Successful grants
ARC Discovery Projects
Assessment of Dynamic Pile Driving Using Machine Learning
Funding: 2023: $151,740
2024: $137,446
2025: $123,167
Project Member(s): Khabbaz, M., Fatahi, B., Wu, D.
Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)
Summary: This project aims at developing new technology to determine ground properties and foundation capacity in real-time during pile installation by adopting rigorous numerical simulation, laboratory experiments and artificial intelligence-based computational model. Although impact driving is used commonly to install piles on site, there is no technology currently available to interpret collected data accurately and in real-time to provide live feedback and optimise construction processes. This research will provide new machine learning model to assess the ground and foundation characteristics during construction, and will increase certainty in infrastructure investment in Australia particularly for costly transport assets and infrastructure.
Response of Vertical Drains in Soft Subgrade under Cyclic Rail Loading
Funding: 2023: $190,000
2024: $200,000
2025: $179,000
Project Member(s): Indraratna, B., Rujikiatkamjorn, C.
Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)
Summary: Soft formations (subgrade) can become unstable when subjected to heavy and repeated (cyclic) train loading. This project aims to investigate the cause and mechanisms of undrained instability of soft subgrade soil beneath rail embankments, and to assess the effectiveness of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) in stabilising such soils. The role of PVDs to enhance track performance will be quantified via rigorous mathematical techniques complementing a computer-based numerical model, which can be validated by laboratory and field data. It will deliver tangible outcomes for accurately predicting the long-term settlements in soft foundations over prolonged train loading while extending the life span of modern railroad infrastructure.
ARC Linkage Project
Hybrid Pile-Drain System to Stabilise Railways Built on Soft Soils.
Funding: 477,503.00
Project Member(s): Indraratna, B., Rujikiatkamjorn, C.
Funding or Partner Organisation: SMEC, JK Geotechnics, Purdue University, University of Newcastle Menard
Start year: 2024
Summary: Australian coastal soils often pose significant challenges in the design and construction of railways. The project aims to develop a novel hybrid system of pipe piles & prefabricated vertical drains installed to prevent soft foundation soil (subgrade) from excessive yielding under prolonged cyclic loading by heavy-haul trains. Using large-scale physical model simulations and field trials supported by numerical analysis of soil-pile-drain interaction mechanisms, this innovative concept will be examined to establish a user-friendly design methodology. For rail operators, the outcomes will generate substantially reduced maintenance costs, while extending the longevity of track infrastructure to ensure faster and heavier trains of the future.
2020 Australia-India Council Grant
Dr Sanjay Nimbalkar and Distinguished Prof Daichao Sheng have been able to secure the funding of $115,500 for the one-year project entitled "Heavy-haul Indian Railway: Towards Safe, Efficient and Sustainable Design" in the 2020 grant round. The total project value is $177,465. See the funding announcement
This year the Australia-India Council (AIC) received 146 applications, out of which 20 applications were invited to present their proposal to the AIC Board and 11 applications were finally successful in the 2020 grant round. The evaluation process was extensive. Each application was reviewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its overseas network. The Board of the Australia-India Council made the final determination and they reiterated the importance of the project demonstrating innovation, sustainability, positive economic impacts, and reaching a wide influential audience.
The proposed joint research project will promote exchange and collaboration between UTS and IIT Kharagpur in the field of railway transportation with special emphasis on heavy haul freight which can pave the way to build the bilateral partnership. The successful engagement from academics from UTS and IIT KGP (Prof Sujit Kumar Dash and Prof Subhransu Roy from the Center for Railway Research) would aid in the delivery of high-quality technical knowledge for the design, construction and maintenance of heavy-haul tracks.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRA)
Dr Xuzhen He has been awarded a prestigious DECRA of $403,300.00. It is worth mentioning that Xuzhen is also the very first UTS DERCA awarded in 0905 (Civil Engineering).
Project summary: Multiscale modelling of fluid–particle transport in porous media. The aim is to use a multiscale approach to rigorously model fluid–particle transport in porous media – a fundamental process in many engineering problems. With advanced parallel-computing tools, a microscale model is developed to incorporate interacting grains, water, and particles. The model and innovative upscaling methods will transform our understanding of mechanisms, and allow development of predictive models for particle transport in both steady and unsteady porous flows. The fundamental knowledge and new-generation numerical models will support technological advances to directly benefit rail and road construction and their maintenance, fuel and renewable-energy extraction, coastal soil and water protection, and bushfire control.
