ProfessorKim Rasmussen

Opportunity synopsis:

Structural Engineering

----------Current Research Projects----------

Analysis and design of midrise built-up cold-formed steel structures
The project will develop an analytical and computational basis for designing midrise buildings in cold-formed steel. It will enable solutions with high column capacities and high lateral load resistance to be realised by using built-up sections, thus overcoming the current barrier to constructing buildings up to 10 storeys from cold-formed steel and enabling green, fully recyclable and rapidly constructed buildings to be achieved. Experimental, analytical and computational studies will be undertaken and synthesised into efficient design guidelines for practising engineers, including structural reliability analyses at system level of midrise buildings featuring innovative built-up multi-section columns and integrated shear panels.

The project is supported by the Australian Research Council.

Complete limit state analysis of steel structural frameworks

The project aims to produce criteria for detecting fracture initiation in welded and bolted steel connections, and predicting the subsequent propagation of fracture through to complete erosion of connection strength. Experiments will be conducted on steel connections with particular emphasis on tracking fracture propagation to provide data for calibration of numerical predictions of fracture initiation and propagation. Next, the project will develop a fracture initiation criterion for ordinary grade construction steel that accounts for both tension and shear effects. The outcomes of the research will substantially advance the design of steel structures as it will become possible to analyse any type of structure for any type of failure including fracture. Ultimately, with this new design method there will be no need for checking member and connection strengths to a national code.
The project is supported by the Australian Research Council.

Reliability and design of 3D printed metal structures
The project will produce a design framework for additively manufactured (3D printed) metal structures. The project will develop open source algorithms for predicting (i) mechanical properties of 3D printed metals for given printing parameters and (ii) internal stresses and distortions arising from the printing process. Underpinned by experiments on structural components and structural reliability analyses, models will be calibrated for the nonlinear analysis of 3D printed structures, and a methodology will be set out for designing 3D printed metal structures with acceptably low probability of failure. The project will enable structural engineers to safely and efficiently design 3D printed metal structures and components.
The project is supported by the Australian Research Council.

Structural morphing via functionalised nonlinear buckling
Australian buildings consume 20% of the nation's total energy production on heating and cooling. With future projected population increases, energy demands are likely to increase. This project aims to develop a general framework for the analysis and design of functional components of buildings and structures, where such components achieve large shape changes (morphing) via buckling. The shape changes are optimised, e.g. to reduce energy consumption by minimising solar radiation loads or maximising natural air ventilation. The project develops innovative building technology solutions to reduce Australia's energy consumption, and provide new domestic and global market opportunities in the high-tech manufacturing sector.

The project is supported by the Australian Research Council.