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The School of Natural and Built Environments 2014 NBE Research Colloquium

for NBE / CWMR Academic Staff and Higher Degree by Research Students

University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus

November 21, 2014

SUSTAIN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Organising Committee ................................................................................................................... 4

Program Schedule .......................................................................................................................... 5

Welcome from the Head of School ................................................................................................. 7

About the School of NBE ................................................................................................................ 8

5MRT PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS................................................................................................ 10

HOANG BAO KHOI NGUYEN ............................................................................................................................... 11 The effect of consolidation path on undrained behaviour of sand– a DEM approach

HONG KI AN ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Modelling & Calibration Double Signals Metering Roundabout

STEPHEN PULLEN ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Modifying building designs for a more extreme climate

CHIN HOW (NORMAN) GOH ............................................................................................................................... 14 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Biosolids in South Australia

ALYCE BREWIS .................................................................................................................................................... 15 Creating a Creative City

HUMAID AL BADI ................................................................................................................................................ 16 The use of the latest Satellite Data to improve the aerosol forecast and its effect on solar systems output

DR JAMES WARD ................................................................................................................................................ 17 The possible peak and decline of industrial civilisation

DR KONSTANTINOS KIRYTOPOULOS ................................................................................................................... 18 Trapped in the tunnel: The quick decisions that can save your life

DISCIPLINE BASED THEME TOPICS ................................................................................................ 19

DR IAN CLARK ..................................................................................................................................................... 20 Challenging students’ perceptions of sustainability using an Earth Systems Science approach

NICHOLAS LANGSFORD ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Tales of Two Tidalites

KERRY CHARLES .................................................................................................................................................. 22 Little corellas in South Australia: a citizen science approach to social and ecological research for management

SAAD ALSHARRAH .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Developed remote sensing techniques for mapping arid vegetation in the Meknès-Tafilalet region in north central Morocco

M REZA HOSSEINI ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Factors Contributing to Virtuality in Hybrid Construction Project Teams

TIMOTHY O’LEARY .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Validity of household energy data to rate the thermal performance of domestic buildings in mild climates

NOOR ISMAH HASHIM ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Translating concepts into questions: How challenges become a major concern for effective management within the multiple projects environment

DR RAMEEZ RAMEEZDEEN.................................................................................................................................. 27 Private Bushfire Shelters: Adequacy of the Performance Standard 2010 part 1 of ABCB

YOUNGPIL CHUN ................................................................................................................................................ 28 A case study of fouling development and flux reversibility of treating brackish surface water by forward osmosis process

ABU TAHER MD. ZILLUR RABBI ........................................................................................................................... 29 Pore water pressure development at the onset of instability

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN VAN LEEUWEN .................................................................................................... 30 Prediction of trihalomethanes in drinking water

OSAMA YOUSSF ................................................................................................................................................. 31 Prediction of Crumb Rubber Concrete Characteristics

CARMEL CHIU SUTCLIFFE .................................................................................................................................... 32 Phenomenological descriptions of ghettoised place experience

SHIRINA AFROZE ................................................................................................................................................ 33 Analysis of stressors’ interconnectedness: A pathway for Cumulative Effects Assessment of urban road transport system

VAHID POORJAFARI ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Timetable Synchronisation in Public Transport Systems Using Genetic Algorithms

DR KATHRYN DAVIDSON .................................................................................................................................... 35 The compelling issue of urban sustainability

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY THEME TOPICS ............................................................................................ 36

ALEX SIMS .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Estimating Rural Crash Risk during Bushfires using Rare-Event Logistic Regression

TIM JOHNSON .................................................................................................................................................... 38 Tree root development beneath paved footpaths

TOM BENN ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 The Influence of Increased Levels of Limestone Mineral Addition used in Combination with Cement Kiln Dust on Chloride Ion Penetration

SHERIF MOSTAFA ............................................................................................................................................... 40 Conceptual model for offsite manufacturing in Australia

DANDA LI............................................................................................................................................................ 41 Abrasion and impact resistance investigation of crumbed rubber concrete (CRC)

DR MICHAEL SHORT ........................................................................................................................................... 42 Energy benchmarking for efficient water recycling operations – a new approach

FAISAL AHAMMED ............................................................................................................................................. 43 Infrastructure compliant stormwater management strategy for developing countries: a case of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

ANNA LEDITSCHKE .............................................................................................................................................. 44 Justice for all? The construction and validation of ‘justice’ in planning

GHAZAL JABERI................................................................................................................................................... 45 Energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cities: a critical review of literature

DR JEREMY COGGINS .......................................................................................................................................... 46 The diversification of building and construction industry security of payment legislation in Australia: Should South Australia adopt any of the recent NSW and Queensland amendments?

HARSHA RAVI SAPDHARE ................................................................................................................................... 47 Green Infrastructure and WSUD : A Collaborative approach to Develop Resilient Cities

Sustain 14 School of Natural and Built Environments November 2014

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DR SHAROLYN ANDERSON ................................................................................................................................. 48 Mapping the functions of Urban Green Infrastructure

MD MOINUL HOSAIN OLIVER ............................................................................................................................. 51 Defining a test for assessment of emitter sensitivity to biofouling

NOTES ......................................................................................................................................... 52

NOTES ......................................................................................................................................... 52


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ORGANISING COMMITTEE • Simon Beecham • David Bruce • John van Leeuwen • Elizabeth Stevens • Rhiannon Dienelt • Claire Tozer • Danielle Gericke • Danijela Prso • Kirsty Smeaton • Stacey Williams


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PROGRAM SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 2014

8.30am Registration Opens MM1-05 9.00am Welcome: Professor Rob Short, Pro Vice Chancellor: ITEE 9.10am Opening Remarks by: Professor Simon Beecham, Head of School

5MRT Panel Members: Prof Simon Beecham, Assoc Prof John van Leeuwen, Assoc Prof David Bruce, Dr Nicholas Chileshe, Dr Rowena Butland

MM1-05

09.20am The effect of consolidations path on undrained behaviour of sand - A DEM approach 09.30am Modelling & Calibration Double Signals Metering Roundabout 09.40am Modifying building designs for a more extreme climate 09.50am Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Potential of biosolids in SA 10.00am Creating a Creative City 10.10am The use of the latest Satelite Data to improve the aerosol forecast and its effect on solar

systems output

10.20am The possible peak and decline of industrial civilisation 10.30am Trapped in the tunnel: The quick decisions that can save your life

10.40 am Morning Tea Break AROMA CAFÉ

11.00am Feedback to 5MRT presenters

DISCIPLINE BASED THEME TOPICS

Environmental and Geospatial Science with Assoc Prof David Bruce MM3-20A-B

11.30am Challenging students perceptions of sustainability using an Earth Systems Science approach 11.50pm Tales of Two Tidalites 12.10pm Little corellas in South Australia: a citizen science approach to social and ecological research

for management

12.30pm Developed remote sensing techniques for mapping arid vegetation in the Meknès-Tafilalet region in north central Morocco

12.50pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session

Construction and Project Management with Assoc Prof Stephen Pullen P2-04

11.30am Trapped in the tunnel: The quick decisions that can save your life

11.45pm Validity of household energy data to rate the thermal performance of domestic building in mild climates.

12.00pm Translating concepts into questions: How challenges become a major concern for effective management within the multiple projects environment

12.15pm Private Bushfire Shelters: Adequacy of the Performance Standard 2010 part 1 of ABCB 12.30pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session

Civil Engineering and Water with Dr Sekhar Somenahalli P2-06

11.30am A case study of fouling development and flux reversibility of treating brackish surface water by forward osmosis process

11.50pm Pore water pressure development at the onset of instability 12.10pm Prediction of Trihalomethanes in drinking water 12.30pm Prediction of Crumb Rubber Concrete Characteristics


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12.50pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session Urban and Regional Planning with Dr Sadasivam Karuppannan P1-10

11.30am A phenomological description of ghettoised place experience 11.50pm Analysis of stressors’ interconnectedness: A pathway for Cumulative Effects Assessment of

urban road transport system

12.10pm Timetable Synchronisation in Public Transport Systems Using Genetic Algorithms 12.30pm 12.50pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session

1.00pm Lunch Break P2-28

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY THEME TOPICS

Theme 1: Infrastructure Modelling and Design with Dr Konstantinos Kirytopolous MM3-20A-B

1.45pm Estimating Rural Crash Risk during Bushfires using Rare-Event Logistic Regression 2.05pm Tree root development beneath paved footpaths 2.25pm The Influence of Increased Levels of Limestone Mineral Addition used in Combination with

Cement Kiln Dust on Chloride Ion Penetration

2.45pm Conceptual model for offsite manufacturing in Australia 3.05pm Abrasion and impact resistance investigation of crumbed rubber concrete (CRC) 3.25pm Energy benchmarking for efficient water recycling operations – a new approach 3.45pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session

Theme 2: Planning and Construction of Resilient Urban Environments with Dr Alpana Sivam P1-10

1.45pm Infrastructure compliant stormwater management strategy for developing new countries: a case of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

2.05pm The good, the right and the legal: Understanding perceptions of justice in a contested planning case study

2.25pm Energy consumption and greenhouse gas (HG) emissions in cities: a critical review of literature

2.45pm The diversification of building and construction industry security of payment legislation in Australia: Should South Australia adopt any of the recent NSW and Queensland amendments?

3.05pm Green Infrastructure and WSUD : A Collaborative approach to Develop Resilient Cities 3.25pm Mapping the functions of Urban Green Infrastructure 3.45pm Coordinator 3 point summaries / highlights of each session Theme 3: Understanding Natural Environments with Dr Topa Petit P2-04 01.30pm The session Understanding Natural Environments is designed to introduce to each other

UniSA researchers involved in nature-based research, with the aim to improve synergies in species, ecosystem (biotic and abiotic), and nature conservation research. The session will comprise very short presentations (generally one slide, more self-introductions than presentations) on the researchers’ capacity in studying natural ecosystems and/or their conservation, and will be followed by discussion on synergies in the context of affinity, availability, funding and priorites.

03.45pm

3.50pm Discipline Leader and Coordinator Summaries MM1-05

4.15pm Closing Remarks, door prize, winner announcements MM1-05

4.30pm Drinks and Nibbles P2-28


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WELCOME FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Welcome to the 2014 School of Natural and Built Environments Research Colloquium event for our staff and higher degree by research students. The School contains a vibrant mix of four disciplines that cover the diverse aspects of both the built and natural environments. These disciplines include Civil Engineering, Construction and Project Management, Environmental and Geospatial Sciences and Urban and Regional Planning. From this interdisciplinary

platform, we aim to educate outstanding research-embedded practitioners and leaders and address research questions in key application areas using multi-disciplinary teams and strong international networks.

NBE currently has 95 PhD students who are investigating a wide range of problems of direct relevance to the natural and built environments. This is only one measure of how the School of NBE is becoming highly productive in terms of its research outputs and the School is particularly keen to support outcome‐related research and development in our areas of demonstrated excellence. We also aim to support innovation to underpin future economic and social development in the communities in which NBE operates. To this end we are creating and supporting new interdisciplinary PhD programs.

The purpose of this research colloquium is to celebrate the highly innovative and exciting research occurring within the School today. In addition, this colloquium provides a significant and important opportunity to develop collaborations between and amongst our graduate students and academic staff. The students come together in a collegial atmosphere to learn about the research of others, receive input from academics and relevant industry leaders and practitioners, and to observe and discuss the development of research projects within the school.

The organising team is to be congratulated on developing such an exciting program that demonstrates the way in which NBE embraces cross‐disciplinary research challenges while leveraging our core strengths. The energy behind this achievement is undoubtedly provided by the Research Staff and Students of NBE!

Professor Simon Beecham

Head of School, School of Natural and Built Environments


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ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF NBE

The School of Natural and Built Environments focuses on the unique relationships and synergies between natural and built environments, with a particular interest in teaching and research to support improved environmental and socio-economic sustainability for the future.

The School is located across two campuses – in the heart of Adelaide at the City East Campus and at the expanding and vibrant new suburb of Mawson Lakes on the northern fringe of the City. As part of the Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment (ITEE), the School offers applied and relevant programs that take students out of the classroom and into the field.

Civil Engineering

UniSA was ranked 69th in the world in Engineering and Technology in the 2014-15 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. As well as this outstanding achievement, we are very proud that the UniSA Civil Engineering program was ranked first in Australia in the 2012 Graduate Course Experience Questionnaire, and third in the same survey in 2013. Our Civil Engineering programs place particular emphasis on the application of theory through focused project and assignment work. By the final year of the degrees, fifty per cent of the courses are project based including a major industry related research project and a design project that models industry experience. This strong industry focus ensures that graduates are already familiar with the industry needs and modes of operation when they commence employment. The programs are accredited by Engineers Australia. Industry links include the Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure (DPTI), SA Water, Built Environs and several other industry partners - all of whom provide scholarships for students in the program. The School coordinates regular industry lectures as well as industry sponsored student projects.

Construction Management and Economics

UniSA offers the only construction management degrees in South Australia and these are some of the most accredited construction management and economics programs in Australia. Students can study a broad range of courses, which include coverage of sophisticated construction techniques, building surveying and estimating, design economics, contract administration, project management, planning and more. All undergraduate and postgraduate programs provide the education and training required to reach a professional level and have a number of key industry links.

Environmental Management and Sustainability

Programs offered in the Environmental and Geospatial Sciences discipline provide students with a broad understanding of environmental issues and a blend of geospatial science fundamentals with applications in environmental management and modelling. The programs also share a common first year, allowing the flexibility to move between the awards as career aspirations become clear.

Our Bachelor of Sustainable Environments (Honours Year) presents excellent research training for students going on to undertake a research masters or PhD.


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Graduates will be qualified to work in a wide variety of positions related to the natural and built environments and the multi-disciplinary nature of the programs, as well as a strong focus on practical components of learning and active fieldwork, provides expertise in the natural, spatial and social sciences. Graduates are employed in the private and government sectors in all Australian states and several overseas countries.

Urban and Regional Planning

Urban and Regional Planning at UniSA is home to the longest-established planning program in Australia and UniSA celebrated sixty years of planning education in 2009. Both the undergraduate and postgraduate programs incorporate a range of teaching techniques focused on providing students with a broad range of skills and knowledge to prepare them for professional practice. Students undertake field trips and engage in collaborative problem solving projects based on real life situations, taught by highly qualified planners. A work placement program is built into the Bachelor’s degree which provides students with an opportunity to work alongside qualified planners for an extended period of time. The Planning programs are strongly supported by the Planning Institute of Australia, the national body that accredits professional planners. The UniSA Planning program was ranked first in Australia in the 2013 Graduate Course Experience Questionnaire.


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5MRT PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS


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HOANG BAO KHOI NGUYEN

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy - Civil Engineering

Supervisors: Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, Dr Don Cameron

Thesis title: Effects of Fines on Instability Behaviour of Sand – A DEM Study

The effect of consolidation path on undrained behaviour of sand–

a DEM approach

Abstract: Simulations of the undrained triaxial behaviour of sand using 3D DEM are described. Three types of undrained behaviour: flow, limited flow and non-flow were observed in DEM simulations, as is commonly observed in most laboratory studies (Rahman & Lo 2014, Baki et al. 2014). Three consolidation paths: isotropic, anisotropic K = σ′3/σ′1 = 0.50 and K0 were assigned to observed their effect on undrained behaviour. The stress ratio, K = σ′3/σ′1 during K0 consolidation varied significantly with applied σ′1 which is not in line with the widely used Jaky equation (Jaky 1944). However, consolidation paths did not show a significant effect on undrained stress-strain and steady state behaviour. A unique steady state line (SSL) was achieved irrespective of the consolidation history prior to undrained shearing. Coordination Number, CN is used to illustrate the stability of DEM specimen (Kuhn 2006) was also investigated in this paper: NCCN /2= , where CN = coordination number; C = total number of contacts; and N = number of particles in the specimen. It was found that CN reached its minimum value at steady state (SS) and remained constant. CN at SS also showed relations to mean effective confining stress at SS, p’ss.


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HONG KI AN


Supervisors: Dr Wen Lon Yue

Thesis title: Signal Metering Roundabout Evaluation Using Fuzzy Logic

Modelling & Calibration Double Signals Metering Roundabout

Abstract: Roundabouts have several advantages such as traffic capacity and safety enhancement, and

environmental pollution reduction. However, under unbalanced traffic volumes, roundabouts face

congestion problem particularly on the dominant approach. Thus, metering roundabout which is

operated by a queue detector on the dominant approach and traffic signal on the sub-dominant

approach has been adopted recently. In order to analyse level of service (LOS), delay time and capacity

of intersections (particularly roundabout), micro simulation such as VISSIM, Paramics, Aimsun or

analytical software SIDRA6 is using widely. In recent years SIDRA6 software can show better

performance for roundabout design and analysis because SIDRA6 software uses lane-by-lane theory.

However, the problem of SIDRA6 software is modelling double signals roundabout is impossible

because the software only recommends one signal for the metering roundabout. Therefore, this

research conducts modelling and calibration double signals roundabout using four intersection

connection method and analyses the delay time, capacity and LOS which are MOE of roundabouts.


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STEPHEN PULLEN

Position: Associate Professor Building/Construction

School: School of Natural and Built Environments

Division: Information Technology Engineering and the Environment

Modifying building designs for a more extreme climate

Abstract: This presentation summarises some research carried at City East as part of the NCCARF project called

“A Framework for Adaptation of Australian Households to Heat waves‟. It looks at modifications to

buildings to make them more suitable to heatwaves which are likely to become more extreme due to

climate change. It is particularly focused on those people in the community who are more physically

and financially vulnerable and could be at greater risk. The concept of a ‘cool retreat’ was developed

where comfortable conditions can be maintained in a dwelling during heat waves without incurring

any greater costs for cooling. A number of designs were considered for both existing and new housing.


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CHIN HOW (NORMAN) GOH

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Water Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Chris Saint, Dr Michael Short, Prof Nanthi Bolan

Thesis title: Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Biosolids from Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant Reused in South Australian Agricultural Operations

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Potential of

Biosolids in South Australia

Abstract: Expanding global populations will require increased levels of wastewater, as more sewage is generated

and environmental regulators demand higher effluent water qualities; a direct consequence of this is

the production of more biosolids. Currently, one of the most economical and perhaps beneficial forms

of reuse is agricultural application as an organic soil amendment and synthetic fertiliser substitute.

However, the treatment, storage and use of biosolids also results in the release of some greenhouse

gases (GHGs); namely, methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. Current methodologies for

quantifying these emissions are poorly developed and require improvement. Additionally, there is very

little locally available information on the carbon sequestration potential of biosolids when used on

Australian soils.

This study aims to quantify the GHGs emitted from biosolids stockpiles and land application of

biosolids in South Australia (SA) via direct measurement approaches. Additionally, the accumulation of

carbon in the soil of agricultural land applied with biosolids in SA will be quantified. In doing so, an

improved model to quantify GHGs emitted from biosolids production and use can be developed to

replace the poorly suited models currently used by water utilities to estimate biosolids emissions.

Importantly, we can also start to answer the question 'How much carbon can be sequestered on

agricultural land through biosolids?' in line with the Commonwealth Government's 'carbon farming

initiative' and carbon sequestration more broadly as the national strategy for GHG mitigation.


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ALYCE BREWIS

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy - Planning

Supervisors: Dr Matthew Rofe, Dr Johannes Pieters

Thesis title: Road blocks to a creative city: Opportunities and obstacles facing cultural industries within the urban policy environments of the City of Adelaide and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Creating a Creative City

Abstract:

The concept of creativity has become ubiquitous within the urban policy landscape. Permeating the

consciousness of policy makers and urban innovators internationally, ‘Creative City’ strategies have

been developed and implemented not only to progress individual cities but to provide an advantage in

an increasingly competitive global market. Preliminary investigations reveal the implementation of

such strategies is often inequitable; disproportionally favouring certain groups to the detriment of

others, despite the emphasis within Creative City literature on the importance of community, human

capital and local problem-solving/innovation.

Through an ongoing, phenomenological study of the experiences of key actors within Creative City-

influenced urban policy environments, this study has potential implications regarding current and

future policy directives. As such, this presentation will explore the concept of the Creative City relative

to strategic planning and policy implementation.


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HUMAID AL BADI

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Maths and Stats

Supervisors: Prof John Boland, Assoc Prof David Bruce

Thesis title: The use of the latest Satellite Data to improve the aerosol forecast and its effect on solar systems output.

The use of the latest Satellite Data to improve the aerosol

forecast and its effect on solar systems output

Abstract:

Recent studies have provided evidence of the dust variability effect on many applications of

atmospheric modelling including forecasting of rain, tropical cyclones and solar irradiance. Current

atmospheric models demonstrate high uncertainty in simulating aerosols in general and dust aerosols

specifically. This has an impact on the forecast accuracy of the output products. The specific aim of the

proposed research is to reduce the high uncertainty exhibited by atmospheric modelling in simulating

dust aerosols, assuming that this will result in improving irradiance prediction and as a consequence

improving the PV-Output forecast. The Middle East is proposed as an area of study as it is highly

affected by dust emission and currently there is a significant leap of investment in renewable energy

production by means of solar systems. The proposed method will involve improving the relevant input

data for the dust emission module within the main atmospheric model, especially more accurately

defining spatial boundaries of main dust sources. The emission scheme in the aerosols module will be

improved through the incorporation of the latest available Satellite Data and situ measurements. This

will involve re-estimating the various coefficients in the emission module to be localized to the area of

study and properties of the soil. Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model has been selected to be the

Atmospheric driver of the aerosol module that I will work with - Goddard Global Ozone Chemistry

Aerosol. Radiation and Transport (GOCART) aerosol module. The primary results of recalculating the

source function, which one is variables that determine the emission, gave significant improvement in

forecasting dust emission


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DR JAMES WARD

Position: Dr James Ward

School: Program Director, School of Natural and Built Environments


The possible peak and decline of industrial civilisation

Abstract:

This presentation will give a brief snapshot into the most recent advances in the model-based

prediction of global production of finite resources, specifically fossil fuel energy and iron ore. The

snapshot is drawn from the latest research, with papers published over several recent years, including

papers “in press” now. Modelled scenarios have covered a wide range of plausible assumptions for

ultimately recoverable resources, but robustly conclude that within the first half of this century, global

growth in fossil fuel energy production will cease. Implications of declining access to energy for

growth-based industrial economies worldwide will be discussed. The findings of fossil fuel modelling

will also be discussed in relation to assumptions about greenhouse gas emissions growth and climate

change.


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DR KONSTANTINOS KIRYTOPOULOS

Position: Senior Lecturer



Trapped in the tunnel: The quick decisions that can save your

life.

Abstract:

Road tunnels are regarded as a key element of transportation systems. However, an endogenous

problem is the severity of accidents that may occur. Thus, it is vital to evaluate road tunnel users’

awareness and current state of knowledge on safety issues. This paper presents a study conducted in

Greece aiming to evaluate road tunnel users’ awareness and to identify potential knowledge gaps that

should be addressed. In the framework of this study, road tunnel users are regarded the drivers of the

private or commercial vehicles passing through a tunnel. At the end of the three months survey, 1243

individuals participated in the research. The results revealed that there are several misconceptions

concerning the recommended behaviour that tunnel users should adopt, both in normal conditions

and emergency situations. The results validate the sense existing among road tunnel safety

practitioners that the knowledge of users for safety issues in road tunnels is limited. Ιt is important to

note that even a small improvement on users’ performance might greatly enhance the overall safety

of these critical infrastructures, should an incident occurs. The aspects highlighted in this paper will

help to focus on important recommendations that need to be taken into consideration by upcoming

information campaigns on the issue, undertaken either by the State or highways Concessionaires.


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DISCIPLINE BASED THEME TOPICS


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Environmental and Geospatial Sciences

DR IAN CLARK

Position: Adjunct



Challenging students’ perceptions of sustainability using an Earth

Systems Science approach

Ian Clark a and Yvonne Zeegers b a School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia b School of Education, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia Abstract: Previous research about students’ perceptions of sustainability suggests that many students come to

higher education associating sustainability with environmental conservation and with little

understanding about the need to think about environmental, economic and social considerations in

decision-making. This study investigated whether an Earth Systems Science-based course which

focused on raising postgraduate students’ awareness of sustainability, from a systems-thinking

perspective, would produce graduates with the knowledge and commitment required to drive the

sustainability agenda forward with a broad perspective. The study investigated students’ pre and post-

course perceptions of sustainability by administering a pre- and post-course survey, and by analysing

the students’ reflective journal entries. The findings confirmed those of previous studies in that

initially these students did have an enviro-centric view. While both the quantitative and the

qualitative components of the post-course surveys, showed that the students’ perceptions had indeed

moved towards a broader view of sustainability, including the need to educate others about this, the

analysis also showed that, despite experiencing a pedagogical approach which challenged and

broadened students’ views, many still leaned towards an environmentally focused perspective of

sustainability. This finding leads us to conclude that a single course, no matter what the emphasis, is

insufficient for long-term attitudinal and behavioural change.


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NICHOLAS LANGSFORD

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy - Environmental Science

Supervisors: Assoc Prof Jim Jago, Dr Tom Raimondo

Thesis title: Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the lower Cambrian Hawker Group, west-central Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

Tales of Two Tidalites

Abstract:

South of Brachina Gorge, the Woodendinna Dolomite is a 300m thick succession of 70 couplets of boldly outcropping dark beds and pale recessive dolomite beds 1 to 4 metres thick.

The dark beds are heterogeneous and contain ooliths, quartz sand and an abundance of fine-grained dolomite which was deposited as carbonate mud.

The pale layers are thinly bedded, relatively soft and are not well exposed. They consist of millimetre scale regular to crinkle- laminated very fine grained dolomite. They are microbially mediated laminites.

The dark beds were deposited within the sub- to intertidal zone. Cross-bedded sandstones and intraclast rip-ups indicates an environment of active currents. Abundant carbonate mud shows that it was a very active 'carbonate factory'.

The pale laminated beds are upper intertidal to supratidal mudflat deposits, formed when mud from the shallow water 'carbonate factory' was driven inshore and fixed by microbial activity. The tidal flats built upwards (aggraded) and seawards (prograded) over the sub- and intertidal deposits.

The lowermost Wilkawillina Limestone consists of two peritidal cycles. The two cycles are capped by a continuous ‘ribbon banded’ limestone and ~0.5m thick bed of domal stromatolites.

The subtidal to intertidal part is bioturbated cross-bedded peloidal and oncoidal grainstones and finer-grained muddy mottled limestones. These are capped by striking, bright yellow dolomitic supratidal microbial laminites which in places have been disrupted by storm activity where laminae are broken up and ‘folded’.

The abundance of oncoids and peloids, and the microbial laminites testify to the intensity of microbial activity in the shallow tropical carbonate environment.


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KERRY CHARLES


Supervisors: Dr Sandra Taylor, Dr Philip Roetman

Thesis title: Little corellas in South Australia: a citizen science approach to social and ecological research for management.

Little corellas in South Australia: a citizen science approach to

social and ecological research for management.

Abstract: In South Australia, little corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) form large flocks in urban and rural areas, and

cause considerable problems including disturbing residents with loud vocalisations and damaging

trees, buildings and crops. A range of lethal and non-lethal management strategies have been trialled

with little success. There is significant public contention regarding corella management and, despite

the large range and seasonal movements of corellas, management is rarely coordinated regionally. The

aim of this research is to explore the social and ecological drivers of corella-human conflict to enable

more successful management of the problems they cause. A citizen-science methodology will be used,

whereby the public will be engaged to contribute to data collection and other aspects of the research.

Given the early stage of my research, in this presentation I will provide an introduction to citizen

science and corella, and I will detail the aims and potential methods for the research.


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SAAD ALSHARRAH


Supervisors: Assoc Prof David Bruce, Dr Sekhar Sonenahalli

Thesis title: Arid vegetation mapping using high resolution multispectral imagery

Developed remote sensing techniques for mapping arid

vegetation in the Meknès-Tafilalet region in north central

Morocco

Abstract: Desertification and land degradation processes are a major environmental concern resulting in the

reduction of soil quality and vegetation deterioration. Remote Sensing is an effective tool that has been

utilised for mapping vegetation, the primary and most sensitive indicator of land degradation.

Desertification studies employ very low spatial resolution imagery to extract vegetation cover to feed into

desertification models. Low spatial resolution imagery provides a generic estimation of vegetation cover

and is mostly suitable for assessment at the regional scale. However, arid environments incorporate

sparsely distributed vegetation with varying structural morphologies that are key in sustaining the soil. This

study explores the limitations in extracting quantitative information on vegetation cover in arid zones and

develops cost-effective mapping methods. The study applies vegetation indices and classification

techniques on higher spatial resolution imagery in order to extract realistic parameterization of vegetation

cover. The methodologies incorporate the application of vegetation indices such as the Normalized

Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index 2

(MSAVI2) and a newly developed Principal Component Analysis Index. Moreover, an object-oriented

classification method is performed which takes into account the texture and structure of the target feature

when executing the classification. The classification is further developed into a contextual reclassification

model that takes into account the geometrical relationship between the object (vegetation) and its

associated shadow. The results are vegetation cover maps that are inter-compared based on the different

techniques and consequently prepared for versatile use and application, these include: i) vegetation

parameters for integration into local scale desertification models, ii) accuracy evaluators for assessments

using low spatial resolution imagery, iii) magnified assessment for highlighting the land degradation

phenomena as precisely as possible.


23

Construction and Project Management

M REZA HOSSEINI

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Construction Management

Supervisors: Dr Nicolas Chileshe, Dr Jian Zuo, Dr Sam Baroudi

Thesis title: An Investigation into Virtuality in Hybrid Construction Project Teams

Factors Contributing to Virtuality in Hybrid Construction Project

Teams

Abstract:

Hybrid team working is progressively becoming a common trend for team working within the

construction context whereas the nature of factors contributing to virtuality in construction projects

teams has remained elusive. As one of the first attempts on this topic, the present study is intended to

explore the factors contributing to virtuality in hybrid team working arrangements for construction

project teams. In doing so, a priori list of factors is developed drawing upon existing literature on

virtuality from a multidisciplinary perspective. Correspondingly, the array of factors was subjected to

the scrutiny of 17 experts with experiences of hybrid team working in the construction context

through semi-structured interviews. Following the analysis of qualitative data by Nvivo 10 and

validating the results through member-checking approach, factors contributing to virtuality

customised for hybrid construction projects teams are presented. This study puts forward the main

lessons learned regarding virtuality and managing hybrid construction project teams. Finally a

configuration for construction project teams termed as interface point is proposed.


24

TIMOTHY O’LEARY

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (H)

Supervisors: Dr Martin Belusko, Dr Frank Bruno

Thesis title: Enhanced energy performance in Australian residential markets: Evolving Industry transformation processes, disclosure mechanisms and measures of cost effectiveness

Validity of household energy data to rate the thermal

performance of domestic buildings in mild climates

Abstract:

Predictions of household energy use based on simulation are problematic when compared with

monitored end use energy data, as occupancy profile and dwelling use is widely variable. This paper

investigates the use of energy bill data as an indicator of the thermal efficiency of a building envelope

and subsequently rating of the building shell thermal performance. It includes some comparison of

Australian house energy rating practice with that of international methods. The paper outlines and

reviews some common validation and evaluation methods used in other countries where both building

thermal efficiency and occupant behaviour are measured.

In order to investigate the occupancy effect on billed energy for houses that have energy ratings two

data sets were used from different housing developments in South Australia. The energy ratings are

compliant with the national agreed protocols for thermal performance modelling of dwellings. In the

Australian case study presented in the paper one set of houses represents a group of highly energy

rated homes occupied by higher socio-economic groups whereas the other data set came from an

older heating study of low income public housing in a colder climate region of South Australia with

much lower home energy ratings. The wide variation across the energy bills of the houses that have

relatively similar thermal envelopes indicates a lack of meaningful use for energy bills in disclosure of

house energy performance.

Results of the Australian study show a variation in average energy use across the two sets of houses.

Therefore it is argued that thermal modelling software used to rate homes appears a more useful

application of a system of mandatory disclosure of energy performance than the use of energy bills.


25

NOOR ISMAH HASHIM

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Project Management

Supervisors: Dr Nicholas Chileshe, Dr Sam Baroudi

Thesis title: An investigation into multiple projects environments within the Australian construction industry

Translating concepts into questions: How challenges become a

major concern for effective management within the multiple

projects environment

Abstract:

The effects that the wording of survey questions can have on their responses have been studied in

depth. However, very little attention is paid to the problem translating concepts into questions.

Therefore, the concept of management challenges will be explored as major concerns for effective

management in managing multiple projects and translated into questions for surveys. This concept is

organised according to the three step procedure to design requests for answers by Willem Saris and

Irmtraud Gallhofer (2014). The first step is about specification of the concept-by-postulation in

concepts-by-intuition, followed by transformations of concepts-by-intuition in statements indicating

the requested concepts and lastly transformation of statements into questions. From the procedure,

the link between concept-by-intuition (challenges with individual project, challenges with multiple

projects, challenges with participants, challenges with external factors) and the questions is suggested

as an important phase in developing measures for concepts of interest (management challenges),

rather than immediately preceding to analyse the relationship between concepts and their measures.

The quality of concepts-by-postulation is identified through elements (in the concept-by-intuition) on

which the concept is built on. Following the procedure has the potential of establishing measures for

improvement and prevent the construction of concepts that are unclear and likely to produce

confusing results in data analysis.


26

DR RAMEEZ RAMEEZDEEN

Position: Program Director, Construction and Project Management



Private Bushfire Shelters: Adequacy of the Performance Standard

2010 part 1 of ABCB

Abstract: Bushfires in Australia have taken over 500 lives with records to date. The 2009 Black Saturday fires killed

173 including 7 people in self-made shelters. With governing authorities educating the policy of ‘prepare,

stay and defend or leave early’ to occupants in bushfire prone areas the need for Private Bushfire Shelters

(PBS) become self-evident. There are no regulations in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for the design

and construction of PBSs. The Performance Standard for PBS, 2010, part 1 of the Australian Building Codes

Board (ABCB) is seen as a national standard where in fact it is a guideline only document to provide

manufacturers and councils adequate details of how the ABCB sees fit the construction of bushfire shelters.

Consumers purchasing PBSs may be buying into a false sense of security as there is no regulation for which

these shelters must abide.

There is very limited information on the success / failure of bushfire shelters worldwide. As there is not

adequate research into PBSs, the aim of this study is to explore the adequacy of the above performance

standard to protect lives in a bushfire. The study used in-depth interviews with building surveyors and a

questionnaire survey among community in both Adelaide Hills and Victor Harbour to solicit their views on

the use of PBS as a safe shelter in bushfires. A survey on PBSs that are sold in the market and document

review of standards gave some additional information to supplement the findings.

An overall opinion on PBSs is mixed, they may still be considered safe in some sense but for them to

support life in a bushfire is no guarantee. Community behaviour in a bushfire shows there is a need for

them, as people do protect their properties during bushfires, by using a PBS as a last resort is very

attractive if it does save life. To stop PBSs becoming a market failure the government needs to omit the

‘performance standard for PBS, 2010, part 1’ as a standard document and introduce an amendment to the

BCA to include requirements for bushfire shelters.


27

Civil Engineering and Water

YOUNGPIL CHUN

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy - Water Engineering

Supervisors: Dr Linda Zou

Thesis title: Low pressure osmosis membrane fouling and cleaning

A case study of fouling development and flux reversibility of

treating brackish surface water by forward osmosis process

Abstract: Non-chlorinated actual brackish lake water was used as feed to exam the fouling behaviour, include

biofouling and cleaning effects of forward osmosis (FO). Fouling experiments were conducted at

different filtration time durations on thin film composite (TFC) membrane in FO mode (active layer

facing the feed). Fouling was formed on membrane surface and followed an exponential trend during

the experimental period. Microbiological assays and fluorescence excitation-emission

spectrophotometer were used to exam the details of the foulants and provide information on the

physiological state of the membrane foulants in the FO system. The results indicated that the fouling

observed was the combination of bacterial biomass (biofouling) and protein-like organic constituents

derived from microbial activity (organic fouling). At the end of the 24 hours fouling experiments, the

water flux declined by approximately 65% of the initial value. However, the flux was completely

recovered to its initial level following hydraulic cleaning by deionized (DI) water; the fouling on the FO

membrane is found to be reversible.


28

ABU TAHER MD. ZILLUR RABBI


Supervisors: Dr Donald Cameron, Dr Mizanur Rahman

Thesis title: Instability Behavior of Lightly Cemented Silty Glacial Sand

Pore water pressure development at the onset of instability

Abstract: Failure of many important geotechnical structures such as earth dams, embankments and marine

slopes are often caused by instability. Rapid generation of pore water pressure is believed to be

responsible for this kind of instability under external static and dynamic loading. Undrained triaxial

shear testing is a commonly used laboratory testing to replicate undrained instability. Most studies of

undrained instability behaviour have concerned clean sand, whereas sands with natural fines (particles

< 0.075 mm) are more commonly found in nature. Typical undrained behaviour of a South Australian

silty sand was investigated under different density and effective confining stress conditions. Instability

behaviour was observed with respect to the pore water pressure (pwp) development throughout the

shearing process. Pore water pressure at instability was found to increase with increasing mean

effective stresses irrespective of void ratio changes. Pore water pressure normalized against initial

mean effective stress was found to have an increasing trend with the void ratios. Normalized pore

water pressure was also found to correlate well with the triggering of instability.


29

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN VAN LEEUWEN

Position: Associate Professor, Civil Engineering



Prediction of trihalomethanes in drinking water

Abstract: Chlorine disinfection of potable water is commonly practised in Australia, particularly where

distribution systems have relatively short hydraulic retention times. Water treatment plant operators

chlorinate with the aim of being able to maintain a residual disinfectant throughout the distribution

system. Dissolved natural organic matter (DOM) can react with chlorine thereby reducing the chlorine

concentration. A consequence of the reaction of chlorine with DOM is the formation of disinfection by

products of human health concern, such as trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs) and

haloacetonitriles (HANs).

We report a model developed for prediction of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and the four

constituent compounds. This model comprises a series of algorithms each designed to describe the

impacts of various factors (chlorine consumption, bromide concentration, temperature and pH) on

total THM and specie abundances.


30

OSAMA YOUSSF

Degree: Doctor or Philosophy - Civil Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Julie Mills, Dr Xing Ma

Thesis title: Behaviour of Sustainable Concrete Columns under Seismic Loads.

Prediction of Crumb Rubber Concrete Characteristics.

Abstract: One possibility being explored is to use rubber from waste tires to replace part of the natural

aggregates in conventional concrete, resulting in a product called crumb rubber concrete (CRC). CRC

can improve the structure ductility, damping ratio, and energy dissipation, which are the main

required parameters in concrete structures resisting earthquakes. However it can have lower

compressive strength (f’CRC), tensile strength (f’TRC), and modulus of elasticity (ERC) when compared

with conventional concrete. This paper presents empirical models able to predict the CRC

characteristics (f’CRC, f’TRC, and ERC). The proposed models are verified through 148 CRC mixes data

results as well as compared with two previous models. The proposed models resulted in predictions of

the CRC characteristics with only 10.7%, 12.6%, and 11.3% errors in the predictions of f’CRC, f’TRC, and

ERC, respectively. The proposed f’CRC model reduced the mean, standard deviation and maximum

error percentages by 24.6%, 5.8%, and 20.2%, respectively, compared with the nearest best

predictions by previous models. The proposed models can aid structural designers who are considering

using CRC as a promising alternative to conventional concrete in seismic zones.


31

Urban and Regional Planning

CARMEL CHIU SUTCLIFFE


Supervisors: Assoc Prof Ian Clark, Dr Lou Wilson

Thesis title: A phenomenology of ghettoisation for Roma in Fakulteta, Bulgaria

Phenomenological descriptions of ghettoised place experience

Abstract:

Phenomenology is the exploration and description of human experience in its own terms. It embraces

an attitude of wonder and letting-go in order to illuminate upon an essence of how people live

through experiences of a central phenomenon. This study is a phenomenological understanding of

ghettoisation as it has been for Roma people living in Fakulteta, a heavily stigmatised, yet elusive

ghetto neighbourhood in Bulgaria. What is often taken-for-granted in studies of experience is the

place of where these experiences unfold. In particular, the Roma ghetto is often examined and

critiqued in relation to its geographical and social separateness from a whole or ‘formal’ city. In order

to acknowledge place and both its assertive and unnoticed presence, this study uses the concept of

the lifeworld to examine the intertwined nature of the residents’ everyday life experiences and the

places where they occurred. In-depth interviews, photography and video were used for capturing

personal, ineffable and polyphonic qualities of experience through an iterative and dialogically

implaced process. For the colloquium, I will draw from Edward Relph’s existential framework of

insideness and outsideness as modes of place experience and describe how they appeared in the

experiences of the residents of Fakulteta. These modes refer to the intensity by which people

experience place, in other words, the degree to which one feels a sense of intimacy or distance. Rather

than being a static or dualistic quality, a person’s sense of place is always shifting and is in immediate

relation to where one is, infused with a collection of their experiential history. I will discuss some of

the themes developed in my thesis, including the experience of being ‘gathered up in one place’,

‘home and where one just lives’ and ‘consecrated space and place’.


32

SHIRINA AFROZE


Supervisors: Dr Andrew Allan

Thesis title: Cumulative Effect Assessment For Sustainable Road Transport System Planning: A Study On Dhaka City Of Bangladesh

Analysis of stressors’ interconnectedness: A pathway for

Cumulative Effects Assessment of urban road transport system

Abstract:

The study focuses on a technique for sustainability analysis through cumulative effects assessment

(CEA) of road transport sector, the performance of which relies on the performances of the factors

(stressors) affecting the system. Interconnectedness of the stressors and their degree of connectivity

thus become important while planning for the development of the system, most importantly while

planning for sustainability, as the interconnected stressors could be responsible for synergistic or

antagonistic effects. The study aims at developing the process to assess the connectedness among the

stressors affecting Dhaka city’s transport system (the study area), incorporating digraph theory and

matrix analysis with the system parameters. The broader objective for this analysis is to work for an

innovative idea to account the synergistic effect of road transport sector (rather than accounting

effects separately), which normally happens in a system when all the stressors prevail together. The

analysis is conducted based on the data collected from Dhaka City of Bangladesh (a typical mega city

of the developing countries), the result of which can be applied to other cities of similar characteristics

for the effects assessment. ‘gathered up in one place’, ‘home and where one just lives’ and

‘consecrated space and place’.


33

VAHID POORJAFARI

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Transport Engineering

Supervisors: Dr Wen Long Yue, Dr Nicholas Holyoak

Thesis title: Transit Timetable Synchronisation Using Metaheuristics Algorithms

Timetable Synchronisation in Public Transport Systems Using

Genetic Algorithms

Abstract:

Public transport users often need to transfer between different transit lines, as there is not always a

direct service between their origins and destinations. Transferring between transit lines adds a waiting

time to passengers’ total travel time, which is called transfer waiting time. Transfer waiting time is a

direct consequence of temporal coordination among transit services in a public transport network and

poor coordination among services could impose long and unendurable waiting times on transferring

passengers. Reducing this waiting time through improving the temporal integration of transit services,

which is widely recognised as timetable synchronisation, has always been a big concern for public

transport planners and schedulers. Timetable synchronisation is a complicated problem by nature

since its formulation typically leads to a highly complex optimisation problem. This problem is unlikely

to be solved by exact solution techniques, particularly in the case of dealing with huge transit network.

This study aims to investigate the capability of genetic algorithm, as a powerful metaheuristic

technique, in coping with the timetable synchronisation problem. First, a mathematical programming

model is proposed for the purpose of minimising the total transfer waiting time in the transit systems

operating based on even headways. Afterwards, a genetic algorithm is developed for solving the

proposed optimisation model and finding the optimum set of start times for transit lines. The

numerical results obtained from the application of this method to a transit network revealed a

substantial reduction of transfer waiting time in the intended network.


34

DR KATHRYN DAVIDSON

Position: Lecturer



The compelling issue of urban sustainability

Abstract:

Urban sustainability is an increasingly compelling issue for human prospect. The human species is now

predominantly urban; a fact increasingly recognised and debated in major international fora. Several

contemporary influences are asserting the importance of urban action to achieve sustainability and

improve species well-being generally: the new urban literature referenced as ‘urbanology’ (Gleeson

2012); powerful new urban coalitions like C40 Climate Leadership Group; and key international

organisations including the OECD, World Bank, and to a lesser extent UN-Habitat. From a critical social

science perspective, it is apparent that, while avowing sustainability, these new urban assertions are

freighted with, if not completely determined by, the assumptions and norms of neoliberalism which

progressive thought holds destructive to urban progress and well-being. I argue that these new and

influential urban avowals fail to comprehensively engage the imperatives of critical social science,

including debates about social inequity, a failing human ecology and systematic denial of urban

citizenship. The prospect of rapid continuing planetary urbanisation, most of it irrevocably removed

from the natural environment, suggests a need to rethink conventional approaches, institutional

systems and the level of resources dedicated to human development in such crowded, dynamic

spaces. Critical social science insists that these paradoxes and challenges are not merely systemic or

technical but social in origin and solution. Moreover, I argue that the political questions that define

socio-ecological trajectories require serious consideration. The human urban challenge raises the

political ecology of change at the species level. Realisation of sustainability requires a deep

transformation of the structures underlying human progress that is as yet hardly recognised let alone

realised. It is important therefore to critically appraise and challenge the new urban assertions that,

paradoxically, commit us to the disastrously failing path of neo-liberalism.


35

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY THEME TOPICS


36

Theme 1: Infrastructure Modelling and Design

ALEX SIMS

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy - Transport Engineering

Supervisors: Prof MAP Taylor, Dr S Somenahalli

Thesis title: Activity modelling for risk assessment and emergency management applications focusing on peri-urban regions

Estimating Rural Crash Risk during Bushfires using Rare-Event

Logistic Regression

Abstract: Bushfires are a significant problem in Southern Australia with property loss and infrastructure

disruption as well as injuries and loss of life. Death during late evacuation remains a significant danger

at around 25 per-cent of deaths in bushfires with the risk coming from being involved in a crash and

then being unable to avoid the danger of the fire through incapacity or increased vulnerability as a

pedestrian.

The main work in rural crash risk estimation models to date relates to rural roads in New Zealand. This

model includes only terms about road geometry, surface characteristics and use, but no consideration

of temperature, wind and smoke.

It is reasonable to expect that the weather conditions on the day of a bushfire along with the stress

imposed upon drivers will affect rural crash risk. For a major bushfire, the forecast maximum

temperature for the day would be high, often above 40°C along with high winds.

A logistic regression model is being developed to predict the chance of a vehicle crashing with terms

for meteorological factors as well as road geometry using data from 2009. To resolve computational

resource issues and additional difficulties with the under-estimation of the probabilities of rare events,

techniques proposed by King are used.

With a minimal data set of 30 kilometres of road, and using only road geometry factors, a crash rate

and associated confidence limits consistent with Australian rates has been derived. A significant

amount of work is required in bringing these disparate data sets in use together in line with what

other users of “big data” have found.


37

TIM JOHNSON


Supervisors: Dr Don Cameron, Dr Gregory Moore (Melb. Uni)

Thesis title: Trees, Stormwater, Soil and Civil Infrastructure: Synergies Towards Sustainable Urban Design for a Changing Climate.

Tree root development beneath paved footpaths

Abstract:

Impermeable urban surfaces including roads, footpaths and car parks discharge rainfall to receiving

waters and can thereby increase risk of flooding, contribute to urban heat islands and increase water

stress in vegetation. Impermeable surfaces may also support the formation of condensation at the soil

interface and encourage shallow tree root development. Tripping hazards associated with tree root

growth beneath footpath surfaces result in personal injury, liability issues and increased maintenance

requirements worldwide. Trees are typically injured or removed following hazard formation to allow

infrastructure repairs, reducing or terminating the ecological services and other community benefits

they deliver. Data collected over five years show that permeable pavement technologies applied in a

real world, semi-arid environment managed incident rainfall in situ, moderated shallow tree root

development and resulted in no deleterious effects on surrounding infrastructure. Excavation and

visual inspection revealed that root development beneath engineered permeable surfaces replicated

natural systems with fine, short-lived, fibrous roots exploiting favourable seasonal conditions at

shallow depths and larger, woody roots persisting deeper beneath the soil surface. This more natural

tree root development form beneath permeable pavements resulted in the formation of biopores,

potentially increasing the effectiveness of the pavement system at infiltrating rainfall into underlying

soils.


38

TOM BENN

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Civil Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Julie Mills, Assoc Prof Daksh Baweja (UTS)

Thesis title: The Effect of Limestone Mineral Addition in combination with Cement Kiln Dust on Chloride Penetration of Concrete

The Influence of Increased Levels of Limestone Mineral Addition

used in Combination with Cement Kiln Dust on Chloride Ion

Penetration

Abstract:

This paper will present the preliminary results of a research program that is investigating chloride ion

ingress of mortar and concrete made with cement containing increased levels of mineral addition,

where the mineral addition is based on a combination of limestone and cement kiln dust.

The Australian cement standard, AS 3972-2010 - General purpose and blended cement, increased the

maximum mineral addition level to 7.5% from 5% and in addition allowed up to 5% of the mineral

addition to be ‘specially selected, inorganic natural mineral materials, or inorganic mineral materials

derived from the clinker production process’ e.g. cement kiln dust (CKD). To control the potential that

chlorides may be introduced by CKD, AS 3972 set the maximum level of chloride allowed in cement at

0.10%.

The aim of the research is to investigate the effect that increased levels of limestone mineral addition

when used in combination with a CKD, that is known to contain some chlorides, are likely to have on

chloride ion penetration of concrete. The results reported were determined using the Bulk Diffusion

Test (ASTM C 1556/NT Build 443) and the Rapid Migration Test (AASHTO TP 64/NT Build 492) and

based on:

• Cement containing limestone mineral addition levels of 5%, 10% and 15% and CKD levels at 2% and

5% of the mineral addition.

• The above mixes with cement replaced by fly ash at levels of 20% and 30%


39

SHERIF MOSTAFA

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Construction Management

Supervisors: Dr Nicholas Chileshe, Dr Jian Zuo

Thesis title: Integration of lean and agile concepts within Australian offsite manufacturing using modelling and simulation

Conceptual model for offsite manufacturing in Australia

Abstract:

Offsite Manufacturing (OSM) is a modern construction method for the future of Australian house

building due to its potential capacity in meeting the growing housing demand. Previous studies have

proved the benefits of OSM in housing supply and quality. Coordination between all stakeholders

involved and control of materials and information flows are essential components for effective OSM

supply chain. Nevertheless, the application of OSM in Australia is limited to some challenges which

could be classified into three groups: managing two working locations, house customer preferences,

and house builder’s capacity. This need has resulted in suggesting a conceptual model to comprehend

the extended OSM supply. The model contains 30 generic essential steps to build a house. It also

includes the stakeholders involved including customers, lenders, retailers, manufacturers, and sub-

contractors. The conceptual model is preliminary to the simulation process used to test differed

alternatives for house building using OSM in Australia. The proposed model will enhance the efficiency

and the uptake of OSM house building in Australia through streamlining the whole process from

customer order to house delivery.


40

DANDA LI

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Civil Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Julie Mills; Dr Rebecca Gravina; Mr Tom Benn

Thesis title: Structural Applications of Crumbed Rubber Concrete(CRC)

Abrasion and impact resistance investigation of crumbed rubber

concrete (CRC)

Abstract:

Large volumes of rubber tyres are disposed of annually and only a small quantity are recycled. This

paper examines the abrasion and impact resistance of crumbed rubber concrete (CRC), which uses

crumbed rubber from used tyres as a partial replacement for the fine aggregate. Furthermore styrene-

butadiene rubber (SBR) latex was added to some of the crumb rubber mixes to gauge its effect.

Laboratory tests focused on the slump, compression strength, abrasion and impact resistance of

traditional concrete, rubberized concrete with rubber content of 10% and 20% and SBR modified

rubberized concrete. A comparison of the experimental results for the abrasion resistance and impact

resistance of traditional concrete, rubberized concrete and rubberized concrete with SBR latex was

conducted. Test results indicated that although rubberized concrete had slightly lower compression

strength than traditional concrete it is still possible to produce rubberized concrete with satisfactory

strength using good concrete mix design and appropriate rubber content. Results also showed that

CRC has better impact and abrasion resistance than traditional concrete.


41

DR MICHAEL SHORT

Position: Research Fellow, CWMR



Energy benchmarking for efficient water recycling operations – a

new approach

Abstract:

Recycled water is an increasingly important alternative water supply; however, its production is

relatively energy- and resource-intensive compared with traditional water sources. Additionally,

recycling systems are often designed for an ‘ultimate capacity’ in terms of anticipated future demand,

resulting in over-engineered unit processes and wasted operating resources while systems run at

production volumes below their peak design flow. Recycled water systems must, therefore, be further

optimised to improve their energy and resource use efficiency, and reduce the associated carbon

emissions intensity and operational costs. Using a range of full-scale South Australian water recycling

facilities as case studies, this project employed a novel benchmarking approach to characterise current

recycled water systems performance and drive future optimisations.

During this 12 month study, a literature review was undertaken to develop new energy benchmarks

for recycling processes and systems relevant to South Australia. The energy use of several full-scale

recycling plants was then benchmarked at the unit processes level to look for areas where efficiency

optimisations could be implemented without compromising system-wide pathogen removal values

and fit for purpose end-use water quality. This research has identified several energy efficiency and

asset management opportunities which can be implemented to save on operation and maintenance

costs, and prolong asset life, while maintaining the end-use water quality and public health

performance criteria. Research outputs may influence future decision making at SA Water in relation

to plant design, operations and business development. Sustain 14 School of Natural and Built Environments November 2014

42

Theme 2: Planning and construction of resilient urban Environments

FAISAL AHAMMED

Position: Early Career Development Fellow, Lecturer-Civil Engineering



Infrastructure compliant stormwater management strategy for

developing countries: a case of Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Abstract:

Storm runoff to the central drainage system of Dhaka City, the capital of Bangladesh, is considered to

be a nuisance to be disposed of as quickly and as completely as possible to the nearest waterway. The

existing stormwater infrastructure overflows nearly every year; serious flooding is experienced after all

medium to heavy rainfall events in the monsoon season. Stagnant water remaining after these events

becomes the breeding ground for mosquitoes. The concepts and principles of Water Sensitive Urban

Design (WSUD) ‘source control’ practice offer hope of transforming this unsatisfactory situation into

one which is safe and sustainable. The means of achieving this objective are bound up in the

‘Infrastructure Compliant Stormwater Management’ (or ICSM) strategy which is based in the regime-

in-balance strategy introduced by Argue (2004/2013). The ICSM strategy accepts that the basic in-

ground stormwater drainage infrastructure of Dhaka City has a flow capacity equal, approximately, to

the ARI, Y = 1-year peak flow. Flood security of the City’s residents therefore depends on

controlling/managing all “gap” flows greater than the “1-year” event. Investigation of a case study

area of the City shows that flooding can be controlled completely in all storms up to and including the

“once in 50-years event” by diverting runoff from all residential roofs into on-site infiltration devices

located in the local sandy-clay soils. “100-years” storms can be managed with “nuisance-only”

flooding. An important side-benefit of the proposal is its potential for recharge of the aquifer (some

160 GL per annum) which provides much of the City’s potable supply.


43

ANNA LEDITSCHKE


Supervisors: Dr Matthew Rofe, Emeritus Professor Steve Hamnett

Thesis title: Justice for all? The construction and validation of 'justice' in planning

Justice for all? The construction and validation of ‘justice’ in

planning

Abstract:

The current planning paradigm calls for, among many factors, accommodation of an overarching

‘public interest’ within urban development. Ideally, this ensures individuals and collectives are best

represented in the planning process. However, in reality, contention often arises as varying

stakeholders debate and can clash over what constitutes the ‘best’ or a ‘good’ decision for an area.

This paper reflects upon the governance of justice – such as the ideals and obtainment of fairness

through contested planning decisions. This includes the relationships of parties involved and their

influence upon the process. This paper will focus specifically upon the case study of Mount Barker,

South Australia, Australia and surrounding townships. This area has recently seen extensive rezoning

of agricultural to residential land, raising issues of justice, ethical behaviour and public participation in

planning and politics. It has also seen questions arise over conflicts of interest and political

persuasions. This paper will argue that although the strive for justice is still held as a basic right by

various stakeholders involved in this study, varying perceptions of this concept hold greater

implications for both planning theory and practice.


44

GHAZAL JABERI


Supervisors: Dr Alpana Sivam, Dr Sada Karuppannan

Thesis title: Energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: An analysis of housing sector

Energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in

cities: a critical review of literature.

Abstract:

Energy consumption by the housing sector in cities is a significant contributor to world energy use and

related greenhouse gas emissions. Housing sector in Australia is one of the most energy consuming

sectors and due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels to produce energy, housing sector is also a large

producer of greenhouse gas emissions. Since energy consumption pattern of housing sector is

complex and connected to multiple factors, it is necessary to explore factors influencing consumption

patterns and apply findings to develop strategies and policies towards achieving energy efficiency in

cities.

The critical review of literature identifies two distinct forces that influence energy consumption: urban

form and household behaviour. The former is the result of urban planning and development and the

latter is dependent upon occupant behaviour, tastes and attitudes.

Overall, studies on the impact of urban form typically include the role of urban form on transport

energy consumption. It is widely accepted that behaviour pattern has a significant role in household’s

every day energy consumption. The behavioural approach categorise different factors as determinants

of consumption attitudes. Factors such as demographic, economic, location, life style, environmental

attitudes, dwelling characteristics are known to play a role in the behaviour relating to energy

consumption.

The aim of this review is to present an overview of the research findings on energy consumption and

summarise the findings on determinants of energy consumption by the housing sector in cities.


45

DR JEREMY COGGINS

Position: Program Director



The diversification of building and construction industry security

of payment legislation in Australia: Should South Australia adopt

any of the recent NSW and Queensland amendments?

Abstract:

There is a lack of uniformity between the eight separate building and construction industry security of

payment Acts which have been enacted in the Australian jurisdictions. These inconsistencies result in

extra costs both to the construction industry and the public purse. Although, there appears to be

consensus in legal and academic circles that the time is ripe for action to be taken to harmonise the

legislation, such unification still appears to be a long way off. In fact, recently a movement in the

opposite direction appears to be happening with both the New South Wales and Queensland

Parliaments having passed key differing amendments to their Acts. This presentation describes the

construction industry security of payment legislation landscape in Australia, reviews the key recent

amendments to the New South Wales and Queensland Acts, and presents the results of a pilot study

conducted in the South Australian construction industry to assess the views of head contractors to the

New South Wales and Queensland amendments. This is a timely survey in light of the impending

review of the South Australian Act.


46

HARSHA RAVI SAPDHARE

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Water Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Simon Beecham, Prof Randy Stringer (Adelaide Uni.)

Thesis title: Economic Analysis of Street-scale Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure and WSUD : A Collaborative approach to

Develop Resilient Cities

Abstract:

A rapidly increasing population together with climatic variability and climate change are all

contributing to severe water shortages in Australia. This is forcing councils to seek alternative water

supplies for their considerable environmental watering needs. Vegetated areas clearly add to the

quality of life by providing vibrant ecosystem services. However, while councils and their communities

recognise the importance of street trees, in times of drought these are one of the first natural assets

to suffer from inadequate supplies. This regular sacrificing of environmental water during severe

drought conditions is illustrated by the fact that in the City of Charles Sturt, which is one of the

Adelaide’s 19 councils, over 1000 street trees had to be felled in 2010 because of lack of water.

Nationally, a five percent mortality rate per annum has been experienced in the total urban tree

population of Australia during the last few years. The proposed research focuses on the emerging

concept of water sensitive urban design (WSUD), and in particular stormwater harvesting and reuse,

to develop a solution to the significant challenges that trees face in urban environments. Indeed, this

research will lead to increased stormwater reuse to meet our substantial environmental water needs.

It will also produce a greener, more liveable and healthier Adelaide.


47

DR SHAROLYN ANDERSON

Position: Lecturer in Environmental Remote Sensing and GIS



Mapping the functions of Urban Green Infrastructure

Abstract:

In Fall of 2014, the UniSA Environmental Informatics master’s course took on the project of mapping

Green Infrastructure in Adelaide. It was a natural progression from the Evidence Base for Green

Infrastructure in South Australia report which was presented last year and interactive version

launched June 2014. The questions the students asked was “Where is the Green Infrastructure?”

logical question after the evidence based report demonstrated how important the Green

Infrastructure is to the economy, human well-being, and the environment. This presentation will

quickly take you through the process of creating the Green Infrastructure map of Adelaide

metropolitan area.

abstract – previously submitted to TREENET

Talk and paper at http://treenetmedia.com/


48

http://treenetmedia.com/

Theme 3: Understanding Natural Environments

Name Faculty = F; Student = S;

Audience = A

Y = yes, N = no Two types of Research Interests

Donner, Erica F Y/N Unavailable at time of print Gibbs, Joan F Y/N plant/seed ecology, restoration ecology Watson, Irene F Y/N indigenous knowledge, law Amato, Bianca A Y nectar biology, pollination ecology Dyer, Michael A Y research volunteer vernal pools, biodiversity Kakko, Shane A Y technician soils, biodiversity Penny, Kathy A Y technical officer biology, animal ethics Rawlings, Robyn A Y plant ecology, green roofs Skinner, James A Y research volunteer green roofs, biodiversity Walker, Alison A Y volunteer ecology, conservation

Alsharrah, Saad A/S Y remote sensing of arid vegetation, desertification assessment

Anderson, Sharolyn F Y unavailable at time of print

Cameron, Don F Y unavailable at time of print

Hewa, Guna F Y unavailable at time of print

Higgins-Desbiolles, Freya F Y unavailable at time of print

Jago, Jim F Y unavailable at time of print

Juhasz, Albert F Y unavailable at time of print

Kamruzzaman, Mohammad F Y unavailable at time of print

Keppel, Gunnar F Y unavailable at time of print

Lewicki, Martin F Y planetarium science, light pollution Lombi, Enzo F Y unavailable at time of print

Nicholls, Ronald F Y indigenous collaborative structures, sustainable design thinking

Petit, S. Topa F Y plant-animal interactions, wildlife ecology Raimondo, Tom F Y unavailable at time of print Scanlon, Annette F Y bat ecology, animal-plant interactions Seshadri, Balaji F Y unavailable at time of print Smith, Euan F Y human exposure, environmental remediation Ward, James F Y unavailable at time of print Weber, Delene F Y unavailable at time of print

Williams, Craig F Y mosquito-borne disease ecology, evolutionary biology

Aleman, Rina S Y seed biology, plant ecology Ankor, Briony S Y unavailable at time of print Charles, Kerry S Y human-wildlife interactions, avian ecology

James, Nina (née White) S Y human-environment interactions, community engagement with enviro issues


49

Khan, Naser S Y unavailable at time of print Mehra, Promil S Y unavailable at time of print Mandal, Sanchita S Y Unavailable at time of print Moore, Eugene S Y unavailable at time of print Plummer, James S Y unavailable at time of print

Schebella, Morgan S Y nature-health relationships, environmental, psychology

Semananda, Premila S Y unavailable at time of print Wijesekara, Hasintha S Y Unavailable at time of print


50

MD MOINUL HOSAIN OLIVER

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy – Environmental Science

Supervisors: Dr Guna Hewa, Mr David Pezzaniti

Thesis title: Dynamics of subsurface emitter clogging in relation to soil thermal variation

Defining a test for assessment of emitter sensitivity to biofouling

(Presented by Dr Guna Hewa) Abstract:

A standard test for prediction of emitter sensitivity to clogging has not been developed yet. One

conventional test procedure developed by the IRSTEA, France exists but it predicts emitter sensitivity

to physical clogging only. This study was carried out to contribute towards developing a clogging test

that would consider both physical and biological processes in emitter clogging. In this regard, a micro

irrigation test-rig was constructed containing three types of pressure compensated emitters arranged

in four replications inside an environmental chamber. Two tests were conducted, one according to the

IRSTEA schedule; and the other according to a modified procedure developed to introduce biological

load. The modified test included recycled water and was formed on the principle that biofilms should

be allowed to develop and attain maturity during the test span. The results suggest that clogging due

to biofilm growth is always a quicker process than clogging by physical particles alone. Emitters were

quick to show signs of clogging in the modified test, while all the emitters managed to pass the IRSTEA

test. In case of biofouling, particles were found to be trapped into the slimy bacterial biofilms at the

emitter’s section of entry. In physical clogging, however, particles were found to be passing through

the emitter’s section of entry, travelling along the labyrinths and settling at the end basin. In almost all

the cases, the IRSTEA recommended filtration requirements were found to be overestimating the

appropriate filter sizes.


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NOTES


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NOTES


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