CFM has been leading the research and development of engineered fibre composites for civil infrastructure in Australia for decades. The research activities in Civil Composites include large scale structural testing, computational modelling and analysis of innovative composite structures for civil applications.
Title: Integration of composites in resilient maritime infrastructure
Leader: Prof Allan Manalo and Dr Shanika Kiriella
Project Team: Assoc Prof Omar Alajarmeh, Ms Siri Rattanaamporn, Mr Sujan Subedi, and Mr Mohiuddin Emon
Project Partners: Wagners Composites Fibre Technology | Maritime Safety Queensland
Funding Body: Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC
This collaborative project will unlock the potential of advanced fibre composites for climate-resilient maritime infrastructures and will shape the future of critical infrastructure in Australia by eliminating the significant problem of early deterioration and premature failure of traditional construction materials in marine environment.
Title: Degradation mechanisms of composites under extreme weather
Leader: Prof Allan Manalo
Project Team: Ms Zaneta Senselova and Mr Abdullah Iftikhar
Project Partners: RMIT University | University of Sherbrooke
Funding Body: Australian Research Council Discovery projects
This project will systematically assess the long-term performance and fire resistance of FRP composites with due considerations of different types of fibre and resin systems under the synergistic effects of extreme weather conditions.
Title: Project Name: Development of composite rock bolts with superior strength properties
Leader: Lead Researcher | Lead Researcher: Ali Mirzaghorbanali
Project Team: Hadi Nourizadeh, Mazhar Peerzada, and Kevin McDougall
Project Partners: GM3, Centennial, Jennmar Australia, and Minova
Funding Body: ACARP
This project is intended to develop innovative composite rock bolts prototypes with superior strength properties incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques.
Title: Project Name: Development of specially formulated geopolymer mixture for cable bolting practices
Leader: Lead Researcher | Lead Researcher: Ali Mirzaghorbanali
Project Team: Saya Ramakrishnan, Hadi Nourizadeh, and Kevin McDougall
Project Partners: Castrol, Jennmar Australia, and Minova
Funding Body: ACARP
This project is intended to develop innovative specially formulated geopolymer mixture for cable bolting practices with low water sensitivity and early strength pick up.
Title: Aerated and 3D printed concrete for bushfire resilient infrastructure
Leader: Dr Saya Ramakrishnan
Project Team: Dr Saya Ramakrishnan, Dr Akilesh Ramesh and Prof Allan Manalo
Project Partners: Brickworks | QUT
Funding Body: Department of the Environment, Science and Innovation – DESI (Advance Queenland Industry Research Projects scheme)
This project will develop lightweight and fire-resistant building products using a new type of aerated and low-carbon emission concrete and through advanced manufacturing processes of 3D concrete printing for enhancing bushfire resilience of housing and buildings in Queensland.
Title: Testing and Analysis of Pipeline Encapsulation Technologies
Leader: Prof. Allan Manalo
Project Team: Prof. Allan Manalo, Prof. Karu Karunasena, Dr. Shanika Kiriella, Dr. Hamid Ahmadi, Dr. Cam Minh Tri Tien, Mr. Ahmad Salah
Project Partners: University of Colorado Boulder, Cornell University, Gas Technology Institute
Funding Body: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of US Department of Energy
This project contributed to the development of internal replacement pipe (IRP) systems, a novel trenchless technology for rehabilitating aging cast iron and steel gas and oil pipelines, enhancing their performance and extending service life. By integrating numerical, analytical, and physical testing protocols, the project established a comprehensive framework to characterise failure modes and define performance criteria, supporting pipeline engineers in designing IRP systems with reliable design-life performance.
