The seven Australian universities named in this proposal aim to develop a ‘national drop weight impact testing
facility’ for dynamic tests on geo- and construction materials and systems. This facility will provide state-of-the art
technology to observe the real time behaviour of elements and sub-assemblies under combined quasi-static and
impact loading. The large capacity and unique configuration of the facility make it feasible to carry out innovative
research in impact engineering. Applications include, but are not limited to, the structural safety of high impact risk
infrastructure including railway networks, tunnels and bridges, and also the development of cost-effective and
environmentally friendly building and construction materials.

The deep Earth offers significant promise for enhanced sustainability, including novel options for resource
development and pollutant storage. A firm understanding of expected engineering behaviour is key to
successful ultilisation of the deep Earth. Engineers and geologists from nine leading Australian universities
are developing a new large-scale device capable of recreating ground conditions at depths up to 13km. The
Advanced Macro-scale Testing Chamber (AMTC) will be used to study hydro-thermo-mechanical aspects of
deep geological applications, including carbon dioxide storage, enhanced geothermal energy and
unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir development. The AMTC will also have capacity to study mechanisms
leading to earthquakes.

This project aims to evaluate the feasibility of large scale storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep saline aquifers. Currently the ease with which CO2 can be pumped into these rock strata, and their storage capacity are uncertain because there is limited data on the effects of CO2 on the geo-mechanical properties of the rocks. Through performing experiments to quantify the physical and chemical changes that occur, a new model will be developed that can account for the interactions between the flow and mechanical response. This model will be used to study the response of reservoirs during CO2 sequestration and to provide guidance on optimum injection and storage strategies.

The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable
production of oil and natural gas resources. Cementing problems are the main factor contributing to incidents
during drilling and completion of wells. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. It is expected that the novel cement developed will produce safer wells with fewer (gas) environmental emission risks, reducing the need for costly and wasteful remedial squeezes.The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable
production of oil and natural gas resources. Cementing problems are the main factor contributing to incidents
during drilling and completion of wells. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. It is expected that the novel cement developed will produce safer wells with fewer (gas) environmental emission risks, reducing the need for costly and wasteful remedial squeezes.

Extraction of heat (geothermal energy) from deep earth is promising but inefficient so far. Heat is transferred when
huge quantities of water are pumped through; but recovery of heat is low and much water is lost. This Project
researches carbon dioxide (CO2) as an alternative to water. There are excellent prospects of relatively efficient
recovery. And any loss of CO2 as a working fluid in deep-earth geothermal reservoirs is beneficial: it is permanent
sequestration of carbon. The Project addresses fundamental questions on the evolution of fluid-flow systems,
recovery rate, long-term injectability, and mechanical-flow behaviour. Findings are expected to provide practical
information on the geomechanical viability of this green power option.

Understanding material behavior under dynamic loading is essential in dealing with many engineering problems as excavation, fragmentation, earthquake, blasting, and structure design. In geo-technical and structure projects, materials are often subjected to existing confining stresses. The proposed 3 dimensional compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar allows determination of the dynamic mechanical properties and fracturing behavior of materials under such confinement. The full-field optical techniques with an ultra-high speed and resolution camera in the system will assist the quantitative measurement of deformation fields including small strain induced in brittle material’s failure and identification of constitutive parameters.

This group mission (GM) will seed collaboration between leading researchers in Australia and China, on the topic of fundamental and applied research on the use of the deep Earth for future energy sustainability. The GM will help facilitate working inter-institutional and inter-disciplinary relationships in the area of technical research on the development of: (1) new unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources; (2) underground coal gasification; (3) new geothermal energy resources, and (4) schemes for deep geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. Effective collaboration on the issue of deep Earth energy alternatives, between a coalition of leading Australian and Chinese researchers, will help build the research profiles of both countries in the area of energy technology and will provide new opportunities for export of ideas and technology. Australia and China’s early involvement in the development of creative energy solutions will help to secure the energy future of both countries.

Heat exchanger pile foundations are increasingly used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce their carbon footprint. However their geotechnical performance when subjected to heating and cooling processes is not well understood.
We aim to develop full understanding of the fundamental mechanisms controlling the thermo-mechanical behavior of heat exchanger piles using large scale field tests. The project will make a breakthrough in understanding the influence of temperature cycles on pile group behavior and shaft resistance. This will lead to improved design, greater confidence in heat exchanger pile systems by the engineering community and more reliable low carbon technology.

The twelve Australian universities named in this proposal propose to develop a Hybrid Testing Facility (HTF)
for Structures under Extreme Loads. The LIEF proposal will facilitate the establishment of advanced testing
facility with access to the universities involved and to government and industry partners associated with
them. This next generation of structural testing will embrace hybrid testing in static, pseudo-dynamic and fast
modes and simulation of structures subjected to extreme loading events such as earthquakes, blast, impact,
fire, wind and ocean waves. Applications include structural safety of buildings, bridges, offshore structures,
mining structures and development of efficient renewable energy structures.

Considerable urgency exists with respect to further developing the concept of CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers, which is the storage option with the largest capacity. However, one of the major uncertainties with this scheme is the poor knowledge of storage capacity assessment methods, coupled mechanical, flow and transport properties of such rocks under the influence of CO2. This project aims to reduce these uncertainties by experimental investigations of storage assessments of sandstone, the transport properties, and the effects this has on the mechanical properties. The data will be used to develop new storage models to investigate storage capacity of saline aquifers and identify suitable aquifers for large scale sequestration of CO2.

Geo-sequestration is the most promising technology for disposing CO2 emissions. Currently, geo-sequestration uses Portland cement for sealing the wells after injecting the CO2 to underground reservoirs. The high pressure CO2-brine is acidic and is found to dissolve the Portland cement well-seals, and has been identified as one of the biggest risk factors of long term leakage of CO2. The project will study novel cements with superior acid resistance, containing no Portland cements. Leakage rates of all these cements will be studied in geo-sequestration simulating test facilities and numerical models will be developed for long term leakage rates. Leakage-proof well cements will be identified/developed for viable geo-sequestration technology.

A facility for the analysis of geological materials and their geo-thermal-mechanical interactions with complex fluids (such as carbon dioxide CO2, water, methane) is required to support a large number of research projects in high priority areas including geological sequestration of greenhouse gases and oil/gas recovery at three different leading Universities. The unique features of the proposed facility are that it is capable of analysis large samples, under multiple forms of loading and over a range of high pressures and temperatures. This will enable us to do proper design, management, and optimization of subsurface CO2 sequestration operations for safe storage of CO2 in geological formations.

Geo-sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered the most promising technology to reduce atmospheric release of CO2. The storage of CO2 in deep unmineable coal deposits has many advantages that include: a high storage capacity, high permeability, and the release of methane, a valuable resource. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the impact of CO2 on the mechanical properties of the coal. This project aims to reduce these uncertainties by experimental investigations of the transport of CO2 through coal, and the effects this has on the mechanical properties. The data will be used to develop new coupled numerical models that will be used to investigate the procedures required for successful sequestration.

The research project will concentrate primarily on understanding the mechanisms of slope failure in large and deep open cut mines with the goal of developing improved assessment criteria for designing rock slopes. Mechanisms governing shape, location and propagation of slope failure surfaces are highly dependent on insitu and induced stresses, strength of rock mass, and induced pore water pressure. Accurate determination of rock mass strength and their use in slope stability analysis will enable mining engineers to develop improved slope design methodologies which will enable them to enhance the safety of the mine workers and to reduce lost time and increase the production.