If you have ever had a building plan rejected, you will
be familiar with the frustration of trying to get it amended
and approved by your local government authority. Until recently,
the only way owners, builders and architects in Australia
could tell if their building plans and specification were
within the appropriate rules and regulations was to constantly
refer to the Building Code of Australia.
BCAider isthe first knowledge based 'expert' software system in the world to encompass a national building code, that has been widely accepted and is used by building designers, surveyors, architects, engineers, code developers and educational organisations. It incorporates the massive 400 page Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the 100 page BCA Commentary document and expert knowledge base including graphics. The program was developed by Dr Ron Sharpe in 1989 at the CSIRO Division of Building, Construction and Engineering, and commercialised by Butterworths division of Reed International Books Australia Pty Limited in 1991.
BCAider gives users guidance on the more complex regulations. It allows several alternatives to be explored quickly by testing out variations, for example by changing dimensions or fire exit locations. By avoiding design errors from the outset, it helps users obtain building approval from authorities first time around.
In future, your next property development or minor household extension could be 'approved' in advance by BCAider.
Software for designing optimum
steel connections
Connection Tutor is an expert software program jointly developed
by the University of Melbourne and the CSIRO Division of Building,
Construction and Engineering, to guide users in the design
of steel connections in structures. It contains guidance and
decision procedures for three types of connections, components
and assemblies; component strength; bolt and weld groups;
and shear connections. The program runs on IBM compatible
computers. Although the program is based on the Australian
standard for steel structures (AS4100-1990), because Australian
standards are among the most stringent in the world, the innovation
has applications in other countries. Particularly as it is
the first software of its kind that gives full explanations
for its computation which can then be checked by the user
to ensure compliance to their own country's codes.
Economical mapping software
for civil engineers
Access to professional mapping software can be limited by
the user's computer hardware platform and budget. So Brad
Quick and Ken Toleman of Geocomp Systems Pty Ltd developed
Geocomp for use on standard IBM-compatible computers with
a basic 640K of memory.
Considered a leader in this field, Geocomp is a comprehensive software system for civil engineering, surveying and mapping. Utilising a graphical user interface with mouse and keyboard control and user-definable pop-up menus, the software is easy to learn and use.
Input data can be accepted from data collectors, GPS units, field books, tablet digitisers and analytical stereo digitisers. Digital data can be imported from other design systems, such as AutoCAD and MOSS. Geocomp includes facilities for surface modelling, contouring, road and intersection design, water supply and drainage channel design, piped drainage design, network adjustment, map compilation and adjustment, land subdivision, perspective views and geodetic conversions between mapping systems. Outputs are plans and sections, printed reports and digital information in many formats.
Engineering software for
motorway construction
Determining what rock or soil structures lie directly below
the ground is of vital interest to engineers. The key to how,
when and where a particular civil engineering project will
be located, has to do with the geological stability of an
area, which is determined by building up a picture of the
subsurface using seismic refraction.
Refract is a new software unique in its algorithms, developed by the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales for the analysis, processing and plotting of seismic refraction data used for engineering site investigations. It was commercialised in 1992 by Geo Instruments Pty Ltd and while it is not the first, Refract is the most scientifically accurate tool of its kind in the world for engineers. Flexible and user friendly, it can interface with many seismic refraction processing programs like Firstpix and Seisview.
The first truly portable
concrete plant
Concrete is one of the most common, versatile and practical
building materials available today. The problem is, that its
price per cubic metre varies enormously, depending on how
far it has to travel from the plant where it is mixed, to
the building site.
The biggest news since the invention of ready-mixed concrete trucks in the 1930s, is the recent launch of a truly portable concrete plant, capable of producing commercially practical quantities of quality concrete at the building site.
Conceived and developed by John and Tim O'Sullivan, and Tony Brown of BOS (Qld) Pty Ltd, the BOS Portable Concrete Plant was commercialised in 1993. Consisting of a 3.8 litre diesel power plant, hydraulic pump, 100 litre hydraulic tank, 1,350 litre water tank, load display unit, printer and recording unit, 200 litre fuel tank, water pump and flow meter, and mixing bowl, the fully self-contained plant is housed in a strong modular framework and can be easily transported to and around the building site. To access those really hard to get at locations, it even fits snugly into a shipping container.
The BOS Portable Concrete Plant comes in a range of output capacities from 4 to 40 cubic metres per hour. Sand and aggregate is simply loaded into the plant by bobcat or loader from any one of three sides, and the consistency of the mix regulated either by the on-board computer or manually. Quality control can be assured by a report print-out.
The innovation is not only an important step towards lowering concrete construction costs, it also allows the builder more flexibility and reduced concrete wastage. Important factors that will inevitably see this ingenious product in use all over the world.
Improving cash flows on large
construction projects
The bigger the project, the more complex the financial components
and supply timing requirements. In any major development,
keeping track of the hundreds of different payments and matching
them to income over a long period of time with constantly
changing variables, is a nightmare, even for the most enthusiastic
accountant. Making the right decisions requires accurate and
reliable cash flow forecasts. Quick, easy and realistic cash
flow forecasting is vital not only to finishing the job on
time, but also to ensuring a profitable conclusion.
A new, versatile software package called FINCASH 3, for IBM compatible PCs, now makes it easy for quantity surveyors and project managers of large construction and civil engineering developments to accurately forecast cash flows and help manage projects within forecasts. Developed and commercialised in 1992 by the CSIRO Division of Building, Construction and Engineering, the easy to use program uses a unique algorithm developed from research into historical projects. The world first software can simultaneously organise the specific cash flow forecasts of up to 100 different construction activities or stages of the projects at one time, and can produce several reports for easy management.
The smart household fire
alarm and sprinkler system
For many years, fire alarms and sprinkler systems have been
compulsory safety devices for large commercial, industrial
and public buildings. Properties such as offices, factories
and shopping centres must all have them. But until recently,
the complex and expensive technology that protected these
buildings, was way beyond the financial reach of home owners
and small businesses.
Conceived by electronics technician Keith Wakelam and developed by his company Pivotron Pty Ltd, the patented PyroSense fire detection and suppression system, is the first to be designed specifically for use in private households and small commercial properties. Commercialised in 1993, the system is both affordable and has highly innovative control and false alarm verification features.
The basic system consists of a control unit, one smoke detector with a battery eliminator board, and two sprinklers. The simple to install system is flexible and can be configured to protect a one room shop, a small home or a mansion with dozens of rooms.
When smoke is initially detected, the control unit temporarily restricts power to the detectors and re-checks for smoke in a pre-set period of time, ranging from 2 to 10 seconds. If the presence of smoke is verified, sprinklers are activated and the system goes into full alarm status. In the event of a false alarm, the system remains on low alarm state until it is cancelled manually. The control unit can also be programmed to open and close electrically operated doors and security window shutters, automatically providing escape routes and securing the building - an important safety feature for the elderly and the disabled.
The entire system is backed-up by a battery power source in case of mains power failure. Easy to install and maintain, the PyroSense system is an inexpensive and potentially life saving product that every home should have.
Very early smoke detection
apparatus saving lives
Thousands of lives and many billions in assets are lost each
year because of fire damage. And with the increasing use of
highly inflammable and toxic polymer based synthetic materials
that are now used in buildings, the risk of fire in the modern
world is on the increase.
Fire alarms are nothing new and have saved many lives over the years, but current devices are often activated by smoke or intense heat from the fire after it has started and already caused damage.
The world's most sensitive fire detector, VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) was pioneered jointly by CSIRO and Telstra Corporation Limited. It is 1,000 times more sensitive to smoke particles than conventional detectors and can detect fire almost before it starts. VESDA was designed and commercialised by IEI (Australia) Pty Ltd.
As some fires may smoulder for up to several hours before ignition, VESDA's ability to detect fires at the developing stage results in much earlier warnings. At the heart of the system is an optical air monitor which samples filtered air drawn from the area protected and exposes it to a high intensity, broad spectrum light source. Light scattered off airborne particles is the key to this technology. A very sensitive receiver measures the level of smoke or other airborne pollution. The system can be configured to disconnect power to overheating cables or equipment and can work as an effective integrated fire prevention system. VESDA automatically monitors, tests and records its findings and can be linked to building services and other security monitoring systems.
It is comforting to know that while we continue to surround ourselves with a profusion of new inflammable materials and build structures increasingly harder to protect from fire, that there is someone out there who is coming up with innovative solutions that protect us from potentially life threatening urban disasters.
Shielding structures from
fungi, mold and graffiti
In urban areas, air pollution makes tough demands on the
surface of most construction materials. Concrete, brick, cement
masonry, and stonework are all at risk from acid rain, hydrocarbon
contaminants and graffiti.
Atmospheric pollution and acid sources are airborne in the first instance, but are carried into surface pores by rainwater. There, as well as their direct staining and corrosion damage, they form a fertile breeding environment for fungi, mould and algae.
Developed by Ronn Hansen of Ecologel Systems Pty Ltd, Fungishield 211 is a polymer for the treatment of porous masonry and concrete which prevents the growth of fungi and mould. Fungishield overcomes these problems by creating an extremely durable and water-repellent surface. Rain then washes away deposited contaminants. Fungus spores are deprived of anchorage and moisture essential for growth, and are also washed away.
Because Fungishield does not rely on fungicides, it is not species-specific, and has exceptional mould effectiveness. Unique in a number of aspects, Fungishield is also non-toxic and safe for the environment.
Solid-state tamper-proof
valve safety device
Originally developed to overcome the accidental or deliberate
incorrect operation of fire service system control valves,
the Amtron valve monitoring device was invented in 1984 by
Anthony Magee and developed by his company Amtron Valve Monitoring
Device Pty Ltd.
Using solid state technology, the operating components of the device are hermetically sealed within a shock resistant potting compound. Any attempt to interfere with the operation of the valve activates an alarm at a central control panel.
The company's anti-tamper valve monitoring devices are now being used to continuously monitor and protect virtually any type of control valves. Industrial applications include power stations, oil and gas installations, petro-chemical plants, water reticulation systems, and refineries. They are also extensively used in commercial and residential properties. The standard weatherproof device has an injection moulded, flame retardant, UV resistant polyester casing. It can also be supplied in stainless steel or silicon bronze investment casings.
For optimum security of the installation, a solid state line monitoring interface module is also available to support the individual devices. This module constantly monitors the line integrity, and activates an alarm if any attempt is made to interfere with the wiring of any part of the system.
The ultimate in lightning
protection
More than 1,000 people die from lightning every year. What
is more surprising is that because of lightning, more people
die playing golf than playing any other sport including boxing,
wrestling, football and motor racing. In fact around the world,
an estimated 6,000 lightning strikes occur every minute, 24
hours a day. Not surprisingly, the annnual damage to property
is astronomical.
The conventional methods of lightning protection were sharp rods from Franklin's days, horizontal conductors known as the Faraday Cage or combinations of both.
The Dynasphere Lightning Terminal invented by Rick Gumley in 1988, and developed by Lightning Protection International Pty Ltd is the most advanced equipment of its type in the world. The Dynasphere actually draws the lightning from competing points on a structure or building so that instead of striking equipment on the building, the lightning targets the Dynasphere terminal.
The Dynasphere is insulated from the structure being protected and connected to the Triax downconductor which carries the electrical discharge to the ground safely and totally eliminates the risk of side flashing. The combination of the Dynasphere terminal and the Triax cable makes this the best lightning protection system yet devised.
There are five main components in the System 3000: a computer enhanced simulation to account for widely variable structural geometries; the Dynasphere; the Triax; the Lightning Event Counter to register the number of strikes; and the Earth Enhancing Compound to improve earthing in difficult areas.
Hundreds of Dynaspheres are now installed throughout the Asia-Pacific. For a glimpse of this astonishing technology you need to look skywards. In Hong Kong, for example, you will see one on top of the colony's tallest building, the Bank of China Tower. And if you are contemplating a game of golf in uncertain weather, heed a word of good advice. If your golf course does not have a Dynasphere installed, go to one that does.
Protecting electronics in
multi-strike lightning
Rapid advances in electronic technology, miniaturisation
and large scale integrated circuitry has vastly increased
the sensitivity and consequently the susceptibility of high-tech
electronics to voltage surges and spikes. Lightning impulses
can often effect power systems either via a direct strike
or indirectly through inductive and capacitive coupling, damaging
expensive capital equipment. In the past, conventional protection
technology used one fused and alarmed MOV, which could rapidly
accumulate heat and self-destruct, leaving the equipment unprotected.
Developed by Critec Pty Ltd, Movtec is the first protection technology with five lines of defence and remote alarm against a lightning strike. Connected at the service entrance of buildings containing sensitive electronic equipment, it uses metal oxide varistors to clamp and dissipate excessive voltages.
Movtec has an array of five MOV segments, failure of any one leaves four other segments to continue protecting the equipment until the end of the storm. These Multipulse surge diverters are designed to cope with the additional energy found in 75% of all lightning, where multiple strikes follow the main discharge in the space of tens of milliseconds. Movtec uses matched protection arrays where individual elements which have exceeded their thermal or energy ratings are sequentially disconnected from the primary circuit leaving other segments active to maintain protection. Each unit can also be configured for its particular application.
New building material changes
the face of construction
Brick, concrete and timber have been the most popular building
materials for centuries and very little has changed in the
materials used to build our homes, offices and factories.
However, a new composite building material is set to change
the way we think about building materials of the future.
Krusscrete, is an environmentally friendly alternative building material which effectively meets todays construction challenges of time, cost and ease. The new product was developed and commercialised by Bruno Rossetto and his company, Krusscrete International Pty Ltd, in 1986, and has since gained rapid acceptance as a viable alternative building material in the building industry in Australia.
Krusscrete comes in lightweight, hollow, tongue and groove panels, and has the stability and appearance of concrete, with the flexibility and workability of timber. It consists of 55% waste wood fibre, 44% concrete, and 1% chemical binder. The hollow cores enable services, such as electrical wires, cables and pipes, to be run through them.
Combined with its durability, high sound and fire ratings, and low moisture absorption rate, the new product is ideal for uses such as, interior and exterior walls for commercial and domestic buildings, permanent formwork, highway noise barriers, fire and service ducts.
As the panels can be drilled, electricians no longer have to contend with fitting fixtures to concrete and other impregnable surfaces. This incredible new material, into which you can hammer nails and cut with a handsaw, will be much sought after not only by tradesmen but also by architects and builders around the world.
The world's first low-cost
plastic house
Wherever we turn we see plastic utilised in a huge variety
of forms, from phones and faxes to carrier bags, we even wear
it. We have become familiar with its use in countless applications,
but for many of us, the thought of living in a plastic house
has never occurred.
Recognising the versatility of plastic, Robert Sterling, originally an accountant, invented the world's first plastic house which consists of plastic panels that interlock to form walls and roofs. The unique new building material, commercialised by his company, Sterlite Pty Ltd in 1995, is made of 50% recycled materials, is fully recyclable, almost maintenance free, easy to use, very durable and cheaper than more commonly used building materials, such as brick and timber. The low-cost plastic building material can be used for housing, formwork, high rises, commercial purposes, and many other applications.
Sterlite panels are very light and a house can be constructed within five to seven days. A thicker version of the panels can be filled with concrete for the construction of high-rise buildings and retaining walls. The panels provide good insulation and sound proofing, are resistant to water, ultra violet light, and have a higher fire rating than timber.
To make the Sterlite panels, a secret blend of raw materials is placed in a large commercial hopper, heated and passed through an extruder, exiting in the desired shape. While in a molten state, the panel is held into shape by a vacuum former and sprayed with cold water. After cooling, the panel can be imprinted with various patterns with a heated roller, and then cut into required lengths. The manufacturing process is almost fully automated, requiring minimal labour with output capacity at approximately half a tonne per hour per machine.
The panels come in a variety of colours, can be painted or covered in wall paper and are fully recyclable as they can be dismantled to re-enter the manufacturing process.
With the plastic house becoming an alternative housing option, natural resources will be preserved, and problems that have plagued home owners, such as woodrot and crumbling bricks, may become a distant memory.
Adjustable outdoor roof system
for rain or shine
Blessed with a glorious sunny climate, Australia is a country
where many people spend their quality leisure time outdoors.
Parties and barbecues are regular social events held in the
'back yard', where shelter from the mid-day sun is a essential.
Now there is a new kind of shelter from the elements called
a Vergola.
A cross between a veranda and a pergola, the Vergola is an ingenious adjustable louvred outdoor roofing system that provides protection from the sun and rain or allows ventilation with shade or sun when required. Invented by engineer Tony Rossiter in 1983, the ingenious product won the Australian Design Award in 1985 and 1987, and the Prince Philip Prize for Australian Design in 1986.
Manufactured and marketed by Vergola International Pty Ltd, the strong rigid dual-skinned steel louvres can be rotated 150 degrees by an electric motor or manually. A lip nesting with the adjacent blade provides weather sealing and a gutter on each blade disposes of rain water through a down-pipe. Vergola can be used horizontally in roofing or vertically as protective screens from the sun or wind and can span up to 3.5 metres.
The well built product is ideal for patios, outdoor entertainment areas and restaurants, and can provide the best of the great outdoors, come rain or shine.
Super efficient piped sunlight
for dark corners
Do you have a small dark area in need of light and ventilation?
An exceptional new product from Skydome Industries Limited
called Skytube now provides a simple and economical way of
adding natural light to small rooms and dark corners that
do not require high intensities of light.
Developed by Skydome's research team headed by Steve Lynch, Skytube's amazing performance is the result of the latest technology in reflectivity, a super specular Silverlux film laminated on the tubular light shaft which was developed in conjunction with 3M Australia Pty Ltd. The University of Technology Sydney, under the guidance of Professor Geoff Smith, provided invaluable assistance in the design and testing of the product through its various development stages.
The Skytube kit includes a UV-stabilised glazed dome, flashing to suit roof type, reflective tubular light shaft, curved ceiling diffuser panel and step-by-step installation instructions.
The Skytube is designed to fit all roof types and with the unique patented variable pitch adaptor, can be varied to suit all roof pitch variations and shaft lengths up to 2.4 metres. Another unique feature is the adjustable trickle vent, which makes it ideal for walk-in wardrobes and pantries. For bathrooms, toilets and laundries, a mechanical vent is available. And because the only structural change necessary is the removal of one roof tile, it takes a competent home handyman only about two hours to install.
For the future, the company is working on ways to light multi-storey buildings with natural light using fibre optic cables. For now, Skytube is an exciting new innovation that not only saves on electricity bills but can also greatly enhance the ambience of the interior of any home or office by the creative use of natural light.
World's first plastic solar
hot water system
Until recently, most solar technology was designed for countries
with extreme winter and summer climatic conditions. The need
for a low-cost solar hot water system for countries with high
solar radiation, where the air and ambient water temperatures
are constantly high, has now been fulfilled with a rugged
all-plastic system with a life time warranty against rust.
The world's first plastic solar hot water system was invented and commercialised by Birwick March Pty Ltd, trading as SOLCO, in 1986. Made from UV-stabilised polyethylene, the Solco solar hot water heating system is an inexpensive and maintenance free system.
The tank is surrounded by a structural polyurethane insulation encased in an elastomer coating, with a high solar transmission acrylic cover over the collector plate. A system of rotational moulding has also been developed to produce a one-piece, integrated solar collector and storage tank.
Designed to last more than 15 years, the 185 litre unit comes with a lifetime warranty against rust and corrosion.
Long life rust-free solar
and gas hot water systems
The problem with most solar hot water systems is that they
are designed in such a way that when the hot water storage
tank corrodes and/or leaks, the entire system has to be thrown
away and replaced by a new one. Often, the useful life of
the tank can be shorter than the pay back period of the system,
leaving the consumer with a higher total energy cost in the
long term. The problem is significant both in terms of cost
to the consumer and to the environment. In Australia alone,
more than 368,000 tanks are thrown away every year.
A simple, yet innovative new technology, has come up with a solution to the problem by developing a long life rust-free tank made from modern synthetics, capable of being re-lined as required. Invented by engineer Garry White and Peter Morris in 1988, the patented Freeheat solar hot water system is manufactured and marketed worldwide by Morris White Pty Ltd. The system can also be used with gas, and electricity.
The durable synthetic lining of the water cylinder has been approved by the World Health Organisation for use with drinking water. Costing less than conventional systems, the Freeheat system can be broken down for shipping and easily assembled on-site by low and semi-skilled labour.
In the unlikely event of a leak occuring, the inner liner of the Freeheat tank can be replaced quickly and inexpensively - eliminating the need to dispose of the expensive glass lined metal storage tank commonly used around the world for hot water storage.
Simple, trouble free water
supply connections
Water authorities around the world spend a great deal of
time, money and effort, attending to water supply service
faliures caused by substandard tapping connections. Most problems
arise from the inadequate quality and design of tapping connections
which result in a build up of water turbulence in the water
pipe, causing extra wear and pressure. Badly fitting connections
also put unecessary pressure on UPVC pipes, severely reducing
their life span.
A recent innovation designed by engineer Herbert Foxlee at Associated Water Equipment Pty Ltd, has overcome these problems. Commercialised in 1991, Taptite is a precisely engineered tapping band that fits like a collar around the circumference of pipes and allows easy installation of taps, without having to interrupt the water supply.
Designed for use with ductile iron, UPVC and Hobas pipes, the secret of Taptite's success is it's innovative inliner that prevents tuberculation and blockage of the service connection. The well-designed dual lip seal on Taptite means it is effectively water tight with less bolt torque, which reduces the stress on UPVC pipes. The tapping bands come in a range of sizes from diameters of 80mm to 300mm, and are an innovative and common-sense solution to reducing water supply failures in the future.
Remote controlled pipe-laying
laser
Laying pipes and constructing tunnels on inclined gradients
requires precision engineering, and a great deal of time and
patience. The time consuming process can now be implemented
more quickly and to exacting tolerances with the introduction
of an innovative new laser system.
Designed and built by Monochromatic Engineering Pty Ltd directed by engineer Zoran Crvenkovic, Pipeguide LS140 is a remote controlled laser that increases the speed, economy and accuracy of laying pipes or building tunnels.
Operating the system is simple. The compact laser is positioned at one end of the tunnel or trench, and a measurement of the angle of the gradient is set by aiming the beam at a target in the distance. The angle and direction of the beam can be easily changed and adjusted at a distance by a cordless full function remote controlled monitor, the first one of its kind in the world.
A liquid crystal display panel on the control gives information on every function on the laser to above ground operators. Consequently, the grade, line, and lock of the laser beam can be precisely controlled and changed from above ground by one operator, without constantly climbing in and out of a trench. Pipeguide LS140 has greatly increased the accuracy and efficiency of pipe laying and tunnel construction.
Strong simulated sandstone
retaining walls
Sandstone. The building material of days gone by, is not
only getting rare, compared to new building materials it is
expensive. But that unmistakeable look and character is still
in demand. Now, new building blocks have been developed primarily
for use in retaining wall construction, that look like sandstone,
but are stronger and cheaper.
The Loc A Bloc system consists of a unique, lockable concrete blocks which are fastened vertically and horizintally using hexagonal concrete keys, so that no mortar is required. This means no mess during construction and a reduction of at least 60% in labour. The blocks use a special concrete that provides optimum strength and resistance to salt water erosion. Costing considerably less than sawn and cut sandstone, the bolstered finish of the simulated sandstone blocks is aesthetically appealing.
Invented by practical landscaper and stonemason Keith Bowes in 1990, Loc A Bloc is manufactured and marketed by Loc A Bloc Building Products (NSW) Pty Ltd. The innovation won the silver medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva in 1992.
Continuous on-line stress
grading of timber
Predicting the structural properties of timber, such as strength
and stiffness, provides users with an accurate indication
of the load carrying capacity of each particular piece of
timber. This allows the designer to specify and use the right
timber for each job with the confidence that it will perform
without failure.
The two current methods of grading are visual and mechanical. The first relies on the subjective expert knowledge of a human being, and the second is based on solely the local stiffness of the timber. Neither method has been flawless and both have been a time consuming stop-go process. Because Australia has a far wider variety of timber species and mill environments than in Europe and North America, grading timber is considered particularly important.
Dr Robert Leicester and his staff at the CSIRO Division of Building Construction and Engineering invented a new way of stress grading timber using low-power polarised microwave scanners which can measure moisture content, density, the slope of the grain as well as knots in the timber. The innovation is widely patented and is being commercialised under licence by Peter Ogilvie and his team at Eldeco Pty Ltd.
Curly answer to on-site pipe
construction
An innovative answer to pipe construction and repair has
put an end to complex and high capital conventional pipe repair
systems of the past. Traditional pipe renovation systems require
expensive custom made liners, while others need lead-in trenches
and space for long lengths of liner. Most have bulky on-site
equipment which disrupts above ground services.
The Rib Loc system is a unique process for producing large diameter plastic pipes on location. It was invented and patented by Bill Menzel in 1978 and is manufactured by Rib Loc Group Limited.
The system uses special extruded high density polyethylene (plastic) strips with a 'T' ribbed outer surface with interlocking edges. When fed through a specially made winding machine, these edges lock together to form a tube. The corrosion resistant tube has a high strength to weight ratio and has a multitude of applications including sewer pipes, storm drains, subsoil drainage and irrigation pipes. In 1983, the system was adapted for pipeline renovation and protection. This has meant that damaged underground pipes no longer need to be dug up for repair. The Rib Loc tube is simply wound directly into the pipe to form a strong inner liner.
Rib Loc is protected by worldwide patents and is manufactured by licensees and franchises around the world.
Interactive design software
for concrete structures
Developed by consulting engineers John Mullen & Partners
Pty Ltd in 1989, JMP Soft Concrete is a revolutionary new
expert system software package that integrates the analysis,
design and drafting of reinforced concrete structures.
The package encompasses most aspects of reinforced concrete analysis and design including slabs, beams, columns, retaining walls and footings, automatically incorporating the Australian Standard AS3600-1988 concrete structures code. It selects minimum concrete strength, member sizes and cover to reinforcement for specific fire ratings and exposure classifications throughout Australia.
JMP Soft Concrete is the first software package to integrate all aspects of the design process and is written in such a way that it requires the designer to directly interact with it. At the same time, it gives the structural engineer the power and convenience to explore different design options. The system is easy to use and while the user retains control over decisions, the software sets code limits and performs error checking to virtually eliminate errors. The system is also the first to allow integration with CAD.
The new specialist software package increases productivity in the design office by cutting the time from initial design through to the production of final drawings and removes the tedium of the review process.
Stressed skin panel building
technology
For thousands of years masonry bricks and blocks have dominated
building practises around the world. This labour intensive
process of putting walls together brick by brick has undergone
profound changes with the introduction of highly cost effective,
pre-formed units for building which require minimal on-site
labour.
RITEK panels designed by Building Solutions Pty Ltd are ideal for construction in wall, roof and floor systems as a reliable alternative to conventional construction techniques. Based on stressed skin panel technology, the permanent formwork is made from fibre cement sheets separated by a series of expanded polystyrene studs.
The company makes two systems of prefabricated envelopes into which structural members are inserted where required for structural strength.
RITEK 200 is designed for applications where conventional timber framing is used and timber is readily available. The panel skins are separated by a series of expanded polystyrene studs and void spaces between studs will accept timber or steel members, cyclone rods or steel rolled hollow section members.
RITEK 300 which has high impact resistance is essentially permanent formwork and is an economic alternative to block and brick construction. Reinforcing steel is placed in the required cores and bond beams, which are then filled with concrete. Panels are available in units up to 1.2 metres wide and in various lengths. The roof panels are lightweight with high thermal insulation and span up to 4 metres in plan dimension.
Invented by builder Alan Emblin in 1992, the panels are made from non-toxic renewal materials and are suitable for high standard internal finishes and textured external coatings. As the panels only have a few components, time and costs are greatly reduced compared to conventional construction. Assembly is easy as panels can be simply cut on-site to conform to plan and sectional dimensions.
Choosing the best routes
for roads, railways and pipelines
When planning new infrastructure such as roads, railways,
pipelines and power transmission networks, the shortest distance
between two points is seldom, if ever, the best choice. Planners
and designers need to consider the terrain and geology of
the proposed route, the location and features such as rivers
and existing roads, zones that require special treatment for
environmental or social reasons, as well as geometric standards
for construction.
Developed by the CSIRO Division of Building, Construction and Engineering, Align 3D is a unique computer software which integrates all these factors, evaluates and proposes the best selection of the myriad of possible alternatives. The software is able to optimise the alignment of a route more thoroughly than by using a conventional design package interactively, and can produce more than 20 alternative routings in a matter of hours compared with the days or weeks needed for each alignment using conventional techniques.
First, the program picks a selection of 20 to 50 low cost routes that meet all the criteria set. Then, the planner can select one subjectively, allowing a balance between low cost and good design. Align 3D is currently available as a bureau service from the CSIRO, and can save planners considerable time, manpower and money.
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Tomorrow's World, the Australian Initiative, and published
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