2017 Minerva Canada James Ham Safe Design Competition
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Civil undergrads: do you have an idea for an innovation to solve a workplace safety problem? Minerva Canada is holding a competition to challenge engineering students to improve the design of an existing device, process, or system; envision a new design that reduces hazards; or create a […]
15 years later U.S. feds still fail to address deadly problem
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Forbes quoted Professor Emeritus Frank Navin in a story about seat-back failures in cars. “There is no reason on God’s green earth that we cannot design against that sort of thing. I personally feel the North American [auto] industry has been somewhat negligent,” Navin said in an […]
$4M in funding announced for IC-IMPACTS projects
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The Vancouver Sun reported on a research-development initiative between India’s Department of Science and Technology, India’s biotechnology department and IC-IMPACTS that will provide $4 million for 10 new projects. IC-IMPACTS is headed by Professor Nemy Banthia. The projects will include energy management systems and portable disease-detection devices.
Professor Alex Bigazzi on improving road safety for cyclists
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi spoke with CTV News Vancouver about possible strategies to improve road safety for cyclists, following a recent fatal crash involving a car and multiple cyclists in Richmond.
Discussing the horrific train crash in India
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Nemy Banthia spoke to CTV National News for a story on the track issues that may have contributed to a train crash in India. “These flaws can actually create very rapid fracture in these tracks, and this can happen particularly on curved tracks which is really […]
CSCE Student Chapter gets an inside look at structural timber engineering facility
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The UBC CSCE Student Chapter recently organized a tour to the office of StructureCraft, a construction company that engineers and builds with timber, in Delta, BC. The visit included a presentation as well as tour of StructureCraft’s in-house fabrication shop. Justin Brown, a past member of the […]
Tankers could pose risk to Ironworkers’ bridge
Friday, November 18, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Metro News mentioned Ricardo Foschi, Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering, in a story about the possible dangers of more oil tankers in the Burrard Inlet. Foschi and other academics believe increasing the traffic through the Second Narrows could also increase the chances of an accident.
New Zealand quake reminder of BC’s emergency preparedness needs
Thursday, November 17, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Pique Magazine quoted Professor Carlos Ventura after a devastating earthquake in New Zealand served as a reminder for emergency preparedness in B.C. In a 2015 report, officials said approximately 10,000 people in the Lower Mainland could die if a shallow earthquake struck directly underneath Vancouver. “This is […]
Civil Engineering prof paves way for nano-fibre roads that repair themselves
Thursday, November 17, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Metro News reported on a self-repairing road project in rural India spearheaded by Professor Nemy Banthia. Prof. Banthia explained the intricacies of coated nano-fibres in the road. “This coating creates a higher humidity environment,” Banthia said. “Cement hydrates when the humidity goes up, so if a crack […]
Professor Mavinic honoured with 2016 WEF Fellowship
Thursday, November 10, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Don Mavinic has been named a 2016 Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). WEF is a technical and educational organization dedicated to improving the quality of water, and boasts a membership of 33,000 water professionals and 75 affiliated Member Associations around the world (including the […]
Seismic rift divides BC governments
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Carlos Ventura, Director of the EERF, was included in an earthquake preparedness article in The Province. In a video, he explained the benefits of the UBC lab that simulates the impact of earthquakes on buildings. “We want to see what level of damage this structure will […]
BC earthquake threatens Vancouver buildings
Monday, October 31, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The Province highlighted the earthquake risk of many older Vancouver buildings. Carlos Ventura, the director of UBC’s earthquake engineering reserch facility, was interviewed for the story. The entire community needs to make a commitment to implementing seismic upgrades of at-risk buildings, Ventura said. He added that unreinforced […]
Professor Alex Bigazzi’s transportation study finds optimal walking and cycling speeds to reduce air pollution inhalation
Thursday, October 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Cyclists should be riding at speeds between 12 and 20 kilometres per hour on city roads, while pedestrians should be moving at two to six kilometres per hour to minimize their inhalation of air pollution while still getting the health benefits of exercise, according to new research […]
Professor Carlos Ventura receives 2016 H. A. Krentz Research Award
Thursday, October 20, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Carlos Ventura has received the 2016 H.A. Krentz Research Award from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC). The award is given to the individual with the top-ranked research topic for the CISC 2016 Grant Competition. Prof. Ventura’s propsed study, entitled Performance Based Seismic Design of Steel […]
Civil Class of ’61 celebrates 55-year reunion
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The Civil Engineering BASc Class of 1961 got together to celebrate in Vancouver on October 15, 55 years after they graduated. Eleven members of the class (which originally had 37 members) were able to attend the reunion, and were joined by current Department Head Perry Adebar. The […]
Discussing earthquakes in BC
Monday, October 17, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Perry Adebar, Professor Carlos Ventura, and Kent Johansen from the EERF spoke to CBC Radio’s Fault Lines podcast about the issues surrounding earthquakes in B.C. Prof. Adebar noted that certain structures would be of more concern in a large quake. “Generally speaking the average Vancouver house will do […]
B.C. not using earthquake warning technology
Friday, October 14, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Kent Johansen, an engineer with UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility, was quoted in a CBC story on earthquake warning technology. UBC researchers have developed a warning system used in B.C. Catholic schools and a few public schools, and Johansen says the system needs to be more widely implemented. “It […]
New smart road technology making an impact in Thondebavi
Friday, October 14, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Nemy Banthia’s work to bring a new self-repairing road to the village of Thondebavi was featured in the Hindustan Times and the Times of India. Prof. Banthia’s team selected Thondebavi as the site of a project to demonstrate the new smart road technology that could help […]
Pipeline Integrity Institute celebrates program milestone
Monday, October 3, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Pipeline Integrity Institute (PII) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is pleased to announce that its inaugural cohort of students has completed its three undergraduate pipeline engineering specialization courses. “It is a great pleasure to see the group of students completing the inaugural offering of these […]
Meet the New Civil Club President!
Friday, September 30, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The Civil Club is off to a great start for 2016-2017, and this year’s President, Erica Mason, is looking ahead to a year of growth for the organization. Erica, a seasoned student leader, has been involved with the Civil Club since second year, serving in a range […]
UBC Expert Spotlight: Prof. Nemy Banthia, on new smart road technology connecting rural communities
Thursday, September 29, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin A rural village in India has a better connection to the world, thanks to an innovative UBC-developed road design that resists heavy rains, intense heat and poor drainage, according to professor Nemy Banthia, who led the project. Read a Q&A with Prof. Banthia, discussing the project.
Prof. Emeritus Foschi on the risks of oil tankers in Vancouver
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Emeritus Ricardo Foschi was quoted in the Globe and Mail for a story on oil tankers in Vancouver. Prof. Foschi examined the risk analysis Trans Mountain submitted and questioned the idea that the “return period” for any spill from project-related tankers would be one in 237 […]
Prof. Adebar on the use of wood in tall buildings, like Brock Commons
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor and Head Perry Adebar spoke with the Ubyssey about the use of wood in hybrid, mass timber structures like the new Brock Commons Tall Wood student residence building. “I’d love to see timber used more, but I’d hate to see it done for political reasons — […]
CSCE Student Chapter celebrates International Steel Day
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin The UBC Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Student Chapter toured two Vancouver steel manufacturing facilities to celebrate International Steel Day on September 16. Pacific Bolt Manufacturing Ltd. and George Third & Son both opened the doors of their shops to help students understand the benefits and […]
Vancouver Summer Program: second year a success
Friday, September 16, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin For the second year in a row, UBC Civil Engineering welcomed an international group of university students for four weeks of learning and exploration at UBC-Vancouver as part of the Vancouver Summer Program. The program, designed to give students from UBC partner universities the opportunity to study […]
New Civil students experience design, construction, and seismic testing on 2016 Imagine Day
Friday, September 16, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Civil Engineering welcomed 142 second year students to the Civil Engineering Program on Imagine Day. The new Civil students enjoyed a full-day program that began with introductions to Department leaders and a review of the Undergraduate Handbook, followed by Mission ImposCIVIL – a scavenger hunt designed […]
Wanted: new Civil Student Groups! Applications for departmental affiliation welcome. Deadline September 15
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin New and returning Civil undergrad students are encouraged to join a Civil Student Group. With half a dozen Civil-specific competition teams and student chapters running, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Learn more about Civil Student Groups. Students who have an idea for a new Civil Student […]
UBC Civil Engineering welcomes student visitors from Dominican Republic
Friday, August 19, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Thirty-six university students from the Dominican Republic spent the month of July at UBC-Vancouver this summer, immersed in advanced training for earthquake engineers. The Training Program for Earthquake Engineers from the Dominican Republic, hosted at UBC by Professor Carlos Ventura, gave the students the opportunity to learn […]
Prof. Adebar speaks with Roundhouse Radio about vulnerability of some new condo buildings in Vancouver
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Perry Adebar spoke to Roundhouse Radio about how new condos may be uninhabitable after a major earthquake. “The most serious threat after a significant earthquake is that a large part of our city won’t be habitable,” said Prof. Adebar, noting that […]
Civil in the news: Prof. Adebar on the risks of irregularly designed condo buildings
Friday, August 12, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Perry Adebar spoke with The Globe and Mail about the risks of irregularly designed condo buildings when it comes to earthquakes: “The more exciting and interesting your building is, the more likely you won’t be able to use it after a significant earthquake.”
Civil in the news: Speed limit increases should be reversed, says Prof. Sayed in Vancouver Sun op-ed
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Tarek Sayed and five other UBC professors wrote an op-ed for the Vancouver Sun about the need to reverse speed limit increases in BC.
Professor Don Mavinic named WEF Fellow
Thursday, July 21, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Don Mavinic has been named a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). WEF is a technical and educational organization dedicated to improving the quality of water, boasting a membership of 33,000 water professionals and 75 affiliated Member Associations around the world (including the BC Water […]
Civil in the news: Civil Engineering spinoff company Ostara poised for growth
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Ostara, the clean-technology startup that began as a research project led by Professor Don Mavinic, was featured in the Vancouver Sun. The article quotes adjunct professor Troy Vassos, who said that Ostara’s technology has “the ability to generate (phosphorous) crystals perhaps more economically than competitors.”
Civil in the news: Prof. Bigazzi on the upward trend in driving in the U.S.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi discusses the upward trend in U.S. driving with the Vancouver Sun, in an article about the recent increase in the volume of U.S. visitors to B.C.
Civil in the news: Loretta Li’s Whistler corrosion study
Monday, July 11, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Loretta Li discusses her new investigation on corrosion in the Whistler water distribution system, to be undertaken with the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd., with Pique Newsmagazine.
Professor Thomas Froese receives CSCE 2016 Walter Shanly Award
Monday, July 11, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Prof. Froese pictured (right) at CSCE 2016 Awards Gala, with CSCE President Tony Bégin. Professor Thomas Froese has received the 2016 Walter Shanly Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE). This award is the pre-eminent award of CSCE’s construction division, given in recognition of outstanding […]
Civil in the news: Prof. Tannert on the benefits of building towers with wood, like UBC’s new 18-storey Brock Commons
Tuesday, July 5, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Thomas Tannert is quoted in The Province, discussing the benefits of using wood in the construction of towers, like UBC’s new 18-storey Brock Commons student residence building.
Civil in the news: Prof. Sayed on the increase in injury and fatal collisions since BC raised speed limits
Wednesday, June 29, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Tarek Sayed is quoted in the Globe and Mail, discussing the increase in traffic collisions since BC raised the speed limits in certain highway areas. Other media outlets that covered the story included CTV, Vancouver Sun, Times Colonist, MSN, Indo-Canadian Voice and Castanet.
Civil in the news: Expansion of earthquake detection systems in schools
Monday, June 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin CKNW reported on the upcoming expansion of school earthquake detection systems, and quoted Carlos Ventura, the head of UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility.
New Civil grad course coming winter 2016 – Transportation Emissions and Air Quality
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Civil Engineering is pleased to announce the launch of a new graduate-level course, Transportation Emissions and Air Quality, starting in term 2 of the Winter 2016/2017 academic year. The transport sector is a huge contributor to local and global air pollution. This new course will address […]
Watch: Engineers Canada profiles 2016 Gold Medal Award recipient Prof. Don Mavinic
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin On May 26 at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Charlottetown, Professor Don Mavinic was honoured by the engineering profession alongside several of Canada’s most outstanding engineers. Watch the Engineers Canada profile of Professor Mavinic, the 2016 Gold Medal recipient (six minute video):
Professor Loretta Li to investigate corrosion in Whistler water distribution system
Thursday, May 19, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Back row, L-R: Siobhan Robinson (Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.), Perry Adebar (UBC Civil Engineering). Front row, L-R: Michael Day (Resort Minicipality of Whistler), Loretta Li (UBC Civil Engineering), Chris Johnston (Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.) In 2014, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMoW) saw a risk […]
Prof. Don Mavinic’s 2016 Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award highlighted in House of Commons
Monday, May 16, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Don Mavinic’s 2016 Engineers Canada Gold Medal Award was highlighted by Jonathan Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, in the House of Commons last week. Professor Mavinic has been selected for the award due to his exceptional achievements in the Canadian engineering community; work-related achievements, […]
Civil in the news: Prof. Don Mavinic on modern wastewater treatment challenges
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Don Mavinic is quoted in a recent opinion piece for the Times Colonist, by Jonathan Wilkinson, MP for North Vancouver and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Mr. Wilkinson discusses the implementation of effective sewage treatment in the Capital Regional District in […]
Civil in the news: Prof. Alex Bigazzi on urban cyclists’ exposure to toxicants
Friday, May 6, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi discusses urban cyclists’ exposure to toxicants while cycling on busy streets, and the advantage of choosing lower-traffic routes.
Civil environmental researchers look at wetland DNA as possible tool to evaluate storm water treatment
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Jessica LeNoble retrieving sampling equipment in Lost Lagoon. Photo by Shona Robinson. Civil MASc student Jessica LeNoble and supervisor Professor Jim Atwater are looking at wetland DNA as a possible tool to evaluate storm water treatment. Engineered wetlands, like the one next to Vancouver’s Lost Lagoon in […]
Civil grad student receives UBC Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Monday, May 2, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Civil Engineering is delighted to announce that Civil graduate student Jörg Winter has been selected as a recipient of a 2015/2016 Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards are given in recognition of outstanding contributions by teaching assistants, which have led to a […]
Prof. Sayed, postdoc Sacchi report BC road improvement projects have reduced severe crashes by 24%
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin In a report for ICBC, Prof. Tarek Sayed and postdoc Emanuele Sacchi find that road improvement projects in BC have reduced severe crashes by an average of 24%.
Engage With Images: APSC Photo Contest!
Monday, April 18, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Applied Science is seeking original photos that bring ENGAGE 2020 (strategicplan.apsc.ubc.ca) to life. Show us what you love about Civil Engineering and help us highlight our people, research, learning and community. Share it with us, tell us why it’s special and be eligible to win! CASH […]
Civil alum receives Engineering Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award
Thursday, April 14, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Edward McBean (BASc ’68 CIVL) was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the UBC Faculty of Applied Science 2016 Engineering Excellence Alumni Awards.