Dynamic analysis of structures with uncertainty using the probabilistic and interval methods, Proceedings 20th Australian Biennial Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Toowoomba, Queensland, December 2-5, pp729-735.

Gilbert RI (2008) Deflection calculations for reinforced concrete flexural members, Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Proceedings of 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials (ASMSM20), University of Southern Q ueensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, December, pp493-499.

Gilbert RI (2008) Design for flexural crack control in reinforced concrete, Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Proceedings of 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials (ASMSM20), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, December, pp429-435.

Gilbert RI and *Nejadi S (2008) An experimental study of flexural cracking in reinforced concrete, ASEC 2008, Australasian Structural Engineering Conference, June, Melbourne.

Gilbert RI and +Sakka ZI (2008) Robustness and ductility of reinforced concrete floor slabs containing welded wire fabric, Keynote paper, Proceedings of the 7th International Congress – Concrete: Construction’s Sustainable Option, July, University of Dundee, Scotland, Precast Concrete: Towards Lean Construction, pp251-262.

Gilbert RI and +Wu HQ (2008) Time-dependent stiffness of cracked reinforced concrete elements under sustained loads, ASEC 2008, Australasian Structural Engineering Conference, June, Melbourne.

Guan J, *Feitz AJ, Wang X, *Mullett M, *Foster P, Stuetz R (2008) Ozonation for destruction of odorants in alumnina refinery condensate, Conference Proceedings 8th International Alumina Quality Workshop (AQW) 2008, Darwin, September 7-12.

Frost AJ, Mehrotra R, Sharma A and Srikanthan R (2008) Comparison of statistical downscaling techniques for multi-site daily rainfall conditioned on atmospheric variables for the Sydney region, 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, Adelaide, Australia.

+Hamed E, Bradford MA and Gilbert RI (2008) Effects of boundary conditions on the non-linear long-term behaviour of spherical shallow concrete domes, Proceedings 6th International Conference on Computation of Shell and Spatial Structures IASS-IACM 2008, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, May.

+Hamed E, Bradford MA and Gilbert RI (2008) Non-linear time-dependent behaviour of spherical shallow concrete domes – shallowness effect, Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Proceedings of 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials (ASMSM20), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, December, pp823-827.

Heidarpour A, Bradford MA (2008) Geometric non-linear modeling of partial interaction in composite T-beams in fire. Composite Construction in Steel and Concrete VI, Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Colorado, USA; WM1-1.

+Heidarpour A and Bradford MA (2008) In-plane non-linear elastic spline finite strip analysis of thin plates at elevated temperatures. Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Eurosteel 2008 – Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, pp1049-1054, Graz, Austria. September 3-5.

+Heidarpour A and Bradford MA (2008) Non-linear behaviour of composite beams with partial interaction, Australian Structural Engineering Conference 2008, ASEC 2008 (Melbourne) Engaging with structural engineering, Paper No. 005. Melbourne, June 26-27.

*Hughes CE, *Cendon DI, Collins R, *Hankin S, *Harrison JJ, *Hoffmann EL, *Loosz T, *Payne TE, Pham AN, *Twining JR, *Vine M and Waite TD (2008) Movement of a tritium plume in shallow groundwater at a legacy low-level radioactive waste disposal site in eastern Australia over four decades. 10th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Conference, Christchurch, NZ, November.

*Htut T and Foster SJ (2008) Behaviour of steel fibre reinforced mortor and concrete in tension, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM20, December 2-5, Toowoomba, Queensland, pp33-38.

*Johnson FM and Sharma A (2008) Evaporation in a warming world, 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium. Adelaide, Australia.

Johnson FM and Sharma A (2007) Estimating evaporation – issues and challenges, MODSIM 2007 Congress, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, Christchurch, New Zealand.

+Jones AM, Pham AN, Collins RN, Waite TD (2008) Dissociation kinetics of iron and aluminium – organic complexes from acid sulfate soils: Implications to fate of iron and aluminium on discharge to estuarine and coastal waters. Joint Conference of the 6th International Acid Sulfate Soil Conference and the Acid Rock Drainage Symposium, Guangzhou, China, September.

*Kinsela AS, Collins RN, *Macdonald BCT, Waite TD and *White I (2008) Anomalous hydraulic and rheological properties of coastal acid sulfate soils, eastern Australia. Joint Conference of the 6th International Acid Sulfate Soil Conference and the Acid Rock Drainage Symposium, Guangzhou, China, September.

+Le TMH, Pham AN, Collins RN and Waite TD (2009) Impact of soil consolidation and cationic solutions on the hydraulic properties of coastal acid sulfate soils. Joint Conference of the 6th International Acid Sulfate Soil Conference and the Acid Rock Drainage Symposium, Guangzhou, China, September.

+Lee GG and Foster SJ (2008) Modelling of shear-fracture of fibre-reinforced concrete, FIB Symposium, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 19-22.

Lundie S, Peters G, +Rowley H, Schulz M, +Salem J (2008) Environmental preferences in refrigerant selection for domestic air conditioning, Proceedings of 15th CIRP International Conference on Life Cycle Engineering, Sydney, March 17-19, 6 pages.

Lundie S, *Kroger T, Peters G, +Rowley HV, Feitz A (2008) Integrated environmental-economic assessment of commercial air-conditioning systems in Australia using systems analysis. Proceedings of 15th CIRP International Conference on Life Cycle Engineering. Sydney, March 17-19, 7 pages.

Luu TK and Bradford MA (2008) Restrained distortional buckling of the steel joist of a composite steel-concrete beam subjected to fire. Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures CIMS2008, Vol.1, Fifth International Conference on Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures, pp425-432, Sydney Australia, June 23-25.

Luu TK and Bradford MA (2008) Restrained lateral-distortional buckling in unprotected steel I-beams under fire loading. Australian Structural Engineering Conference, ASEC 2008 (Melbourne) Engaging with structural engineering, paper no. 006, Melbourne June 26-27.

*Masin D and Khalili N (2008) Modelling of the collapse behaviour of unsaturated soils in hypoplasticity, Unsaturated Soils – Advances in Geoengineering, pp659-665, Durham UK, July 2-4, 2008.

Mehrotra R and Sharma A (2007) A multisite stochastic downscaling model of daily rainfall occurrences with long term persistence.

*Ng TS and Foster SJ (2008) Development of high performance geopolymer concrete, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM20, December 2-5, 2008, Toowoomba, Queensland, pp329-335.

*Ongley S, +Heidarpour A and Bradford M (2008) Stress dispersion through the column flange of a beam-to-column joint elevated temperatures. Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, EUROSTEEL 2008 – Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, pp1043-1048, Graz, Austria, September 3-5.

+Parcsi G, Wang X, *Gallagher E, *Hudson N, *Dunlop M, Chattopadhyay G, Stuetz R (2008) Quantitative assessment of volatile organic compounds and odorants from poultry houses in Australia, Conference Proceedings: 3rd IWA Odour and VOC Conference, Barcelona, October 7-10.


Peirson W, *Figlus J, *Pells SE, Cox RJ (2008) Large rock protection against erosion by flow down steep slopes, Engineers Australia, 9th National Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering, Darwin, NT, September 23-26, CD-Rom.

Peirson W, *Garcia AW (2008) Wave-coherent tangential stress due to small scale breaking, XXII International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Abstracts Book, Adelaide SA, August 25-29.

Pi Y-L, Bradford MA (2008) Arch model of dynamic buckling under step loading with finite duration. Fourth International Conference on Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Jeju, Korea.

Pi Y-L, Bradford MA (2008) Nonlinear large torsional analysis for straight and curved members. 8th World Congress on Computational Mechanics and 5th European Congress on Computational methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, Venice, Italy.

Pi Y-L, Bradford MA (2008) Nonlinear membrane locking-free analysis for arches. 8th World Congress on Computational Mechanics and 5th European Congress on Computational methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, Venice, Italy.

Pi YL and Bradford MA (2008) Thermoelastic behaviour of elastically restrained tubular steel arches. Tubular Structures XII, pp659-667. Twelfth International Symposium on Tubular Structures, Shanghai, China, October 8-10.

Pi YL and Bradford MA (2008) Thermoelastic lateral buckling of fixed steel beams. Fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, EUROSTEEL 2008 – fifth European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, pp1617-1622, Graz, Austria, September 3-5.

Pi YL, Bradford MA and Tin-Loi F (2008) Effects of rotational end restraints on nonlinear in-plane elastic buckling of circular shallow pin-ended arches, Proceedings 11th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC 11), November 19-21, Taipei Taiwan.

Samuels S and *Hall A (2008) Determination and application of the long term road traffic noise attributes of road pavement surfaces in Queensland. Proceedings 23rd ARRB Conference, Adelaide July 30-August 1.

Swarbrick GE and *Bertuzzi R (2008) Three-dimensional modeling of construction tolerance in trapezoidal segments, Australian Tunnelling Symposium, Melbourne, Australia, May 4-7.

Taiebat H, *Rahimi H and *Zad AA (2008) Effects of consolidation on the ultimate capacity of vertically loaded anchors, Proceedings 18th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Canada, July 6-11, pp802-809.

Wang X, Guan J, *Foster P, *Mullett M and Stuetz R (2008) Odour removal of Alumina refinery condensate by ozonation treatment, Conference Proceedings: 3rd IWA Odour and VOC, Barcelona, October 7-10.

*Williams C and Cordery I, *Caldwell R and *Abbey A (2008) A probabilistic approach to allocation of irrigation water, Water Down Under 2008 CD Rom 2593-2597.

+Valipour H and Foster SJ (2008) Non-linear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete frames subjected to ground motion, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM20, December 2-5, 2008, Toowoomba, Queensland, pp153-159.

*Voo YL and Foster SJ (2008) Malaysia first ultra-high performance prestressed motorway bridge: Experimental verification, 5th International Speciality Conference of Fibre Reinforced Materials, Singapore, August 28-29, pp169-176.

*Voo YL and Foster SJ (2008) Shear strength of steel fiber reinforced ultra-high performance concrete beams without stirrups, 5th International Speciality Conference of Fibre Reinforced Materials, Singapore, August 28-29, pp177-184.

Vrcelj Z and Attard MM (2008) Project X: lessons learnt from multidisciplinary ARCH/COFA/Eng teaching, 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Towoomba, Queensland Australia.

+Zardari NH and Cordery I (2007) Modelling water allocation decisions: a conjoint analysis approach, MODSIM07, CD Rom 1547-1553.

+Zardari NH and Cordery I (2008) Establishing priorities for irrigation water allocation using conjoint analysis, Water Down Under 2008 CD Rom 2086-2093.

cOnFeRence PROceeDInGS (nOn-ReFeReeD)Andersen MS, Meredith K, Timms W & Acworth RI (2008): Investigation of δ18O and δ2H in the Namoi River catchment – elucidating recharge sources and the extent of surface water/groundwater interaction. XXXVI IAH Congress Toyama, Japan 26th of October - 1st of November 2008.

*Avoscan L, *Sarret G, *Covés J, Collins R, *Carriére M, *Geoffroy N, *Carrot F and *Gouget B (2008) Chemical forms of selentium accumulated by Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 exposed to selenite and selenate. Symposium: Cupriavidus metallidurans, SCK-CEN, Belgium Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang, Belgium, May 2008.

*Avoscan L, *Milgram S, *Untereiner G, Collins R, *Khodja H, *Covés J, *Hazemann J-L, *Carriére and *Gouget B (2008) Speciation des metaux en milieux biologiques et environnementaux. Seminaire Speciation, Especes et speciation : de la biologie aux sciences de la matiere, Montpellier, France, January 2008.

Blacka M, Carley J, *Lester D and *Williams B (2008) Sea level rise implications and adaptation for South Arm Secondary Road, Hobrat, IPWEA National Conference on Climate Change Response, Coffs Harbour, August 3-5.

Blenkinsopp CE, Turner IL *Russell PE, *Masselink G (2008) Field measurements of bed-level change in the swash zone at wave-by-wave timescales. Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference, University of Oxford, April 9-11.

Carley J, Black M, Cox R and *McArthur J (2008) Sea level rise and climate change impacts for planning a new hospital, IPWEA National Conference on Climate Change Response, Coffs Harbour, August 3-5.

Carley J, Blacka M, Cox R and *Attwater C (2008) Modelling coastal processes and hazards to assess sea level rise, IPWEA National Conference on Climate Change Response, Coffs Harbour, August 3-5.

Coleman H, Khan S, et al (2008) Poster presentation – Evaluating treated wastewater quality for recycling, 5th Society for Ecotoxicology and Chemistry World Congress, Ecotox Toolbox.

Coleman H, Stuart Khan et al (2008) Development of a ecotox toolbox to evaluate water quality for recycling. 5th SETAC World Congress, Program Book, Sydney Australia, August 3-7.

Coleman H, * Richard G, Khan S and Stuetz R (2008) Chemical contaminants in beef cattle feedlot wastes, 5th SETAC World Congress, Program Book, Sydney Australia, August 3-7.

Collins RN, +Jones AM and Waite TD (2008) Aluminium, iron and sulfur speciation in coastal lowland acid sulfate soil environments of north-eastern New South Wales Australian Synchrotron Users Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, December.

*Cyganiewicz J, *Sills G, Fell R, *Davidson R, *Foster R and *Vroman N (2008) Seepage and piping toolbox-overview. USSD Conference, Portland, Oregon, May 2008.

*Dever S, *Roberts A and Swarbrick G (2008) Reducing the greenhouse impacts of landfill gas, NSW Waste Conference: Resource Recovery for Climate Recovery, Luna Park, Sydney, September 16-18.

Fell R, *Foster M, *Davidson R, *Cyganiewicz, *Sills G, and *Vroman N (2008) Seepage and piping toolbox-initiation of internal erosion. USSD Conference, Portland Oregon, May 2008.

*Foster M, Fell R, *Vroman N, *Cyganiewicz J, *Sills G and *Davidson R (2008) Seepage and piping toolbox-continuation, progression, intervention and breach. USSD Conference, Portland Oregon, May 2008.

*Fernando DR, *Woodrow IE, *Baker AJ and Collins RN (2009) The speciation of foliar Mn in hyperaccumulating plants. Australian Synchrotron Users Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, December.

Gilbert RI (2008) Instantaneous and time-dependent deflection calculations – current and future provisions of AS3600, Proceedings CIA Seminar Control of long-terms deflections, April, Brisbane.

Gilbert RI (2008) Proposed changes to the Australian Standard for Concrete Structures, Civil and Structural Engineering Panel Seminar, March 25th, Sydney.

+Hambly A, Henderson RK, Khan S, Stuetz R (2008) Fluroescence spectroscopy for monitoring cross-connections in recycled water and potable water distribution systems. 2nd Australian Young Water Professional Conference Proceedings, Extract of paper, University of Queensland, Brisbane, February 4-6, pp48-49.

+Jones AM, Collins RN, *Rose J, and Waite TD (2008) The effect of Si and NOM on the Fe(II)-catalysed transformation and reactivity of FE(III) minerals. Australian Synchrotron Users Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, December.

*Kaliske M, Oeser M (2008) Concept for computational modeling of tire pavement interaction phenomena under consideration of flexible pavement structures (Keynote-lecture) Proceedings of the World Congress on Computational Mechanics, Venice, Italy.

Kaliske M and Oeser M (2008) Mechanics of tires and pavements: Material and Computationl Modeling organized by Kaliske M and Oeser M, WCCMM 2008, Venice Italy. (Mini-Sumposium)

Oeser M, *Freitag S (2008) Modeling the rheological behaviour of asphalt based on fractional time derivatives and neural networks, Proceedings of the World Congress on Computational Mechanics, Venice, Italy.

Oeser M, *Werkmeister S, *Gonzalez A, *Alabaster D (2008) Experimental and numerical simulation of loading impact on modified granular pavements, Proceedings of the World Congress on Computational Mechanics, Venice, Italy.

Patterson J, Andersen MS & Acworth RI (2008): Development of an integrated conceptual model of a connected surface water-groundwater system using a hydrochemical approach at Maules Creek, NSW, Australia. XXXVI IAH Congress Toyama, Japan 26th of October - 1st of November 2008.

+Prempramote S, +Bazyar M, Song CM (2008) A direct procedure for the transient analysis of dynamic soil-structure interaction problems, APCOM’07-EPMESC XI, Third Asian-Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics in conjunction with Eleventh International Conference on Enhancement and Promotion of Computational Methods in Engineering and Science, Kyoto, Japan , pp61.

Rau G, Andersen MS, McCallum A & Acworth RI (2008): Field and Numerical Investigation of Surface Water Groundwater Interactions Using Natural Heat as a Tracer – Deviation from the 1D Flow Assumption. Poster presentation at: the Western Pacific AGU meeting, Cairns 28th of July – 1st of August 2008.

Tolmie DB *Bastianon M and *Hinchcliffe G (2008) Retrofitting a large oil-water separator with EGOWSTM at Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Aluminia Refinery, 9th National Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering, Darwin September 23-26.

Vandebona U and Vu ST (2008) Analysis of Telecommuting for Sustainable Development of a Transport System, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development (TISD2008) Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Vu ST and Vandebona U (2008) Evaluation of Telecommuting in Traffic Assignment, 30th Conference of Australian Institutes of Transport Research, University of Western Australia, Perth.

Waite TD and Wang XM (2008) New insights into membrane fouling in water and wastewater treatment by material properties characterization, Advances in Chemical Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment. Abstract only.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 4 5

annual Research Student Poster ForumThe School held its Annual Research Poster

Forum in November to which staff, students,

alumni and industry were invited. School PhD

researchers summarised the topics of their

doctoral thesis research projects with informative

and illuminating posters. A wide range of

research topics relevant to current issues and

challenges in civil and environmental engineering

practice were presented that covered the

various disciplines of engineering construction

and project management, environmental,

geotechnical, structural, transport and water

engineering. The posters showcased the

innovative research and emerging solutions

being developed within the school.

The prize for the most informative poster went

to Hamid Valiapour for his poster explaining

his research into non linear dynamic analysis of

reinforced concrete frames subjected to extreme

loadings. Extreme loadings which can damage

the structure of buildings may arise from natural

disasters (such as earthquakes, typhoons/

hurricanes) or be man made (such as vehicle

crashes, air blast pressure due to gas explosions

and bombing attacks). Currently such non linear

dynamic analysis is very time consuming in

terms of computer modeling inclusive of data

processing and verification of results. Valiapour’s

research is intended to save structural engineers

significant time by improving the efficiency of

modeling, analysis and outcome verification.

Runner-up was Alexander Pui for his poster topic

“Continuous Rainfall Simulation: A comparison of

sub-daily rainfall disaggregation Methods”.

upgrade of Water Quality LaboratoriesThe Water Quality Laboratories (WQL) within

the School consist of specialist laboratories

for chemical and microbial analysis, pilot hall

facilities for large scale bioreactor studies,

radiation laboratory for isotope studies and

olfactory laboratory for odour characterisation.

The laboratories contain a wide range of

analytical instruments for the chemical,

microbial and physical analysis of

environmental samples from water,

wastewater, waste and the atmosphere.

These include gas chromatograph coupled

with mass spectrograph (GC-MS), high

pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), high

pressure liquid chromatography with mass

spectrograph - mass spectrograph (HPLC-MS-

MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic

emissions spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for organic

and inorganic analysis, olfactory-GC-MS

for odorant characterisation coupled with

thermal desorption (TD) for gas sample pre-

concentration and odorant characterisation

and UV-VIS and fluorescence

spectrophotometers for spectral analysis

of samples.

During 2008, the School upgraded

the WQL instrument and analytical

laboratory into four purpose-built

temperature controlled laboratories for

organic, inorganic and wet chemistry

analysis. The capital investment

($540,000) has transferred the previous

1960’s laboratory infrastructure into the

next century and will house the new

state-of-the-art equipment was funded by an

ARC Large Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

(valued at $1,080,000).

The grant has enabled the School to purchase

three new analytical instruments:

(i) a high pressure liquid chromatography with

mass spectrograph -

mass spectrograph (HPLC-MS-MS)

(ii) a gas chromatograph-mass spectroscopy-

mass spectroscopy

(GC-MS-MS)

(iii) a high resolution high pressure liquid

chromatography (HPLC).

These instruments are being used by research

student and staff in the School and the UNSW

Water Research Centre to understand the fate

of chemical contaminants such as hormones,

pharmaceuticals and algal toxins in a range of

water and wastewater treatment systems as well

as in natural environments.

upgrade of Water Quality Laboratories


phD Students11 PhD Graduates in 2008ADIYASTUTI, Sri Murti (Gowripalan)Influence of cracks on chloride induced corrosion in reinforced concrete flexural members

CHAIMOON, Krit (Attard/Foster)Numerical simulation of fracture in unreinforced masonry

DOUST, Kenneth Harold (Black/Parolin)Metrics of environmental sustainability, social equity and economic efficiency in cities

HEIDARPOUR ESFARJANI, Amin (Bradford/Vrcelj)Behaviour of steel and steel-concrete composite beams and beam-to-column connections at elevated temperatures

LEE, Gregory George (Foster/Attard)Direct shear behaviour of steel fibres in a cementitious matrix

LIVINGSTON, Daniel John (Ashbolt/Colebatch)Institutions and decentralised urban water management

ROUFEGARINEJAD, Ali (Bradford)Stability of thin-walled metal tubes with elastic uni-lateral internal restraint

SANTIWONG, Suvinai Rensis (Waite/Fane/Chang)Analysis of compressible cake behaviour in submerged membrane filtration for water treatment

SEELSAEN, Nida (Stuetz/Moore/McLaughlan)Development of an integrated approach to understanding managing and designing strategies and recycled organics filtration treatment system to control regional heavy metal contamination of stormwater

TANGARAMVONG, Sawekchai (Tin-Loi/Womersley)Mathematical programming approaches to the plastic analysis of skeletal structures under limited ductility

WESTRA, Seth (Sharma/Cordery)Probabilistic forecasting of multivariate seasonal reservoir inflows: accounting for spatial and temporal variability.

continuing Research Students & topics Altavilla,NandaFate and transport of cryptosporidium in the terrestrial environmentSupervisors: D Roser, R Stuetz; Co-supervisors: N Ashbolt, D Deere

Asghar,KamranWater pricing in 1st and 3nd world (Sydney and Quetta)Supervisors: I Cordery, A Sharma

Asmaruddin,Mangku AlamPublic transport and health impactsSupervisors: U Vandebona, S Samuels

Barnes,Rebecca RuthDevelopment of a water management framework for developing countriesSupervisors: R Stuetz, D Roser; Co-supervisor: P Brown

Beavis,Paul Charles ChristopherIntermodal production systemsSupervisor: S Moore; Co-supervisor: I MacGill

Bernardi,AntonioSurface water groundwater interconnectivity at a dryland salinity siteSupervisor: I Acworth; Co-supervisor: M Littleboy

Bligh,Mark WilliamIron and phosphorus interactions in coastal watersSupervisor: D Waite

Braga,OlgaAnalysis of endocrine disrupters and pharmaceuticalsSupervisor: G Smythe; Co-supervisor: D Waite

Bursle,Sonia JeanAxial deformation of ultra-high strength concrete columns in tall buildingsSupervisor: N Gowripalan

Caldwell,Robert Herbert DuncanWater resources management of irrigation waterSupervisors: I Cordery, A Sharma

Charles,Katrina JaneRisk assessment at onsite sewage treatment systems in Sydney’s drinking water catchmentsSupervisor: N Ashbolt; Co-supervisor: D Roser

Cheah,Chin HongKinematic wave modelling of surface runoff quantity & quality for small urban catchments in SydneySupervisors: R Cox, J Ball; Co-supervisor: W Peirson

Chowdhury,Shahadat HossainProbabilistic forecasting of hydrologic variablesSupervisor: A Sharma; Co-supervisors: I Cordery, J Ball

Chung,JinDevelopment and application of cryptosporidium surrogates to evaluate water treatmentSupervisor: N Ashbolt; Co-supervisor: G Vesey

Coad,Peter WilliamEstuarine algal bloom predictionSupervisors: B Cathers, D Van Senden; Co-supervisor: J Ball

Dasey,Gregory ReginaldElectrical tomography in coastal groundwater monitoringSupervisor: I Acworth; Co-supervisor: I Turner

Dever, Stuart AnthonyPassive drainage and biofiltration of landfill gasSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: G Swarbrick

Do,Anh TuanStability of composite steel concrete T-section beams continuous over one or more supportsSupervisor: Z Vrcelj; Co-supervisor: M Bradford

Elhadayri,FarjExperimental investigation static liquefaction of lightly cemented sandsSupervisor: N Khalili ; Co-supervisor: K Douglas

Gelet,Rachel MarieHydro-thermo-mechanical coupling in fractured porous mediaSupervisor: N Khalili; Co-supervisor: M Oeser

Godrant,AurelieRole of superoxide in iron acquisition by marine phytoplanktonSupervisors: D Waite, P Treguer; Co-supervisors: A Rose, G Sarthou

Greve,Anna KatrinGroundwater geophysicsSupervisor: I Acworth; Co-supervisor: B Kelly

KMP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r r e s e a r c h > 4 7

Hambly,Adam ChristopherFluorescence as a tool for adtection of failures in recycled water treatmentSupervisors: R Stuetz, S Khan; Co-supervisor: R Henderson

Han,Hyung JinSenolytic degradation of contaminantsSupervisor: D Waite; Co-supervisor: O Devos

Harley,Mitchell DeanRegional scale climate of coastal erosion and shoreline changes based on long-term survey dataset and coastal imaging technologySupervisor: I Turner; Co-supervisor: A Short

Hashim,Nor HaslinaUse of chiral pharmaceutical compounds to characterise sewage and sewage treatmentSupervisors: R Stuetz, S Khan

Howard,Elizabeth HelenCoastal imaging analysis of near shore and coastal processesSupervisor: I Turner; Co-supervisor: R Cox

Htut,Trevor Nyan SoeFracture behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete in tensionSupervisor: S Foster; Co-supervisor: N Gowripalan

Huang,GarryProject management maturity studySupervisor: D Carmichael; Co-supervisor: S Davis

Hung,Ju-PinApplication of info systems to environmental material accounting toolsSupervisor: S Moore; Co-supervisor: G Low

Huynh,Luan ChanhNon linear FE analysis of RC member subjected to blast loadingSupervisor: S Foster; Co-supervisor: C Song

Islam,Md KamrulModelling route choice behaviour under uncertaintySupervisor: U Vandebona

Jakrawatana,NapatDecision support tool for planning and design of sustainable regional biomass waste management and bioenergy productionSupervisor: S Moore; Co-supervisor: I MacGill

Jeremiah,Erwin JoachimHydrologySupervisor: A Sharma; Co-supervisors: L Marshall, S Sisson, D Nott

Johar,Khalid LutfiVenture appraisalSupervisor: D Carmichael; Co-supervisor: M Balatbat

Johnson,Fiona MichelleHydro ClimatologySupervisor: A Sharma; Co-supervisor: I Cordery

Jones,Adele MandaTransformation and transport of contaminants and iron from acid sulfate soilsSupervisor: D Waite; Co-supervisor: R Collins

Jury,Karen LilianInvestigation of the role of antibacterial drugs in municipal wastewater as a selective influence on the spread of bacterial resistanceSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: N Ashbolt

Khan,UroojSemi-distributed modellingSupervisor: A Sharma; Co-supervisor: M McCabe

Khoshghalb,ArmanNumerical algorithms of penetration problems in variably saturated mediaSupervisor: N Khalili; Co-supervisor: A Russell

Khumkomgool,AungkoonSediment behaviour in turbomachinerySupervisor: W Peirson; Co-supervisor: B Cathers

Kwok,Sei LungComputational hydraulicsSupervisor: B Cathers

Lai,ElizabethUrban water sustainability frameworkSupervisor: S Lundie; Co-supervisor: N Ashbolt

Le,Minh NhatWastewater TreatmentSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: S Khan

Liu,XinpeiDynamics of composite structuresSupervisor: M Bradford; Co-supervisor: E Erkmen

Liu,YiHydrology, remote sensing, climate variabilitySupervisors: M McCabe, A Sharma; Co-supervisor: J Evans

Lius,IrvieShear connection with FRCSupervisor: M Bradford; Co-supervisors: Z Vrcelj, B Uy

Loo,Kam Yoke MindyBehaviour of FRP repaired members in fatigueSupervisor: S Foster; Co-supervisor: S Smith

Luu,Trung KienNumerical simulation of the behaviour of composite frames at elevated temperaturesSupervisor: M Bradford; Co-supervisor: Z Vrcelj

Maruthai Pillai,SashikalaHeadspace analysis of chemical odorantsSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: S Moore

McCallum,Andrew MurrayDeep drainage studiesSupervisors: M Andersen, I Acworth

Miller,Christopher JamesThe transformation and implication of reactive oxygen species in natural aquatic systemsSupervisor: D Waite; Co-supervisor: A Rose

Morris,Bradley DavidInfilling and sedimentation mechanisms at intermittently open-closed coastal lagoonsSupervisor: I Turner; Co-supervisor: R Cox

Ng,Tian SingFibre reinforced high performance geopolymer concreteSupervisor: S Foster; Co-supervisor: I Gilbert

Parcsi,Gavin PeterChemical analysis of odorants from poultry facilitiesSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: S Khan

Peng,YuanRisk and international constructionSupervisor: S Davis; Co-supervisor: D Carmichael

Perera,Weebadda Arachchilage SalindaStudy causes of defect occurrence and issuesSupervisor: M Marosszeky; Co-supervisors: S Davis, I McIntyre

Pournaghiazar,MohammadCone penetration in unsaturated porous mediaSupervisor: N Khalili; Co-supervisor: A Russell

Prempramote,SuriyonThe coupling of scaled boundary finite-element method and finite-element method for seismic analysis of structuresSupervisor: C Song

Pui,Alexander CharlesStochasitc hydrologySupervisor: A Sharma; Co-supervisor: R Mehrotra

Rancic,Aleksandra SanjaGroundwater levels in fractured rocks - climate and land use impactsSupervisor: I Acworth; Co-supervisor: W Johnston

Rowley,Hazel VictoriaDecision making for sustainibilitySupervisor: G Peters; Co-supervisor: S Lundie

Sakka,Zafer IbrahimDuctility of concrete slabs reinforced with class L WWFSupervisor: I Gilbert; Co-supervisor: S Foster

Shand,Thomas DOn wave group dynamics in shallow waterSupervisor: R Cox; Co-supervisor: W Peirson

Singh,SachinWater and wastewater treatment and analysisSupervisor: S Khan; Co-supervisor: R Stuetz

Sivret,Eric ClaudeNitrification process control using gas phase nitrous oxide monitoringSupervisor: R Stuetz; Co-supervisor: W Peirson

Sun,QuanContaminant degradation using nanosized zero valent iron particleSupervisor: D Waite; Co-supervisor: A Feitz

Thomas,Jacqueline MariePathogen ecology within drinking water biofilmsSupervisors: R Stuetz, S Kjelleberg; Co-supervisors: M Storey, N Ashbolt

Torbaty,MohammadaliComputational hydraulics and computational fluid mechanicsSupervisor: B Cathers; Co-supervisor: W Peirson

Tran-Cao,TriCollapse analysis of block structures in frictional contactSupervisor: F Tin-Loi; Co-supervisor: Y Pi

Vali Pour Goudarzi,Hamid RezaNonlinear FE analysis of RC frames subjected to impact and blast loadingSupervisor: S Foster; Co-supervisor: C Song

Vu,The SonTransport modellingSupervisor: U Vandebona

Walker,James WilliamThe exchange of oxygen at the surface of open waters under wind forcingSupervisor: W Peirson; Co-supervisor: M Banner

Widagdo,Aloysius BagyoCohesive sediment transport under surface wave actionSupervisors: B Cathers, W Peirson

Worrall,Sonia JeanAxial deformation of ultra-high strength concrete columns in tall buildingsSupervisor: N Gowripalan; Co-supervisor: D Baweja

Wu,Han QingTension stiffening in reinforced concreteSupervisor: I Gilbert; Co-supervisor: S Foster

Yan,XiaEnvironmental EngineeringSupervisor: W Peirson; Co-supervisor: I Turner

Yilmaz,Abdullah GokhanClimate change hydrologySupervisors: M McCabe, A Sharma; Co-supervisor: J Evans

Zardari,Noor-ul-HassanAn improved multicriterion analysis approach to avoid subjectivity in irrigation water allocation decisionsSupervisor: I Cordery; Co-supervisor: A Sharma

Zargarbashi,SamanInvestigation of cyclic response in unsaturated soils including hydric and mechanical hysteresesSupervisor: N Khalili; Co-supervisor: K Douglas


Buddy System

PRSC has been successful in helping

newly-arrived research students make a

smooth transition from home to Sydney,

from other institutions to UNSW, and

from undergraduate to postgraduate. The

primary role of the buddies is to assist new

students and to introduce them to staff and

other students within the School, as well as

facilities and support available to research

students.

a Voice within the School

PRSC acts as a communication channel

for all research students and the school

management. Members of the PRSC attend

various School management committees

including the Research Management,

Teaching and Learning and Occupational

Health and Safety committees.

Supporting the Research Student

Various social activities have being organised throughout the year

including the weekly Friday afternoon soccer matches. A barbeque and

social evening event was also organised at Centennial Park in June. End of

Semester Lunch in conjunction with the Eid Ul Fitr celebration was held at

a restaurant in Randwick early October.

In addition, PRSC has conducted a survey among the research students

who are involved in school undergraduate teaching. The survey outcome

was compiled and concerns were raised to the Undergraduate Teaching

and Learning Committee.

Further, a Career Workshop “Life after PhD” presented by three former

School PhD graduates namely Dr. Zora Vrcelj, Dr. Andrew Rose and Dr.

Shikha Garg was held in mid year. The workshop targeted graduating

research students, assisting them in exploring various career opportunities

after graduation.

The Research Student Forum at the end of November was well supported.

Students presented their research outcomes to their colleagues, academics

and industry partners. The support of the School in facilitating the event

and funding prizes was much appreciated.

pOStGraDuate Research Students’ Committee (PRSC)

the postgraduate research Students’ Committee (prSC)

represents the interests of all postgraduate research students within the

School. The objectives are to advance the cohesion and social interaction

within the research students and to develop mutually beneficial relations

with the School. In 2008, PRSC has supported the research students,

fostering long-standing friendships within the students and promoting

wholesome research experiences to all research students.

2008-2009 PRSc committee Members

tian Sing Ng

President

erwin Jeremiah

Vice President

Kamran asghar

Secretary

Mohammad pournaghiazar

Treasurer

urooj Khan

Buddy and International Students Coordinator

alexander pui

Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee Representative

abdullah Gokhan Yilmaz

Social Activities

Mark han Qing Wu

Occupational, Health and Safety Representative

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our teaching

par

t fo

ur

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The School delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree

programs. We are committed to developing well-educated graduates with

the skills, attributes and knowledge that will enable them to practice as

professional civil or environmental engineers.

In 2008, the School was the largest and most successful School of its type

in Australia, with 1012 undergraduate students, 354 coursework masters

students and 77 postgraduate research students. We attract local and rural

students in New South Wales and also have a significant contingent of

overseas students mainly from the South East Asian Region.

The School has active teaching and research programs across the breadth

of Civil and Environmental Engineering, with strong academic groups

in the sub-disciplines of Coastal Engineering, Engineering Construction

and Project Management, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical

Engineering, Groundwater, Structural Engineering, Transport Engineering,

Water, Wastewater and Waste Engineering, and Water Resources.

Trends In The School Profile 1999 - 2008

Changing trends over a ten-year period in the School’s student profile

and the number of academic and non-academic staff employed within the

School are summarised below:

teaching & Learning Overview

2008 Graduations A total of 268 students graduated from the School in 2008.

GRADUATES

Doctor of Philosophy 11

Master of Engineering 2

Master of Science 0

Master of Engineering Science 121

Master of Environmental Engineering Science 7

Graduate Diploma 4

Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering 4

Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Laws 4

BE in Civil Engineering/BE in Environmental Engineering 5

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental)/Bachelor of Science 2

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Science 2

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental)/Bachelor of Arts 3

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Arts 0

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/ Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) 2

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) 12

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 89

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

STUDENT NUMBERS

Total EFTSU* 632 648 607 613 581 567 582 592 669 805

BE 647 656 594 593 634 647 615 730 859 1,012

MEngSc/MEnvEngSc 254 314 295 355 339 292 323 287 322 329

GradDip/GradCert 32 51 37 62 72 38 28 32 23 25

PhD 76 69 68 78 81 82 79 80 70 72

ME/MSc 14 21 19 19 16 17 11 10 6 5

GRADUATES

PhD 13 9 9 14 15 8 14 8 23 11

ME 1 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 1 2

MSc 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

MEngSc 130 93 95 96 117 119 95 114 80 121

MEnvEngSc 25 25 21 36 13 13 13 7 8 7

GradDip/GradCert 1 4 2 4 6 7 7 13 8 8

BE (Civil) 91 71 97 121 64 67 87 80 120 97

BE (Environmental) 34 41 41 35 19 28 21 23 23 22

STAFF (Full-time, tenured)

Academic 31 32 32 32 32 33 29.5 25 25 28

Technical 19 18 17 16 15 14 15 13 13 13

Administration 10 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 8 9

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO

— EFTSU/ACADEMIC 20.3 20.2 19.0 19.2 18.2 17.2 19.7 23.7 26.8 28.8

* Effective Full-Time Student Unit

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r t e a c h i n g > 5 1

The School’s undergraduate programs offer students the broadest and

most comprehensive civil and environmental engineering education with

the opportunity to specialise in their final year by majoring in a range

of sub-disciplines. The curricula have proved a model for engineering

educators and have been widely benchmarked by other academic

institutions.

In 2008, a total of 243 new students were admitted to the first year of the

Bachelor of Engineering degree programs. There has been an increase of

more than 60% in undergraduate BE student enrolments over the past

three years (617 in 2005 to 1012 in 2008). To preserve quality teaching

outcomes the School has preserved a tutor to student ration of less than

20.

Total student numbers in the various undergraduate programs in 2008

were as indicated in the next column.

undergraduate Studies

Program OutlinesBE Civil Engineering

Year 1 | Semester 1

course code course name uoc hpW

MATH1131 Maths 1A or 6 6

MATH1141 Higher Maths 1A 6 6

PHYS1121 Physics 1 or 6 6

PHYS1131 Higher Physics 1A 6 6

ENGG1000 Engineering Design and Innovation 6 4

ENGG1811 Computing for Engineers 6 5

Year 1 | Semester 2


MATH1231 Maths 1B or 6 6

MATH1241 Higher Maths 1B 6 6

GMAT1110 Engineering Surveying & GIS 6 3

CVEN1300 Engineering Mechanics 6 5

MATS1101 Engineering Materials and Chemistry 6 5

Year 2 | Semester 1


CVEN2301 Mechanics of Solids 6 5

CVEN2501 Principles of Water Engineering 6 5

General Education 6 4

MATH2019 Maths 2E 6 6

Year 2 | Semester 2


CVEN2101 Engineering Construction 6 5

CVEN2201 Soil Mechanics 6 5

CVEN2302 Materials & Structures 6 5

CVEN2002 Engineering Computations for Civil Engineers 6 5

Bachelor of Engineering, BE (Civil) 3620 553

Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering with Architecture 3624 69

Bachelor of Engineering, BE (Environmental Engineering) 3625 66

Bachelor of Engineering/Arts, BE BA (Civil/Arts) 3621 25

Bachelor of Engineering/Arts, BE BA (Environmental/Arts) 3626 8

Bachelor of Engineering BE BE (Civil & Environmental) 3631 56

Bachelor of Engineering BE BE (Civil & Mining) 3146 63

Bachelor of Engineering/Science, BE BSc (Civil/Science) 3730 35

Bachelor of Engineering/Science, BE BSc (Environmental Engineering/Science) 3735

17

Bachelor of Engineering/Law, BE LLB (Civil/Environmental Law) 4775/4777

8 (Civil) 1 (Enviro)

Bachelor of Engineering/Commerce, BE BCom (Civil/Environmental Commerce) 3715

109 (Civil) 2 (Enviro)

total 1012

Year 3 | Semester 1


CVEN3401 Sustainable Transport & Highway Engineering 6 5

CVEN3201 Applied Geotechnics and Engineering Geology 6 5

CVEN3301 Structural Analysis & Modelling 6 5

CVEN3501 Water Resources Engineering 6 5

Year 3 | Semester 2


CVEN3302 Structural Behaviour & Design 6 5

CVEN3101 Engineering Operations & Control 6 5

CVEN3502 Water & Wastewater Engineering 6 5

CVEN3031 Civil Engineering Practice 6 4

Year 4 | Semester 1


CVEN4030 Honours Thesis A or 6 4

CVEN4002 Design Practice A 6 4


Professional Elective 1 6 4


Year 4 | Semester 2


CVEN4031 Honours Thesis B or 6 4

CVEN4003 Design Practice B 6 4




Disclaimer: Information provided about subjects, units, courses and any arrangements for courses including

staffing, are an expression of intent only and are not to be taken as a firm offer or undertaking.

hours p

er week

units of

credit

hours p

er week

units of

credit


BE Civil with ArchitectureYear 1 | Semester 1







BENV1080 Enabling Skills and Research Practice 6 3

Year 1 | Semester 2





ARCH1142 Architectural Communications 6 4

MATS1101 Engineering Materials and Chemistry 6 6

Year 2 | Semester 1


MATH2019 Maths 2E 6 6

CVEN2301 Mechanics of Solids 6 5

ARCH1121 Architectural History and Theory 1 6 3

ARCH1101 Architectural Design Studio 1 6 5

Year 2 | Semester 2


CVEN2002 Engineering Computations for Civil Engineers 6 5

CVEN2101 Engineering Construction 6 5


CVEN2302 Materials & Structures 6 5

Year 3 | Semester 1




CVEN3301 Structural Analysis & Modelling 6 5


Year 3 | Semester 2


CVEN3302 Structural Behaviour & Design 6 5




Year 4 | Semester 1





ARCH1221 Architectural History and Theory 2 6 3


Year 4 | Semester 2


CVEN4031 Honours Thesis B or 6 4

CVEN4003 Design Practice B 6 4






hours p

er week

units of

credit

hours p

er week

units of

credit

BE Environmental EngineeringYear 1 | Semester 1




CHEM1011 Fundamentals of Chemistry A or 6 6

CHEM1031 Higher Chemistry C 6 6




Year 1 | Semester 2




CVEN1701 Environmental Principles and Systems 6 5


ENGG1811 Computing for Engineers 6 5

Year 2 | Semester 1


BIOS1301 Biology for Environmental Engineers 6 5


CVEN2701 Water & Atmospheric Chemistry 6 5


Year 2 | Semester 2


CEIC2009 Mass & Energy Balances in the Chemical Process Industry

6 5


GMAT1110 Engineering Surveying & GIS 6 3

CVEN2702 Engineering Computations for Environmental Engineers 6 5

Year 3 | Semester 1


CVEN3701 Environmental Frameworks, Law & Economics 6 5


CVEN3402 Transport Engineering & Environmental Sustainability 6 5


Year 3 | Semester 2


CVEN3702 Solid Wastes & Contaminant Transport 6 5



CVEN3731 Environmental Engineering Practice 6 4

Year 4 | Semester 1




CVEN4701 Planning Sustainable Infrastructure 6 5



Year 4 | Semester 2


CVEN4003 Design Practice B or 6 4

CVEN4031 Honours Thesis B 6 4






hours p

er week

units of

credit

hours p

er week

units of

credit

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r t e a c h i n g > 5 3

hours p

er week

The Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee

The Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee oversees and

manages the academic aspects of the undergraduate program involving

the monitoring of teaching quality and course quality through student

focus group surveys, resource allocation, interaction with student

representatives of CEVSOC, and the academic aspects of enrolment,

assessment and examinations.

The Committee aims to make the undergraduate experience positive and

fulfilling, and to develop curricula that encourage independent thinking,

are relevant and interesting, have substance and address fundamentals.

The major drive behind the Committee’s agenda is to improve the learning

experience of students.

The members of the Committee in 2008 were:

Dr Zora Vrcelj (Director of UTLC; Year 2 Coordinator)

Dr Bruce Cathers (Deputy Director of UTLC; Year 1 Coordinator)

Dr Martin Andersen (Library Representative)

Associate Professor Mario M Attard (Year 4 Coordinator; also Advanced

Standing, Credit Transfers, Exchange, Undergraduate Grievance Officer)

Associate Professor Ron Cox

Ms Karenne Irvine (Senior Administrative Officer)

Ms Julie O’Keeffe (Admin Support)

Dr Greg Peters (Peer-Mentoring Program Coordinator)

Dr Hossein Taiebat (Year 3 Coordinator)

Professor Francis Tin-Loi

Trevor Htut & Hazel Rowley (Postgraduate Research Student Committee

representatives)

Sam Balian & Paul O’Brien (Undergraduate, CEVSOC Representatives)

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The Committee began the year by assisting new students on enrolment day and attending the student welcome during orientation week. Members also attended UNSW Info Day on Feb 12, and Open Day in September 2008. Engineering Week was held in Week 7 of Session 1 and Week 10 of Session 2. The UTLC helped to coordinate activities within the School and provided funding for site visits. Activities included site visits to various construction sites.

The Committee met formally on seven occasions during the year. Towards the end of both semesters, it conducted focus group surveys of all undergraduate years. The aims of the focus group surveys are to provide information on the student experience and identify areas which require action and improvement.

The Committee also held examination meetings at the end of each

semester. During the examination meetings, all student examination results

are individually reviewed, all applications for special consideration are

acted upon and the School policy on supplementary exams is implemented

in a fair and equitable manner. Early in the year a Policy Statement

document was developed and made available on the School website.

Innovations in 2008 included:

m New positions of Program Directors were established by the

Committee. Their role will be strategic, with an oversight of

operational activities. Responsibilities may include planning,

coordination and review of curriculum issues, and responsibility for

updating Program information material on School web pages, a key

source of information for prospective students and an invaluable

marketing tool. In 2008 the positions were held by:


• BE Civil Dr Hossein Taiebat

• BE Environmental Dr Greg Peters

• BE Civil with Architecture A/Prof Mario Attard and Dr Zora Vrcelj

m The provision of some financial support for Honours thesis students

for costs incurred during research, such as lab or software costs.

Up to $300 could be provided to students after application by their

supervisors.

m The template for School Course Outlines was also updated so that

lecturers can describe the continual improvement and development

of courses which have been implemented as a direct result of focus

group survey concerns and CATEI summaries.

m A new Elite Students Program is being established in the School, with

Prof Steve Foster and Dr Ian Turner as Coordinators. Students with a

UAI equal to and great than 99, or students with a WAM greater than

or equal to 85 (High Distinction) will be supported in various ways in

order to enrich their student experience.

m All School tutors were certified as Teaching Assistants on UNSW’s core

online teaching program, WebCTVista.

m New UNSW wide regulations saw an increase in workload for Year

Coordinators, as all students on Referral and Probation must contact

an academic advisor, and an appropriate form must be filled in and

filed with the student record.

m An experiment in reducing class sizes by splitting large undergraduate

classes (over 160 students) into two was trialed for 2008. However

the increase in teaching loads for staff and the provision of tutors and

classrooms proved too difficult to manage and the experiment will not

be repeated in the near future.

Other Highlights of 2008

teaching excellence award

The influence of a great teacher can last a lifetime. UTLC member A/

Prof Mario Attard was awarded a prestigious UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s

Award for Teaching Excellence in 2008. These awards formally recognise

individual and team-based contributions to quality learning and teaching

and postgraduate supervision at UNSW. The awards measure excellence

in terms of the student learning experience and outcomes, as well as the

staff member’s scholarly approach to developing their teaching. Mario

has worked for a number of years on improving teaching and learning

experience at the school, improving his own practice and encouraging

others to do the same.

australasian association engineering education

In 2008 both Mario Attard and UTLC Chair, Zora Vrcelj contributed papers

on engineering education at the AAEE Conference. Their joint paper was

on their innovative multi-disciplinary and very successful degree program

Civil with Architecture. Zora, with Shana Krishnan, also explored ‘Gender

differences in student attitudes toward engineering and academic careers’

which focused on understanding barriers to further education experienced

by female students in engineering in order to encourage them into

postgraduate study and an academic career.

civil with architecture program

The new Civil with Architecture Program had its second intake of students

in 2008 with a UAI rising to 90.3. Due to this program’s increasing

popularity with students and school leavers, discussions took place with

the Faculty of the Built Environment - who provide one quarter of the

program courses – and it was agreed that the number of places to be

offered in 2009 could be increased.

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The University Medal 2008 Voon Hee Lee

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Brookfield Multiplex Construction Management Discipline Prize

Cho-Yi Lin

The Civil and Environmental Engineering SKM Environmental Discipline Prize

Philippa Griffin

The Civil and Environmental Engineering PSM Geotechnical Discipline Prize

Joshua Tang

The Civil and Environmental Engineering ARUP Structures Discipline Prize

William Bowen

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Maunsell/AECOM Transport Discipline Prize

David Luk

The Civil and Environmental Engineering GHD Water Discipline Prize

Indeewa Chandrawansa

The Civil and Environmental Engineering UNSW Water Research Centre Water Discipline Prize

Andrew Dyer

The Civil Engineering Industrial Training Prize Stephen Horne

The Environmental Engineering SMEC Industrial Training Prize Kathleen Bannon

The Sydney Water Gold Medal Sarah Fitzsimons

The Jeffery and Katauskas Prize Ali Amin

The Cardno Civil Engineering Practice Prize Voon Hee Lee

The Cardno Environmental Engineering Practice Prize Lemuel Yeung

The Welding Technology Institute of Australia Prize Dillon Anderiesz

The Alexander Wargon Prize William Bowen

The Maunsell Waste Management Prize Yue Zhang

The Maunsell Waste Project Prize Hendrik Therik

Scholarships

Compared to other Schools in the Faculty - and probably to other Faculties

as well, the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering enjoys an

extensive undergraduate prizes list, mainly donated by industry partners

and a scholarship list that provides, also largely from private companies,

over A$530,000 each year for students in all four years.

As well as the companies who donate prizes as listed in the table, the

School gratefully acknowledges Scholarship support from a variety

of generous supporters including the following private and industry

supporters.

Scholarship Sponsors

Graham Campbell Family

Bernard W Gould Family

Stan Hall Family

Faculty of Engineering

Major Industry Scholarship Providers

Evans & Peck

Leighton Contractors

Leighton Holdings

MWH

Parsons Brinkerhoff

RTA

Undergraduate Student Awards and Prizes


President Sam Balian

Vice President Melissa Mole

Treasurer Paul O’Brien

Secretary Michael Beattie

Arc Delegate Luke Garden

OHS Coordinator Andrew Collins

Sports Representative James Waters

The CEVSOC committee worked hard through 2008 to provide students

with the usual variety of social events and corporate networking

opportunities, including the traditional harbour cruise and inaugural inter-

school sports day.

Pizza + Beer Socials

CEVSOC kicked off 2008 in the traditional style of a Thursday Start-of-

Session pizza and beer social in the common room before heading down

to the Roundhouse. It was great to see a mix of new and returning

students relaxing after their first week of class as everyone got back into

the swing of things on campus. A number of these events were held each

semester, sponsored by various engineering companies, to give students a

chance to unwind after class and introduce potential career opportunities.

Harbour Cruise

The annual harbour cruise was held towards the end of semester one,

where 150 students in crazy costumes braved the cold weather and

packed onto a party boat. We cruised around for the evening to celebrate

surviving another semester of classes and the chance to have one last

social before knuckling down for midyear exams.

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Society CEVSOC

Inter-school Sports Day

An initiative of the CEVSOC committee to encourage more interaction

with students from the other engineering schools, was to put together

the Sports Day in semester two. Students from each participating school -

Civil & Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and CSE – formed

soccer teams to play in a small tournament of which Civil was victorious!!

Industry sponsors helped cover the costs of renting the Village Green for

the afternoon and putting on a huge BBQ.

Fourth Year Dinner

The graduating class of 2008 was farewelled in style at our last event of

the year, on end-of-exams Friday. The prestigious Fourth Year Dinner was

held in the ballroom of a nice hotel in the city and attended by a mixture

of students, staff and sponsors, who came together to mark the end of

each students’ four year effort, recognise outstanding achievements and

celebrate together one last time.

Looking to the Future

The 2009 CEVSOC Committee was elected during the End-of-Session

social. They are a combination of 3rd and 4th year students of diverse

backgrounds and interests, who are determined to maintain the traditional

functions of the society while building on it to encompass new events and

activities in the years to come.

MELISSA MOLE

CEVSOC VP 2008

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Society (CEVSOC) is one of the

most active undergraduate student societies on campus. Its membership

includes all undergraduate students of the School and its aims are to

represent the interests of the student body, to provide a mechanism

for students to help and mentor each other, to form a channel of

communication between the students and academic staff and to offer

students a forum for discussion of issues relevant to their academic life.

In addition, and very importantly, CEVSOC organises social events and

functions to ensure that students have opportunities for fun and relaxation.

CEVSOC contributes significantly to the academic life of the School and

makes an important contribution in the establishment of the School spirit.

CEVSOC’s involvement in and contributions to the School’s activities on the

University’s Open Day in September and in the Faculty’s marketing and

recruitment drives are very much appreciated.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r t e a c h i n g > 5 7

Postgraduate Teaching & Learning CommitteeThe School is the leading provider of postgraduate engineering education

in Australia. Postgraduate coursework teaching and learning is one of our

core activities, with over 350 students enrolled in eight specializations:

m Civil Engineering

m Environmental Engineering

m Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

m Groundwater Resources

m Project Management

m Structural Engineering

m Water, Wastewater and Waste Engineering

m Water Resources

In 2008, a contract was signed with Leighton Holdings to provide a

specialised Master of Engineering Science in Project Management

specifically designed to provide their staff with technical knowledge

such as contracts, cost planning, design management, safety, tendering

and estimating, as well as developing their professional skills such as

leadership and team building, negotiation skills and people management.

Leighton research had found that their needs were uniquely met by the

School’s distance MEngSc in Project Management, a program which has

Postgraduate courseWork Studies

been successfully delivered to industry professionals for over fifteen years

by the School’s engineering construction and management group led by

Professor David Carmichael. With over 9500 operations and engineering

staff Leighton can provide the School with an unmatched, dedicated pool

of students in this exciting and growing sector of the industry.

Strategic partnership was also entered into with a number of key industry

players to:

i) increase awareness within the industry of the course work program

offered by the School

ii) boost the number of local students from those key industries

iii) identify current and future needs of the industry and tailor the course

contents to those needs

iv) increase the applied mix of the material covered in the course by

inviting leading practitioners from the partner organisations to

participate in delivery of lecture materials.

These initiatives have already resulted in increased student numbers

across the specialization programs offered within the school, the level of

satisfaction of the students, and the relevance of the course content to

their professional needs.

KMP


School Computing ServicesUNSW’s IT Change Program formally began in 2008. This program has

a number of implications for all units, including our School, the main

ones being use of centralized mail server, access to shared infrastructure

services such as backup and virtual servers, centrally managed printing

services and standardized desktop and laptop procurement arrangements.

Except for some new procurement arrangements, none of these were

implemented in 2008 for our School.

One of our two undergraduate computer labs (Lab 611) was upgraded in

2008; all 40 PCs were replaced in time for the start of Semester 1, 2008.

Two new high volume printers were also bought. Repairs to our other

teaching Lab 201 were completed in time for Semester 2, 2008. Water

damage had caused it to be shut down.

UNSW’s Uniwide wireless signals were enhanced in all key areas (e.g. near

Rms 601/602, the Design Studio and the 1st floor) of our building. This

will provide occupants, including visitors and practicum students, access to

UNSW’s wireless system. It is planned that the wireless signal for the rest

of the building will be boosted early in 2009.

Patrick Vuong joined us as CSO Windows early in 2008, as Jonathan Lo’s

replacement. Patrick was formerly the PeopleSoft Application Architecture

& Support/Corporate Systems Infrastructure Coordinator at the University

of Southern Queensland. Our Web/IT coordinator, Kate Brown, continued

to facilitate a number of training courses on the WebCT Vista online web

learning environment, while Robert Hegedus (CSO Linux) endeavoured to

improve our email and network facilities.

A summary of the School’s computing facilities in 2008 is:

m A WinXP laboratory (Lab 201) with 40 Pentium computers primarily

used for teaching early Stages 1 and 2 undergraduate students. This

laboratory is served by two Windows 2003 servers.

m A second WinXP laboratory (Lab 611) with 40 Pentium computers for

senior students (Stages 3 and above), also network-connected to the

two Windows servers.

m A postgraduate research laboratory with 10 PCs running WinXP.

m A number of Linux-based ancillary servers that cater for email, our

web site, storage, and security.

m A multimedia laboratory with facilities for video, image and directed

learning developments.

m Networked administrative staff PCs.

m Networked PCs located in every postgraduate room.

m Networked laser printers, and other peripherals.

The general opening hours during Session for the undergraduate and

coursework postgraduate laboratories were: 8am to 10pm (weekdays),

and 10am to 6pm (Saturdays). Three student assistants were employed

to staff the laboratories after hours (6pm to 10pm) during weekdays and

during Saturdays, and also for audiovisual support.

School Teaching and Learning faciLities

KMP

“One of our two undergraduate

computer labs (Lab 611) was

upgraded in 2008; all 40 PCs

were replaced in time for the

star t of Semester 1, 2008”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o u r t e a c h i n g > 5 9

eLearningMy eLearning Vista is a learning management system that is used by

the School to provide online learning and teaching environments that

supplement both face-to-face teaching and distance learning course

materials. In 2008, we had 65 learning Modules with large numbers of

academic, visiting, casual teaching staff, and students participating- in

online learning and teaching. Most of the Modules use My eLearning Vista

for making learning materials available for students online; communication

and discussion between students and teaching staff; and quizzes and

tutorials.

The management of My eLearning process is carried out within the School,

with some support from IT Service Desk (formerly known as EdTEC until

end of 2008). The School’s Web/IT coordinator, Kate Brown, administrates

Courses/Modules creation, applies appropriate template to each Modules,

facilitates staff/teaching assistants enrolment and coordinates training.

Design Studio UpdateConstruction commenced on a Design Studio on the 5th floor of the

Civil Engineering Building in the middle of 2008. The Design Studio

is envisaged as a space where undergraduate students will have an

opportunity to work in teams on design projects. It will provide privacy

for individual team meetings, while also fostering the interaction of larger

groups of people in a space that is inclusive and exudes the spirit of

collaboration in problem-solving activities.


Technical Services Committee The Technical Services Committee supports the research and teaching

commitment of the School through excellence in maintaining state-of-the-

art physical laboratories. To this end, the committee is responsible for the

operation of four physical testing laboratories in water and infrastructure

engineering.

The Randwick Heavy Structural Laboratory, the Materials Research

Laboratory and Geotechnical Engineering Laboratories support the

research of the School’s Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety

(CIES) group, while the Water Research and Water Quality Laboratories

support key research in the School’s Water Research Centre. The labs also

provide extensive support for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

and learning.

Workplace Safety CommitteeThe provision of a safe work environment for all School staff and students

remains the School’s highest priority.

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering has a Workplace

Safety Committee in accordance with the NSW Occupational Health and

Safety Act. As required by the OH&S Regulation 2001, the Committee

representation covers all occupational groups within the school, including

the Head of School, Academics, Laboratory Managers, Administration,

Centre Representatives, IT, a First Aid Officer, the Chief Warden (School

Emergency Team Manager), a Postgraduate Representative and an

Undergraduate Representative.

The School consults with all staff and students on OH&S issues as they

arise, through the School Workplace Committee and any representatives

on the committee. Minutes of the meetings are posted on School

noticeboards and on the School’s website.

The School has a ‘CivilSafe’ Safety Management System, which allows for

planning, implementation, documentation, management and evaluation,

for the continual improvement of safety, both in the School and in the

field, based on AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational Heath and Safety

Management Systems. This system includes ‘RIPA’ (Registration, Induction

and Project Risk Assessment) documentation, which is a compulsory

requirement for all laboratory users and projects, and provides the

mechanisms by which safe systems of work can be implemented and

monitored. The School’s system is closely integrated with the UNSW OHS

Management System.

During 2008, the Committee had full membership, and met every two

months with excellent attendance. It addressed and resolved a number of

issues, including approval for the purchase of essential safety equipment.

The Committee organised regular workplace inspections, evacuation

drills, funded various training courses for staff and students, and resolved

a number of other OH&S issues. The Committee closely monitored the

implementation of the OHS Management System within the School, which is

now nearly complete. The School was audited internally in December 2008,

and we are expecting a good report which is due for release in early 2009.

KMP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i n d u s t r y a n d c o m m u n i t y > 6 1

industry & community

part FIVE

KMP


During 2008, the School’s External Relations Committee (ERC) continued

its role in improving the recruitment of students and further developing

our relationship with industry and alumni. Committee members, together

with School staff and students, provided the face and voice of the School

at many presentations and functions both on and off campus. These

included numerous information days, High School and Engineering Week

talks, the Honeywell Engineering Summer School and the Indigenous

Australian Engineering Summer School. School staff also spent many

hours interviewing potential students as part of our Faculty of Engineering

Admission Scheme.

The School continues to increase the number of scholarships available to

undergraduate students. In particular, we have a large number of rural

scholarships that enable students from rural areas to attend UNSW.

With the appointment of Dr Mary O’Connell as External Relations

Administrator in April 2008, the School was able to move forward on a

variety of new projects, such as the production of the revamped 2007

Annual Report, a School biannual Newsletter for School staff, students,

industry, alumni, as well as the provision of a steady stream of School

Web news and events stories. New and glossy information brochures for

the School’s three main undergraduate programs were created in 2008,

and were very well received at careers information days and events.

The role of the ERA is to raise the profile of the School both within UNSW

and the wider community. The School has many stories and they need to

be told.

The Careers Market held in May provided close interaction between year

3 and 4 students and industry supporters of the School and was highly

successful with many students finding IT placements and/or interviews for

employment during the day. Both industry and students appreciated the

opportunity to connect.

In June a First Year Student Survey was designed by members of the

Committee and set up on WebCTVista, with all commencing students

invited to participate. This Survey was complementary to Faculty wide

surveys with the School specific objective to ascertain the market position

of the School, its outreach strengths and weaknesses. An analysis by

postal code of where students came from showed some interesting blank

spots, some of which may be due to attraction of other major universities

but the Committee also felt that the lack of good public transport (train

lines) to UNSW has a serious impact on student recruitment. Further

analysis of the responses showed that our students appear to be

motivated by career opportunities first, followed by the salary, and a very

close third, the chance to travel overseas. Reassuringly 40% also want to

make a difference to the world.

ExtErnal Relations CommitteeKMP


The School continued to develop the alumni database. Over 400 alumni

have registered online with the School and are now regularly sent by email

or by post the School Newsletter, a copy of the Annual Report, invitations

to research seminars, and to participate in other events such as the

forthcoming School History.

The fourth annual Year 4 Awards dinner for graduating students and

alumni was successfully held at the Grace Hotel in York St in November.

The ERC arranged for industry representatives to join with students

to celebrate their achievements. Eleven $1000 awards were presented

by industry and government for achievement in academic disciplines,

industrial training and engineering professional practice. Industry also

provided an additional $10,000 in total to subsidise the ticket price for our

final year students.

A large recruitment drive to expand the Industry Partner Program was

begun in later part of 2008, with input and advice from the School’s

Industry Advisory Committee, and proceeded, despite the global financial

crisis, in early 2009.

For further information on alumni relations, the IAC and School Industry

Partnership programme contact Dr Mary O’Connell at m.oconnell@unsw.

edu.au

Industry Partners & SupportersThe Industry Partnership Program allows for the opportunity to further

develop the productive relationship between the School, its academics,

students and industry. 2008 saw many industry/School connections,

including:

m A highly successful Careers Market held in May – careers desks of

Industry Partners attended by all year 3 and 4 students.

m Technical lectures by Industry Partners to our undergraduate

students

m Acknowledgement of Industry Partners via the School Website and in

the School’s Annual Report

m Invitation of IPs to School’s Research Student Poster forum –

showcasing the depth and breadth of our research projects and

emerging solutions

m We continued with an extensive outreach to high schools and high

school careers advisers promoting the School and the profession

Elsewhere our strong ties with industry continued in informal and formal

ways including the creation of a construction practice laboratory, industry

prizes for outstanding fourth year students, and the development of

a Masters in Engineering Science in project management specifically

tailored for staff of Leighton Holding and affiliated companies.

2008 Industry Partners and Supporters

ANSTO

ARUP

Brookfield Multiplex Ltd

Cardno

Connell Wagner

Evans & Peck

GHD

Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd

Leighton Holdings Contractors Pty Ltd

Maunsell

Parsons Brinkerhoff

Patterson Britton & Partners

Pells Sullivan Meynink Pty Ltd

RTA

Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd

SMEC Australia

Sydney Water

Sustainable Water Solutions, Department of Commerce

Worley Parsons


Industry Advisory Committee

The School interacts with the civil engineering industry in a number of

ways. One of the high level ways is through the Head of School’s Industry

Advisory Committee (IAC).

This group meets with the Head of School and his management team on

a quarterly basis and responds to briefs both from the School and arising

from the Committee’s own deliberations.

Objective

The letter of invitation to Committee members identified the following

broad tasks:

m Review the changes to the school’s teaching and research programs

(such as the establishment of new Research Centres).

m Review associated improvements to school infrastructure such as the

new Design Centre.

m Encouraging committee members to be active as ambassadors for the

School such as through involvement in Careers Days and in the annual

Research Student Poster presentations.

m Garnering industry support for the school by encouraging new

Industry Partners and new prize donors.

Membership

The 2008 IAC consist of a Chair and members drawn from;

m two major state authorities

m seven of Australia’s top consulting firms

m two of Australia’s leading constructors

m a school’s careers adviser

m a merchant banker

m four school representatives including the Head of School and members

of the External Relations Committee

m administrative services to the IAC come from School staff.

Pen pictures of members of the IAC can be found on the School’s website.

The balance within the Committee would be improved by adding a recent

graduate but this has proved difficult. Membership is notionally for three

years but all members serve on the Head of School’s invitation.

Activities

Since establishment in 2005 the current IAC has reviewed and endorsed

the content of the Environmental Engineering course and the School’s

Strategic Plan (twice).

The other main activity was the sponsorship and organisation of two

workshops (in 2006 and 2007) on the impending shortage of engineers.

All six civil engineering schools in the Sydney region were involved and

although the agreed actions were meant to be shared, the on-going

activity has fallen very much to UNSW and the IAC. This has included:

m Preparing displays and attending the annual Careers Advisor’s

Conference


m Encouraging the teaching and study of maths and science at primary

schools through annual prizes.

m Organising a “Road Trip” program as work experience for high school

students (the first trip to engineering works around Sydney is planned

for June 2009).

m Hosting teachers and career advisors at the annual Engineering

Excellence Awards dinner.

The Committee has also reported on:

m Environmental Engineering Numbers. (The course continues to attract

good students (particularly those attempting “double degrees” and

not limited to the engineering faculty), it produces graduates not only

attractive to industry but who are happy to encourage new students.

m Endowments and School Funding. This activity is on-going and is

seeking ways for alumni and industry to take a greater interest

(particularly financial) in the school.

In 2009, the IAC will also review research links with industry in an attempt

to encourage industry to increase research student numbers.

Although market forces can claim most of the credit, the IAC is pleased

with the significant increase in the UAI now applying to the course (the

highest in Sydney) as well as the higher salaries on offer to graduates.

Our recent and current activities are aimed at sustaining and building on

this interest into the future.

DONALD MACLEOD

IAC Committee Members 2008

Donald Macleod (Chair), Maunsell

Ms Deirdre Agnew, Student Careers Advisor

Steve Boss, Multiplex Pty Ltd

Adrian Bull, Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd

Dr Robert Care, Arup

Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Connell Wagner Pty Ltd

Jeff Wilson/David Kinniburgh, GHD Pty Ltd

Ian McIntyre, Evans and Peck Pty Ltd

Associate Professor Garry Mostyn, Pells Sullivan Meynink Pty Ltd

Col Nicholson, Sydney Water

Ken Porter, Roads and Traffic Authority

Andrew Tompson, Macquarie Asset Services Limited

Dave Wilson, Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd

Professor David Waite, UNSW

Associate Professor Ron Cox, UNSW

Dr Kurt Douglas, UNSW

Dr Mary O’Connell, UNSW


Fell R, *Foster MA, *Cyganiewicz J, *Sills G, *Vroman N and *Davidson R (2008) A unified method for estimating probabilities of failure of embankment dams by internal erosion and piping. UNICIV Report No.R-446.

The Water Research Centre - Kensington

Collins R, Pham AN and Waite TD Report on hydrological properties and groundwater modeling at the Little Forest Burial Ground. Report 2008/04, version 1.

Collins R, Pham AN and Waite TD Report on hydrological properties and groundwater modeling at the Little Forest Burial Ground. Report 2008/08, version 2.

Collins RN, Pham AN, Waite TD Report on hydrological properties and groundwater modeling at the Little Forest Burial Ground. Report 2008/14. version 3.

Henderson RK, *Baker A, Murphy K, Hambly A, Stuetz R, Khan SJ (2008) Fluorescence as a potential monitoring tool for recycled systems: a review, Water Research.

Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety

+Sakka ZI and Gilbert RI (2008) Effect of reinforcement ductility on the strength and failure modes of one-way reinforced concrete slabs, UNICIV Report No. R-450.

+Sakka ZI and Gilbert RI (2008) Effect of reinforcement ductility on the strength and failure modes of continuous one-way concrete slabs subjected to support settlement – Part 1, UNICIV Report No. R-451.

+Sakka ZI and Gilbert RI (2008) Effect of reinforcement ductility on the strength, ductility and failure modes of continuous one-way concrete slabs subjected to support settlement – Part 2, UNICIV Report No. R-452,

+Sakka ZI and Gilbert RI (2008) Strength and ductility of corner supported two-way concrete slabs containing welded wire fabric, UNICIV Report No. R-453.

+Wu HQ and Gilbert RI (2008) – An Experimental study of tension stiffening in reinforced concrete tension members under short-term and long-term service loads, UNICIV Report No. R449.

The Water Research Centre - WRL

M J BlackaField Measurement of ELCOMAX ELCOROCK Geocontainers at Clifton Springs Boat Harbour, Victoria – 2006/06

J T Carley, M J Blacka, R J Cox, A MarianiThree Dimensional Physical Modelling of Greater Gorgon, Barrow Island LNG Plant Material Offload Facility, WA – 2006/24

J T CarleyQueensland Nickel Yabulu Extension Project, Calciner Baghouse Fabric Filter Physical Model Testing – 2007/03

W C GlamoreK M Hawker, B M MillerBurwood Beach Ocean Outfall Monitoring and Modelling – 2007/11

D S Rayner, D J Anderson, B M MillerPenrith Lakes Scheme Flood Protection Model Recalibration of River Flood Profiles – 2007/18

W A Timms, I CunninghamStormwater Harvesting for Irrigation and Ornamental Ponds – 2007/31

B M MillerPhysical Model Testing of Pump Well Flow Conditions, Tamar Street Pumping Station, Launceston, Tasmania – 2007/33

W C Glamore, A MarianiIllawarra Ocean Outfall Field Trials – 2007/36

W A Timms, I Cunningham, M SchwarzHydrogeological Investigation of the Fate of Sale Under Dryland Cropping on the Cryon Plain, North Western NSW – 2007/38

M J Blacka, D J Anderson, I CunninghamPalm Beach Coastal Imaging System Report 7 – 2007/40

D J Anderson, I CunninghamGlen Prairie & Tarcoola North Effluent Reuse Groundwater Monitoring Program Report #1 Dec 2006 - June 2007 – 2007/42

W C Glamore, L Tarrade, B M MillerHydraulic Assessment of Burwood Beach Ocean Outfalls with New Tideflex Valves – 2008/02

J T Carley, I R Coghlan, A MarianiPhysical Modelling of Wyndham Harbour Breakwaters – 2008/03

Industry ReportsJ T Carley, I R Coghlan, R J CoxResearch and Development Studies for ELCOMAX and ELCOROCK Geotextile Sand Containers – 2008/05

M J Blacka, D J Anderson, L Mallen LopezAnalysis of Shoreline Variability, Seasonality and Erosion/Accretion Trends, August 2007-January 2008, Gold Coast Coastal Imaging Report No. 17 – 2008/06

W A Timms, I Cunningham, Hat Head Effluent Disposal Scheme - Ongoing Monitoring Results2008/07

M J Blacka, J T Carley, I R CoghlanInundation and Sea Level Rise Impacts and Adaption for South Arm Secondary Road, Hobart, Tasmania – 2008/08

I R Coghlan, J T Carley, W L PeirsonVerification of Methodology for Calculating Output of Oceanlinx Wave Energy System – 2008/09

J T CarleyPittwater Inundation Hazard for Proposed Boatshed, 24A Rednal Street Mona Vale – 2008/11

M J Blacka, J T Carley, L Mallen LopezPhysical Modelling of Bounty Bay Breakwater, Pitcairn Island – 2008/14

W A Timms, C Wasko, M Schwarz, A M BadenhopLake Conjola Regional Sewerage Scheme – 2008/15

J T Carley, J McArthurSea Level Rise and Storm Surge Study, Wilkinsons Point, Hobart, Tasmania – 2008/16

M J Blacka, A Mariani, J T CarleyReview of Design Changes and Previous Physical Modelling for Gorgon Project, Barrow Island LNG Plant Material Offload Facility, Western Australia – 2008/17

M J Blacka, D J Anderson, L Mallen LopezPalm Beach Coastal Imaging Report #8 – 2008/18

J T Carley assisted by R J Cox and D S RaynerExpert Witness Statement by James Carley regarding Coastal processes and Hazards for Proposed Subdivision at 228 Griffith Street, East Beach, Port Fairy – 2008/21

W A Timms, D J Anderson, B M Miller, M SchwarzReview and Recommendations for Modelling of the Ranger Mine Pit No. 1 – 2008/26

M J Blacka, D J Anderson, L Mallen LopezGold Coast Imaging Report No. 182008/27

M J Blacka, D J Anderson, L Mallen LopezPalm Beach Coastal Imaging Report # 9 – 2008/32


Attendance at professional conferences and

visits to tertiary or other institutions are seen

as an essential component of academic staff

development. They also serve to maintain

the School’s connections with the academic

community and with the engineering profession.

Conference attendances, visits to other

institutions, membership of external boards and

committees, and consulting and other industry

related activities during 2008 were as follows:

Attendance at Conferences

Martin andersen: Invited Speaker at: XXXVI

IAH Congress Toyama, Japan 26th of October -

1st of November 2008.

Western Pacific AGU meeting, Cairns 28th of

July – 1st of August 2008. Awards: Best session

presentation at: XXXVI IAH Congress Toyama,

Japan 26th of October - 1st of November 2008.

Mark Bradford: 5th International Conference

on Thin-Walled Structures, Gold Coast, 5th

International Conference on Coupled Instabilities

in Metal Structures, Sydney; 6th International

Conference on Computational Analysis of Shell

and Spatial Structures, Cornell University,

Ithaca, New York; International Conference

on Structures and Granular Solids: From

Scientific Principles to Engineering Applications,

Edinburgh, UK; Composite Construction in

Steel and Concrete VI, Devils Thumb Ranch,

Colorado; 2nd International Symposium on

Innovative Design of Steel Structures, Hong

Kong; International Symposium on Innovations

in Structural Steel, Singapore.

david Carmichael: Professional Practice

Project, The Warren Centre for Advanced

Engineering,University of Sydney;

Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2008,

Queensland;International Conference on Project

Management, Kuala Lumpur.

ron Cox: International Forum on the

restoration of SANBANZE, Chiba Prefecture,

invited keynote and international member

Staff Industry & Community Engagementof workshop panel: PARI (Port and Airport

Research Institute) and NILIM (National

Institute Land Infrastructure and Management),

research collaborations.with Japanese

government agencies: Sixth International

Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in

Developing Countries (COPEDEC), invited short

course presenter, Dubai: Dubai Municipality,

UAE: NSW WET conference, Climate change,

sea level rise and wetland adaptations, invited

keynote speaker: Marinas seminar/workshop,

Engineers Australia Maritime Panel NSW, invited

keynote speaker : 8th International Conference

on Coasts, Ports and Marine Structures,

ICOPMAS, Tehran, invited keynote speaker:

Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran,

Tehran: Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas,

Iran: Geofabrics applications workshop/short

course, Gold Coast , invited keynote speaker:

stephen Foster: 20th Australasian

Conference on the Mechanics of Structures

and Materials, ACMSM20, 2-5 Dec, 2008,

Toowoomba, Queensland: 5th International

Speciality Conference of Fibre Reinforced

Materials”, Singapore, 28-29 August, 2008:

FIB Symposium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,

19-22 May, 2008: ISO TC 71 Plenary Meeting,

Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed

Concrete, Los Angeles, March, 2008.: FIB

Technical Council Meeting, Amsterdam, The

Netherlands, May, 2008.:FIB Technical Council

Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, The Netherlands,

October, 2008.

Wei Gao: Attended the “20th Australasian

Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and

Materials” (ACMSM20), 2-5 December 2008,

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

Ian Gilbert: Attended Symposium on Control

of long-term deflections, Concrete Institute of

Australia, Brisbane, 23rd April : ASEC 2008,

Australasian Structural Engineering Conference,

Engineers Australia, Melbourne, June: 7h

International Congress – Concrete: Construction’s

Sustainable Option, University of Dundee,

Scotland, July: 20th Australasian Conference

on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials

(ASMSM20), University of Southern Queensland,

Toowoomba, Queensland, December.

Ehab Hamed: Attended 6th International

Conference on Computation of Shell and Spatial

Structures (IASS-IACM 2008): “Spanning Nano

to Mega”, John F. ABEL and J. Robert COOKE

(Eds.), May 28-31, Cornell University, Ithaca,

NY, USA: . 20th Australasian Conference on

the Mechanics of Structures and Materials

(ACMSM20). December 2-5, Toowoomba,

Queensland, Australia.

nasser Khalili: International Conference of /

International Association for Computer Methods

and Advances in Geomechanics (IACMAG),

/1-6 October (2008): 8th. World Congress on

Computational Mechanics (WCCM8) June 30 -

July 5, 2008.

Matt McCabe: GEWEX meeting, Jeju Island,

South Korea, CSIRO, Oct, 2008 CSIRO

“Microwave on the Radar”, Canberra, July 2008.

AAS/ATSE China-Australia Symposium,

Canberra, Nov 2008.

stephen Moore: Presentation of paper

“MFA Applications in Australia: Cadmium

and Phosphorus Case studies”; at 2008 Fall

CTCI Foundation Environmental and Energy

International Conference, Taipei.

Bill peirson: Engineers Australia, Hydraulics

2008, Darwin, September. Presented one paper

and co-authored another.

Greg peters: Convening and presenting

at 15th CIRP International Conference on

Life Cycle Engineering, Sydney, 17 - 19

March. College International pour Recherche

en Productique. Presenting: SETAC World

Congress. Sydney, 3-7 August 2008. Society

for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.:

Biosolids Specialty Conference IV. Adelaide, 11-

12 June 2008. Australian Water Association.


adrian russell: 1st European Conference on

Unsaturated Soils, held in Durham, UK from

2-4th July 2008: 6th UK Travelling Workshop on

Fundamental Soil Mechanics, Nottingham, UK,

from 15-16 December 2008

Hossein taiebat: ISOPE-2008 ¾ The

Eighteenth (2008) International Offshore and

Polar Engineering Conference, Vancouver, July

6 11, 2008

Wendy timms: Coast To Coast Crossing

Boundaries Conference, 18-22 August, 2008,

Darwin.

Zora Vrcelj: AaeE 2008: Nineteenth Annual

Conference of the Australasian Association for

Engineering Education, Queensland, Australia:

20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics

of Structures and Materials, Toowoomba,

Queensland, Australia.

Local and International Institutional visits

Martin andersen : Visiting Academics: Dr

Dieke Postma, Reader, Institute of Environment

and Resources, The Technical University of

Denmark. & Dr Jim Constanze, USGS.

Mark Bradford: Cornell University, Ithaca,

NY, USA; Yonsei University, Korea; Seoul

National University, Korea, POSCO, Korea; The

University of Edinburgh, UK; The University

of Hong Kong; City University of Hong Kong;

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore;

The University of Sydney; University of Western

Sydney.

david Carmichael: Review of Civil

Engineering degree program, King Saud

University, Saudi Arabia;

ron Cox: Byron Shire Council, NSW: Griffith

University Centre for Coastal Management, Gold

Coast, QLD: CSIR Environmentek, Stellenbosch,

South Africa: University of Stellenbosch,

Stellenbosch, South Africa: Visiting Academics:

Professor Hocine Oumeraci, Leichtweiß-Institute

for Hydromechanics and Coastal Engineering,

Technical University Braunschweig and Director

Coastal Research Centre, University Hannover

and Technical University Braunschweig,

Hannover

Ian Gilbert: Visited the following universities:

University of Dundee, Scotland (July); Imperial

College, London (June), University of Rome – La

Sapienza (July); University of Melbourne (June);

University of Southern Queensland (December);

University of Sydney ; and University of Western

Sydney.

Matt McCabe: CSIRO, University of

Melbourne, Los Alamos National Laboratory

stephen Moore: National Taiwan University;

3 Nov to 14 November 2008

Greg peters: visited Colorado School of Mines

for meetings and presentations

adrian russell: Nagoya Institute of

Technology, Japan, November-December 2008:

University of Bristol, UK, December 2008

Wendy timms: University of Saskatchewan

(Canada), Orange County Water Board

(US), NewWater (Singapore), local offices

of Department of Water and Energy, NSW

Agriculture and Cotton CRC Research Institute

at Narrabri.

Ian turner: University of Plymouth (UK);

University of Bordeaux (France), Delft

Hydraulics (The Netherlands); Sydney

University; Macquarie University

Zora Vrcelj: University of Southern

Queensland

Service to the professional community: including editorships, memberships of Boards, Committees and Panels outside of UNSW.

Martin andersen: Associate Editor of

Hydrogeology Journal

Mark Bradford: Editorial/Advisory Boards:

International Journal for Numerical Methods

in Engineering, Engineering Structures,

Computers and Structures, Interaction and

Multiscale Mechanics, Thin-Walled Structures,

Advances in Structural Engineering, Steel and

Composite Structures, International Journal for

Structural Stability and Design, Advanced Steel

Construction, Australian Journal of Structural

Engineering, Electronic Journal of Structural

Engineering, Transactions of Hong Kong

Institution of Engineers, Journal of Institution

of Engineers Singapore; Standards Australia

Committees: BD23 Structural Steel (Chair); BD1

Steel Structures; BD32 Composite Construction;

BD92 Evaluation of Structures; Chairman,

Composite Construction VII, Australia;

Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological

Sciences and Engineering, Fellow, Institution

of Engineers, Australia, Member, Institution of

Structural Engineers, Member, American Society

of Civil Engineers, Member, American Concrete

Institute, Member, Australian Steel Institute,

Member, Australian Concrete Institute.

david Carmichael: Memberships: Fellow,

Institution of Engineers, Australia; Member,

National Committee on Construction Engineering

(IEAust); Member, American Society of Civil

Engineers; Member, Construction Institute

(ASCE); ARC Australian Based Reader

(Ozreader): PhD review University of Sydney;

Reviewer for a number of international journals.

Bruce Cathers: Member, Standards Committee

CE/24: Measurement of Water Flow in Open

Channels, Member, International Association of

Hydraulic Engineering and Research.


ron Cox: Member, Engineers Australia National

Committee on Coastal and Ocean Engineering:

Member, Engineers Australia Sydney Maritime

Panel: Member, International Advisory

Committee COPEDEC: Board Member, PIANC

Australia: Member, PIANC International Co-

operation Commission: Member, International

Editorial Board, Coastal Engineering Journal

Japan: Member, International Editorial Panel

Maritime Engineering Journal UK: Chair, School

External Relations Committee: Member, School

UG Teaching and Learning Committee: Member,

School PG Teaching and Learning Committee:

Member, School Technical Services Committee:

Member, Water Research Management

Committee: Member School Management

Group: Member Faculty Standing Committee:

Chair, Engineers Australia Accreditation Panel

for University of Sunshine Coast Engineering

programs.

Kurt douglas: Member, JTC1 - Joint IAEG,

ISSMGE, ISRM International Committee on

Landslides: Member, Sydney Chapter Committee

of the Australian Geomechanics Society.

stephen Foster: Chairman, Standards

Australia Subcommittee BD2/5 “Strength”.:

Chairman, FIB Commission 4 “Modeling of

Structural Behaviour and Design”.: Member,

Standards Australia Committee BD2 “Concrete

Structures”: Member, Standards Australia

Subcommittee BD101 “Retrofitting Structures

by Strengthening”: Member, FIB Model

Code Task Group (SAG5): Member, FIB Task

Group 4.4 “Computer-Based Modeling and

Design”.:Member representing BD2, ISO TC 71

“Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed

Concrete”:Member Institution of Engineers

Australia: Member, Concrete Institute of

Australia.:Member, American Concrete Institute.

Ian Gilbert: Fellow, IEAust; Member of the

American Concrete Institute; Member and

Academic Principal Representative of Concrete

Institute of Australia; Member, Standards

Australia Committees BD-002 Concrete

Structures; Chair of Sub-Committee BD-002-

06 Serviceability, Member of Sub-Committees

BD-002-01 and BD1-002-04; Chair Technical

Committee for Concrete09 – 24th Biennial

Conference of the Concrete Institute of Australia.

nasser Khalili: Member, International

committee on unsaturated soils, TC6:

Vice President, Australian Association for

Computational Mechanics; President, World

Congress for Computational Mechanics, 2010.

Matt McCabe: Member, GEWEX Radiation

Panel: Guest Professor, Chinese Academy of

Sciences, Key Laboratory of Water Cycle &

Related Land Surface Processes

stephen Moore: Technical Group for the

Australian Hazardous Waste Act: Editorial

Board member for International Solid Waste

Association: Member Editorial Board Journal

Hazardous Materials: Member Editorial Board

Journal Environment, Development and

Sustainability.

Greg peters: Re-elected President, Australian

Life Cycle Assessment Society: Chair, Life Cycle

Impact Assessment Development Committee

of the Australian LCI Database Initiative.

Community: Coro Innominata classical chamber

choir concert performances 4 May, 3 August, 30

November.

adrian russell: Secretary, WCCM/APCOM

2010: 9th World Congress on Computational

Mechanics: 4th Asian Pacific Congress on

Computational Mechanics

Hossein taiebat: Committee member of the

Australian Geomechanics Society.

Wendy timms: Treasurer, International

Association of Hydrogeologists – NSW Branch:

Independent Hydrogeology Expert – Caroona

Coal Community Consultative Committee:

Independent Advisor – Department of Primary

Industries Ministerial Working Group for Namoi

Water Study.

Ian turner: Committee member, IEAust

National Committee on Coastal and Ocean

Engineering; manuscript review for various

research journals, Member Institution of

Engineering, Australia; Member, American

Geophysical Union.

Consulting, Seminars and Reports to Industry, Government and other bodies

Mark Bradford: Seminar on composite

construction at Yonsei University; Development

of guidance for design of composite slabs

supported on steel beams with headed stud

connectors for Australian Steel Institute;

Design methodology for innovative (Australian)

geodesic dome roofs; Frame collapse at

Hanwood, NSW.

david Carmichael: Expert reports and advice

to industry. Targeted training programs to

industry.

ron Cox: Coastal processes, coastal structures

and coastal zone management at various sites

within NSW, Benchmark Coastal Management

Study incorporating climate change adaptation,

Clarence TAS: Flood protection and flood safety

aspects for Penrith Lakes Scheme (NSW): Port

development, port operations and environmental

issues (Port Kembla NSW, Oakagee and Barrow

Island WA, South Africa): Environmental

aspects related to desalination plants in Sydney

and Central Coast (NSW), Perth (WA) and Gold

Coast (QLD)


stephen Foster: Invited Presentation, “The

use of Low Ductility Welded Wire Reinforcement

in the Design of Reinforced Concrete Slabs”,

ISO TC 71 Workshop, Los Angeles, USA,

March, 2008 :Invited Presentation, “Latest

Developments in Concrete”, Structural Branch of

Engineers Australia, Victoria Division, Bendigo,

Australia, May, 2008.: Invited Presentation,

“THE NEW AS3600 CONCRETE STRUCTURES

CODE”, Australian Consulting Engineers

Association (ACEA), NSW Division, Sydney,

Australia, October, 2008.

Ian Gilbert: Expert advice and expert witness

services for Dutco Balfor Beatty relating to the

prestressed concrete works on the Dubai Mall

Project; Attended and gave expert evidence

at arbitration hearings in London and Dubai;

Expert advice for Hyder on Port Botany project.

stephen Moore: Teaching in Schools of

Chemical Engineering, Town Planning and Safety

Science on environmental management.

adrian russell: Consulting Services to

Pells Sullivan Meynink Pty Ltd Laboratory

Investigation Tailings Desiccation Testing

Wendy timms: Provides expert consulting

advice to many clients in industry as a full time

engineer with WRL Projects.

Also please see Reports to Industry section of

this Report.

Awards & Prizes:

Martin andersen: Best session presentation

at: XXXVI IAH Congress Toyama, Japan 26th of

October - 1st of November 2008.

ron Cox: Recognised by Engineers Australia as

the Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t h e r e s e a r c h c e n t r e s > 7 1

6

researchcentresthe research centres

part six


In its second year since its inception, The UNSW Centre for Infrastructure

Engineering and Safety (CIES) continues toward the realisation of its vision

to become an internationally recognised research centre, and the strongest

in the region, for investigating, understanding and predicting the safety

and behaviour of engineering infrastructure under in-service and ultimate

or limit conditions.

CIES is focused on high-level research in structural engineering,

geotechnical engineering, engineering materials and computational

mechanics. Specifically, the researchers in CIES apply their skills to

engineering and safety assessments of buildings, bridges, dams, roads

and other infrastructure when subjected to both serviceability conditions,

and overload (or limit) conditions such as may occur in fire, earthquake,

cyclone or blast situations, or when structures are exposed to hostile

environments. In addition, CIES aims to promote multi-disciplinary

collaboration, primarily across the Faculties of Engineering and Science at

UNSW.

In fulfilling its aim of

establishing a world-

class interdisciplinary

research team

supported by

advanced analytical,

computational and

experimental facilities,

CIES established

an Advanced

Computational

Analysis Laboratory

(ACAL), which enables

staff, research and

honours students to

access state of the

art research software

on contemporary

work stations. The

ACAL facilities were used during 2008 for research on blast and fire

loading, geodesic domes, shallow concrete shells and other applications.

Consistent with CIES’ aim of providing for a forum for research engineers

and scientists from various disciplines in which to exchange ideas and

to develop and lead collaborative research programs, the research team

resource more than doubled during 2008. 2009 will see the formalisation

of research nodes as a means of managing the operation and direction of

the research.

Staff in the Centre again received strong support from the ARC for projects

to commence in 2009. ARC Discovery Projects include:

m Scaled boundary finite-element shakedown approach for the safety

assessment of cracked elastoplastic structures under cyclic loading -

awarded to Chongmin Song and Francis Tin-Loi,

m Long-term behaviour of thin-walled concrete curved members

strengthened with externally bonded composite materials awarded to -

Ehab Hamed and Mark Bradford,

m Limit and shakedown analyses allowing for geometric effects and

physical instability - awarded to Francis Tin-Loi and Yong-Lin Pi,

m Qualitative analysis of dynamic performance of vehicles with uncertain

system parameters and road inputs - awarded to N Zhang (UTS) and

Wei Gao.

ARC Linkage Projects include:

m Enhanced analysis and structural design of pavements – virtual

laboratory for advanced pavement design - awarded to Markus Oeser,

Adrian Russell and Nasser Khalili

m Time-dependent response and deformations of composite beams with

innovative deep trapezoidal decks - awarded to Mark Bradford, Brian

Uy (UWS) and Gianluca Ranzi (Sydney).

Mario Attard was also an investigator on the LIEF grant “Rollover Crash

Research Infrastructure Capacity Building” awarded to UNSW as the

administering organization.

During 2008, new research funding enabled the appointment of research

associates Dr Amin Heidarpour and Dr Jerry Iu, as well as research fellow

Dr Jean Li in collaboration with UNSW’s School of Surveying and Spatial

Information Systems and the CRC for Spatial Information. Teaching

academics Dr Wei Gao and Dr Hossein Taiebat also joined CIES.

A number of eminent visitors spent periods in CIES during 2008, including

Professor Sritawat Kitipornchai (City University of Hong Kong), Professor

CIES - Centre For Infrastructure Engineering & Safety


Patrick Selvadurai (McGill University, Canada), Professor Yoo-Sang Choo

(National University of Singapore), Professor Bernard Schrefler (University

of Padua, Italy), Dr Mamoru Kikumoto (Nagoya Institute of Technology,

Japan) and Professor Moon-Young Kim (SungKyunKwan University, Korea).

Practicum students included Charlotte Röben (University of Edinburgh, UK)

and Gisbert Gonzalo (University of Valencia, Spain).

An important and stated aim of CIES is to “promote the application of

the outcomes and deliverables from the research programs to industry”.

To this end, CIES established strong industry links during 2008. Mark

Bradford and Ian Gilbert instigated collaborations with Fielders Australia

and Prestressed Concrete Design Consultants Pty Ltd in the area of

composite slabs and composite beams with profiled slabs, which is an area

in which collaborations were first developed with BlueScope Lysaght. With

further input from BOSFA Pty Limited (a joint venture between NV Bekaert

SA of Belgium and OneSteel Limited) and Stephen Foster’s expertise in

fibre reinforcement, CIES is aiming to produce a comprehensive design

guidance for composite beams with advanced composite slabs which is

much-needed by industry.

Pells Sullivan Meynink (PSM) continued its funding of a senior lectureship

in rock mechanics, while State Water (NSW) funded half a senior lecturer’s

position in dam engineering. The Roads and Traffic Authority of New South

Wales and ARRB established collaborations with Nasser Khalili, Markus

Oeser and Adrian Russell in developing advanced software for modelling

granular materials in pavement systems which led to an ARC Linkage

Project, and material testing managed by Zhen-Tian Chang furthered CIES

connections with BORAL. Other industry collaborations included securing

an honours research thesis prize by Stephen Foster and Ian Gilbert

from ACRA (Australian Concrete Repair Association). Internationally,

Mark Bradford and Gianluca Ranzi (Sydney) forged collaborations with

The Korea Institute of Construction Technology and Yonsei University in

Seoul. 2009 will see vigorous pursuit of strengthening of these industry

collaborations, and the establishment of new ones.


There are pressing contemporary needs for better integrated water

management at national and state levels in Australia. In recognition of

present demand for more multi-faceted approaches to water management,

the School united its longstanding and major water research activities

within a single water research centre.

There are two primary centre nodes: at Kensington with staff and students

accommodated within the Vallentine annex; and, at the Water Research

Laboratory at Manly Vale. The centre is co-supervised by Richard Stuetz

and Bill Peirson, who are respectively responsible for each node.

The School has a 60 year history of leading development of water

technology in Australia. Apart from maintaining the largest postgraduate

and undergraduate teaching programmes in water engineering in

Australia, the School remains active in Australian fundamental water

research: Our research strengths include:

m surface and groundwater hydrology – ongoing Australian leadership of

the quantifying of rainfall, runoff and groundwater flows at catchment

scales (This history includes development of the lead Australian

design document, Australian Rainfall and Runoff, now published and

developed by Engineers Australia).

m public health and water treatment – fundamental investigations of the

chemistry and microbiology of water for urban use have been focussed

within the Centre for Water and Waste Treatment over the last 20

years.

m civil and environmental hydraulics – practical project-based and

theoretical hydraulics research undertaken using the unique large-

scale facilities of the Water Research Laboratory at Manly Vale.

The new Centre activities are grouped around three dominant research

themes:

1. Water Supply

Australia is a continent of low rainfall and its development and economic

robustness is constrained by presently available and potential water

supplies.

2. The Coast

Over 86% of the Australian community live in the coastal zone with

consequent environmental impact and climate vulnerabilities.

3. Sustainability

To maintain Australia’s current level of population and economic growth,

water and contamination management need innovative solutions in terms

of environmental, energy and social considerations.

Water Research Centre - WRCAlthough the WRC was only formed at the beginning of 2008, there have

been two major successful research achievements during the course of the

year:

1. UNSW successfully submitted a bid to be the national host of the

federally-funded – Australian Climate Change Adaptation Research

Network: Theme 6 - Settlements and Infrastructure (ACCARNSI).

The focus of this network is bring together researchers and

stakeholders with an interest in the impacts of climate change on

coastal settlements, public and private infrastructure including

building and facility design and construction, and the social, economic

and institutional implications of these impacts and implications for

planning, design, and management of settlements and infrastructure.

The research network is led and co-ordinated by A/Prof. Ron Cox and

Node 4 of the Network (Infrastructure) is led by the UNSW Water

Research Centre (jointly convened by Stuetz and Peirson). Node

4 addresses the prominent infrastructure issues related to energy,

water security, stormwater and flooding and broader engineering

infrastructure with a broad team of external collaborators and

stakeholders.

2. Collaborative work drawing on the broad range of skills within the

centre have a developed a new approach to microbial risk assessment

for anthropogenic discharges to coastal waters. Present indications are

that this is a new international approach to this difficult problem and

should lead to a new policy approach in the area.

WRC - KensingtonNew research funding has enabled the appointment of new research and

technical staff within the Kensington centre node: Drs Michael Short and

Ben van den Akker as research fellows and Ms Leearna Brown and Trinh

Thi Thanh Trang as research assistants.

Dr Stuart Khan was also awarded a National Water Commission fellowship,

one of three in Australia to study “Quantitative Contaminant Exposure

Assessment for Water Recycling Schemes”.

In 2008, Dr Matthew McCabe joined the Centre and the School as an

academic researcher working within the hydroclimatology program and is

now leading new research activities on remote sensing and hydrological

cycle.

Strong support for our work was provided by the Australian Research

Council (ARC) in terms of new Discovery and Linkage grants awarded in

2008:


m ARC Discovery Grant: “Resolving Critical Knowledge Gaps Relating to

Light and Free-Radical Mediated Transformations of Iron and Copper

in Oxic Natural Waters” led by Prof David Waite;

m ARC Discovery Grant: “Characterizing the Hydrological Cycle using

Water Isotopes, Land-surface Models and Satellite Observations” led

by Dr Matthew McCabe;

m ARC Linkage Grant: “Optimising Decentralised Membrane Bioreactors

for Water Reuse” led by Prof Richard Stuetz; and,

m ARC Linkage Project “A new paradigm for improved water resource

management using innovative water modelling techniques” led by Dr

Matthew McCabe.

Significant collaborative research projects with industry were initiated

including:

m “Replacement Flows: Risk Assessment Review and Chemical

Monitoring Program” led by Dr Stuart Khan; and,

m establishment of a three year Sustainability Partnership with Victorian

EPA, led by Dr Greg Peters.

m Visitors to the Centre at Kensington during 2008 included Associate

Prof Carlos Chernicharo (Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil)

and Dr Eric Dickenson (Colorado School of Mines).

WRC - Manly Vale (WRL)Since 1959, the Water Research Laboratory (WRL) has continued to

maintain its international reputation for fundamental and applied research

as well as providing specialist professional engineering advice on specific

projects across the water engineering discipline. With the unique large-

scale physical facilities at the Manly Vale site, track record for addressing

computationally-demanding numerical modeling in water engineering and

significant experience in undertaking field investigations, WRL continues to

maintain an international reputation in the specific disciplines of:

1. Civil and Environmental Engineering Hydraulics

Understanding the turbulent flow of water, air and sediment through pipes,

turbomachines, open channels and across the landscape is one of the most

challenging of technical disciplines. Engineering design must recognise

the inherent uncertainties of measurement and modelling methods when

providing practical solutions to industry need.

2. Coastal Engineering

Approximately 86% of Australians live in the coastal fringe with

consequent major development of urban areas, industry and supporting

infrastructure. Many of the processes of wave formation and impact as

well as shoreline and structural response remain poorly understood.

Robust coastal engineering design techniques are essential for sustainable

coastal development. Coastal engineering design must be undertaken


in an ecological context containing interacting marine and freshwater

ecosystems. Present concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions are

prompting a fresh look at the potential to harness energy in the coastal

zone.

3. Groundwater

In a country dominated by long droughts interspersed with floods,

groundwater is a key water reserve: protected from evaporative loss but

subject to contamination and potential overexploitation. Capturing key

field information is critical to an adequate understanding of groundwater

movement and its coupling to surface waters. The development of large-

scale geophysical techniques to “see” beneath the ground surface is a key

aspect of groundwater assessment.

4. Estuarine Engineering

Estuaries are highly productive and complex ecosystems due to the high

levels of nutrients available from catchment runoff and their large and

diverse habitats. As coastal development occurs, engineering design is

required to: mitigate adverse environmental effects and minimize impacts;

find appropriate means of discharging treated wastewater; and, develop

strategies for determining appropriate estuary fresh water flows to

minimize ecosystem and threatened species impacts.

Highlights for 2008 included:

m Former WRL Director, A/Prof Ron Cox was awarded Engineers

Australia’s prestigious Sir John Holland Award for Civil Engineer of

the Year 2008 in recognition of his long standing and continuing

contribution to the profession and community, particularly in the field

of coastal engineering.

m Senior Projects Engineer, Dr. Will Glamore was awarded the

prestigious PIANC DE PAEPE - WILLEMS AWARD for international

excellence in Coastal, Marine and Inland Waterways. Will was

presented with the award at the PIANC 2008 Annual General Assembly

in Beijing, China.

m Coastal Engineering Postdoctoral fellow, Dr Chris Blenkinsopp had

one of his publications selected by the Royal Society as one of eight

“Board favourite articles” published in the Proceedings of the Royal

Society in 2007. Chris’s article is entitled “Void Fraction Measurement

in Breaking Waves”.

m Dr. Martin Andersen of WRL and the Connected Waters Initiative

(CWI) received a prize for Best Oral Presentation addressing

Challenging Hydrogeological Issues at the XXXVI Congress of the

International Association of Hydrogeologists in Toyama, Japan. His

presentation was entitled Investigation of Stable Isotopes in the

Namoi River Catchment: Elucidating Recharge Sources and the Extent

of Surface Water/Groundwater Interaction and was co-authored by

Karina Meredith, Wendy Timms and R. Ian Acworth.

m Participation by WRL researchers in the international research

program BARDEX which examined barrier overtopping and overwash

processes at the proto-type scale, and to investigate the role of back-

barrier lagoon water-levels and groundwater fluxes on the stability of


beaches. Dr Ian Turner was responsible for formulating and leading

one of the five BARDEX work packages: ‘WP2: Barrier Groundwater’.

m Presentation of three papers authored by WRL/CWI staff and

students at the XXXVI Congress of the International Association of

Hydrogeologists in Toyama, Japan.

m The presentation of four papers authored by WRL staff at the

Engineers Australia national conference on Hydraulics in Darwin.

m Award of an ARC Discovery grant to Prof. Michael Banner (UNSW

Mathematics), Bill Peirson and Prof. Frédéric Dias (ENS Cachan,

France) Forecasting wave breaking in directional seas.

Three new staff joined the WRL Projects team during 2008: Luis Mallon-

Lopez (former Practicum student); Conrad Wasko (UNSW Civil Engineering

undergraduate University medalist); and Stephen Pells returned as a

senior WRL Projects Engineer (after working with Arup and Cardno).

New research students commencing their studies at WRL included: Xia

Yan (Hohai, recipient of an award from the China Scholarship Council)

investigating low-solubility gas transfer with Bill Peirson; and Gabriel Rau

(University of Stuttgart, Germany), investigating surface-groundwater

interactions with Martin Andersen and Ian Acworth.

Dr. Seyed Ali Azarmsa of the Dept. of Physical Oceanography, Faculty of

Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran, visited

WRL during 2008 to undertake collaborative investigation energy losses

turbulence applicable to breaking waves.

Fundamental and strategic research activities attracted over eight

hundred thousand dollars in funding in 2008 and continued to yield

findings of significant international impact:

m Development of methods for quantifying ocean-aquifer exchanges and

consequent coastal water quality

m Development of a temperature-based method for determining surface-

and ground-water interactions for Australian inland catchments.

m Beach change over individual wave cycles on sand and gravel beaches.

m BARDEX - standing for BARrier Dynamic EXperiments – is a

collaboration between researchers at the universities of Plymouth,

Algarve, Birmingham, UNSW, Hamburg, and Southampton. Funded by

the European Union through the ‘’HYDROLAB III’ program, BARDEX

took place within the Delta flume in the north-east of The Netherlands,

maintained and operated by Deltares.

m Development of video-based techniques for real-time monitoring and

analysis for coastal engineering and coastal management.

m Determining appropriate safety criteria for people exposed to flood

waters.

m Determining the fundamental causes of wave-induced enhancement of

aeration at the surfaces of wind-forced open waters.

m Enhanced understanding of the linkages between a changing climate

and coastal erosion.

m Determining the role of wave groups in washing rock fishers from

NSW coastal rock shelves.

m Base level measurements and analysis of rain water quality from

Sydney roofs.

m Finding new methods for seawall toe protection.

m Methods for managing intermittently open and closed ocean lagoon

entrances.

m Methods for managing and monitoring aquifer recharge.

strategic industry advice throughout 2008 was provided by WRL

Projects to industry, government and private clients within Australia and

overseas with a turnover of over $2.4M.

WRL Sponsorship Activities During 2008

Louise Gates and Jamie Ruprecht were awarded UNSW Faculty of

Engineering Taste Of Research Summer Scholarships to undertake

research investigations at WRL for 12 weeks over the summer of 2008-

2009.

International Practicum experience: Astrid Fröhlich and Lena Bruderreck

from the Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany. Joaquin Sebastian

Peral (Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain), Sebastian Moirat (Ecole Nationale

Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, France) and Maxime Bonis (Ecole

Normale Superieure, Cachan, France).

WRL and its staff continue to contribute professionally and financially

to committees of Engineers Australia, the International Association

of Hydrogeologists, the Australian Water Association, the Irrigation

Association of Australia as well as other professional and international

organizations.


Strategic industry advice - WRLStrategic industry advice was provided by the School’s Water Research

Laboratory (part of the UNSW Water Research Centre) to industry,

government and private clients within Australia and overseas with a project

turnover of over $2.4M. Project highlights included:

m Ongoing operation of ARGUS Coastal Imaging Systems at five

locations along East Coast Australia

m The first national integrated assessment and responses for climate

change impacts on coastal foreshores. This study has been undertaken

using Clarence City, Tasmania as the pilot location with assessment

now being extended to other locations in Tasmania and Victoria.

m Strategic advice and physical testing of breakwaters for Shellcove,

Wyndham Harbour, Pitcairn Island, Sir Bani Yas, Dubai and LNG

developments proposed for northern Australia.

m Determining the vessel-generated wave climate at the National

Maritime Museum.

m Validating an assessment strategy for vessel-generated wash in NSW

estuaries.

m Assessment and hydraulic design associated with the potential impact

of desalination discharges and potential byproducts in Sydney,

Melbourne, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and South Africa.

m Review and specialist hydraulic design of wastewater discharges in the

Illawarra, Shellharbour, northern Tasmania, the Clarence estuary and

at Newcastle.

m Assessment and review of proposed environmental flow determinations

for the Manning River and Gippsland Lakes.

m Assessment and design of mobilization of contaminated sediments in

Sydney Harbour.

m Numerical modeling of water quality and salinity in Darwin Harbour

and the Katherine River.

m Coastline management strategies including determining preferred

methods for harvesting sand for nourishing eroded beaches in the

Byron shire.

m Hydraulic design and testing of strategies to ameliorate air

entrainment in cooling water.

m Design and implementation of field monitoring programs for sewage

discharges at Hat Head, Moree and Lake Conjola.

m Design and implementation of field monitoring programs for

mobilization of salinity in north-western New South Wales.

m Management of oily water discharges at Gove, Townsville, Cairns and

Rockhampton.

m Testing of a wave screen composed of recycled tyres

m Design of tidal restoration and wetland management strategies at

Tomago and Anna Bay (NSW) and for RAMSAR wetlands in Western

Australia., for the Hunter and Shoalhaven estuaries

m Design and assessment of flood protection at Penrith Lakes, Suma

Park Dam and in northern Tasmania.

m On site training for government and the agricultural industry regarding

surface water and groundwater interactions.

m Numerical modeling of groundwater transport and fate at Uranium

mines.

m Assessment of flow within airborne contaminant capture devices for

nickel smelters in New Caledonia and Queensland.

m Determining power output of wave energy devices.


The Connected Waters Initiative

CWI successes in 2008The Connected Waters Initiative, directed by Professor Ian Ackworth

of the School, is a joint initiative between UNSW School of Civil &

Environmental Engineering and School of Biological Earth & Environmental

Sciences (BEES). The goals of the CWI include better management and

understanding of the interaction between surface and groundwater, and to

boost community awareness and research quality in an emerging area of

high national significance. It is planned for the CWI to evolve into a well

funded National Centre for Excellence over the next few years.

A major effort was put into the CWI proposals for funding under the

new $60 million Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. The bid

included successful proposals to establish a new centrifuge testing facility,

to conduct research into three-dimensional modelling of underground

structures, and research projects to examine the flow of water through

aquifers and aquitards. It also included a commitment from the NSW

government for a further $815,000 to augment a new research and

training facility for groundwater issues on UNSW property at Wellington, in

central-western NSW.

Professor Richard Kingsford was named as member of the Federal

Government’s stakeholder consultative committee to advise the government

on the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to buy water for

the Murray-Darling Basin. Professor Kingsford attracted considerable

media attention during the year and won the prestigious 2008 Australian

Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science.

The UNSW CWI was well represented at the Congress of the International

Association of Hydrogeologists held in Toyoma, Japan from October 26

to November 1 2008. Professor Ian Acworth, Dr Martin Andersen, Anna

Greve and James Patterson participated and Martin Andersen, Karina

Meredith, Wendy Timms and Ian Acworth were awarded Best Oral Prize

for the keynote address delivered by Martin Andersen, ‘Investigation of

Stable Isotopes in the Namoi River Catchment - Elucidating Recharge

Sources and the Extent of Surface Water/Groundwater Interaction’.


Those were the DaysProfessor Crawford Munro (Head of School 1951-1964) and friends 1962

The Diamond History Project – Sixty Years of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The School was one of the eight foundation Schools of the University of

New South Wales when it was established in 1949. We plan to mark our

diamond anniversary with the publication of a School History. The aim

is to produce a lively, readable, inclusive and reflective social history -

celebrating sixty years of useful work, and the people who participated in

this achievement - staff and students alike.

We intend to list all our staff and graduates in the History - and all our

Industry Partners - and will devote some pages to the student experience

of each decade. If you would like to participate, with memories, images or

information we would love to hear from you. Contact Dr Mary O’Connell at

[email protected]

History surveys for staff and alumni are downloadable from

http://www.civeng.unsw.edu.au/alumni_industry_relations/index.html

Documents

Annual Report 08 - University of New South Walesvm.civeng.unsw.edu.au/annual_report/Annual_Report_2008.pdf · Annual Report 08 ©2009 School of ... Project Coordinator Mary O’Connell