SYNOPSIS   

This webinar will share Australia’s journey in improving the safety, quality, and reliability of concrete fastenings used in construction. It will highlight how industry stakeholders, manufacturers, suppliers and Swinburne University collaborated through the Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchors Council (AEFAC) to develop a comprehensive framework comprising design standards, installer certification, site testing guidance, and industry technical notes. The webinar will present key developments in AS5216, including provisions and practices that extend beyond the scope of MS EN 1992-4. It will also introduce the AEFAC Installer Certification Program, which aims to improve installation quality and competency across the industry, and discuss the role of site testing in verifying anchor installation and enhancing construction safety. Drawing on practical Australian experience, the session will provide valuable lessons for engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, installers, testing personnel, supervisors and regulators interested in strengthening anchorage design, installation, and compliance practices in Malaysia.


BIODATA OF SPEAKERS

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jessey Lee

Dr Jessey Lee is a Structural Engineer with expertise in structural design, prefabricatedconstruction, engineering research, and project delivery. She is an Associate Professor and DeputyChair of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Swinburne University ofTechnology, Australia, and serves as the Training and Development Manager of the AustralianEngineered Fasteners and Anchors Council (AEFAC). Jessey’s research focuses on fastening andanchoring systems, modular and prefabricated construction, structural reliability, and sustainablelow-carbon building technologies. She has contributed to the development of Australian fasteningstandards, including AS 5216, and works closely with academia, government and industry toadvance innovation and improve construction practices. She is also a member of the working groupwhich developed Malaysia’s inaugural fastening design standard, MS EN 1992-4.


2. Dr Tilak Pokharel

Dr Tilak Pokharel is an AEFAC Technical and Research Manager at the Swinburne University ofTechnology. He received his PhD from the University of Melbourne and his master’s degree from theUniversity of Tokyo. He has over 15 years of experience working as an Earthquake and structuralengineer. His main research interests are anchorage, finite element modelling, steel and compositeconstruction and earthquake-resistant design. Dr. Pokharel sits on Standards Australia's standarddevelopment committee (ME-029) and is the drafting leader for Australian Standard AS 5216. He isalso a member of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) TG2.9—Fastenings tostructural concrete and masonry.