University welcomes engineers to Byron Bay for structures and materials conference

The seaside town of Byron Bay will provide a snapshot of some of the problems facing our built environments caused by population migration, sea-level rise, and human and environmental activity, as Southern Cross University hosts a gathering of engineers for the 23rd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials (ACMSM23) from December 9 to 12.

Fixing Australia’s infrastructure, seismic design of buildings, materials technology and structural fire behaviour are among the topics to be discussed by more than 170 delegates.

“The ACMSM series is well known and respected in Australasia and abroad as the forum for dealing with latest trends and development in the fields of structural mechanics and materials,” said Foundation Professor of Engineering at Southern Cross University, and ACMSM23 Chair, Scott Smith.

“Being selected to host the 23rd ACMSM is a great honour and it is also great recognition of the new engineering program at SCU. It is the first time an event of this scope and magnitude has been held in the Northern Rivers region.

“From humble beginnings of 15 submissions to the first conference 47 years ago, ACMSM23 boasts a proceedings of 200 paper submissions including six keynote papers by leading Australasian and international figures.”

The keynote addresses are:

• ‘Fixing Australia’s infrastructure’ by Professor John Wilson, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
• ‘Seismic design of buildings: looking towards the future’ by Professor Rajesh Dhakal from The University of Canterbury, New Zealand
• ‘Structural fire behaviour: a necessary component of structural optimisation’ by Professor José Torero, Head of the School of Civil Engineering at The University of Queensland
• ‘Design of high-rise buildings: past, present and future’ by Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Global Building Structures Leader & Head of Innovation at Aurecon, Australia
• ‘Performance enhancement of structure through the use of FRP composites’ by Professor Jin-guang Teng, Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
• ‘Bridging the gap between engineering practice and academia: a materials supply perspective’ by Dr Daksh Baweja, Director of BG&E Materials Technology; and Associate Professor at The University of Technology Sydney, Australia

The Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee welcomed ACMSM and the delegates to the NSW North Coast region.

Professor Lee has been named in the 100 most influential engineers by Engineers Australia every year since 2004. He was the recipient of the Australian Government Centenary Medal (2003), the Institution of Engineers Australia, WA Engineering Excellence Award (1998) and the Shedden Pacific Prize and Medal for Excellence in Chemical Engineering (1993).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for academics and industry from around the world to come together to share ideas, research and innovation,” said Professor Lee, who will welcome the delegates at the opening ceremony on Wednesday December 10.

“Southern Cross University is proud to host this important engineering conference.”

There will be more than 180 presentations during the conference, as well as a tour of Southern Cross University’s new science and engineering precinct at the Lismore campus which opened earlier this year.

• Wednesday December 10: keynote addresses and technical sessions at Byron Bay (Byron at Byron Resort and Spa)
• Thursday December 11: delegates will travel to the University’s Lismore campus for technical sessions in the science and engineering precinct and the Whitebrook Theatre.
• Friday December 12: more technical sessions at Byron Bay (Byron at Byron Resort and Spa)

Most of the delegates are from Australia and New Zealand, while others are flying in from USA, UK, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Poland, Iraq, Japan, Canada, Germany, India, France, Greece and Ireland.

The conference series has been in existence since 1967 when it was held at the University of New South.

“ACMSM is an ideal vehicle to bring together the best academic and practicing engineering minds in Australasia and abroad for the purposes of advancing knowledge and using knowledge to help solve modern day engineering challenges,” said Professor Smith.
Media are invited attend the conference on Thursday December 11 at Southern Cross University Lismore campus. 10.40am to 10.50am: group photo of delegates in the Whitebrook Theatre 10.50am to 11.30am: opportunity to interview keynote speakers during morning tea in A Block Photo: Professor Scott Smith.