Meet PhD Scholarship Recipient Abila Hena Anayet

We are excited to introduce our new PhD student, who will be joining the research team working on HERA’s ACM CRC project program Circular Design 4.0. 

Abila Hena Anayet is pursuing her PhD in Civil Engineering at The University of Sydney (USYD) focusing on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for quality control in structural steel fabrication. Her work aims to optimise Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods to improve fabrication efficiency, minimise defects, and ensure compliance with Australian Standards. 

Abila completed her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with First Class Honors, and has a strong academic and research background in sustainable construction materials and environmental engineering. Her research journey has been defined by a deep interest in sustainability and innovation within the field of civil engineering. During undergraduate studies, she conducted research on CO2 capture through optimised curing regimes for artificial aggregates, which led to improvements in both strength and sustainability in construction materials. She also published multiple quality journal papers on topics including biochar’s role in heavy metal removal, struvite fertilisers for sustainable agriculture, and the remediation of environmental contaminants which reflects her commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible engineering practices. 

Building on our ACM CRC research partnership

ACM CRC  has united over 30 partners in a groundbreaking $250 million program under Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres initiative, spanning a decade. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to harness the world’s leading research teams in the development of composite steel applications with a strong focus on sustainability and circular design principles.  

In the inaugural project with the University of Sydney (USYD) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), HERA aims to establish an AI-based monitoring system for assessing the quality of manufactured composite products, including steelwork. This system will optimise inspection requirements and manage compliance risks through extensive big data analysis.  

The project also encompasses the collection and analysis of productivity data, in-service health monitoring, and the development of novel 3D printing techniques capable of reusing or recycling materials based on their remaining properties, all aligned with Circular Design 4.0 principles. 

Within this research, Abila’s PhD project under Subproject Optimal Level and Type of Inspection and NDT which is supervised under Dr. Mike Bambach and Dr. Ali Amin, focusing on AI-based optimisation of NDT for steel fabrication. This research involves the development of AI tools to assess and predict fabrication defects, using statistical analyses to understand the relationship between fabrication variables and structural integrity. The project aims to enhance the overall efficiency of the fabrication process through advanced data-driven inspection approaches. It will focus on defining inspection requirements for fillet and partial penetration welds as used in demand critical applications such as moment resisting connection and bridge sections.  

Abila will also be working on analysing large datasets of NDT results, performing finite element analyses, and conducting experimental tests to validate AI-driven models. This research will result in the development of optimised inspection guidelines tailored to specific fabrication scenarios, improving safety, reliability, and compliance across the construction industry with reference to AS/NZS 5131.  

Looking forward

The ultimate goal of Abila’s research is to contribute to the advancement of AI-driven solutions for quality control in civil engineering, ensuring sustainable, efficient, and reliable fabrication practices. By integrating AI with traditional inspection methods, productivity will be enhanced while reducing waste and ensuring compliance with both environmental and structural standards. This work is set to provide the construction industry with more intelligent, data-driven decision-making tools, further advancing sustainable infrastructure development. 

At HERA we are excited to see what findings and potential applications result from Abila’s research and look forward to seeing her contributions to drive sustainability and excellence in the construction industry.