Successful CIES Linkage Projects announced June 2025
Two new ARC Linkage Projects grants to a value of $600,000 have been awarded to researchers from Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering and Safety (CIES).
Published on the 11 July 2025
On 25 June 2025 the Australian Government announced 75 new research grants under the Australian Research Council Linkage Projects scheme for 2024, with a total of $46.6 million awarded. Two of those grants to a value of $600,000 have been awarded to researchers from Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering and Safety (CIES).
Huge congratulations to Emeritus Professor Stephen Foster; Associate Professor Wengui Li, and Professor Hamid Valipour; who are working with colleagues from other institutions and partnering organisations. Our CIES Linkage project topics involve:
- using novel cementitious materials to reduce harmful gases in enclosed car parks and building-ventilation costs
- addressing an industry knowledge gap in steel-reinforced concrete structures to enable more use of sustainable, higher-performance materials.
UNSW Sydney researchers were awarded more than $4.6 million in Linkage Project grants, with the University topping the nation for the number of successful projects – nine in total. UNSW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox, congratulated the researchers for receiving the highly competitive grants.
“ARC Linkage Projects play an important role in supporting national and international strategic partnerships that translate research into practical benefits, strengthening Australia’s innovation pipeline and boosting capabilities across sectors. …it’s wonderful to see UNSW at the forefront of innovative research partnerships that will drive benefits for all.”
Project details
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Researchers: Professor Stephen Foster; Professor Hamid Valipour (CIES); Professor Evan Bentz; Mr Anthony Ng; Mr Graeme McGregor
The Australian standard for concrete structures was updated in 2018 to allow the limited use of steel bar reinforcement with a strength of 600 MPa. However, reliable crack width prediction models are not yet available to allow their use as shear reinforcement. Now, even stronger bar products, with strengths of up to 800 MPa, are available but are not used in construction due to insufficient understanding of crack mechanics under service conditions.
This study addresses this knowledge gap and will provide crucial data to engineers and standards bodies for the use of these products. This research will create a pathway for the use of more sustainable, higher-performance materials, providing substantial benefits to the Australian economy.
Partnering Organisation: INFRABUILD AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
Amount Awarded: $306,134.
UNSW Researchers
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Researchers: Associate Professor Wengui Li (CIES); Associate Professor Wensu Chen; Mr Victor Wu; Mr Frank Del Borrello
Vehicle-emission toxicity is more severe in indoors than outdoors, but photocatalysts could efficiently mitigate harmful pollutants emitted by vehicles. The project aims to develop a highly effective and reliable cementitious photocatalytic materials as coating layers on indoor surfaces to reduce harmful gases in enclosed car parks and building-ventilation costs.
The expected outcomes will significantly improve air quality, decrease maintenance costs, and reduce the risk of illness, enhancing strategies for controlling air pollution for the enclosed environments. This is expected to strengthen Australia’s competitiveness in environmental purification, bringing sustained economic, environmental and social benefits to the construction sector.
Partnering Organisation: Shining Global Construction Pty Ltd; Komemo Constructions
Amount Awarded: $286,052
UNSW Researchers
Congratulations to all involved!