Dr Lisa Ottenhaus

Lecturer in Structural Engineering

School of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
l.ottenhaus@uq.edu.au
+61 7 344 31399

Overview

My expertise is structural timber engineering and my research interests encompass the theory, analysis, design and performance of timber connections, detailing for timber durability, timber offsite construction using both engineered wood products and light timber framing and design for manufacture, assembly and disassembly (DfMA+D). I joined UQ in 2019 as a lecturer in structural engineering. Prior to that I completed a PhD on the seismic performance of connections in tall timber buildings at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. I also hold a Masters of Science in structural engineering from Delft University of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In the past I have researched geodesic bamboo domes and bamboo connections.

I am currently a steering committee member of the CTBUH Research Project "The Future Potential of Steel-Timber Composite Structures" , a working group member of WG1 and WG2 of COST Action Helen, a founding member of the International Association for Mass Timber Construction, and have been a steering committee member of the prefabAUS / Fleetwood Challenge Cup since 2019.

Research Interests

  • Structural timber engineering
    Connection design, durability of timber connections, timber design standards, reversible connections, capacity design, modular timber buildings, engineered wood products
  • Modular and offsite construction of timber buildings
    Design for disassembly, adaptable and flexible building design, modular and offsite construction, design for circular economy, structural performance of reclaimed timber, design for reuse
  • Contact-free measuring techniques
    Digital image correlation (DIC) and particle tracking (PT)

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
  • Master of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Canterbury

Publications

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Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Fundamental research is needed to characterise basic system properties of Australian timber products to update the Australian timber design standard AS1720.1. The following research gaps may be addressed:

    1) investigate embedment strength of dowel-type fasteners in different Australian timber species and products; derive reliable regression models for strength prediction; characterise the effect of moisture on embedment strength; establish conversion formulae to harmonise half hole and full hole embedment tests in sawn timber, LVL, and CLT;

    2) study of screwed connections in Australian timber species and products including high density hardwoods; determine screw withdrawal parameters and develop analytical models to quantify the effect of boundary conditions, spacings, compound angles and group effect; investigate suitable screw arrangements to reinforce carpentry joints;

    3) other fundamental experimental research on timber connections may be considered.

    Formal education in timber engineering is a prerequisite to undertake this research. Previous research experience is desirable (e.g. BHon or Master thesis research). Applicants will have to secure a competitive HDR scholarship to support their research.

  • Fundamental research is needed to understand the durability performance of timber connections in treated wood. This includes, but is not limited to, the behaviour of common fasteners such as nails, screws, and dowels in chemically treated timber, thermally modified timber and timber products, subjected to repeated wetting and drying, as well as fungal decay. A competitive scholarship needs to be obtained to undertake this work.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Fundamental research is needed to characterise basic system properties of Australian timber products to update the Australian timber design standard AS1720.1. The following research gaps may be addressed:

    1) investigate embedment strength of dowel-type fasteners in different Australian timber species and products; derive reliable regression models for strength prediction; characterise the effect of moisture on embedment strength; establish conversion formulae to harmonise half hole and full hole embedment tests in sawn timber, LVL, and CLT;

    2) study of screwed connections in Australian timber species and products including high density hardwoods; determine screw withdrawal parameters and develop analytical models to quantify the effect of boundary conditions, spacings, compound angles and group effect; investigate suitable screw arrangements to reinforce carpentry joints;

    3) other fundamental experimental research on timber connections may be considered.

    Formal education in timber engineering is a prerequisite to undertake this research. Previous research experience is desirable (e.g. BHon or Master thesis research). Applicants will have to secure a competitive HDR scholarship to support their research.

  • Fundamental research is needed to understand the durability performance of timber connections in treated wood. This includes, but is not limited to, the behaviour of common fasteners such as nails, screws, and dowels in chemically treated timber, thermally modified timber and timber products, subjected to repeated wetting and drying, as well as fungal decay. A competitive scholarship needs to be obtained to undertake this work.