A High-Strength Partnership

High-strength steel-concrete composite research aims to lower construction industry’s carbon footprint.

Professors Mark Bradford and Brian Uy, from the Centre for Infrastructure and Engineering Safety (CIES), and their collaborators have their sights set high (30 storeys at least!) in this recently awarded Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project. Their team have been granted $380,000 to investigate the use of high-strength steel in building frames of composite steel-concrete for use in buildings from a few storeys to skyscrapers.

High-strength steel (as opposed to mild or structural steel - which is currently the most commonly used) is increasingly being utilised in construction overseas due to its greater strength-to-weight ratio. Using high-strength steel means a lighter composite structure, less material usage and smaller foundations, which, in turn, leads to a reduction in the cost and carbon footprint of steel-framed buildings. 

"One of the main benefits of the Linkage scheme is embedding university expertise into real-life industry projects.” Mark Bradford

“Ordinary Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around the world,” says Professor Bradford. “But, it is also one of the biggest anthropogenic sources of CO2. A key outcome of our research would be developing a design guidance which expands the use of high-strength steel and significantly reduces the amount of cement needed in construction by focusing on a new generation of low-carbon cement alternatives.”

Professors Bradford and Uy and their research team will be collaborating with researchers and industry partners at Tsinghua University and China Construction Steel Structure Corp Ltd (CCSSC) in China. “Both UNSW and Tsinghua have enviable track records of excellence in research in this area,” says Professor Bradford, and his colleague Professor Lin-Hai Han from Tsinghua couldn’t agree more: “There is no group internationally who can complement our high-strength steel team better than CEIS in Australia,” he says. “This opportunity is exciting for us all, bringing together the best researchers in the world in this particular discipline”.

CCSSC is the leading steel construction company in China and they are well aware of the opportunities that using high-strength steel presents. Frank Wang, CEO, explains that his R&D team is very excited about advancing their knowledge and expertise. “This project aligns completely with our belief that this type of composite beam system is the future of steel building construction in China, Australia and elsewhere.”

With an incredible personal track record of academic collaborative achievement, Professor Bradford is confident of their success. “Our research has the potential to have an immense impact in the steel manufacturing, construction and building sectors. It’s a really exciting project.”