This article was prepared by UniLife and The University of Western Sydney Media Unit.

 UWS School of Engineering PhD candidate, Olivia Mirza, hopes her research will contribute valuable new information about steel fibre reinforcing and encourage structural engineers to use the technology

Olivia’s PhD project called “Behaviour and Design Stud Shear Connectors in Composite Steel and Concrete Beams” is researching a new technique for reinforcing concrete and steel structures that could dramatically reduce construction costs.

The construction industry in parts of Europe and Japan is already using steel fibres to replace or supplement reinforcing bars or mesh used to prevent cracking in concrete.

Fibre about 60mm long and 0.75mm in diameter are mixed into wet concrete. They are made from hard drawn steel wire to ensure high tensile strength. The hook-ended fibres provide a means of anchorage when concrete is exposed to tensile force.

Her work aims to determine the best combination for maximum strength and compression of concrete.

“My work has already proved that steel fibres can improve the stiffness and ductility of concrete and enhance its resistance to cracking,” Olivia said.

“I’ve also discovered that steel fibre reinforcement has an optimum value – adding too much will make concrete more brittle rather than strengthening it.”

The project is part of an Australian Research Council linkage grant with Bluescope Lysaght and UWS.

Olivia is being supervised by Professor Brian Uy, Head of the School of Engineering. Bluescope Lysaght contributed $100,000 and determined the area of study.

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steel costs reduced by as much as half

Olivia Mirza, PhD Candidate, School of Engineering (image courtesy of Sally Tsoutas)

Olivia came to Australia from Malaysia with a scholarship to study engineering at the University of NSW. After graduating, she worked for five years as a structural engineer and mediate engineer.

She says she accepted an offer to do a PhD at UWS because it offered research facilities superior to other Australian universities and gave her the opportunity to work with Professor Uy, one of the best-known researchers in the world in composite steel and concrete structures.

“It is a great opportunity to add something new and practical to the construction industry,” she said.

Olivia said taking on a PhD is a big challenge. “You have to be mentally strong and well organised and it’s important to have some idea of where you see yourself in terms of career development.

“My initial passion was designing buildings. When I was working, I would feel great satisfaction every time I completed a project.

“By doing a PhD, I have created another opportunity for myself, that is to become an academic. Also, the analysis skills I’m learning in my PhD will allow me to become an analyst engineer instead of just a design engineer.”