PhD student puts steel into research

PhD student puts steel into research

Research into a new technique for reinforcing concrete and steel structures could dramatically reduce construction costs.

UWS PhD student, Olivia Mirza, hopes her research will contribute valuable new information about steel fibre reinforcing and encourage structural engineers to use the technology.

Olivia’s PhD project, “Behaviour and Design Stud Shear Connectors in Composite Steel and Concrete Beams”, is part of an Australian Research Council linkage grant with Bluescope Lysaght and UWS.

She is being supervised by Professor Brian Uy, Head of the School of Engineering. Bluescope Lysaght contributed $100,000 and determined the area of study.

The construction industry in parts of Europe and Japan is already using steel fibres to replace or supplement reinforcing bars or mesh used to prevent cracking in concrete.

Fibres about 60mm long and 0.75mm in diameter are mixed into wet concrete. They are made from hard drawn steel wire to ensure high tensile strength. The hook-ended fibres provide a means of anchorage when concrete is exposed to tensile force.

Olivia said their use reduced steel costs by as much as half. Her work aims to determine the best combination for maximum strength and compression of concrete.

“My work has already proved that steel fibres can improve the stiffness and ductility of concrete and enhance its resistance to cracking,”

Olivia said. “I’ve also discovered that steel fibre reinforcement has an optimum value – adding too much will make concrete more brittle rather than strengthening it.”

Olivia came to Australia from Malaysia with a scholarship to study engineering at the University of NSW. After graduating, she worked for five years as a structural engineer and mediate engineer. She said she accepted an offer to do a PhD at UWS because its research facilities are superior to other Australian universities and gave her the opportunity to work with Professor Uy, one of the world’s best-known researchers in composite steel and concrete structures.

“It is a great opportunity to add something new and practical to the construction industry,” she said.

Olivia said taking on a PhD was a big challenge. “You have to be mentally strong and well organised and it’s important to have some idea of where you see yourself in terms of career development.

“My initial passion was designing buildings. When I was working, I would feel great satisfaction every time I completed a project.

“By doing a PhD, I have created another opportunity for myself, that is to become an academic. Also, the analysis skills I’m learning in my PhD will allow me to become an analyst engineer instead of just a design engineer.”

Olivia accepted an offer to do a PhD at UWS because its research facilities are superior to other Australian universities. Olivia Mirza, adding something new and practical to the construction industry.