Student cyclone interest up north

Two Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC PhD students are showcasing their knowledge on cyclones with the sector, the wider community and their colleagues at James Cook University (JCU).

Korah Parackal and Mitchell Humphreys are just two of the many young researchers who have an interest in cyclones and mitigation, with their research supporting knowledge on the damages caused by cyclonic winds and internal pressures on buildings.

Korah has now completed his PhD and will be graduating in March.

“My PhD research studied the way roofing connections of houses fail in a progressive or cascading manner during severe winds.

“It was able to determine what parts of the roof are most vulnerable and how damage spreads,” Korah said.

Mitchell’s PhD, which is scheduled for completion this year, looks at understanding the wind loads applied to buildings that have a large opening, a common occurrence in severe winds.

This research will improve how buildings are designed for such scenarios, increasing the resilience and survivability of buildings to high winds.

“The outcomes of my research will be focused on improving the Australian wind loading design standards. The information will then be utilised to design more resilient buildings and improve vulnerability models,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell has conducted controlled full-scale tests as benchmarks for future detailed tests with state-of-the-art pressure loading actuators in a simulated environment and model-scale buildings in a wind tunnel.

Together, the two students are contributing to an important body of knowledge.

“This research can allow engineers to develop codes and guidelines for retrofitting older structures.

“Additionally, it allows us to develop more accurate vulnerability models that are used to assess risk,” Korah said.

JCU is located in Townsville, which is no stranger to a cyclone, and as a result is the perfect environment for cyclone-interested researchers, who travel from all over the world to test their science at the university’s Cyclone Testing Station.

Both students have been actively involved in communicating their science to end-users and the Australian public, with Korah reaching the final of the CRC Association Awards in 2018 for his findings as an early career researcher.

He has also recently joined the Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events project as a research team member, led by Prof John Ginger and Dr David Henderson at JCU.

Mitchell also recently presented a Three-Minute Thesis at the CRC’s latest Research Advisory Forum in Brisbane. He also took part in breakout sessions where he discussed the practical applications of his research. 

Mitchell hopes to continue working on cyclone related research and improving the resilience of coastal communities.