Associate Professor Phillip Visintin

Research Aims

The major focus of my research is to develop new design approaches for reinforced concrete (RC) which are based on fundamental mechanics principles and are therefore widely applicable to not only conventional RC but also to new cementitious materials as well as to masonry. My research has primarily focused on the development of models to:

• Predict the flexural strength and ductility of RC and prestressed concrete (PC) beams and columns;
• Predict the immediate and time dependent deflection of RC and PC
• Predict the shear capacity of RC and PC beams and columns; and to
• Incorporate the influences of repeated loading and durability into analysis techniques.

This fundamental research has led to the development of analysis procedures not only applicable to conventional RC and PC but also to:

• Fibre reinforced and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC);
• Geopolymer concrete;
• Concrete with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement;
• FRP plated and wrapped beams and columns;
• FRP reinforced clay brick masonry;

In addition to developing analysis procedures I actively research the development of new cementitious materials, particular areas of interest include:

• The manufacture of UHPC using conventional materials and methods;
• The manufacture of geopolymer concrete using locally available fly ash and slags;
• The manufacture of concretes using waste materials.

A particular area of interest relating to the development of new materials is detailed life-cycle assessment and the development of design approaches that incorporate sustainability.

I am currently looking for PhD candidates to work on topics related to:

• developing analysis/design techniques for  ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete at the serviceability and ultimate limit state.
• Developing material models and analysis techniques for the time dependent and durability properties of fibre reinforced concretes of all strengths.
• Applying concepts of circular economy to structural engineering with a focus on both materials development (geopolymer or concretes containing waste materials) and structural design.