Research in Structural Engineering

We have proven research expertise in fields such as

Structural stability & Thin-walled structures: CASE has expertise in the buckling of metallic structures, including steel structures, stainless steel structures and aluminium structures. Thin-walled construction, including cold-formed members, plated structures and thin shells are areas of active research in the Centre. Current focus is on system stability with particular interest in steel storage racking, formwork & scaffolding and tubular construction, as well as the stability strength of ultra-thin high-strength steels.
Composite structures: Theoretical models are being developed for the bending of steel-concrete composite beams with partial interaction at the interface. Other aspects of composite construction, such as creep, are being investigated analytically and experimentally.
Experimental techniques: CASE directs the activities of the JW Roderick Materials and Structures Laboratory and has a strong record of conducting experiments for research and industry projects. CASE has expertise in the instrumentation and data recording of a wide spectrum of structures ranging from small material samples to complete large-scale structures. Particular expertise has been developed in the areas of control loop stability of servo-controlled equipment and the recording of displacements and loads.
Non-linear materials: CASE offers expertise in a range of materials such as nonlinear metals, including stainless steel and aluminium, and composites, notably steel-concrete composite structures. Research is being undertaken to understand the effect of material nonlinearity on the buckling capacity of structures and on the interlock of steel and concrete in composite decking and composite beams.
Computational Analysis: CASE has extensive experience in the numerical modeling of structural problems. Specialised linear and nonlinear software are developed by members of CASE. Commercial finite element packages such as ABAQUS, Strand7 and Ansys are routinely used in research projects to gain an understanding of structural behaviour, often to augment the knowledge obtained from experimental testing.

Click on any of the topics below to read a brief summary of some of our current and recent research topics.

Research highlight - Impact Resistance of Glass

The strength of glass in buildings is normally considered in relation to wind load effects, and the safety of glass is normally considered in relation to the effects of accidental impact by building occupants. The strength and safety of glass are not well understood, and there is great scope for the development of improved engineering models of glass behaviour.

Associate Professor Stuart Reid and several thesis groups have been examining the safety of glass when subjected to human impact is being investigated by measuring the energy required to break various types of glass (annealed, laminated, or toughened) and assessing the fracture characteristics related to the likelihood of injury. Numerical modelling of the elastic response of glass to impact loading is also being carried out to investigate the likely causes and mechanisms of failure.