Engineering Commons^™

Geotechnics In The 21st Century, Uncertainties And Other Challenges, With Particular References To Landslide Hazard And Risk Assessment, Robin Chowdhury, Phillip Flentje, Gautam Bhattacharya

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

There are significant challenges for the future development and application of geotechnical engineering. Developments in research, analysis and practice have taken place to advance knowledge and practice. While the scope of the profession and its discipline areas is already vast, significant extension is required in the areas of hazard and risk assessment and management. In particular, the field of natural disaster reduction requires the development of innovative approaches within a multi-disciplinary framework. Very useful and up-to-date information on the occurrence frequency and impact of different natural disasters is being assessed and analyzed by a number of organizations around the world. …

Assessment Of Ballast Fouling And Its Implications On Track Drainage, Nayoma Tennakoon, Buddhima Indraratna, Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn, Sanjay Nimbalkar

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Australian railways offer an efficient and economic mode for transporting freight and passengers across all States. Conventionally, rail tracks are positioned on ballast for reasons including economy (availability and abundance), rapid drainage, and high load bearing capacity. However, the ballast becomes fouled due to the intrusion of fines either from the subgrade or surface which impairs track drainage. In order to maintain serviceability, it is necessary to maintain adequate drainage capacity in the track. To identify the risk associated with fouling, it is important to understand the effects of the amount of fouling on drainage conditions. In this present study …

Non-Destructive Assessment Of Rail Track Condition Using Ground Penetrating Radar, L J. Su, Buddhima Indraratna, C Rujikiatkamjorn

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can be used to locate interfaces and underground utilities, and evaluate ballast fouling conditions, moisture content and subgrade conditions depending on frequencies of antenna and data processing techniques. In Australia, trial testing on railway sections has been conducted by the railway industry. However, in these trials, testing is only conducted on actual tracks where the relationship between track conditions and the GPR response has not yet been established. In this paper, a full scale model rail track designed and constructed at the University of Wollongong is used to investigate factors that infl uence the GPR data …

Proposal Of A Methodology For Bridge Condition Assessment, Maria Rashidi, Peter Gibson

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Due to the substantial role of bridges in transportation networks and in accordance with the limited funding for bridge management, remediation strategies have to be prioritised. A conservative bridge assessment will result in unnecessary actions, such as costly bridge strengthening or repairs. On the other hand, any bridge maintenance negligence and delayed actions may lead to heavy future costs or degraded assets. The accuracy of decisions developed by any manager or bridge engineer relies on the accuracy of the bridge condition assessment which emanates from visual inspection. Many bridge rating systems are based on a very subjective procedure and are …

Slope Hazard Assessment On A Coast Road In New South Wales, Australia, M. Hendrickx, R A. Wilson, A T. Moon, I E. Stewart, Phillip N. Flentje

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Lawrence Hargrave Drive was constructed in 1878 and has experienced a continuance of slope failures including rock falls, debris flows and embankment collapses. In 2003 a section of the road was closed for safety reasons. An Alliance between the state government and private industry was formed to develop an engineering solution to reduce the risk to ‘acceptable’ levels. Assessment of slope hazards was completed with the aid of geological mapping, interpretation of aerial photographs, archived government reports, historical photo and newspaper collections and a GIS based landslide inventory. Historical photographs provided important evidence on erosion rates and the size, nature …

Evaluating Online Multiple Choice Quizzes As Formative Assessment Tools In An Engineering Fluid Mechanics Subject, David B. Hastie, Thomas Goldfinch

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

In an effort to improve learning outcomes in a second year Engineering Fluid Mechanics subject, the first author has developed and piloted a series of online multiple choice quizzes (MCQ) as formative assessment tools. This paper describes the development and implementation of these quizzes and the evaluation of their effect on students’ results in a formal written mid-session exam and also final exam. Students’ perception of the quizzes is also captured and discussed through the use of a brief, in class survey. The effect of these MCQs was investigated for two main cohorts of students, those who voluntarily attempted the …

Geotechnical Assessment Of Skin Reinforcement In Underground Mines, Jan Anton Nemcik, Ian Porter, Ernest Y. Baafi, Chris A. Lukey

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Current advances in roof support automation require a fast and effective skin reinforcement of underground mine roadways. To satisfy these needs a strong and tough fibre reinforced polymeric alternative is emerging as a logical substitute to the old steel mesh support system. Differences between steel mesh and polymer skin behaviour are investigated. Computational models are utilised to compare these two skin support systems with a view to optimising the performance needed for effective roadway skin reinforcement. In particular, development of a strong and resistant shell that minimises movement along the fractured rock and coal surfaces found between the roof bolt …

Calibrating Engineering Graduate Capabilities Against Assessment Tasks: A Preliminary Study, Long Nghiem, Maureen E. Bell

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper investigated the connection between assessment tasks and graduate capabilities. Surveys conducted as part of this study revealed differences in planning for the development of, and student achievement of, graduate capabilities and that assessment tasks were valuable tools to guide and facilitate the development of intended graduate capabilities. Drawing from the obtained data, a prototype framework for curriculum design was proposed, allowing for better alignment of assessment tasks and graduate capability development in systematic subject design.

Assessment Of Spatial Analysis Techniques For Estimating Impervious Cover, Steven Roso, Michael J. Boyd, Laurie A. Chisholm

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Impervious cover proportion is recognised as an important parameter in hydrologic modelling. Recent advances in the spatial sciences provide new capabilities for estimation of this value. This paper describes an assessment of seven estimation techniques, including human and computer based methods requiring a range of different input data and skill levels. In order to quantify the value of any gain in accuracy, the results from each method were applied to a real catchment using event based (WBNM) and continuous simulation (MUSIC) hydrologic models. The results showed that use of high resolution satellite imagery enabled the most accurate measurements of impervious …

Assessment Of The Structural Development Of Resin Bonded Taphole Clay (Icsti 06), Sharon Nightingale, Lisa Wells, F W B U Tanzil, Jim Cummins, Brian J. Monaghan, K Price

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Resin in taphole clay provides good extrudability and strength at low temperatures. However, it also contains volatile matter that is lost on heating. The blast furnace taphole is subject to a large thermal gradient, leading to variation in the bonding and structure of the clay along the taphole’s length. This has a critical effect on properties. Effects of this variation in properties on furnace operations are not well understood. A simple laboratory test was devised to simulate the thermal gradient, and assess its effects on taphole clays.

Thermogravimetric tests were also conducted at different heating rates. Results of experiments are …

Integrated Field Measurements And Track Simulations For Condition Assessment Of Railway Track, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Alexander Remennikov

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Assessment of condition of railway track is crucial for track design, repair and effective maintenance operations. In-field dynamic testing in combination with track modelling represents an efficient strategy for identification of the current condition of railway track structure and its components. This paper presents an integrated approach combining field measurements, experimental modal analysis and finite element modelling to evaluate the dynamic parameters of the in-situ railway track components. Based on the discrete support model, a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) dynamic model of railway track is analysed in order to extract the modal properties of the track components from the field dynamic testing …

Human Risk Assessment Of Organic Contaminants In Reclaimed Wastewater Used For Irrigation, S. Weber, Stuart Khan, J. Hollender

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Current water quality guidelines for reclaimed wastewater have predominantly addressed risks associated with the presence of microbial organisms. Comparatively, chemical parameters have been largely overlooked or inadequately considered. Acceptable levels of chemical parameters will be dependant on the proposed reuse applications for the water and, in many cases, site-specific factors such as the degree of dilution with water from other sources. However, some general principals for the determination of acceptable levels of chemical contaminants in reclaimed water may be applied universally. This study describes a general risk-assessment approach to the determination of acceptable contaminant concentrations. It provides some analysis of …

Experimental And Numerical Methodology Assessment Of Load Transfer Capacity Of Bolts, Najdat I. Aziz, Hossein Jalalifar

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

In Australia, the common method of laboratory testing of bolt for load transfer capacity determination is by short encapsulation push testing. Some concerns are raised about the validity of the test methodology, as the method does not reflect on the actual load transfer characteristics of bolt in real field situation. Thus, laboratory testes were carried out to examine the load transfer mechanisms of bolts in both the push and pull conditions. Tests were conducted by shearing a short resin encapsulated bolt out of a cylindrical steel sleeve. Three types of bolts with different surface profile configurations were tested. The study …