National Workshop on Eco-Friendly Ground Modification, Waste Recycling and AI Applications in Transport Infrastructure

The Transport Research Centre (TRC), University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is delighted to welcome you all to attend the National Workshop on Eco-Friendly Ground Modification, Waste Recycling and AI Applications in Transport Infrastructure to be held at Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel on 2 December 2026.

BACKGROUND

Australia's transport infrastructure is facing significant challenges arising from rapid urbanisation, increasing freight demands, climate change, and the need to achieve net-zero carbon targets. Traditional construction and ground improvement practices are increasingly constrained by the overuse of natural resources, rising environmental concerns, and the growing generation of industrial waste materials.

Recent research has increasingly focused on eco-friendly ground modification techniques and the beneficial reuse of waste materials, including waste rubber, recycled plastics, glass, fly ash, slag, and other industrial by-products. These sustainable materials and technologies have demonstrated considerable potential to enhance the mechanical performance and durability of transport infrastructure while simultaneously reducing landfill disposal and conserving virgin resources. Furthermore, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities for infrastructure planning, design, construction, monitoring, maintenance, and asset management.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

The National Workshop on Eco-Friendly Ground Modification, Waste Recycling and AI Applications in Transport Infrastructure aims to bring together researchers, engineers, industry practitioners, government agencies, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest scientific and technological developments in these rapidly evolving areas. The workshop will provide a national platform for presenting innovative research findings, showcasing practical applications and case studies, and identifying emerging challenges and future research directions. Through knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration, the workshop seeks to accelerate the adoption of sustainable ground improvement technologies, promote the circular use of recycled materials, and explore the transformative role of AI in developing resilient, intelligent, and resource-efficient transport infrastructure systems for Australia and beyond.

TECHNICAL THEMES

The workshop will cover a broad range of emerging themes and recent advances in Transport Geotechnics and Sustainable Infrastructure, including:

• Recycled and Waste-derived Materials for Transport and Civil Infrastructure

• Laboratory Testing and Performance Evaluation of Recycled Materials

• AI, Digital Technologies, and Smart Approaches for Sustainable Infrastructure

• Advanced Computational Modelling and Simulation

• Bio-mediated and Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Ground Improvement

• Industrial By-products (e.g., Fly Ash, Slag, Tailings) in Geotechnical Applications

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Waste Material Utilisation

• Optimisation of Blended Waste Mixtures for Increased Strength, Stiffness and Stability

• Time-dependent Degradation and Fatigue of Waste Granular Media under Dynamic Loading

• Tunnel Design, Construction and Field Case Studies in Unstable and Jointed Rock Strata

• Circular Economy, Low-Carbon Construction, and Environmental Sustainability

• Smart Monitoring, Sensing, and Infrastructure Diagnostics

• Risk Assessment, Reliability, and Performance-based Design

• Multi-scale Behaviour and Micro-mechanical Characterisation

WORKSHOP BROCHURE here

FULL PROGRAM WITH PRESENTATION DETAILS here

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This workshop is intended for:

• Academics working in civil, geotechnical, transport, materials, and environmental engineering;

• Practicing engineers, consultants, and infrastructure professionals;

• Industry stakeholders involved in recycled materials, construction products, and asset management;

• Government agencies, transport authorities, and policy stakeholders; and

• Postgraduate students and early-career researchers interested in sustainable infrastructure.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

• Keynote or invited presentations;

• Brainstorming and discussion sessions on challenges and future directions; and

• Networking cocktail event - opportunities for academic and industry collaboration.

The workshop is hosted by the Transport Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney (UTS-TRC), and co-host by Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS).

Workshop Chairs: Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna, AM and Professor Hadi Khabbaz 

Technical Committee Chair: Professor Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn

Technical Program Coordinator: Dr Jing Chen, Chen.Jing@uts.edu.au

Workshop Coordinator: Ms Van Le, Van.Le@uts.edu.au

If you have any enquiries about registering or our event in general, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS)

Bestech Australia

Cogninet AI

EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: Exhibition space 2m x 2m - Price $3,000 (excluding GST)

Companies interested in booking space are urged to contact us for prime space, van.le@uts.edu.au

The Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel, 191 O'Riordan St, Mascot NSW 2020, is conveniently located near Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, and guests can easily access the hotel by car or train with 5 minute walk from Mascot station.

Hotel room booking: A special discounted rate for workshop participant room booking when apply by https://www.idem.events/r/uts-academic-conference-b7fe4cb0

By Car: The Hotel is right outside Sydney Airport Domestic area and easy access through Qantas Drive or King Street (Botany NSW 2019).

The workshop participants should highlight to the hotel concierge regarding their UTS-TRC Workshop participation to be offered a discounted rate of parking.

By Rail: From the Mascot Station, it is only approximately 5 minutes walk to the Hotel.

By Airplane: From the Sydney Domestic Airport terminal, either you hire Uber or Taxi for a short drive; or the Airport Link train service will take you to Mascot Station in 3 minutes, then other 5 minute walk to the Hotel.