Innovative structures and materials

Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM)

The RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM) was established in July 2012 following significant research outcomes achieved by its predecessor, the Innovative Structures Group which was founded by Professor Mike Xie and Peter Felicetti in 2003.

Members of CISM have conducted pioneering work on the theoretical development and practical application of various structural optimisation techniques. These techniques have been widely used around the world by engineers and architects to design innovative buildings and bridges, and to create new microstructures of materials and composites.

CISM researchers have been awarded 13 major grants by the Australian Research Council (ARC). Recent/current projects funded by the ARC include topology optimisation of load-carrying structural systems with periodic geometrical patterns, optimisation of building structures considering wind loading, design of microstructures for materials and composites with desired functional properties, and topology optimisation for advanced engineering nanostructures. Financial support to the research team has also been provided by various companies such as Boeing, Arup, and Felicetti.