A groundbreaking project at the University of South Australia (UniSA) aims to significantly improve Australia's approach to infrastructure resilience and digital recovery. Professor Yan Zhuge from UniSA will lead research to improve testing methods for construction materials under extreme stress, with the aim of improving infrastructure resilience to natural and man-made disasters in the wake of climate change.
Professor Zhuge focuses on advancing the Hopkinson rod, a key apparatus in civil engineering that tests how materials respond to mechanical stress. The Hopkinson rod was originally developed in 1914 by British electrical engineer Bertram Hopkinson to measure pressures created by small explosions and projectile impacts.
These include innovations by Herbert Kolsky in 1949, who used two rods to measure stresses and strains in materials. Today, the Hopkinson beam is crucial for understanding how materials behave under powerful forces such as bombings, explosions and other catastrophic events.
However, as construction materials have evolved, the existing Hopkinson bar has struggled to keep up with newer materials that require more precise testing methods. Professor Zhuge's team is closing this gap with the introduction of a new generation AU$720,000 biaxial Hopkinson rod that uses electromagnetic forces to apply pressure in two directions.
This advance will allow researchers to more accurately simulate the effects of strong impact forces, such as those caused by lightning strikes, typhoons and even large hailstones. The new device is expected to significantly improve the testing process and provide important data for the development of more resilient materials and construction techniques.
The equipment is partially funded by an ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment Facilities (LIEF) grant of AU$420,000 and is matched by AU$300,000 from eight Australian universities. It is also supported by a separate ARC Discovery Project grant of AU$402,221 awarded to Professor Zhuge for another initiative. These funding sources reflect the growing importance of this research in addressing the challenges facing Australia's infrastructure.
Australia's infrastructure is increasingly at risk from the effects of climate change. Projections suggest that natural disasters will become more frequent and severe by 2050. Buildings, bridges and roads are all vulnerable to damage, and Professor Zhuge emphasizes the urgent need for more effective design methods to ensure these structures can withstand such events.
The new Hopkinson bar will help researchers develop better testing processes, enabling the development of more robust materials and systems that can withstand both natural and man-made disasters.
In addition to his work at the Hopkinson Bar, Professor Zhuge is also leading another innovative project – investigating the potential for 3D printing of reinforced concrete. While 3D printing has already become established in digital construction, it has so far been limited to printing only concrete, which lacks the reinforcement necessary for practical applications. This new research aims to find out whether it is possible to print fiber-reinforced polymers alongside concrete, creating a stronger, more sustainable building material that can be used in real-world construction.
As part of this project, Professor Zhuge will also research a sustainable alternative to Portland cement – an alkali-activated slag binder that hardens quickly and emits significantly less CO2. This eco-friendly solution offers a more sustainable approach to construction and is in line with global efforts to reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint.
Starting in July 2025, research will impact digital construction by improving materials testing and exploring new possibilities in 3D printing. Professor Zhuge's work could shape the infrastructure of the future, using robotics to increase efficiency and safety and reduce environmental impact while addressing critical challenges in sustainable construction methods.
The results will be critical to ensuring Australia's infrastructure can meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world driven by climate change.