UTS research to put resilient infrastructure on solid ground

Posted on 16 Oct 2026
Technology and design

A groundbreaking $24 million national research centre will develop sustainable technologies that stabilise the foundations underpinning major infrastructure and build the future workforce.

Led by the University of Technology Sydney, the ARC Training Centre for Ground Stabilisation Technologies towards a Net-Zero Future for Strategic Infrastructure will focus on using recycled and low-carbon materials in civil construction projects, and innovate energy-smart and carbon-friendly ground engineering technologies.

The national industrial transformation training centre has been awarded $5 million over five years through the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Program, with a further $19 million in cash and in-kind contributions from industry and university organisations.

“Australia’s infrastructure sector is under growing pressure from ageing assets and facing the challenge of more extreme climate conditions, escalating the costs of construction and maintenance,” said the centre’s director, Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna AM.

“Traditional ground stabilisation often relies on carbon-intensive methods or use of chemical treatment such as cement and lime in soil foundations.”

It’s imperative we move to cut emissions and excessive energy use in construction, and better use industrial and construction wastes for building sustainable infrastructure.

Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna AM

Director

Transport Research Centre

The ARC Training Centre will tackle these challenges by developing innovative, cost-effective ground stabilisation technologies with a lower carbon footprint, while also training the next generation of research and industry professionals.

“Over the next five years, the centre aims to become an internationally-acclaimed leader in innovative and sustainable ground stabilisation technologies, helping deliver more cost-effective and resilient infrastructure across Australia,” Professor Indraratna said.

“We want to build technologies under real-world conditions that reduce carbon emissions, lower construction costs and minimise the use of quarried natural materials, while improving infrastructure performance and durability.”

“We’ll bridge the gap between research and industry by addressing the shortage of skilled professionals equipped to apply advanced geotechnical technologies while using net zero-based and circular economy-inspired solutions,” he said.

Photo of workers using sustainable materials in suburban road — Sustainable and recycled materials can support roads, rail and other infrastructure.

The centre’s research programs will build technologies including recycled and waste-derived materials, biotechnology-based ground improvement, advanced geosynthetics, and intelligent field monitoring and computer modelling encompassing AI approaches.

These will be validated through laboratory testing, advanced numerical modelling and field demonstrations to ensure these are technically robust and commercially viable.

The centre will be made up of researchers from 8 Australian universities and 5 international institutions, alongside 19 industry partner organisations including construction companies, government agencies and geotechnical consultants.

“Our long-term vision is to drive a fundamental transformation in how Australia designs, constructs and maintains its ground infrastructure as we transition from conventional, carbon-intensive approaches to sustainable, circular-economy practices and climate-resilient solutions,” Professor Indraratna said.

“Beyond technological innovation, we want to establish a lasting legacy through research excellence, strategic industry partnerships and the development of a highly-skilled workforce.”