Our Research

Our architecture and landscape architecture research covers the following areas: 

1. culture and creativity 
   • culture, history and theory
   • design research
2. sustainability
   • environment, landscape and building
   • sustainable construction

Architecture and landscape architecture research 

Our Civil Engineering research focuses on three areas: 

Structural engineering and materials  

We produce research on structural materials, mechanics, analysis and design of engineering structural systems. We are global leaders in specialised structures such as Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) retrofitted, earthquake and lightweight composite structures. We study the behaviour of structures under load, the development of new construction materials and methods, and the use of advanced modelling and simulation techniques. We collaborate closely with industry and advise the government on Australian standards for structural engineering. Our computational mechanics team works on the development and applications of both discrete and continuum approaches (mesh-based and mesh-free), their algorithms and material models across the scales to tackle challenging problems in engineering. 

Lead researchers  

• Dr Terry Bennett 
• Professor (Alex) Ching Tai Ng 
• Associate Professor Giang Nguyen 
• Dr Mohamed Mohamed Sadakkathulla 
• Associate Professor Abdul Sheikh 
• Professor Scott Smith 
• Professor Phillip Visintin 

Geotechnical engineering  

Our Geoengineering research group is engaged in design of infrastructure projects with key industry partners. The group’s in-depth research centres around the behaviour of soil and rock, the use of advanced numerical modelling techniques, and the development of new foundation and slope stabilisation methods. 

Lead researchers

• Dr An Deng 
• Professor Mark Jaksa 
• Dr Brendan Scott 

Water engineering  

Our forward-thinking research group supports the sustainable planning, design, operation and management of Australia’s water infrastructure and natural resources. We are internationally recognised experts and leaders in Australia in relation to water infrastructure and natural resources management technologies including flood control. We are a trusted industry partner and policy advisor at national, state, and local levels.   

Lead researchers

• Dr Bree Bennett 
• Dr Michael Leonard 
• Professor Martin Lambert 
• Dr Mark Thyer 

Areas of research within the Construction Management discipline include: 

• Resource efficiency; construction and demolition waste management 
• Green building rating tools and development 
• Dynamic interaction between sustainability and other factors in building and infrastructure projects 
• Sustainable/low carbon cities 
• Sustainability and competitiveness 
• Stakeholder engagement in the sustainable built environment 
• Risk management in low carbon developments 
• Sustainability disclosure 
• Social acceptance of technological innovations 
• Circular economy in construction 
• Smart construction e.g., automated progress checking, Internet of Things sensors, the use of blockchain 
• Environmental excellence on construction sites 
• Renewable energy incorporated into the built environment 
• Lifecycle assessment of the built environment 

Lead researchers

• Professor Jian Zuo 
• Dr Ruidong Chang 
• Professor George Zillante 
• Dr Navodana Rodrigo  
• Dr Chamitha Wijewickrama

We are world-leading experts in managing complex systems, understanding the impacts of climate extremes, managing water and other critical resources. We are engaged in thought-provoking projects involving urban water, integrated river management, environmental protection, embedding the circular economy and ‘end-of-life’ into infrastructure planning and design.  

Lead researchers

• Professor Dmitri Kavetski 
• Dr Michael Leonard 
• Professor Holger Maier 
• Dr Mark Thyer 
• Professor Seth Westra 
• Dr Aaron Zecchin