UBC Civil Engineers advanced monitoring techniques to study and preserve heritage sites
The ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, including its iconic Temple II, faces structural decay. A team from UBC Civil Engineering, led by Dr. Carlos Ventura, is collaborating with local partners to use advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Vibration-Based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques. Their efforts aim to study the Tikal’s monuments without causing damage, setting a global example for protecting cultural heritage against natural threats.
New book maps out the design, performance, and application of the material of the future: Ultra-High Performance Concrete
Dr. Nemy Banthia, a University Killam Professor and Sr. Canada Research Chair at UBC Civil Engineering, is renowned for his work in sustainable concrete. With over 475 papers and 9 patents, his latest focus on Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) highlights its strength, durability, and resilience against earthquakes. Dr. Banthia’s research positions UHPC as a transformative material for sustainable urban development and civil engineering.
Preparing for the Big One: UBC Civil Engineering share lessons from Türkiye’s earthquakes
UBC Civil Engineering led the team that assessed damaged infrastructure in the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes, examining the resilience of buildings and drawing comparisons to BC’s structures. Experts highlighted the importance of modern building codes, advanced technologies like base isolation, and robust emergency response plans to mitigate earthquake impacts in BC.
Provincial funding will advance UBC Disaster Resilience research
UBC has secured a $450,000 funding boost from the Province to advance disaster and climate risk assessment across twelve research projects, including four led by the Department of Civil Engineering. The initiative, coordinated by the UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network, aims to enhance community preparedness for seismic and climate-related hazards. Faculty involved include Dr. Carlos Molina-Hutt, who focuses on seismic hazard estimates; Dr. Steven Weijs, who employs machine learning for flood prediction; and Dr. Amy Kim, who studies transportation access post-disaster. The network will also create an academic advisory panel to support the B.C. Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in its risk assessments and resilience strategies.