Sustain12 Noor Ismah Hashim 27 10.00am Faisal Ahammed 28 10.15am Li Meng 29 10.30am Mohamad Sufian...

Sustain12

The School of Natural and Built Environments

Postgraduate Research Colloquium

November 15-16, 2012

University of South Australia, MM1-05, Mawson Lakes Campus

Table of Contents

Organising Committee ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Colloquium Program – Day One ........................................................................................................................................................ 2

Colloquium Program – Day Two ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Welcome from the Head of School ................................................................................................................................................... 4

About the School ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Presentation Abstracts ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7

El-Sayed El-Sayed Abd-Elaal Metwally ............................................................................................................................................... 8

M Reza Hosseini ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9

K Yasodinee D Wimalasiri ................................................................................................................................................................ 10

Nilupa Udawatta ............................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Vahid Poorjafari ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Reazul Ahsan ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Duyen Pham .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Asif Iqbal .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Syamsul Hidayat .............................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Arnold Platts .................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Natasha Cox ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Ahmed Ranesh ................................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Oliver MD Moinul Hosain ................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Anna Leditschke .............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Subhashini Chathurika Wella Hewage ............................................................................................................................................. 22

Mohamed Mossad........................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Aleisha Brock ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Noor Ismah Hashim ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Faisal Ahammed .............................................................................................................................................................................. 26

Li Meng ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Mohamad Sufian Hasim .................................................................................................................................................................. 28

Sithara Harshanie Premalal Walpita Gamage .................................................................................................................................. 29

Abu Taher Md. Zillur Rabbi .............................................................................................................................................................. 30

Carmel Chiu Sutcliffe ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Abstracts – Students not Presenting at Colloquium ...................................................................................................................... 32

Craig Wightman ............................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Tri Anggraini Prajnawrdhi ................................................................................................................................................................ 34

N P Giri Putri Setyawathi ................................................................................................................................................................. 35

2012 Research Student Commencements ..................................................................................................................................... 36

1 Sustain 12 School of Natural and Built Environments November 2012

Organising Committee

Dr Nicholas Chileshe

Dr Donald Cameron

Ms Danielle Gericke

Miss Kirsty Smeaton

Mrs Elizabeth Stevens

Miss Rhiannon Dienelt

Miss Danijela Prso

Miss Claire Tozer


Colloquium Program – Day One

Thursday, 15 November 2012

9.15am Registration Page

9.30am Welcome: Professor Simon Beecham, Head of School 4

9.45am Opening Remarks: Associate Professor Brenton Dansie, Dean of

Teaching and Learning (ITEE)

5

Session 1: Chaired by Dr Rowena Butland

10.00am El-Sayed El-Sayed Abd-Elaal Metwally 9

10.15am

10.30am

M. Reza Hosseini

Yasodinee Wimalasiri

10

11

10.45am Morning Tea

11.00am Nilupa Udawatta 12

11.15am Vahid Poorjafari 13

11.30am Reazul Ahsan 14

11.45am Duyen Pham 15

12.00pm Asif Iqbal 16

12.15pm Syamsul Hidayat 17

12.30pm Lunch

Session 2: Chaired by Dr Gunnar Keppel

1.30pm Arnold Platts 18

1.45pm Natasha Cox 19

2.00pm Ahmed Ranesh 20

2.15pm Oliver MD Moinul Hosain 21

2.30pm Anna Leditschke 22

2.45pm Afternoon Tea

3.00pm Chathuriksa Subhashini Wella Hewage 23

3.15pm Mohamed Mossad 24

3.30pm Closing Remarks for Day One:

Associate Professor Kutluyil Dogancay, Assistant Dean, Research

Education.


Colloquium Program – Day Two

Friday, 16 November 2012

9.00am Registration Page

9.15am Welcome to Day Two: Associate Professor Jim Jago

School of Natural and Built Environments

Session 3: Chaired by Dr Mizanur Rahman

9.30am Aleisha Brock 26

9.45am Noor Ismah Hashim 27

10.00am Faisal Ahammed 28

10.15am Li Meng 29

10.30am Mohamad Sufian Hasim 30

10.45am Morning Tea

11.00am Sithara Harshanie Premalal Walpita Gamage 31

11.15am Abu Taher Md Zillur Rabbi 32

11.30am Carmel Chiu Sutcliffe 33

11.45am Closing Remarks: Head of School, Professor Simon Beecham

12.00pm Lunch


Welcome from the Head of School

Welcome to the 2012 School of Natural and Built Environments Postgraduate Research

Colloquium. 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 116 PhD students, 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

postgraduate 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. The students come together in a congenial atmosphere to learn about the

research of others, receive input from academics and relevant industry leaders, and to observe

and discuss the development of research projects with students at different stages of the

processor candidature.

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 Students of NBE!

Professor Simon Beecham

Head of School, School of Natural and Built Environments


About the School

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

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

Department of Transport, Energy & Infrastructure (DTEI), SA Water and Hansen Yuncken - all of

whom provide scholarships for students in the program. UniSA coordinate regular industry

lectures as well as industry sponsored student projects.

Construction Management and Economics

Construction Management and Economics at UniSA offers the only construction management

degrees in South Australia and is one of the most accredited construction management and

economics programs in Australia. Students can study a broad range of courses, including the

study 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. The Bachelor of Construction Management and

Economics program maintains a 100% employment rate.


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.

Graduates will be qualified to work in a wide variety of positions related to the natural and built

environment and the multi-disciplinary nature of the programs, as well as the 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 sector in all

Australian states and several overseas countries.

Transport Systems Engineering

The Transport Systems Engineering program is designed to provide Masters level expertise in the

planning, designing and managing of transport systems and continuing education for graduate

students with professional interest in the area of transport systems engineering and transport

planning. The coursework enhances the concepts and theory in different aspects of traffic and

transport engineering and students develop the capacity to undertake independent research and

the ability to analyse and report on research procedures and findings.

Urban and Regional Planning

Urban and Regional Planning at UniSA is home to the longest-established planning program in

Australia and 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. In the

recent Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) exercise urban & regional planning research at

UniSA was rated world class. All of the planning staff are research active and several are holders

of prestigious grants which fund their research. All regularly publish in academic journals and

books.


Presentation Abstracts


Name: El-Sayed El-Sayed Abd-Elaal Metwally

Degree: PhD Engineering and Environment

Supervisors: Prof Julie Mills, Dr Xing Ma

Project title: Behaviour of transmission line Systems under Downburst Wind Loads

A newly developed analytical model of transient downburst wind loads Abstract: As the main cause of many past failures, downburst wind events have been proven to be one

of the most serious threats to long span structural systems such as transmission line systems.

Whilst there are many experimental and numerical studies for simulating these types of loads,

there is a need for analytical and empirical models to facilitate the application of these loads to

structural systems. In addition, the previous analytical models have some inconsistencies when

compared with recorded field data and experimental results. In this paper, an analytical model

has been established to match recent data updates. The vertical and horizontal profiles of

downburst wind speed have been adjusted, and the downburst intensity and the parent storm

translation speed have been improved. Thus a full scale transient downburst model in the four

dimensions (x,y,z,t) with high accuracy is presented. Finally, an example is presented to show

the application and accuracy of the new model.

Keywords: Downburst, Analytical model, Shaping functions, Intensity factor, Translation speed


Name: M. Reza Hosseini

Degree: PhD Construction Management

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

Project title: An investigation into Implementation of Global Virtual Engineering Teams within Australian construction industry

An investigation into Implementation of Global Virtual Engineering Teams within Australian construction industry Abstract:

Global Virtual Engineering Teams (GVETs) have been in existence for at least two decades,

however, it would appear that the construction industry is generally behind other industries in

terms of harnessing these arrangements. Nevertheless, GVETs are now receiving increasing

attention within the construction context due to their potential benefit for projects. The

research on GVETs in Australia is still in its embryonic state. Australian scholars seem to have

given limited attention to GVETs in comparison to their colleagues in other developed

countries. This is a concern as a lack of knowledge within this area might deprive the

Australian construction industry from reaping the rewards of GVETs. This research aims at

providing academia and industry with important information concerning the implementation

of GVETs in the Australian construction context. Taking advantage of group decision-making

techniques such as Delphi method combined with Fuzzy AHP along with collecting data based

on quantitative and qualitative approaches will provide a foundation for further research on

the topic. It will also provide practitioners with a current snapshot of GVETs in the Australian

construction industry accompanied by a list of factors influencing their adoption.


Name: K Yasodinee D Wimalasiri

Degree: PhD Environmental Science

Supervisors: A/Prof Linda Zour, Prof Dennis Mulcahy

Project title: Novel graphene sheets for capacitive deionisation

High Performance electrodes by chemical reduction of grapheme oxide/ carbon nanotube composite for capactive deionisation Abstract:

Exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) sheets are intercalated with single walled carbon nanotubes

(SWCNT) to effectively prevent the agglomeration of GO sheets during chemical reduction and

thereby to increase their electrical double layer capacitance for enhanced capacitive

deionisation (CDI). The combined architecture was highly porous with SWCNTs sandwiched

between graphene sheets, providing conductive channels for smooth and rapid ion conduction.

The chemically reduced GO-SWCNT composite has a significantly high specific capacitance of

220 F/g and electrosorption capacity of 14.06 mg/g with 100% regeneration, showing a great

promise in application in CDI.


Name: Nilupa Udawatta

Degree: PhD Building

Supervisors: Dr Jian Zuo, Dr Keri Chiveralls, Prof George Zillante

Project title: Encouraging zero waste practices through a cultural

shift in Australian construction project teams.

Encouraging zero waste practices through a cultural shift in Australian construction project teams Abstract:

As one of major consumers of natural resources and energy, the construction industry has

been criticized due to the generation of a huge amount of waste during different stages of the

construction process. However, due to the strong belief that construction waste generation is

unavoidable and zero waste is not achievable, efforts have been made to introduce methods to

minimise the generation of construction waste. Even though the concept of zero waste has

been seen as a visionary concept, nowadays it becomes a real option since it defines an

essential requirement for a sustainable future. Furthermore, construction waste can be

effectively managed by changing attitudes in addition to change techniques. Since culture

governs the behaviour expected and acceptable by project members, it is necessary to identify

the ideal culture for waste elimination and/or minimisation. The primary aim of this study is to

investigate mechanisms to encourage cultural change in construction project teams to

eliminate and/or minimise construction waste generation in construction projects. In order to

achieve this aim, data will be collected by conducting preliminary interviews, questionnaire

surveys and case studies. Findings of this research will help to eliminate and/or minimise

construction waste generation, reduce the impact on the environment, help to enhance the

performance of construction projects in terms of the financial benefits of effective waste

management and finally help to increase the satisfaction of construction stakeholders.

Key words: Waste elimination, Waste minimisation, Project culture, Construction projects


Name: Vahid Poorjafari

Degree: PhD Transport Engineering

Supervisors: Dr Wen Long Yue, Mr Branko Stazic

Project title: Transit Timetable Synchronisation Using Metaheuristic Algorithms

Transit Timetable Synchronisation Using Metaheuristic Algorithms Abstract:

Timetable synchronisation is an important element in public transport planning, as it directly

affects travel time for the passengers whose trips involve taking two or more services. While

lack of coordination amongst transit services imposes long waiting time to this group of

passengers, synchronisation of services reduces passengers’ transfer times and results in more

attractive public transportation. This study aims to develop an efficient and practical method

for transit timetable synchronisation using metaheuristic algorithms. The transit

synchronisation problem, which is a complex optimisation problem, will be formulated in this

research through two different timetabling approaches: timed transfer and transfer

optimisation. These problems will be solved using two selected metaheuristic algorithms

which are Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing. Considering a hypothetical transit

network, these algorithms will be fitted to the problems via performing a number of sensitivity

analyses. Afterwards, the formulated problems and the algorithms will be applied to a real-

world transit network (Adelaide bus system) to validate the models and the algorithms. A

range of comparative analyses will also be conducted to investigate the capability of the

timetabling approaches and the optimisation algorithms. In the end, the most efficient and

practical method will be presented based on the findings.


Name: Reazul Ahsan

Degree: PhD Planning

Supervisors: A/Prof Jon Kellett, Dr Sada Karuppannan

Project title: Climate change changing the urban poverty scenario and housing economy a study on Bangladesh

Climate exodus: an emerging challenge for urban development Abstract: Human understanding of potential climate change impacts has improved enormously.

Environmental impacts and extreme climate events have introduced a new social community

named “climate migrants or displaced communities”. Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and

Cyclone Sidr and Aila in Bangladesh forced hundreds of thousands of people to migrate from

the exposed coastal regions. Most of such migration took place towards urban areas which are

yet to address such exodus in local urban systems. Climate migration leads to chaotic and

overwhelming levels of urbanization with attendant poor living standard and unsustainable

urban growth. Bangladesh is among the countries most severely affected by climate change

and climate induced migration. Using a case study approach drawing on empirical research on

climate migrants in Bangladesh, this study examines the drivers of migration and the

subsequent effects on the urban systems in Bangladesh.

Key words: Climate change, Migration, Urbanisation, Urban system, Socio-economic impacts.


Name: Duyen Pham

Degree: PhD Civil Engineering

Supervisors: A/Prof. John Van Leeuwen, Prof Christopher Chow

Project title: Development and Modelling of Advanced Coagulation

and Oxidation Processes

Climate exodus: an emerging challenge for urban development Abstract:

Natural organic matter (NOM) in water is an important consideration in many different

reactions and processes that affect water qualities. The most significant reason for NOM

removal in drinking water treatment processes is to reduce disinfection by-product (DBP)

formation. The lower concentration of NOM, the lower DBP will be formed. The conventional

treatment of water using alum as coagulant is the customary practice at Australian water

treatment plants. However, natural organic matter is not completely removed by the

coagulation processes, even at high dosage applications. Hence, other treatment options may

need to be considered and adopted in order to optimize the overall treatment process.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been considered as powerful and efficient

treatment methods for NOM removal and for minimization of DBP formation. These processes

involve the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (.OH), one of the most powerful oxidants known,

with NOM. The AOP Ozone-UV oxidation has been investigated and found to mineralize NOM

mineralization, with by a decrease in DBP formation potential under strong oxidation process.

This study focuses on the enhancement of conventional treatment systems integrated with

AOP Ozone-UV oxidation to optimize treatment operation to deal with NOM removal for

drinking water supplies.


Name: Asif Iqbal


Supervisors: Dr Andrew Allan, Dr Rocco Zito

Project title: Modeling Eco-Efficiency for Vehicular Emissions: A study on Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Modeling Eco-Efficiency for vehicular emmisions: A Study on Dahka City of Bangladesh Abstract:

The contribution of different industry sectors to air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions is important to demonstrate the consequence of various activities on the

environment. Development in the transport sector can achieve sustainability when efficiency

in service and emissions reduction is ensured. Thus the objective of this research is to

generate scenarios of pollution and GHG levels at different state of the transport system in

Bangladesh, along with assessing its efficiency level. A detailed emission inventory will be

conducted to support the generation of emission scenarios. The study focuses on developing a

relationship based on the emission scenarios, in order to facilitate assessing transport eco-

efficiency in further cases in Bangladesh or in other similar developing countries. This eco-

efficiency approach can create new opportunities to the motorized cities of the developing

countries (like Dhaka city) to justify their transport system and can try to attain efficiency in

greater extent through modification. The research aims to provide scientifically informed

policy guidelines to decision makers for the proper management of the transport sector, to

maximize the environmental wellbeing of urban environments.


Name: Syamsul Hidayat

Degree: PhD Environmental

Supervisors: Dr Guna Hewa, Mr David Pezzaniti

Project title: Investigation of optimization techniques for multiobjectives operation of stormwater harvesting

Investigation to the impact of timescales on daily run off modelling performance Abstract:

Modeling time scale is a feature of conceptual rainfall-runoff models (Diskin and Simon, 1979).

It is a factor among others which may affect the modeling performance. A rainfall-runoff model

may provide timescales vary from 6 min to daily. In regard to modeling performance, one may

intuitively assume that the shorter the time scale, the better the modeling performance.

Previous studies on the effect of timescales on modeling performance, however, show that

there has not been a clear relationship between the timescales and modeling performance.

The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of timescales on runoff volume

modeling at Parafield Drain Water Harvesting and Reuse Scheme. The sub-daily version of WC

rainfall-runoff model was employed to calculate the output at three timescales: 30min, 1 hour

(1h) and 1 day (1d). Daily runoff data from October 2003 to July 2004 and from August 2004 to

May 2005 were used in calibration and verification, respectively. The modeling performance

was assessed by two statistics, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and Volumetric Difference (VD,

%).

Results show that as the timescales become coarser, NSE values were going better whereas VD

were going worse. The efficiencies during calibration were 0.78, 0.88 and 0.91 at 30-m, 1h and

1d, respectively. VD values at the same order of timescales were 3.51, 9.37 and 9.83,

respectively. The trend of these statistics were about the same during the verification with NSE

values being 0.87, 0.91 and 0.93 and VD being 3.04, 5.60 and 3.67 at 30-m, 1h and 1d,

respectively.


Name: Arnold Platts


Supervisors: Dr Don Cameron, Dr James Ward

Project title: Development of a novel subterranean conduction augmentation technique for both vertical and horizontal ground heat exchangers in unsaturated soil

A novel augmentation technique to improve subterranean thermal conduction for ground heat exchangers in unsaturated soil Abstract:

Ground Heat Exchangers (GHE’s) are becoming increasingly more popular in passive heating

and cooling. The top few metres of soil wherein the GHE is installed is significantly influenced

by seasonal fluctuations represented in the subterranean ground wave. The heat flux

emanating from a GHE (in cooling mode) underground pipe has resulted in ‘soils’ in the

immediate vicinity having low moisture content leading to low thermal conductivity being

avoided. Low thermally conductive dry soils are generally found in hot and temperate climates

like Central and South Australia and they require GCHE’s to have long pipe runs resulting in

significant inefficiencies. Current solutions for dry soils bring little real benefit to improving the

underground Overall Heat Transfer along with the saving of water with its associated

embodied energy.

A Membrane Conduction augmentation Technique (MCAT) will bridge the gap between the

high heat flux emanating from the pipe-work carrying the heat transfer fluid to that of the soil

surround having a low capacity to absorb that same heat flux.

The MCAT will promote GCHE installations into the passive heating and cooling of buildings

into areas previously considered unsuitable on the basis of a soils low thermal conductivity.


Name: Natasha Cox


Supervisors: Dr Matthew Rofe, Dr Rowena Butland

Project title: Life in a world heritage area balancing stakeholders desire for the future

A novel augmentation technique to improve subterranean thermal conduction for ground heat exchangers in unsaturated soil Abstract:

The ideals of heritage management and planning are that important things of the past, such as

buildings, spaces, and objects, which tell a story about who we are and where we have come

from, should be conserved in their current condition so that future generations are able to

see, experience and feel in touch with the past. Often this protection involves strict and

tedious guidelines regarding their contemporary presence and function. However, there is

more to heritage than it just being something old and ‘important’ to the future. Heritage is the

meanings attached to places. It is the understanding of the past with reference to the present;

or more specifically it is our understanding of the past in relation to our views and beliefs in

the present. Heritage is about the now more so than the past, and its meanings will evolve as

the present does. It is the merging of the past into the present, and how this is captured into

the future, that has captured my attention and is guiding my research and my understanding

of heritage. This presentation will explore the notion of heritage as an ever evolving

phenomenon and the implication this has on the planning and management of them.


Name: Ahmed Ranesh

Degree: Doctor of Project Management

Supervisors: Dr Nicholas Chileshe, Prof George Zillante, Dr Tony Ma

Project title: Integration of Risk Management and Value Management in Public Private Partnership Project Management

Preliminary Findings on the Integration of Risk and Value Management Abstract:

This research is part of an on-going doctoral enquiry into the integration of Risk Management

(RM) and Value Management (VM) in Public Private Partnership projects. RM and VM are

regarded as best practice methodologies in project management and are widely applied in PPP

projects. VM uses facilitation to pursue best value (including value for money) through explicit

identification of desired project functions and subsequently RM sets out to reduce risk.

Fundamental similarities between these methodologies suggest that they are consistent.

Likewise, it is considered that VM also helps pursue the interests of RM and vice versa,

therefore conducting these two activities separately may result in a duplication of effort. Thus,

there is an argument that the wider implementation of an Integrated Risk and Value

Management (IRVM) framework in the procurement and delivery of projects would deliver

added benefits leading to better results.

Following extensive literature review and exploratory pilot interviews, a questionnaire survey

was launched amongst industry practitioners to elicit information on the practice of RM and

VM The questionnaire survey was also designed to explore the prospects for its integration.

The research findings thus far show that it is highly desirable to have an IRVM framework

throughout the lifecycle of any project. Based on the survey findings, the research puts

forward an interface framework for the much desired integration of RM and VM.


Name: Oliver MD Moinul Hosain

Degree: PhD Water Engineering


Project title: Dynamics of sub-surface drip emitter clogging in relation to temperature variation

Subsurface drip irrigation: Risks associated with water quality and soil thermal variation Abstract:

Clogging of subsurface drip emitters in reclaimed water irrigation schemes is a very common

problem. Growing evidence suggest that subsurface temperature is strongly correlated with

emitter clogging although the dynamics of how it affects emitter performance is yet to be

understood. This study analyses the thermal variation in rhizosphere including the consequent

changes in recycled water quality and their implications on bio-fouling of emitters. In the

northern horticultural district of Adelaide, seasonal variation of 18 OC at 20 cm below the

ground is very common and the recorded variation in any 10 year period is notably high (25.8 OC). Furthermore, the average diurnal variation is also important for operational purpose as

the minimum and maximum soil temperature in any day would always occur in specific times.

This variation in subsurface temperature affects reclaimed water quality primarily by

regulating microbial growth in the labyrinth flow path of emitters. The ever changing level of

microbial quality of recycled water still poses threat to sustainable practice of drip technology.

The study concludes that future research, design and operation of reclaimed water irrigation

schemes must account for these sustainability issues.


Name: Anna Leditschke


Supervisors: Dr Matthew Rofe, Dr Rowena Butland

Project title: A comparison of regulatory versus

performance-based planning systems in

relation to cultural heritage management.

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

Abstract:

Professionals are often confronted with work situations that both consciously and

subconsciously question their personal ethical standpoints. These dilemmas can be induced

through conflicts with their moral obligations to clients, work colleagues, society as a whole, as

well as to themselves. This presentation will discuss preliminary research into understanding

how planners conceptualise ‘justice’ within their occupation. This includes consideration of the

role of ethics, morals and values within decision-making processes, and how this affects

relationships with stakeholders.

Preliminary investigations have indicated that the role of the planner and how they conduct

themselves is an important and continually evolving area of inquiry within the field of urban

planning. The notion of ‘justice’ is related fundamentally to the rights and equality of both

individuals and the collective within society, and as such, the results of this study have possible

implications for reflection by disciplines other than planning. This presentation will therefore

explore the concept of ‘justice’ in greater detail, while considering the repercussions of its use

in planning and in other fields.


Name: Subhashini Chathurika Wella Hewage



Project title: Methodologies to assess the performance of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) measures in maintaining natural status of flow regimes of urbanized catchments.

Catchment scale performances of infiltration-based WSUD measures in greenfield developments Abstract:

Urban sprawl of greenfield catchments is inevitable due to population growth and industrial

expansions. Transforming natural catchments into urban landscapes induces a host of

environmental issues including altered catchment response in terms of increased surface

runoff and velocities, changed baseflow conditions and reduced time of concentration.

Consequently, the concept of sustainable catchment development necessitates

implementation of stormwater source control techniques. These techniques aim to prevent or

minimise detrimental hydrologic impacts associated with catchment development by

mimicking natural flow regimes. In Australia, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

techniques, such as bioretention, infiltration trenches and permeable pavements, are

increasingly used to manage stormwater runoff. With WSUD being an integral part of

stormwater management plans, it is critical to understand the hydrologic performances of

these techniques. Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate hydrologic performance

of WSUD measures in allotment scale; however, the catchment scale impact of WSUD

measures is not well recognised. This presentation focuses on evaluating the catchment scale

performances of infiltration-based WSUD measures using a calibrated model and flow duration

control as a design strategy. Modelling was undertaken considering various development

scenarios (10%, 20%, 30% imperviousness, etc.) and maintained conditions using WSUD for

Scott Creek catchment. Results from this evaluation suggest that adopted infiltration-based

WSUD measures can effectively reproduce near natural streamflow time-series in developed

catchments.


Name: Mohamed Mossad


Supervisors: A/Prof Linda Zou, Prof Dennis Mulcahy

Project title: Using capacitive deionization for inland brackish groundwater desalination

Electrosorptive behavior under various operational conditions in the capacitive deionization process Abstract:

In this work, fouling, scaling and cleaning of the capacitive deionisation (CDI) with activated

carbon electrodes were systematically investigated for the first time. Electrode fouling caused

by different total organic carbon (TOC) and inorganic salt levels in the CDI feed solutions was

investigated in a series of controlled fouling experiments. After each CDI experiment, a series

of cleaning steps was performed to understand the reversibility of fouling accumulated on

the electrode surface by analysing the cleaning solutions. It was found that the higher the

TOC concentration in the CDI feed solution, the more the reduction of salt removal efficiency,

declination in the production rate and energy consumption (kWh per m3). Dissolved organic

matter (humic acid) is the main cause of electrode fouling, as it blocks the activated carbon

pores and reduces their electrosorption capacitance. Ca and Mg have no noticeable effect on

the CDI treatment performance. However, Fe seemed to have a greater effect on CDI

electrode fouling. Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions were able to restore the recovery of

the CDI performance from fouling caused by dissolved organic and inorganic salts,

respectively. Pre-treatment aiming at reducing the TOC levels is recommended to achieve

sustainable operation performance for CDI.


Name: Aleisha Brock

Degree: PhD Environmental

Supervisor: Prof Phil Weinstein, A/Prof David Bruce, A/Prof David Slaney

Project title: A risk assessment tool for antimalarial resistance: the importance of drug misuse

A Risk Assessment Tool for Antimalarial Resistance: The Importance of Drug Misuse. Abstract:

The emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance is hampering global malaria treatment

and eradication efforts. Resistance in areas of Southeast Asia is an important aspect of

malaria control and the reduction of malaria-associated mortality, as there are only a small

number of treatments currently available that are as efficient as ACTs and a limited number

currently under development. The misuse of antimalarial drugs has been identified as a

contributing factor by the World Health Organisation, where substandard treatments and

counterfeited medicines have facilitated the spread of resistant strains. Other associated

factors include: actions of aid agencies and government health services during disasters; land

use; mosquito and parasite biology; and community demographics. I hypothesise that drug

misuse and associated factors contribute to the emergence and spread of antimalarial

resistance in Plasmodium falciparum.

Preliminary analysis will inform model building stages, where mathematical modelling will be

used to describe the dynamics between and within hosts and parasites. These models will

then be combined to create a risk analysis tool using aspects of systems modelling. The tool is

timely as it will enable stakeholders to choose the most effective malaria treatment strategy in

the face of global ACT and multidrug resistance.


Name: Noor Ismah Hashim

Degree: Doctor of Project Management

Supervisors: Dr Nicholas Chileshe, Dr Sam Baroudi

Project title: An investigation into multiple projects

environments within the Australian Construction

industry

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

Multiple Project Environments (MPEs) create challenges within management complexity and

capacity. MPEs have developed within the construction industry due to economic and

business imperatives. Unfortunately, the existing evidence supporting this problem is rather

weak within the context of the Australian construction industry. As such, management

performance within MPEs and their effectiveness or otherwise is running unchecked. In order

to be effective, contingency theory states that organisations should be apt to characteristics

such as task interdependency and uncertainty as pertaining to their environment. Therefore,

this study investigates the challenges and the characteristics of MPEs with the aim of

improving project management effectiveness. This involves the construction of a theoretical

framework relating challenges to characteristics of MPEs and then testing this framework

against empirical data.


Name: Faisal Ahammed


Supervisors: Dr Guna Hewa, A/Prof John Argue

Project title: Stormwater management using water sensitive urban design principles in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Applying WSUD principles to manage stormwater in Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles were investigated for Dhaka’s stormwater

drainage network and three practical alternatives including leaky-wells, soak-aways and

infiltration trenches were identified. Rainfall intensity-frequency-duration relationships

required in the design process were developed using 57 years (1953–2009) daily rainfall data.

We evaluated 100 years average recurrence interval storm using ‘Regime in Balance’ strategy

and the hydraulic designs show that a 13–15 m3 WSUD technology in 500 m2 residential

allotment may improve Dhaka’s unsatisfactory stormwater management option into one

which is sustainable. Multi-criteria decision analysis technique using Analytic Hierarchy

Process model was also evaluated to select the most appropriate WSUD technology. Eleven

criteria under three categories (technical, economical and social) were considered to quantify

relative priorities of alternatives and after the analysis, it was found that leaky-well

(percentage priority 43%) followed by soak-away (38%) was the most appropriate WSUD

technology for Dhaka City. A modeling equation was also developed to determine optimal

numbering and sizing of leaky-wells required to manage stormwater. The key highlights of this

presentation include:

Development of WSUD design specifications required in the design process,

Hydraulic designs of WSUD technologies,

Applying multi-criteria decision analysis technique to select the most appropriate

WSUD technology,

Hydrologic modeling of leaky-wells to manage stormwater in Dhaka City.


Name: Li Meng

Degree: PhD Transport Systems Engineering

Supervisors: Prof Michael Taylor, Prof Steven Hamnett, Dr Nicholas Holyoak

Project title: Choice models for analysing station access mode choice and residential location choice in Adelaide’s Northern Rail Corridor

Choice models for analysing station access mode choice and residential location choice in Adelaide’s Northern Rail Corridor Abstract:

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has become a topic of great interest in recent times as a

method of coping with the current energy crisis epoch and climate change phenomenon. In

some successful international TOD cases, relatively high density residential areas and public

transport patronage are generally demonstrated, however in low density cities, such as

Adelaide, can a TOD be created to form a sustainable urban development?

This study uses Adelaide’s Northern Rail Corridor as a case study area to apply discrete choice

models for an analysis of possible policies for TOD development, especially in regards to

Mawson Lakes. The study produced a 24 page survey questionnaire which was distributed to

residents both by paper mail and an online survey, with over 600 respondents in the corridor

providing answers and comments. Different models have been developed in this study with

regard to station access mode choice and residential location choice. The results show that

the travel distance from home to the railway station as well as house type are important

factors for the decision making of corridor travellers. The factors of daily activity, age, house

affordability, car park availability, and personal safety are strongly influenced by individual

heterogeneity preferences. Modelling results will be further plotted in GIS modelling for

state-of-practice policy suggestions.


Name: Mohamad Sufian Hasim

Degree: PhD Building

Supervisors: A/Prof Stephen Pullen, Dr Alpana Sivam

Project title: A Framework for the Adoption of Sustainable Asset

Management In Universities in Developing

Countries

Sustainability Practices in Facilities Management: Analysis of Drivers and Barriers for Australian Universities Abstract:

Sustainability practices in FM are important for organizations as they have a significant

influence on organizational success. However, to enhance sustainability implementation,

organizations need to have drivers which can facilitate the effective integration of

sustainability into organizations. In addition, the number of possible barriers should be

reduced to a minimal level. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify drivers and

barriers that influences and obstruct university organizations to perform sustainable practice.

As a public sector, universities have great leadership role in achieving a sustainable

development goal. The survey was carried out across 32 Australian universities and directed to

128 managerial positions in facilities management departments through online self-

administered questionnaires. The survey achieved a total response rate of 40%. The analysis of

results highlighted that universities in Australia have various significant drivers that influence

sustainability performance such as the high commitment in the future vision and mission;

pressures from stakeholders; policy and strategy in place; availability of knowledge-enhanced

programs; collaborations; and reporting. From fourteen listed barriers, among the most

important was financial constraints, organizational engagement, and organizational culture.

Even though the study concludes that there is a significant level of factors that influences the

performance of sustainability practices in Australian universities, the asset management team

needs to seriously consider improving strategies to overcome the key barriers identified in this

research that potentially slow down achieving future target.

KEYWORDS

Sustainability Practices, Facilities Management, Australian Universities, Organization

Sustainability, Questionnaire Survey


Name: Sithara Harshanie Premalal Walpita Gamage


Supervisors: Dr Guna Hewa, Prof Simon Beecham

Project title: Probalistic Nature of Hydrologic Losses in South

Australian Catchments

Distribution of hydrological losses for varying rainfall and antecedent wetness conditions Abstract:

Hydrological loss is a vital component in many hydrological models, which are used in

forecasting floods and evaluating water resources for both surface and subsurface flows. Due

to the complex and random nature of the rainfall runoff process, hydrological losses are not

yet fully understood. Consequently, practitioners often use representative values of the losses

for design applications such as rainfall-runoff modelling which has led to inaccurate

quantification of water quantities in the resulting applications. The existing hydrological loss

models must be revisited and modellers should be encouraged to utilise other available data

sets.

This study is based on three unregulated catchments situated in Mt. Lofty Ranges of South

Australia (SA). The study focuses on conceptual models for: initial loss (IL), continuing loss (CL)

and proportional loss (PL) with rainfall characteristics (total rainfall (TR) and storm duration

(D)), and antecedent wetness (AW) conditions. The study introduces two methods that can be

implemented to estimate IL as a function of TR, D and AW. The IL distribution patterns and

parameters for the study catchments are determined using multivariate analysis and

descriptive statistics. The possibility of generalising the methods and the limitations of this will

be also discussed. This study will yield improvements to existing loss models and will

encourage practitioners to utilise multiple data sets to estimate losses, instead of using

hypothetical or representative values to generalise real situations.


Name: Abu Taher Md. Zillur Rabbi


Supervisors: Dr Don Cameron, Dr Mizanur Rahman

Project title: Experimental and Computational Modelling of Instabilitiy of Natural Slope.

Engineering Behavious of Silty Glacial Sand

Abstract:

The instability of sandy soil can result in catastrophic failure of geotechnical structures.

Instability arises when rapid pore water pressure is generated in loose to medium dense soil

and the stress state reaches the failure criterion for the soil. Large plastic deformations are

triggered. Some silty sands exhibit excessive settlement, when inundated, which is termed soil

collapse. Collapse settlement may lead to the failure of soil structures like failure of an earth

dam during reservoir filling, instability of slopes and landslide phenomena due to heavy

rainfall or water table rise.

This study investigates the mechanical behaviour as well as the collapse behaviour of sandy

soil with some fines from the hilly region of Mount Compass of South Australia. Three bulk

samples were collected and stored for testing. In order to understand the conditions for

instability to occur, a series of isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial compression

tests was performed under different soil preparations and confining pressures. It was found

that instability increased with decrease in density, which is compatible with the findings of

Chu and Leong (2002).

One dimensional collapse settlement testing of the soils indicated that collapse potential (CP)

depends on the nature of the fines, initial density and pressure applied before wetting. The

collapse potential is the difference between the settlement when the soil is loaded dry and

that when the soil is flooded. An increase of CP was observed with decreasing initial density,

while CP increased with increase in wetting pressure. The modification of an existing empirical

prediction model for collapse potential is being investigated.


Name: Carmel Chiu Sutcliffe


Supervisors: A/Prof Ian Clark, Dr Lou Wilson, A/Prof Alastair Greig

Project title: Narratives from the urban Roma ghetto, Fakulteta, Bulgaria

Narratives from the urban Roma ghetto, Fakulteta, Bulgaria Abstract:

This will be a virtual presentation from Sofia, Bulgaria, where I am currently conducting

fieldwork for this research, which examines the phenomenon of urban marginality for ethnic

Roma living in Fakulteta, one of Europe’s largest urban ghettos. Post-socialism, the isolated

ghetto has come to be characteristic of the urban and social fabric of Bulgaria. Lacking from

the discourse on the issues of socio-spatial seclusion are the lived experiences from within

these urban spaces. Using participatory photography and video and in-depth interviews, this

research attempts to capture the life-worlds of the research participants. The ways in which

digital imagery has allowed for rich, polyphonic narratives to be revealed and in which the

process of examination of one’s world through images and action induces self-conscious

reflexivity, will be discussed.


Abstracts – Students not Presenting at Colloquium


Name: Craig Wightman


Supervisors: Dr Andrew Allan, Dr Sadasivam Karuppannan

Project title: Attitudes and Preferences to bicycling by location: The Self-Completion Questionnaire (SCQ) and it’s Development

Attitudes and Preferences to bicycling by location: The Self-Completion Questionnaire (SCQ) and it’s Development Abstract: This presentation addresses the different stages of development that a self-completion

questionnaire (SCQ) takes from obtaining ethics clearance through to results from the pilot

study. The SCQ is about attitudes to bicycling and bicycling preferences by location, the two

locations to be targeted by the SCQ are Adelaide, South Australia and Atlanta, Georgia, United

States. There are two locations within each City that are targeted, one which has been

determined to have bicycling infrastructure, such as on-street and off-street bicycle lanes,

while the other area is to have no nearby bicycling infrastructure.

Response rates and how to maximise them in both Cities are discussed, as well as describing

the logistics of carrying out a pilot survey in a foreign Country. Turning negative feedback into

positive changes to the SCQ will be addressed, citing some examples collected from the pilot

study. From those results, it is clear that young people are not responding at the same levels

as their parents/grandparents, efforts to increase younger people to respond using social

media and other new technologies are discussed.


Name: Tri Anggraini Prajnawrdhi

Degree: PhD Planning and Building

Supervisors: Dr. Alpana Sivam Dr. Sadasivam Karuppannan

Project title: An approach to sustainable development and preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries: An investigation of Denpasar

An approach to sustainable development and preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries: An investigation of Denpasar Abstract: Urbanisation is a major trend all over the world especially in the developing countries.

Denpasar, the capital city of Bali has the highest population growth amongst other regencies

in Bali, and this growth is based on rapid urbanisation from other regency and especially from

outside Bali Island. With growing population and influx of tourists, this culturally rich city is

undergoing a transformation to cope with the demand for infrastructure and services for

growing population and tourism. This transformation is disturbing the original plan for

Denpasar which is built on the architectural traditions of Hindu city and building code and

affecting the urban heritage of the city. As heritage places are scarce and valuable to the

community, it is important to conserve them as they are not renewable. Conservation is very

important in the management of heritage sites as once the site is destroyed, it cannot be

regenerated, reintroduced or duplicated. The aim of the research is to develop an approach

to sustainable planning based on Urban Design Principles (UDPs) to protect the cultural

heritage simultaneously accommodating growing population and promote tourism.


Name: N P Giri Putri Setyawathi

Degree: Masters by Research

Supervisors: Dr Rowena Butland

Project title: Integrated approach to improve healthy living

environment in the cities

Designing Healthy Communities: An investigation into the impacts of place-making on physical activity as an interface between design and aesthetic quality Abstract:

This study is concerned with approaching an understanding of the impacts urban planning

and built environment can have on populations’ health. The purpose of this research lies in

contributing to understanding the contemporary nature of urban design on the

development of healthy living within the urban environment. Such an understanding may

offer an opportunity to reconsider the ways in which professionals (planners, urban

designers and architects) approach the offering of assistance in city planning with

consideration to structuring the living environment that helps to create a sustained healthy

community.

This study takes place around two related enquiries. The first emerges from an idea that the

health of the individual is linked to the health of the wider community and, indeed to the

health of the supporting environment (Moughtin et al., 2009, p.21, Jackson and Sinclair,

2012). Following such idea, this thesis seeks to analyse the ways in which discourses on

environmental condition might influence people’s lifestyle and their health outcomes.

Secondly, as a foray into methodologies of health study, this research is developed based on

the idea that an appealing landscape contributes to people health (Abraham et al., 2010,

p.59). This approach are explored as means of bringing further insight into more specific

links between the aesthetic quality of landscapes and health that concerns on the way

human environmental perception is perceived and experienced as a resources for healthy

behaviour. Building on these two starting interests, the research seeks to explore the

possibility of designing environmental landscape through approaching an understanding on

the impacts of aesthetic appreciation has upon people’s health.

Keyword: Aesthetic quality, physical activities, human experience


2012 Research Student Commencements –


Mr Reza Hassanli

Mr Md Mamunur Rashid

Miss Nilupa (Dona) Thushari Udawatta

Miss Natasha Cox

Miss Anna Marie Leditschke

Mr Mohammad Reza Hosseini

Miss Emma Wannell

Mr Osama Elsaid Abdelmonem Youssef

Mr Sherif Mostafa

Miss Ni Putu Giri Putri Setyawathi

Mr Peter Slay

Mr Vahid Poorjafarijavazm

Mrs Maria Baby


2012 Research Student Commencements continued


Mr Alaa Abdel Hamid Ismail

Miss Kelly Hill

Miss Beth Louise Keogh

Mrs Aleisha Brock

Mr Mohammad Reza Hosseini

Mr Bjorn Dueholm

Ms Shirini Afroze

Mr Choon Hua Goh

Mr Javad Sadoghi Yazdi

Mrs Niranjani Semananda

Sustain12 Noor Ismah Hashim 27 10.00am Faisal Ahammed 28 10.15am Li Meng 29 10.30am Mohamad Sufian...

Documents

Transcript of Sustain12 Noor Ismah Hashim 27 10.00am Faisal Ahammed 28 10.15am Li Meng 29 10.30am Mohamad Sufian...