Adrian Orifici

Professor Adrian Orifici

Professor

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Contact details

STEM College | School of Engineering

Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace Centre

Centre for Additive Manufacturing

Email: adrian.orifici@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 39925 6092

Campus: Bundoora

Programs

 BH078 - Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours)

 MC225 - Master of Engineering (Aerospace)

More information

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Profile photo of Professor Adrian Orifici. Adrian is standing in front of a beige wall, looking at the camera with glasses on, smiling.

Contact details

STEM College | School of Engineering

Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace Centre

Centre for Additive Manufacturing

Email: adrian.orifici@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 39925 6092

Campus: Bundoora

Programs

 BH078 - Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours)

 MC225 - Master of Engineering (Aerospace)

More information

iD icon - ORCID

- Google Scholar

Dr Adrian Orifici is a Professor in Aerospace Engineering, with expertise in aerospace structures, composite materials, advanced computational techniques and material characterisation.

Overview

Dr Orifici is an academic within the Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Discipline in the School of Engineering. He is responsible for teaching in aerospace structures and design, where he has received numerous awards for outstanding teaching and been recognised for his leadership in engineering education.

Dr Orifici’s research covers aerospace structures, fibre-reinforced composite materials and armour applications. A focus of his research is detailed study of damage mechanisms in materials and structures, and linking these to high fidelity computational models. In aerospace structures his work has led to innovations in analysing postbuckling structures and aircraft repair, and bio-inspired concepts for novel composite laminates and metal-composite joints. In defence materials he supervises research projects developing new understanding and advanced material models for ballistic and blast applications.

Dr Orifici has worked extensively with industry and in collaborative research projects, and has been seconded at several leading research institutions around the world including NASA and the German Aerospace Center. He is responsible for the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students, and has over 100 publications that can be found at Google Scholar and the RMIT Research Repository.

Web

Industry experience

Employment history

2009-current, Academic, School of Engineering, RMIT University

  • 2021-current, Professor
  • 2016-2020, Associate Professor
  • 2014-2016, Deputy Head, Learning and Teaching, Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
  • 2012-2014, Program Manager, Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering
  • 2009, Senior Lecturer
  • 2007-2009, Research Fellow, RMIT University
  • 2006-2007, Professional Officer, CRC for Advanced Composite Structures
     

Industry collaboration

  • CRC for Advanced Composite Structures
  • Boeing Australia
  • Defence Materials Technology Centre
  • Defence Science and Technology Group
     

Professional interests and links to industry

  • Member, Australian Composite Structures Society
  • Member, Composites Working Group, International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community (NAFEMS).
  • Technical Committee, Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics
  • Technical Committee, International Conference on Structural Integrity and Fracture
Web

Research

Dr Orifici’s research covers aerospace structures, fibre-reinforced composite materials and armour applications. A focus of his research is detailed study of damage mechanisms in materials and structures, and linking these to high fidelity computational models. In aerospace structures his work has led to innovations in analysing postbuckling structures and aircraft repair, and bio-inspired concepts for novel composite laminates and metal-composite joints. In defence materials he supervises research projects developing new understanding and advanced material models for ballistic and blast applications.

Research keywords

Composite Materials, Aerospace Structures, Finite Element Analysis, Material Characterisation, Defence Materials

Research output summary

100+

Publications

18

HDR completions

$7.5 million

Grants

Web

Supervisor interest areas

  • Composite Materials
  • Aerospace Structures
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Material Characterisation
  • Defence Materials

Supervisor projects

Current HDR project supervisions

  • Impact Force Identification on the composite structure Using Operational Modal Analysis
  • Integrated repair systems for composite aerospace structures
  • Multifunctional Auxetic Materials for Critical Engineering Structures
  • Bio-inspired topologies realised by Additive Manufacturing to Enhance the Mechanical strength of co-cured Ti-CFRP joints
  • Residual Strength of Composites Subject to Environmental and Fatigue Loading
  • Additive manufacturing of certified aircraft interior components
  • Novel technologies for Composite Aircraft Report

Completed HDR project supervisions

  • Nondestructive Evaluation of the Integrity of Thick Composite Structures 
  • Synthetic models for the analysis and control of composite and sandwich aerospace structures in critical conditions 
  • Characterisation of Material Effects in Blast Protection
  • Physical Mechanisms for Near-Field Blast Mitigation with Fluid-Filled Containers 
  • Fibre Metal Laminates Subject to Preload and Low Velocity Impact
  • Environmental and geometrical effects on the mechanics of bonded composite joints in aerospace structures
  • Nature-inspired aerospace hybrid structural joint concepts realised by additive manufacturing
  • Vibration-based structural health monitoring of cantilever-like structures under varying wind excitation
  • The ballistic performance of thick ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composite
  • Damage Tolerance of Flush Repairs of Dissimilar Composite Material Systems
  • Multidisciplinary analysis and parametric optimisation of box-wing aircraft for reduced fuel burn
  • Load Ratio Effects in the Fatigue Crack Propagation of Composite Laminates and Bonded Joints
  • Inverse Solution Methods for In-Situ Characterisation of Damage in Composite Structures
  • The Origin and Effects of Free-Stream Vortical Disturbances on Boundary Layer Transition in Wind Tunnels
  • Assessment of Stable Tearing on Fatigue Fracture Surfaces in Aluminium Alloy
  • Damage Progression in Composite Bolted Joints
  • Developments in Structural Proof Testing Methodologies for Aircraft Composite Components
  • Water Impact Investigations For Aircraft Ditching Analysis

Feature publications

Nonlinear static analysis of composite beams with piezoelectric actuator patches using the Refined Zigzag Theory

Composite Structures, vol. 282, 115018

Ascione, A., Gherlone, M., Orifici, A.C. (2022).

Ultra-tough and in-situ repairable carbon/epoxy composite with EMAA

Composites: Part A, vol. 143, 106206

Loh, T.W., Ladani, R.B., Orifici, A., Kandare, E. (2021).

Thermoplastic polyurethane-cellulose nanocomposite for transparent armour: Characterisation of adhesion and thermal aging

Composite Communications, vol. 22, 100465

Loh, T.W., Tran, P., Das, R., Ladani, R.B., Orifici, A.C (2020).

Key publications by year

Expand all sections

  • Ascione, A., Gherlone, M., Orifici, A.C., ‘Nonlinear static analysis of composite beams with piezoelectric actuator patches using the Refined Zigzag Theory’, Composite Structures, vol. 282, 115018, 2022.

  • Loh, T.W., Ladani, R.B., Orifici, A., Kandare, E., ‘Ultra-tough and in-situ repairable carbon/epoxy composite with EMAA’, Composites: Part A, vol. 143, 106206, 2021.

  • Loh, T.W., Tran, P., Das, R., Ladani, R.B., Orifici, A.C, ‘Thermoplastic polyurethane-cellulose nanocomposite for transparent armour: Characterisation of adhesion and thermal aging’, Composite Communications, vol. 22, 100465, 2020. 
  • Ascione, A., Orifici, A.C., Gherlone, M., ‘Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Refined Zigzag Theory for Accurate Buckling Analysis of Highly Heterogeneous Sandwich Beams’, International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, vol. 20, no. 7, 2020.
  • Hayes-Griss, J.M., Orifici, A.C., Khatibi, A.A., ‘An improved progressive failure modelling and damage tolerant design methodology for composite scarf joints with bondline flaws’, Composites: Part A, vol. 131, Apr 2020. 
  • Nguyen, L.H., Ryan, S., Orifici, A.C., Cimpoeru, S., ‘A penetration model for semi-infinite composite targets’, International Journal of Impact Engineering, vol. 137, 103438, 2020.

  • McDonald, B., Bornstein, H., Ameri, A., Daliri, A., Orifici, A.C, ‘Plasticity and ductile fracture behaviour of four armour steels’, International Journal of Solids and Structures, vol. 176-177, pp. 135-149, 2019.
  • Bornstein, H., Di Placido, S., Ryan, S., Orifici, A.C., Mouritz, A.P., ‘Effect of standoff on near-field blast mitigation provided by water-filled containers’, Journal of Applied Mechanics, Transactions ASME, vol. 86, art. no. 071003, 2019.

  • McDonald, B., Bornstein, H., Langdon, G., Curry, R., Daliri, A., Orifici, A.C, ‘Experimental response of high strength steels to localised blast loading’, International Journal of Impact Engineering, vol. 115., pp. 106-119, 2018.
  • Nguyen, A.T.T., Pichitdej, N., Brandt, M., Feih, S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Failure modelling and characterisation for pin-reinforced metal-composite joints’, Composite Structures, vol. 188, pp. 185-196, 2018.

  • Nguyen, A.T.T., Amarasinghe, C.K., Brandt, M., Feih, S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Loading, support and geometry effects for pin-reinforced hybrid metal-composite joints’, Composites: Part A, vol. 98, pp. 192-206, 2017.
  • Neu, E., Janser, F., Khatibi, A.A., Orifici, A.C., ‘Fully automated operational modal analysis using multi-stage clustering’, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, vol. 84, pp. 308-323, 2017.

  • Fowler, C., Orifici. A.C., Wang, C.H., ‘A review of toroidal composite pressure vessel optimisation and damage tolerant design for high pressure gaseous fuel storage’, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 41, pp. 22067-22089, 2016.
  • Nguyen, A.T.T., Brandt, M., Feih, S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Pin pull-out behaviour for hybrid metal-composite joints with integrated reinforcements’, Composite Structures, vol. 155, pp. 160-172, 2016.
  • Neu, E., Janser, F., Khatibi, A.A., Orifici, A.C., ‘Automated modal parameter-based anomaly detection under varying wind excitation’, Structural Health Monitoring, vol. 15, pp. 730-749, 2016.
  • Nguyen, L.H., Lässig, T., Ryan, S., Riedel, W., Mouritz, A.P., Orifici, A.C., ‘A methodology for hydrocode analysis of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite under ballistic impact’, Composites: Part A, vol. 84, pp. 224-235, 2016.
  • Nguyen, A.T.T., Brandt, M., Orifici, A.C., Feih, S., ‘Hierarchical surface features for improved bonding and fracture toughness of metal-metal and metal-composite bonded joints’, International Journal of Adhesion & Adhesives, vol. 66, pp. 81-92, 2016.
  • Neu, E., Janser, F., Khatibi, A.A., Braun, C., Orifici, A.C., ‘Operational modal analysis of a wing excited by transonic flow’, Aerospace Science and Technology, vol. 49, pp. 73-79, 2016.
  • Pook, D. A., Watmuff, J. H., Orifici, A.C., ‘Test section streaks originating from imperfections in a zither located upstream of a contraction’, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, vol. 787, pp. 254-291, 2016.
  • Nguyen, L.H., Ryan, S., Cimpoeru, S.J., Mouritz, A.P., Orifici, A.C., ‘The efficiency of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite against fragment impact’, in Experimental Mechanics, Springer, United States, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 595-605, ISSN: 0014-4851, 2016.

  • Donough, M.A., Gunnion, A.J., Orifici, A.C., Wang, C.H., ‘Scaling parameter for fatigue delamination growth in composites under varying load ratios’, Composites Science and Technology, vol. 120, pp. 39-48, 2015.
  • Nguyen, L.H., Ryan, S., Cimpoeru, S.J., Mouritz, A.P., Orifici, A.C., ‘The effect of target thickness on the ballistic performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composite’, International Journal of Impact Engineering, vol. 75, pp. 174-183, 2015.
  • Donough, M.A., Gunnion, A.J., Orifici, A.C., Wang, C.H., ‘Plasticity induced crack closure in adhesively bonded joints under fatigue loading’, International Journal of Fatigue, vol. 70, pp. 440-450, 2015.
  • Shah, S.A., Orifici, A.C., Watmuff, J.H., ‘Water impact of rigid wedges in two-dimensional fluid flow’, Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics, vol. 8. no. 2, April 2015.

  • Orifici, A.C., Wongwichit, P., Wiwatanawongsa, N., ‘Embedded flaws for crack path control in composite laminates’, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 66, pp. 218-226, 2014.
  • Goh, J.Y., Georgiadis, S., Orifici, A.C., Wang, C.H., ‘Effects of disbonds on the fatigue endurance of composite scarf joints’, Advanced Materials Research, vol. 891-892, pp. 191-196, 2014.

  • Goh, J.Y., Georgiadis, S., Orifici, A.C., Wang, C.H., ‘Effects of bondline flaws on the damage tolerance of composite scarf joints’, Composites: Part A, vol. 55, pp. 110-119, 2013.
  • Orifici, A.C., Bisagni, C., ‘Perturbation-based imperfection analysis for composite cylindrical shells buckling in compression, Composite Structures, vol. 106, pp. 520-528, 2013.
  • Herman, A.P., Orifici, A.C., Mouritz, A.P., ‘Vibration modal analysis of defects in composite T-stiffened panels’, Composite Structures, vol. 104, pp. 34-42, 2013.

  • Nguyen, A.T.T., Orifici, A.C., ‘Structural assessment of microvascular self-healing laminates using progressive damage finite element analysis’, Composites Part A, vol. 43, pp. 1886-1894, 2012. 
  • Chishti, M., Wang, C.H., Thomson, R.S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Characterising fibre compression fracture toughness of composites using bearing tests’, Composites Part A, vol. 43, pp. 1775-1782, 2012.
  • Orifici, A.C., Krueger, R., ‘Benchmark assessment of automated delamination propagation capabilities in finite element codes for static loading’, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, vol. 54, pp. 28-36, 2012.
  • Chishti, M., Wang, C.H., Thomson, R.S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Experimental investigation of damage progression and strength of countersunk composite joints’, Composite Structures, vol. 94, pp. 865-873, 2012.
  • Chishti, M., Wang, C.H., Thomson, R.S., Orifici, A.C., ‘Numerical analysis of damage progression and strength of countersunk composite joints’, Composite Structures, vol. 94, pp. 643-653, 2012.

  • Wang, C.H., Gunnion, A.G., Orifici, A.C., Rider, A., ‘Residual strength of composite laminates containing scarfed and straight-sided holes’, Composites Part A, vol. 42, pp. 1951-1961, 2011.

  • Chishti, M. Wang, C.H, Thomson, R.S, Orifici, A.C., ‘Progressive damage in single lap countersunk composite joints’, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 10, pp. 1-6, 2010.
  • Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R., Bisagni, C., Bayandor, J., ‘An analysis tool for design and certification of postbuckling composite aerospace structures’, International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, vol. 10, pp. 669-681, 2010.
  • Lauterbach, S., Orifici, A.C., Wagner, W., Balzani, C., Abramovich, H., Thomson, R., ‘Damage sensitivity of axially loaded stringer-stiffened curved CFRP panels’, Composites Science and Technology, vol. 70, pp. 240-248, 2010. 

  • Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R., Bisagni, C., Bayandor, J., ‘A finite element methodology for analysing degradation and collapse in postbuckling composite aerospace structures’, Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 43, pp. 3239-3263, 2009.
  • Kelly, D.W., Lee, M.C.W, Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R., ‘Collapse analysis, defect sensitivity and load paths in stiffened shell composite structures’, Computers, Materials and Continua, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 163-194, 2009.

  • Orifici, A.C., Ortiz de Zarate Alberdi, I., Thomson, R.S., Bayandor, J., ‘Compression and post-buckling damage growth and collapse analysis of flat composite stiffened panels’, Composites Science and Technology, vol. 68, pp. 3150-3160, 2008. 
  • Orifici, A.C., Herszberg, I., Thomson, R.S., ‘Review of methodologies for composite material modelling incorporating failure’, Composite Structures, vol. 86, pp. 194-210, 2008.
  • Orifici, A.C., Shah, S.A., Herszberg, I., Kotler, A., Weller, T., ‘Failure analysis in postbuckled composite T-sections’, Composite Structures, vol. 86, pp. 146-153, 2008.
  • Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., Herszberg, I., Weller, T., Degenhardt, R., Bayandor, J., ‘An analysis methodology for failure in postbuckling skin-stiffener interfaces’, Composite Structures, vol. 86, pp. 186-193, 2008.
  • Degenhardt, R., Kling, A., Rohwer, K., Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., ‘Design and analysis of stiffened composite panels including post-buckling and collapse’, Computers and Structures, vol. 86, pp. 919-929, 2008.
  • Orifici A.C., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R., Kling, A., Rohwer, K., Bayandor, J., ‘Degradation investigation in a postbuckling composite stiffened fuselage panel’, Composite Structures, vol. 82, no. 2, pp. 217-224, 2008.

  • Orifici, A.C., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R., Bisagni, C., Bayandor, J., ‘Development of a finite-element methodology for the propagation of delaminations in composite structures’, Mechanics of Composite Materials, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 9-28, 2007.
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Feature projects

Defence structures and materials experimentation collaborative program

DST 

Land Vehicle Alternative Material Characterisation

DMTC 

Ballistic Performance of Thick UHMW Polyethylene Armour

DMTC

Key projects by year

Expand all sections

  • DST “Defence structures and materials experimentation collaborative program”
  • Memko “Additive manufacturing of certified aircraft interior components”
  • Supervision of PhD students, Masters students and undergraduate thesis projects

  • DST “Bio-inspired toughening of transparent adhesives”
  • DMTC “Land Vehicle Alternative Material Characterisation”
  • DST “Exploring the Interplay between composite degradation mechanisms in-service”
  • EU 7th Framework Programme, “New Robust DESign Guideline for Imperfection Sensitive COmposite Launcher Structures” (DESICOS)
  • ARC Linkage, “Optimised flush repairs for dissimilar composite materials” (Boeing)
  • CRC-ACS, “Robust composite repairs”
  • CRC-ACS, “Mechanical behaviour and failure in composite structures”
  • DMTC, “Ballistic Performance of Thick UHMW Polyethylene Armour”
  • EU Sixth Framework Programme, “Improved MATerial Exploitation at Safe Design of COmposite Airframe Structures by Accurate Simulation of Collapse” (COCOMAT)
  • Research secondments at NASA Langley Research Centre (10 weeks), US Naval Research Laboratory (3 weeks), Politecnico di Milano (6 months), German Aerospace Center (5 months)
Web

Awards

ICAS John J. Green Award, from International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences

Award date: 2014

Recipients: Adrian Orifici

Victoria Fellowship from Victorian Government

Award date: 2008

Recipients: Adrian Orifici

Course Coordinator and sole lecturer for AERO2359

Recognised for outstanding achievement based on student surveys on course content and teaching quality 

Award date: every year from 2009-2021

Recipients: Adrian Orifici

Key awards by year

Expand all sections

  • 2016, Best Paper Prize at the Advanced Composites Innovation Conference, 12-14 April 2016, (last and supervising author).

  • 2014, ICAS John J. Green Award, from International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, for “outstanding activities and intellectual performance in International Collaboration in the field of aeronautic cooperations”

  • 2012, Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence - Early Career Researcher Award for the top early career researcher at RMIT

  • 2010, Finalist, Australian Industry Defence Network, Young Achiever Award

  • 2009, RMIT School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Award for outstanding service in teaching and research

  • 2007, “Highly Commended Paper” Prize at the 12th Australian International Aerospace Congress, 19-22 March 2007, (first author).
  • 2007, Letter of commendation for PhD thesis from RMIT University after independent reviewers’ comments, for work “strongly competitive at an international level”.

Key scholarships by year

Expand all sections

  • 2011, RMIT Research Leave and RMIT Early Career Researcher Travel Award to support 3 month secondment in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

  • 2010, NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and RMIT Research Leave funding to support a 10-week secondment in the NASA LaRC Durability and Damage Tolerance Branch, hosted by the National Institute of Aerospace.

  • 2008, Victoria Fellowship from Victorian Government, to support an 8-week research mission involving 3 international conferences, a 3-week secondment, software training, and site visits to key industry and research institutions in Europe and US.
  • 2008, AFAS / FEAST-France Fellowship from the Australian-French Association for Science and Technology (AFAS) and the French Embassy to support a study mission visiting French industry and research institutions.
  • 2008, CASS Foundation Travel Grant for Early Career Researchers to support participation at international conferences in Germany and USA.

  • 2007, Travel bursary covering all costs to attend Cooperative Research Centre Association Annual Conference, as part of the “Early Career Researcher Showcase”.

  • 2006, Scholarship from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for six months PhD research at Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy.

  • 2005, Scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for five months PhD research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Braunschweig, Germany.

  • 2004-2007, Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship from the Australian Government for three years of PhD research.
  • 2004-2007, Scholarship from the CRC for Advanced Composite Structures for three years of PhD research.
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information