A collaborative research centre is pioneering new approaches and software for designing cheaper and safer energy and transport infrastructure.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, led by the University of Newcastle and Directed by Professor Scott Sloan will showcase its achievements from 2011 to 2017, including how research outcomes transformed industry guidelines and engineering practice.
Following the event, engineers will have the opportunity to participate in workshops to learn more about advanced laboratory and in situ soil testing techniques, the probabilistic methods in geotechnical engineering and the recent advances in rail geotechnics.
The Centre of Excellence was awarded $17.3 million in funding from the Federal Government, and leveraged this to attract an additional $74.4 million from a range of sources including industry partners, the University of Newcastle, the University of Western Australia, the University of Wollongong and the NSW state government.
Professor Sloan said they have pioneered new science-based tools for the cost-efficient design of energy and transport infrastructure, which apply to Australia’s roads, railways, ports, pipelines and offshore energy operations.
“Australia will spend over $200 billion during the next decade on the provision of transport infrastructure, will explore alternative energy solutions and has a number of serious environmental problems arising from persistent contaminants. These are challenges the Centre of Excellence is working to address,” said Professor Sloan.
Presentations by key Centre of Excellence staff will look at improved methods for road construction on problematic soft soils and novel systems for rail track design.
ARC CEO Professor Sue Thomas, Roads and Maritime Services Director of the Pacific Highway Project Bob Higgins and the Acting NSW Chief Scientist Chris Armstrong will be speaking at the showcase.
Professor Thomas said the Centre of Excellence is advancing Australian research and delivering tangible outcomes for Australian industries.
“Over the last seven years, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering has provided a national focus for geotechnical research to address major engineering issues. With wide application of its scientific output, the Centre of Excellence has developed significant collaborations with industry partner organisations and created important opportunities for early-career researchers,” said Professor Thomas.
The main event will be held in Sydney at the Shangri-La Hotel on Monday 30 July, with industry workshops taking place on Tuesday 31 July.
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