Positive Forecast for the Australian Construction Industry

The future of Australian construction looks bright with a positive forecast for the future of the industry. The latest predictions from leading body the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) have shown that there is a good chance that the sector will flourish in the coming years..

Both residential and non-residential building and engineering should benefit from the positive flow of work, despite a slow decline in the mining sector and the development of the relevant infrastructure. The mining industry has taken a hit as the interest for fossil fuel export to locations such as China and India has declined. Large coal mining projects have been conducted in Queensland, but experts have warned that it seems unlikely that China and India will purchase the amounts initially predicted. 

Action to Cut Carbon Emissions!

These days, transporting products and people globally makes up about fifteen percent of the world’s carbon emissions. Meanwhile scientists are becoming increasingly convinced that in order to halt climate change, carbon emissions must not only be eliminated but actively removed from our environment.

Carbon-emitting fuel stations in use today are incompatible with transportation design changes needed in order to prevent climate changes. Innovation will therefore become a central challenge for fuel stations worldwide. The question that needs answers is 'how can fuel stations of the future remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, rather than emit carbon into the atmosphere?'

The WestConnex Civil Engineering Project

The much-anticipated WestConnex project will see Australia’s main city of Sydney extended to help alleviate current transportation challenges.

Sydney Airport has had problems coping with the increase of freight passing through, as well as a marked increase in passenger numbers coming into the capital. The higher volume of goods being transported through the area, as well as the rise in residential properties, have led to a squeeze on resources for transportation out of the capital.

Extreme Engineering! Drought Proofing Australia!

This video from Extreme Enginering gives a great insight into the Engineering industry in Australia. In this episode the team are exploring Drought proofing in Australia!

Commercial Design and Noise Insulation

When art and function come together commercial design becomes a beautiful thing. Soon to be trialled in South East Queensland is a project that does just that. Black Canvas Acoustic Design and Art Gallery have intentions to create noise absorbing acoustic stretched canvas panels which local emerging artists can produce work on.

The project is a collaboration between Daniel Pye, an audio engineer and project manager, and Talulah Jung, an arts worker and curator. The project not only gives artists a sustainable platform for their work but could filter to other commercial design environments with its practical applications. From loud bars to cafes, and restaurants, or lobbies, function rooms, and offices, there are many places that could gain from some sound insulation.

Concrete in the Construction Industry!

Concrete is used pervasively throughout construction these days. Its life expectancy and durability play critical roles in the sustainability of land development design. Certain locations, such as Australia, are particularly affected by environmental conditions that other locations do not have to consider. Blazing heat and coastal winds are amongst the conditions that substantially affect materials such as concrete. Both longevity and quality can be affected by the environment.

In Australia particularly there is a coastal chloride environment which accelerates the deterioration of concrete. The extreme temperatures there can also cause problems with the curing process as well as increase cracking. High salinity of certain soils in some highly populated areas such as Adelaide are also an influence. Problems are not just limited to environmental influence; the limited availability of aggregates that are both consistent and of good quality can result in a reduced quality of concrete being used in land development design. This means that that reduced quality concrete is being used to begin with. This will of course affect the regularity of the eventual need for upkeep.

Residential Permits on the Rise in Australia

It is projected by the Australian bureau of statistics that, under a medium growth scenario, by 2075 the population will reach forty six million. They project that by this time Melbourne will reach a population of around eight and a half million, and Perth will overtake Brisbane as the third largest city. Combining the rise in population with the existing high prices of homes, Australian cities have a great demand for more housing. Meeting this requirement will demand a range of homing options to be delivered, including mid-rise options.

With residential permits for flat and apartment type buildings up thirty-six percent over the last year, we have seen a considerable shift in the direction of high density buildings. This is a shift that has never been seen on such a large scale in Australia. According to the 2011 census, it is indicated that over one hundred and fifty thousand housing units were built within inner and middle suburbs in Australia in the last ten years.

Has anyone checked out AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a computer aided design software used by drafters, although engineers, surveyors and architects also make use of it. With AutoCAD you can make precise 2D and 3D drawings for use in construction and manufacturing. For example when planning infrastructures or designing electricity circuits. The most recent versions can be run on either Mac or PC.

The first step in learning to make use of AutoCAD is deciding which product suits your project best, as there are multiple specialized programs within the AutoCAD suite. After checking your computer has the necessary requirements and installing the program, you will want to familiarise yourself with the navigation of the program.

Office Interior Design Gets Creative!

The commercial design sector is paying more attention to the connection between the design of workplaces and the health of those who work there. Commercial designers are encountering increased pressure to supply spaces and maximise productivity and performance, which also means paying attention to workers happiness and well being. From the temperature of the environment to the amount of light in the space to the placement of furniture configurations, designers are being expected to come up with ever inventive workplaces. Whilst many are taking the injection of fun as an approach to solving well being issues, with incorporation of, for example, bean bag areas, or game spaces, there is much more to it.

Engineering and the Politics of the UK

Even though the general election in the UK is still many months away, it has already become quite an exciting event. With so much political turbulence in the UK in recent years, voters seem incredibly keen to have their say this time round. When it comes to policy, there are always so many dividing factors that it can be hard to keep track. But how will the general election impact upon the lives and careers of those in the field of engineering?

When considering politicians policy in regards to engineering, it seems we are practically in the dark. Not much has been said on the topic it regards to what actually might or might not happen – and that has left many in the UK asking questions amongst themselves.