There is a saving to be gained from reconsidering how structural steel used in construction is designed and it could be significant – through reducing project budgets and build times.
Christopher's thesis was titled “The Application of Semi-Rigid Design and the Eurocode 3 Component Method to Australian Steel Design” and explored alternate approaches to the design of steel connections, which are typically idealised as perfectly pinned or fixed in design models.
Looking to international advances in semi-rigid construction, Christopher incorporated the semi-rigid design practices (from Eurocode 3) into Australia’s steel standard AS4100 – comparing the results of this modified design method with the traditional Australian design principles both applied to a small scale steel portal framed canopy. Using the modified design method, 25% less steel was required for primary members, with a matched cost saving.
James England, State Manager for the Australian Steel Institute, provided several technical publications to support the research.
“The fact that Christopher called an industry body looking for answers is encouraging, it shows initiative on his part and sends a clear message to industry that easy access to technical publications is vitally important. Christopher’s work will be taken very seriously by industry," said Mr England.
"The creativity and imagination he showed are commendable but nothing attracts the attention of industry like a huge cost saving,” Mr England added.
The two other students, shortlisted from a number of submissions to present their theses to the judges at the awards evening, were Sarah Pham from The University of Western Australia and Sonam Dorji from Edith Cowan University.
Sarah was awarded the second prize of a certificate and cash prize for her presentation on the “Analysis of the Failure Behaviour of Nail Batten-to-Rafter Connections in Steel Clad Roof Structures.” Her research, which forms part of a broader study, has major implications for the housing industry as the loss of roofs, resulting from high winds can have catastrophic results. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase of the use of steel roof cladding however little analysis of the uplift capacity and failure modes of connections for steel clad roof structures subjected to wind loading.
The third prize winner, Sonam, presented on the “Analysis of Infill-frames under In-plane Lateral Loading.” Past studies reveal that infill-frames behave differently compared to bare frames. Sonam studied the analysis of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill using a finite element program and concluded that one particular method cannot be used to obtain the strut width of all infill-frames.
“The awards evening afforded the opportunity to showcase the outstanding collaborative efforts that are occurring between industry and academia to combine resources on research that transcends real benefits to industry and the broader community through cost savings and improving safety,” said Susan Kreemer Pickford, General Manager of Engineers Australia Western Australia Division.
“As well as providing the students with a voice in front of practising engineers and industry representatives, the audience learns about the great work being undertaken by the students and witnesses first hand their passion for creating solutions,” said Mrs Kreemer Pickford.