Dr Anna Paradowska at the Australian Nuclear and Scientific Technology Organisation.
The Department of Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has joined up with three universities and the Federal Government’s Australian Nuclear and Scientific Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to develop the latest laser cleaning techniques to clean the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
RMS will collaborate with researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sydney and University of Canberra, on a project to use advanced laser cleaning on the iconic bridge.
The project, which is being led by Professor Andrei Rode from the ANU has been awarded an Australian Research Council linkage grant of $858,000 over three years.
The funds will be used to develop novel laser-based approaches to large scale processing of corroded metal and dirt-encrusted stone surfaces.
The technology uses a new class of powerful industrial ultrafast lasers.
“In this project, the team will be analysing the mechanical properties of the laser treated steel and granite material for fatigue resistance, surface roughness, determine the microstructure, resolve the distribution of residual stresses and micro-cracking,” said Dr Anna Paradowska, Industrial Liaison Manager at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering.
The Harbour Bridge is approaching its 90th anniversary.
Current conservation work involves sandblasting dirt, rust and the existing lead-based paint and applying lead-free paint to protect the structure.
Dr Anna Paradowska said a different approach was needed for 7.2 kilometres of tightly confined tunnels, which are inaccessible to humans and sandblasting creates too much dust.
In contrast, she said, powerful ultra-short pulse lasers can be used with minimal dust and waste for cleaning.
