Kate Nguyen

Contact details

Innovative Fire and Facade Engineering Group

ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS)

Email: kate.nguyen@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 39925 8164

Campus: Melbourne City

Programs

BH077 - Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours)

MC257 - Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)

More information

- ORCID

- Google Scholar

- LinkedIn

Dr Kate Nguyen has been leading research on novel construction materials and advanced construction solutions for sustainability and fire safety since joining RMIT in 2019.

Overview

Kate is currently the leader of RMIT's Innovative Fire and Facade Engineering Group. She has established herself as one of the leaders in sustainable and fire safe solutions for construction.

Dr Nguyen is proud to be the first researcher in Civil Engineering to receive the L'OREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship (2020). She was the second female engineer in Australia to be awarded the Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Dr Nguyen was named in The Australian’s 2021 Research magazine as Australia’s top researcher in composite materials.

Her research impacts are proven through her leadership in major industry-oriented projects including three CRC-Ps, a Global Innovation Linkage and the prestigious Discovery Early Career Researchers Award (DECRA) by the Australian Research Council. She has attracted over $3mil research grants and industry funding.

Dr Nguyen's passion in Engineering, particularly in Construction and Civil Engineering, extends to the enabling of gender equity as well as supporting inclusion and belongings in the profession.

Industry experience

Chief Engineer - Cladding Safety Victoria

State Committee Member - Engineers Australia's Society of Fire Safety (Victoria Chapter)

Member - Fire and Life Safety Working Group, Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Guest Editor of Polymer's Special Issue on "Flame Retardant Polymers and Hybrid Composites: recycling and circular economy"

Research

Research keywords

Nanocomposites, Flame Retardants, Construction Materials, Facade Engineering, Fire Safety Design, Computational Fluid Dynamics

Research output summary

Publications

$3 million+

Grants

Awards

Supervisor interest areas

Fire and Facades
Nanomaterials for construction
Smart construction using prefabrication and artificial intelligence

Supervisor projects

Nanocomposites for facade applications
Lightweight contruction material from biochar and sewage sludge
Fire safety of prefabricated and modular construction
Recycled plastic for prefab elements

Publications and projects

Feature publications

Assessing the combustibility of claddings: A comparative study of the modified cone calorimeter method and cylindrical furnace test

Fire and Materials

Nguyen, K., Kim, NK.,Bhattacharyya, D., Mouritz, A., (2021).

Find out more

Predicting Heat Release Properties of Flammable Fiber-Polymer Laminates Using Artificial Neural Networks

Composite Science and Technology

Nguyen, H., Nguyen, K., Le, T., Soufeiani, L., Mouritz, A., (2021).

Find out more

The potential use of hypochlorous acid and a smart prefabricated sanitising chamber to reduce occupation-related COVID-19 exposure

Risk Management and Healthcare Policy

Nguyen, K., Bui, D., Hashemi, M., Hocking, D., Mendis, P., Strugnell, D., Dharmage, S., (2021).

Find out more

Key publications by year

Expand all sections

2021

Nguyen, Nguyen, Le, Soufeiani, Mouritz. Predicting heat release properties of flammable fiber-polymer laminates using artificial neural networks. Composites Science and Technology. 2021: 215, 109007.
Zhang, Tao, Nguyen, Han, Li, Shi. A wall solar chimney to ventilate multi-zone buildings. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2021: 47, 101381.
Abu-Zidan, Nguyen, Mendis. Influence of building shape on wind-driven rain exposure in tall buildings. Journal of Architectural Engineering. 2021: 27 (3), 04021027.
Wang, Shen, Lyu, He, Nguyen. Fresh and rheological characteristics of fiber reinforced concrete - A review. 2021: 296, 123734.
Abeysinghe, Gunasekara, Bandara, Nguyen, Dissanayake, Mendis. Engineering Performance of Concrete Incorporated with Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-A Systematic Review. Polymers. 2021: 13 (11).
Navaratnam, Wijaya, Rajeev, Mendis, Nguyen. Residual stress-strain relationship for the biochar-based mortar after exposure to elevated temperature. Case Studies in Construction Materials. 2021: 14, e00540.
Nguyen, Kim, Bhattacharyya, Mouritz. Assessing the combustibility of claddings: A comparative study of the modified cone calorimeter method and cylindrical furnace test. Fire and Materials. 2021 In Press.
Khotbehsara, Manalo, Aravinthan, Ferdous, Benmokrane, Nguyen. Synergistic effects of hygrothermal conditions and solar ultraviolet radiation on the properties of structural particulate-filled epoxy polymer coatings. Construction and Building Materials. 2021: 277, 122336.
Abu-Zidan, Nguyen, Mendis, Setunge, Adeli. Design of a smart prefabricated sanitising chamber for COVID-19 using computational fluid dynamics. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management. 2021 In Press.
Nanayakkara, Gunasekara, Sandanayake, Law, Nguyen, Xia, Setunge. Alkali activated slag concrete incorporating recycled aggregate concrete: Long term performance and sustainability aspect. Construction and Building Materials. 2021: 271, 121512.
Baduge, Navaratnam, Abu-Zidan, McCormack, Nguyen, Mendis, Zhang, Aye. Improving performance of additive manufactured (3D printed) concrete: A review on material mix design, processing, interlayer bonding, and reinforcing methods. Structures. 2021: 29, 1597-1609.
Nguyen, Nguyen, Le, Zhang. Review on the use of artificial intelligence to predict fire performance of construction materials and their flame retardancy. Molecules. 2021: 26 (4), 1022.
Nguyen, Bui, Hashemi, Hocking, Mendis, Strugnell, Dharmage. The potential use of hypochlorous acid and a smart prefabricated sanitising chamber to reduce occupation-related COVID-19 exposure. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy. 2021: 14, 247.

2020

Cheng, Shi, Nguyen, Zhang, Zhou, Zhang, Wang, Shi. Solar chimney in tunnel considering energy-saving and fire safety. Energy. 2020: 210, 118601.
Navaratnam, Humphreys, Mendis, Nguyen, Zhang. Effect of roof to wall connection stiffness variations on the load sharing and hold-down forces of Australian timber-framed houses. Structures. 2020: 27, 141-150.
Navaratnam, Ginger, Humphreys, Henderson, Wang, Nguyen, Mendis. Comparison of wind uplift load sharing for Australian truss-and pitch-framed roof structures. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 2020: 204, 104246.
Soufeiani, Foliente, Nguyen, Nicolas. Corrosion protection of steel elements in façade systems–a review. Journal of Building Engineering. 2020: 101759.
Khotbehsara, Manalo, Aravinthan, Ferdous, Nguyen, Hota. Ageing of particulate-filled epoxy resin under hygrothermal conditions. Construction and Building Materials. 2020: 249, 118846.
Weerasinghe, Nguyen, Mendis, Guerrieri. Large-scale experiment on the behaviour of concrete flat slabs subjected to standard fire. Journal of Building Engineering. 2020: 30, 101255.
Nguyen, Navaratnam, Mendis, Zhang, Barnett, Wang. Fire safety of composites in prefabricated buildings: From fibre reinforced polymer to textile reinforced concrete. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2020: 187, 107815.
Baduge, Mendis, Nicolas, Nguyen, Hajimohammadi. Performance of lightweight hemp concrete with alkali-activated cenosphere binders exposed to elevated temperature. Construction and Building Materials. 2020: 224, 158-172.

2019

Nguyen, Mendis, Fernando. Novel modelling approach for evacuation strategies of tall towers-A case study of Lotus Tower. Journal of Building Engineering. 2019: 25, 100763.
Maranan, Manalo, Benmokrane, Karunasena, Mendis, Nguyen. Flexural behavior of geopolymer-concrete beams longitudinally reinforced with GFRP and steel hybrid reinforcements. Engineering Structures. 2019: 182, 141-152.
AlAjarmeh, Manalo, BBenmokrane, Karunasena, Mendis, Nguyen. Compressive behavior of axially loaded circular hollow concrete columns reinforced with GFRP bars and spirals. Construction and Building Materials. 2019: 194, 12-23.

2018

Ferdous, Ngo, Nguyen, Ghazlan, Mendis, Manalo. Effect of fire-retardant ceram powder on the properties of phenolic-based GFRP composites. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2018: 155, 414-424.
Tran, Nguyen, Lau. Fire performance of polymer-based composites for maritime infrastructure. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2018: 155, 31-48.
Baduge, Mendis, Ngo, Portella, Nguyen. Understanding failure and stress-strain behavior of very-high strength concrete (> 100 MPa) confined by lateral reinforcement. Construction and Building Materials. 2018: 189, 62-77.
Nguyen, Ngo, Tran, Mendis, Aye, Baduge. Fire resistance of a prefabricated bushfire bunker using aerated concrete panels. Construction and Building Materials. 2018: 174, 410-420.
Ngo, Kashani, Imbalzano, Nguyen, Hui. Additive manufacturing (3D printing): A review of materials, methods, applications and challenges. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2018: 143, 172-196.
Nguyen, Ngo, Mendis, Heath. Performance of high-strength concrete walls exposed to fire. Advances in structural engineering. 2018: 21 (8), 1173-1182.
Tran, Linforth, Ngo, Lumantarna, Nguyen. Design analysis of hybrid composite anti-ram bollard subjected to impulsive loadings. Composite Structures. 2018: 189, 598-613.
Maranan, Manalo, Benmokrane, Karunasena, Mendis, Nguyen. Shear behaviour of geopolymer-concrete beams transversely reinforced with continuous rectangular GFRP composite spirals. Composite Structures. 2018: 187, 454-465.

2017

Soufeiani, Ghadyani, Kueh, Nguyen. The effect of laminate stacking sequence and fiber orientation on the dynamic response of FRP composite slabs. Journal of Building Engineering. 2017: 13, 41-52.

2016

Nguyen, Ngo, Tran, Mendis, Zobec, Aye. Fire performance of prefabricated modular units using organoclay/glass fibre reinforced polymer composite. Construction and Building Materials. 2016: 129, 204-215.
Nguyen, Ngo, Bai, Tran. Experimental and numerical investigations on the thermal response of multilayer glass fibre/unsaturated polyester/organoclay composite. Fire and Materials. 2016: 40 (8), 1047-1069.
Ngo, Nguyen, Tran. Heat release and flame propagation in prefabricated modular unit with GFRP composite facades. Building Simulation. 2016: 9 (5), 607-616.
Ngo, Nguyen, Nguyen, Tran. Effect of nanoclay on thermomechanical properties of epoxy/glass fibre composites. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. 2016: 41 (4), 1251-1261.
Nguyen, Weerasinghe, Mendis, Ngo, Barnett. Performance of modern building façades in fire: a comprehensive review. Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering. 2016: 16 (1), 69-86.

2015

Nguyen, Ngo, Tran, Mendis, Bhattacharyya. Influences of clay and manufacturing on fire resistance of organoclay/thermoset nanocomposites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 2015: 74, 26-37.

2014

Nguyen, Tran, Ngo, Tran, Mendis. Experimental and computational investigations on fire resistance of GFRP composite for building façade. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2014: 62, 218-229.

2013

Nguyen, Ngo, Mendis, Tran. Composite materials for next generation building facade systems. Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2013: 1 (3), 88-95.

Feature projects

Facade fire failures in buildings: a robust nanocomposite solution

ARC

Kate Nguyen

2019 - 2022

ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS)

ARC

2021 - 2026

Upcycling solutions for hazardous claddings and co-mingled waste

CRC-P

2020 - 2022

Key projects

CRC-P “Upcycling solutions for hazardous claddings and co-mingled waste”
CRC-P “Recycled plastic Robovoid construction solution”
ARC ITRH “Transformation of reclaimed waste resources to engineered materials and solutions for a circular economy”
Global Innovation Linkages “Smart chamber for prevention of highly contagious diseases”
CRC-P “AI based conversion of unrecyclable waste into engineered products”
CRC-P “Transforming hazardous solar panel waste into value added materials”
CRC-P “Development of high content recycled glass building material technology”
ARC Discovery Early Career Researchers Award "Facade fire failures in buildings: a robust nanocomposite solution"

Awards and grants

Awards

Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence by Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Award date: 2021

Recipients: Kate Nguyen

L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship

Award date: 2020

Recipients: Kate Nguyen

Discovery Early Career Researchers Award by the Australian Research Council

Award date: 2019-2022

Recipients: Kate Nguyen

Key awards by year

Expand all sections

2021

Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence by Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2021)
Australia's Top Researcher in Composites Material by The Australian's 2021 Research Magazine

2020

L’OREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship (2020)
RMIT Award for Research Excellence (ECR-Enterprise) (2020)
Executive Dean’s Research Excellence Award for highest performing researcher (Academic Level C) (2020)

2019

Discovery Early Career Researchers Award by the Australian Research Council (2019-2022)
Victoria Fellowship in Physical Sciences by Victorian State Government and veski (2019)

2018

Early Career Researchers Grant by the University of Melbourne (2018)

Grants

“Upcycling solutions for hazardous claddings and co-mingled waste”, CRC-P, Lead Researcher, 2020-2022.

“Recycled plastic Robovoid construction solution”, CRC-P, RMIT's Lead Researcher, 2020-2022.

ARC ITRH “Transformation of reclaimed waste resources to engineered materials and solutions for a circular economy”, ARC, Chief Investigator, 2021-2026.

“Smart chamber for prevention of highly contagious diseases”, Global Innovation Linkages, Chief Investigator, 2021-2022.

“AI based conversion of unrecyclable waste into engineered products”, CRC-P, Lead Researcher, 2021-2024.

“Transforming hazardous solar panel waste into value added materials”, CRC-P, Researcher, 2021-2024.

“Development of high content recycled glass building material technology”, CRC-P, Researcher, 2021-2024.

"Facade fire failures in buildings: a robust nanocomposite solution", ARC Discovery Early Career Researchers Award, Principal Chief Investigator, 2019-2022.

Network and engagement

Public and media engagements