High-Performance Structural Systems for Seismic Protection and Resilience of Built Infrastructure

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North American infrastructure is aging and many structures are in dire need of repair or replacement. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities currently estimates that the infrastructure deficit - the money required to fund necessary repairs to and replacements of Canada's aging infrastructure - is more than $100 billion. Many of these structures are constructed of reinforced concrete (RC) and were designed before the introduction of modern seismic design standards (pre-1970s or 80s), leaving them vulnerable to seismic hazards. Whether a deficient structure is going to be repaired or replaced, engineers need high-performance design solutions that mitigate seismic hazards and promote resilience. In new construction, there is a demand for sustainable alternatives to steel and concrete to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry, which is estimated to produce as much as 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To address these concerns, investigations over the course of this Discovery grant will focus on high-performance structural systems for seismic protection and resilience of built infrastructure, specifically targeting two research themes: (1) seismic assessment and rehabilitation of old RC shear wall structures using externally bonded carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and (2) high-performance combined heavy timber-steel structural systems for new structures. Complementary projects over 5 years will address knowledge gaps around the seismic performance of old RC shear wall buildings in Canada's existing building stock, study novel CFRP configurations not previously considered and produce the first comprehensive design guidelines for an innovative steel tube anchor system. For new (i.e. replacement) structures, research into the development of innovative heavy timber-steel structural systems will address the growing demand for sustainable and resilient timber structures in Canada and abroad. By combining novel experiments, robust computer models and innovative applications of advanced sensors, this research program will support seminal contributions observing, explaining and quantifying the system-level seismic behaviour of these structural systems. The knowledge and data collected from this research will impact the Canadian public over the long term, contributing to new design guidelines and structural systems that will minimize seismic vulnerabilities, reduce environmental impacts and promote resilience. This research program will train 10 HQP (2 PhD, 3 MASc and 5 UG) with advanced knowledge and skills in structural and earthquake engineering to address the substantial demand for experts in these fields. Graduates of this research program are expected to be actively recruited as engineering professionals. Training will emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, project management, strong communication skills and the importance of collaborative research that embraces equity, diversity and inclusion.