The graduate research program in the Department of Civil Engineering at Clayton is designed to equip the student with skills and knowledge through individually supervised projects on advanced topics of relevance to professional needs and practice. Graduate students may specialise in one of five areas of civil engineering: structural engineering, geomechanics, water resources/environmental engineering, transport and traffic engineering or timber engineering.
The
PhD is awarded by the university to candidates who submit a thesis which
represents a significant contribution to knowledge or understanding and which
demonstrates the capacity to carry out independent research.
Depending on qualifications, candidates may be enrolled initially for
probationary PhD or MEngSc(Research). Probationary PhD and MEngSc(Research)
candidates are assessed after about 12 months candidature and, if suitable, may
convert to full PhD candidature. The maximum period of candidature for PhD is
four years (full-time) or eight years (part-time). In most cases, candidature
for PhD is back-dated to the start of MEngSc(Research) candidature.
Research students enrolled for MEngSc(Research) are required to undertake a research project in their area of specialisation. The maximum period of full- time candidature is two years, and students are encouraged to complete their work in 18 months.
Entry requirements for admission to MEngSc(Research) are an honours degree in engineering or equivalent. Proven research ability, usually established in the way described above, is necessary for entry to PhD candidature.
Research in structural engineering covers the full spectrum from fundamental theory to practical problems, the latter stimulated by enquiries from industry. Particular areas of interest include the effects of variable repeated loads on structures, crashworthiness of structures, design criteria, thin-walled structures such as box girders, stiffened plates and pipe bends, structural steel connections, performance of steel structures in fire, non-linear and numerical analysis of concrete structures, strength assessment and lifetime performance of ageing concrete bridges, buckling of concrete panels and high-strength concrete, and timber structural members and systems. Projects range in content from fundamental and analytical, through numerical to experimental. Various levels of computing facilities exist to match the complexity of numerical tasks. Comprehensive and flexible testing and data logging facilities are also available.
Research activities are broadly divided into structural and environmental geomechanics. In both areas, there is a strong emphasis on innovative solutions for practical engineering problems, and the development of improved methods for design. This research is made possible through an extensive array of advanced field and laboratory equipment. Industry links are a key aspect of the research effort. Current research in structural geomechanics includes slope stability analysis; foundation performance including drilled foundations in weak rock and displacement screw piling; the behaviour of rock joints and rock masses for mining applications; low-strain and high-strain dynamic pile testing. The environmental geomechanics research is concerned with the geotechnical properties of waste materials; performance of natural, synthetic and hybrid containment barriers for waste disposal; soil remediation and contaminant transport. Joint research is being undertaken in soil improvement and reinforcement and site characterisation.
Academic
staff of the department of civil engineering are key researchers in the
Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology and supervise many
postgraduate research projects funded by the centre. Research projects have
included highly specialised hydrologic and hydraulic engineering fields as well
as integrated water environment research involving water engineering, aquatic
ecology, stream restoration and water quality improvements.
Recent projects undertaken by postgraduate research students have included
investigations into the influence of spatial variability of land-use and soil
types on catchment runoff; laboratory and field investigations of flow
hydraulics affecting open channel stability leading to design guidelines for
stable channels and waterways; theoretical, laboratory and field studies of
urban stormwater quality control methods for protection of urban aquatic
ecosystems; development of urban stormwater wetland technology for water
quality improvement; hydraulic modelling of fishways; capacity sharing of water
resources and optimisation of water resource utilisation; and runoff-routing
methods of flood estimation.
Most research projects will involve a combination of desk-top and
computer-aided research and field and laboratory investigation with a strong
focus on undertaking fundamental research which can directly influence current
industry practice.
Research in transport engineering is oriented towards transport planning, traffic engineering, road safety, freight and public transport operations, with continuing research in the following fields: transport and location choice modelling, transport management, intelligent transport systems, public transport use and operation, traffic management, road safety, traffic flow, parking, urban and non-urban freight and transport systems modelling.
Research activity in timber engineering is focused on engineering-timber products, the manufacture of forest products and quality systems. Specific projects include: timber connections for industrial portal frames, structural stability theory, finite element applications, finger-jointed and glued-laminated timber manufacture, Monte Carlo simulation to predict the strength of adhesive-bonded products, forest product durability with particular reference to adhesive-bonded products, life extension studies for timber pallets, nail-plated structures, quality systems and concrete formwork design. A wide range of testing, data logging and environmental ageing equipment is available.
Further details of the department's research activities may be found in a leaflet entitled 'Graduate studies and research', available from the department.
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