Professor Brian Uy
The University of Sydney, Australia

Talk Title: Australasian Structural Engineering Research in Steel and Composite Structures and its influence on International Design Codes
Abstract: This paper will address the Australasian advances in steel-concrete composite bridge and building structures. The paper will firstly provide an overview for the behaviour and design of bridge structures past, present and future. This will then be followed by an overview of the behaviour and design of building structures, past present and future. Over the last decade there have been significant developments on the development of a draft bridge standard for steel-concrete composite structures, namely AS/NZS 5100 Part 6 and salient elements of recent advances will be highlighted in this paper. In parallel with work being carried out on the development of a draft bridge standard has been work on the development over the last five years on a draft building standard for steel-concrete composite structures, namely AS/NZS 2327. Once again, salient features of this standard will be provided in this paper. The paper will highlight how Australasian Structural Research has influenced international design codes, namely Eurocodes and AISC specifications. The paper will conclude with discussions on ongoing and further research that is required in the area of steel-concrete composite structures to deal with the ongoing demands of modern bridge and building structures.
Biography of the Speaker: Brian Uy commenced as Professor of Structural Engineering and Head of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney in November 2016. He was previously Professor of Structural Engineering and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety (CIES) in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The University of New South Wales from 2013-2016 and was awarded a Scientia Professorship from 2017-2022. Brian also holds an Adjunct Professor role within the School of Engineering and Information Technology at UNSW, Canberra (Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)). Further details at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/people/brian.uy.php

Professor Xiao-Ling Zhao
Monash University, Australia.

Talk Title: Research into Hybrid Construction utilising FRP and Seawater sea sand and concrete.
Abstract: This presentation gives a summary of current research at Monash University on hybrid construction using FRP and seawater sea sand concrete (SWSSC). It contains four major parts:
(1) Properties of SWSSC: Alkali activated slag concrete with seawater and sea sand was used in this research. Material properties measured include modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, bending strength at ambient temperature as well as elevated temperature.
(2) Long-term behavior of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP): Filament-wound FRP tubes were adopted with three types of fibres (glass, carbon and basalt). Exposure temperatures include 25, 40, 60˚C with exposure time varies from 1 month to 12 months.
(3) SWSSC-filled FRP and SS stub columns: Stub columns, including hollow sections and SWSSC fully filled tubes or double-skin tubes, were tested under axial compression. The effects of some key parameters (e.g., tube diameter-to-thickness ratio, cross-section types, outer tube types, and inner tube types) on the confinement effects were discussed.
(4) Durability of FRP bars in SWSSC environment: Accelerated corrosion tests were conducted on FRP bars using two types of SWSSC solutions at different pH and temperatures, and for different durations. The long-term behaviour of BFRP and GFRP bars under the service construction condition was predicted.
Biography of the Speaker: Prof. X.L. Zhao received several prestigious fellowships, such as Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Japan Society for Promotion of Science Invitation Fellow, National “1000-Talent” Chair Professorship, China, Chang Jiang Professorship, China, Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Award, The Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, and Visiting Professorship Award, Swiss National Science Foundation.
Prof. X.L. Zhao is a Fellow of American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers Australia, and International Institute for FRP in Construction. He served as a member on the ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia) Research Evaluation Committee for Engineering and Environmental Sciences Cluster in 2015. He was the Head of Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University from 2008 to 2011.