Research Supervisor Connect
A scholarship is available for a suitably qualified student with an Honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering to undertake full time research leading to a PhD degree in the field of Connections in high strength cold-formed rectangular hollow sections. The scholarship is supported by an industry grant. This aim of this project is to determine design rules for the static strength of RHS truss connections in high strength (450 MPa) cold-formed steel. This will be performed through laboratory experiments and finite element analysis. This project may also establish joint design rules for higher strength hot-formed steels. Applicants must have a good degree in engineering and an interest in structural engineering. The scholarship stipend is $26.000 per annum in the first year, and may be held for three years subject to satisfactory progress. International students can apply but the scholarship does not cover any tuition fees. Separate tuition fee scholarships may be provided for international students from the School of Civil Engineering. Further information can be obtained from Dr Tim Wilkinson, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006. (Phone: 0293515104, Email: [email protected]). Applications including a full curriculum vitae, a copy of an academic transcript, and the names and contact details of at least two referees should be sent to Dr Wilkinson at the above address. Closing date: until the position is filled.Applications including a full curriculum vitae, a copy of an academic transcript, and the names and contact details of at least two referees should be sent to Dr Wilkinson at the above address.
Associate Professor Tim Wilkinson.
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This project will investigate the strength limitation of fy = 355 MPa and fy/fu < 0.8 for static design of RHS truss connections (such as K, T, Y). The current validity ranges of several CIDECT design models exclude the high strength Grade C450 (fy = 450 MPa) cold-formed steels. The project therefore seeks to clarify or extend the current validity range of the present design models, or determine new design equations for the higher strength steels. It is anticipated that the effect of the different material properties of higher strength steels and the investigation of different welding procedures will be integral parts of the project.
CIDECT design recommendations appear in various formats in different international documents (CIDECT design guide, Packer & Henderson, AISC (US) LRFD for SHSS, AISC (Australia), Eurocode 3) which contain a strength limitation of fy = 355 MPa and fy/fu < 0.8 for several RHS truss connections (such as K, T, Y), and were generally based on tests on hot finished products. More recent research projects, many sponsored by CIDECT, such as those at Sydney & Monash (Australia), Karlsruhe (Germany), Delft (Netherlands), Toronto (Canada), have begun to investigate higher strength and cold formed steels, but there is a definite gap in design knowledge for high strength cold-formed steels.CIDECT members Smorgon Steel Tube Mills, OneSteel & Rautaruukki almost exclusively produce cold-formed tubular sections, while other CIDECT members are producing increasing quantities of cold-formed steels. The extension of validity ranges for connections will allow designers to take full benefit of the strength enhancement afforded by cold forming. Developing design rules to permit them to be more effective will increase their use. It may also be possible for the project extend the validity of the design rules for high strength hot-formed tubes.
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 603