Media Release: An explosive idea earns student civil engineering medal
A project by Monash University civil engineering student Christopher Paxino, to develop a technique that makes the repair or damaged steel reinforcement a simpler, faster and more economical process, was awarded the 2008 Rod McGee Medal at the Engineers Australia’s Civil College awards dinner in Melbourne on 23 October.
Christopher’s project the “Explosive removal of concrete cover to expose damaged steel reinforcement”, investigated the feasibility of using controlled low-energy explosives to remove cover to reinforcement for the purpose of undertaking corrosion repairs.
Pending further investigation, the technique could replace the current practice of concrete removal by jackhammer – a time and labour intensive method that can propose safety concerns.
If this technique proves to make repair or damaged steel reinforcement a simpler, faster and more economical process, the option of repairing a structure rather than demolishing and rebuilding becomes a far more attractive option.
The Rod McGee Medal was established by Engineers Australia to commemorate the contribution of Dr McGee to Australian public works engineering and encourages final year civil engineering students to engage in career opportunities in public works engineering. Rod McGee made a major contribution to the prevention, investigation and rehabilitation of corrosiondamaged reinforced structures.
In accepting the award Christopher Paxino said, “From the research I did into Dr Rod McGee’s career for this award I was really inspired by his passion for his work and the profession as a whole.
“Rod has definitely left behind an amazing legacy, specially with his significant contribution into ensuring the integrity and safety of Australia’s growing road and bridge network for generations
to come.”
The award is jointly sponsored by the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure Energy & Resources and Johnstone McGee & Gandy Pty Ltd. The prize includes an engraved medallion and a $2,000 cheque.
The awards dinner also included the presentation of the Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year 2008 to Associate Professor Ron Cox of UNSW and the 2008 Warren Medal for an engineering paper to Sydney-based engineer Brendon Hyde.
Further Information:
John Bright - 0407 234 490 / jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au / www.engineersaustralia.org.au
Engineers Australia is the common name of the Institution of Engineers, Australia with a membership over 86,000.
