The Engineered Timber Structures Research Group looks for real-world solutions for the manufacture and use of mass engineered timbers. Our research is holistic, considering the environmental, structural and logistic aspects of innovation in building materials.
Our research looks at a range of engineered timber materials, their uses and the supply chain considerations of them.
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing natural renewable materials with tremendous potential for use in construction. Engineered bamboo products are becoming more popular due to their higher cost effectiveness, their versatility and strength-to-weight ratio.
Our team works with Australian timber producers on design-oriented and fundamental research. Topics include the structural performance of hardwood-softwood hybrids, structural performance of timber construction and developing new products from reclaimed wood.
Our team has expertise in investigating various manufacturing techniques for producing timber-FRP composite structural elements that suit a particular application. We have expertise in topics such as the load carrying of lightweight materials and fracture and bond.
The properties of timber can vary significantly due to the geographical location of trees and their species. Our group conducts experimental testing to characterise elastic, strength and fracture properties of both softwood and hardwood in three orthogonal directions of wood.
We have expertise in fostering sustainable business efficiency by delivering the most value of a novel material at the lowest cost. Our team brings interdisciplinary strengths in engineering and business value chain, such as technological studies, business analytics and operation.
A research degree in engineering at Deakin is an opportunity to create new knowledge for the construction sector.
Our experienced team of researchers work with industry partners on innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Professor Mahmud Ashraf leads the Engineered Timber Structures Research Group. His research focuses heavily on structural applications of renewable materials, including timber and bamboo to minimise environmental impact.
Dr Mahbube Subhani is the group’s research coordinator. His investigates sustainable manufacturing such as bio-based adhesives, utilisation of end-of-life timber, and timber-based hybrid structural systems.
Narges Gholami
Ali Bigdeli
Our research leads to innovations in sustainable building materials.
This project investigated the strength limits of cross-laminated timber, which is mass engineered timber made up of layers laminated together in opposing directions to create an extremely strong product.
This work tested the strategic placement of carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) to improve the flexural strength of timber beams, investigating both positive and negative bending moments of structural assembly.
We work closely with industry and academic partners locally and globally, including
Get in touch for more info about our research, including working or studying with us.
