Dr. Chan Toong Khuan

E-mail:
Tel:	603 7880 1777 (ext 136)

Research Interests

• Mechanics of Structures
  
  Work has been carried out on the prediction of ultimate loads and stress concentration factors at complex tubular joints used mainly in the construction of offshore structures. Initial efforts were centred on developing finite element models and supplemented by experiments on full-scale specimens. The emphasis has now shifted towards developing analytical models for predicting the ultimate loads of three-dimensional joints under basic load conditions and load combinations.
  
  Initial investigations into the mechanics of tall grasses have been carried out and the results indicate that the tubular stem provides bending strength. Further work will delve into the orientation of fibres in natural joints to assist in the development of joints for high strength carbon or Kevlar fibres.
  
  
• Advanced Fibre Composites
  
  Carbon fibre composites have been used for strengthening reinforced concrete structures by attaching strips of fibres to the tension faces. The failure of these strengthened members change from the conventional ductile failure to the more brittle failures caused by delamination of the fibre strip, or ripping of the concrete cover zone. Work is planned to characterize these brittle failure modes and to develop methods of anchoring or attaching these carbon fibre strips.
  
  
• New Construction Technology
  
  The use of precast components in the building industry has been proven to contribute to increased productivity and improved quality. The feasibility of a precast concrete pilecap has been confirmed with tests on three full-size specimens. These specimens failed at loads comparable with those constructed using conventional cast in-situ methods. Further tests are planned to investigate its behaviour at service loads and to determine the validity of existing equations for deflection and crack widths.

Related Publications

1. Yap, E.H. and Chan, T.K., “Economic feasibility of pre-cast shell pile cap”, in Research Achievement in the Construction Industry, First Construction Industry Research Achievement International Conference CIRAIC 2007, Ahmad, R. et.al. Eds., March 2007


2. Chan, T.K. and Lim, S.H., “A case study of an international joint venture research and post-graduate construction engineering program”, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Multi-National Joint Venture for Construction Works, Hanoi, Vietnam, 28-29th September 2006, Kobayashi, et.al. Eds.


3. Seah, M. and Chan, T.K., “Recent Experiences of Strengthening of Slabs, Beams and Columns with Carbon Fibre Composites”, Composite Asia Conference & Exhibition 2006, Kuala Lumpur, November 2006


4. Teh, S.A.P., Chan, T.K. and Othman, I., “Behaviour of Precast Reinforced Concrete Pile Caps”, Construction Industry Research & Development Achievement Seminar 2004 (CIRAS 04), September 2004.


5. Tengku Abd Hamid T.H., Chan T.K. and Dimyati, K.M., “Lane changing characteristics of drivers in the Kuala Lumpur area”, Malaysian Universities Transport Research Forum Conference 2004, December 2004

Selected Publications

New Construction Technology

1. Chan, T.K. and Poh, C.K., 'Behaviour of precast reinforced concrete pile caps", Construction and Building Materials, Vol.14, No.2, pp.73-78, March 2000

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