Civil and Environmental Engineering

Project 

The use of Machine Learning (ML) has recently gained considerable momentum in the field of Civil/Structural Engineering. Even though ML has contributed to major advances in the field, its predictions are considered "black box". Physics-informed ML is a comparatively new branch of ML that incorporates physical laws of dynamics into the learning process, providing predictions tailored to the physical restrictions that govern the particular engineering problem.

Aim

The aim of this project is to adopt physics-informed neural networks to predict the response of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) rocking structures. From a dynamics perspective, a rocking structure does not behave like a conventional fixed-base structure (e.g. SDOF elastic oscillator), as a rocking structure is allowed to detach from the ground and pivot, undergoing rigid body motion/rotation when subjected to earthquakes.

Ideal Student

For the successful implementation of the project, basic knowledge of coding in Matlab is expected. Also, a thorough literature review will be conducted to better understand why physics-informed ML might outperform more conventional ML methodologies and acquire knowledge on what has been done in the field. Finally, basic knowledge of structural dynamics would be helpful.

Project 

The small island nations of the Pacific are exposed to the impacts of climate change. As our world warms and the climate changes, the peoples of these nations experience firsthand how the alteration of our planet's systems affects daily lives. Climate change response tends to focus on the aggregate and high level. Less attention is paid to the day-to-day observations of the change as it happens, how it is experienced, and how the changes affect a community, its well-being, and its culture.

Role

This summer research project seeks to document the lived experience of climate change of community members from the islands of Mangai and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The data is derived from interview and focus group recordings taken in 2023.

The student will employ qualitative research techniques, such as thematic analysis to investigate and articulate how climate change is being experienced today in these communities. An additional element of this study is to document the oral history of the community.

Project outputs will include a technical analysis of findings as well as the development of an accessible artifact for the community.

Project 

The overarching objective of this project is to characterize the natural hazard vulnerability of infrastructure and buildings in Wellington. To that end, this work is focused on developing a database of critical infrastructure and building assets in the Wellington region. The database will be populated with existing building and infrastructure datasets. The data for each asset is expected to include hazard exposure information as well as structural characteristics that can be used to develop fragility functions for each asset.

Ideal Student

This project is appropriate for students looking for experience in Civil or Structural Engineering. Experience with GIS is a plus, but not required.

Project 

The Morning School Drop-Off Optimization Project aims to tackle the traffic congestion and air pollution issues around Auckland schools during morning drop-offs. With over 70% of primary and intermediate school children being driven to school, the current situation creates significant challenges for parents, children, and the environment. Despite initiatives like "walking buses" and "active travel to school," an effective solution is still needed.

Role

This project will identify potential parking areas around selected schools in Auckland City. The main objective is to propose the relocation of parking and waiting zones to areas further away from the schools, such as relocating parking spaces around schools to a 50m, 100m, or 200m near schools. By doing so, the project aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality near the schools.

Benefits

The student will have the opportunity to work on a real-world project, develop valuable skills in GIS and data analysis, and contribute to a meaningful tool that will benefit the general public in Auckland.

Requirements

The project requires proficiency in GIS software, good knowledge of a programming language such as R or Python, and the ability to analyse and interpret graphs.

Project 

The Ngāti Tamaoho Trust and the University of Auckland are collaborating on a study that incorporates Western science and Tikanga Māori principles to mitigate organic and metallic pollutants in Pahurehure Inlet 2, a tributary of the culturally significant Manukau Harbour.

Role

Researchers will analyze sediments and water samples to profile contaminants, evaluate sediment stabilization methods using cement and phyto-uptake with hydroponic plants, and ensure the investigation and proposed solutions respect the values of the Ngāti Tamaoho hapū and address environmental and public health concerns.

Project 

Pumice-rich soils, consisting of natural soils and pumice sands, are found across large areas of the North Island of New Zealand. Pumice sands are characterised by their vesicular nature, which leads to the grains being lightweight, crushable, and having an extremely rough and angular surface texture. These properties give pumice-rich soils particular engineering properties that are distinct from more commonly encountered hard-grained materials and make them problematic for engineers interested in assessing the risk and potential consequences of liquefaction.

Role

In this project, attempts will be made to quantify the micromechanical properties of pumice-rich sands, with emphasis on particle morphology (particle shape indices) and pumice content determination from available scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Mass-based and volume-based pumice contents will be examined, and their role in the shear behaviour of pumice-rich sands will be analysed.

Project 

Green hydrogen has been a promising solution to decarbonising transportation, electricity generation and industries. Among the existing methods of producing hydrogen, water electrolysis is considered to be the most eco-friendly method. Due to its high demand for deployment, the studies have been focused on scaling up, reducing the costs, and improving performance.

Role

Limited studies have been done on the life cycle of water electrolysers which could be valuable in estimating and identifying the environmental impacts and hotspots of producing hydrogen. Hence, this study aims to estimate and compare the environmental performance of three water electrolysers namely anion exhange membrane (AEM), proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyser (AE).

In this research project, the student will conduct literature review and collaborate with external industry partners on collecting the life cycle inventory of AEM, PEM and AE. The research includes both desktop and lab activities.

Requirement

The student has to work on-campus (City and Newmarket) during the summer scholarship.

Project 

This research is part of a larger project, looking at the implementation of IPT roadways, for wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, this project looks to identify the benefits and opportunities that this technology could have for Māori. This will be focused around understanding what community transport needs Māori communities may have, and assessing the feasibility of EV and IPT technology for these communities.

Role

This will be carried out by compiling travel logs of community vehicles - using a GPS transponder and collecting information regarding trip purposes and common destinations, and assessing these data sources to identify areas of opportunity for implementation of IPT roadways technology for Māori communities.

Project 

This research is part of a larger project, looking at the implementation of IPT roadways, for wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, this project looks to identify the benefits and opportunities that this technology could have for Māori. This will be focused around understanding what community transport needs Māori communities may have, and assessing the feasibility of EV and IPT technology for these communities.

Role

This will be carried out by compiling travel logs of community vehicles - using a GPS transponder and collecting information regarding trip purposes and common destinations, and assessing these data sources to identify areas of opportunity for implementation of IPT roadways technology for Māori communities.

Project 

This research is part of a larger project, looking at the implementation of IPT roadways, for wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, this project looks to identify the benefits and opportunities that this technology could have for Māori. This will be focused around understanding what community transport needs Māori communities may have, and assessing the feasibility of EV and IPT technology for these communities.

Role

This will be carried out by compiling travel logs of community vehicles - using a GPS transponder and collecting information regarding trip purposes and common destinations, and assessing these data sources to identify areas of opportunity for implementation of IPT roadways technology for Māori communities.

Project 

Adaptive strategies to climate change are increasingly becoming a focus in infrastructure planning. Changes in temperature and rainfall resulting from climate change will have a wide range of impacts on existing water infrastructure. However, the investment into resilience could be costly, thus making it important to know the return on investment (ROI).

Role

This research will look at before- and after-disaster data to determine some techniques that could be used to determine the return on investment.

Project 

Review and update portfolio of learning material with a new support resource for asset managers, the Āpōpō Guide, replacing references to an older resource. The task includes identifying any gaps in the new resource and fill them with researched and reliable content.