Professor Taiebat gives presentation on Earthquake Engineering

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 | By Lindsay Cashin

Professor Mahdi Taiebat was invited by the University del Norte and the Colombian Association of Earthquake Engineering to deliver a keynote presentation at the 8th Colombian Conference on Earthquake Engineering, held in Barranquilla, Colombia, from May 31 to June 2. His presentation was titled “Elasto-plastic constitutive modeling of sands and clays for applications in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering.”

Dr. Taiebat’s talk addressed the importance of understanding and modeling the relation between stress and strain in geomaterials, or more specifically constitutive modeling, which determines how soil deforms during various loading scenarios such as earthquake events. He discussed various aspects of numerical modeling and its application in geotechnical earthquake engineering, with reference to modeling, verification, validation, and prediction for engineering applications. Development of the knowledge and reliable modeling frameworks for proper simulations of the effects of earthquakes on soil structures such as buildings, bridges, dams, and tunnels is is one of the paramount steps for effective seismic engineering in Colombia, Canada, and around the world.

Photo courtesy of University del Norte, Colombia.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | By Lindsay Cashin

Dr. Jörg Imberger, a world-renowned expert in environmental fluid mechanics, visited UBC-Vancouver on April 18 to give a special guest lecture on the management of threatened lakes. The lecture was co-hosted by Civil professor Greg Lawrence, APSC Dean Marc Parlange, and professor Rich Wildman of Quest University. Dr. Imberger’s talk, entitled Real-time, adaptive, self-learning management of lakes in a changing climate is now available for online viewing.

Friday, March 31, 2017 | By Lindsay Cashin

Pictured left to right: APEGBC President Bob Stewart, P.Eng., Professor Don Mavinic, and APEGBC CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng. Photo credit: Andrea Sunderland.

Professor Don Mavinic was recently named a Fellow of Engineers Canada. The fellowships honour individuals who have given “noteworthy service to the engineering profession through their work with either Engineers Canada or its provincial and territorial engineering regulators.” Recipients were honoured at the February 21 APEGBC Induction Ceremony for new and life members, licensees and other honorees. The Department congratulates Prof. Mavinic on this significant honour!

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 tool that helps integrate safety into the workplace. The competition is open to individuals or teams of students. Cash prizes are awarded for the winning entries.

If you’re interested in entering, contact minerva@safetymanagementeducation.com by February 3. Final submission date is April 17.

Competition details and profiles of past winners can be found here: http://safetymanagementeducation.com/james-ham-safe-design-awards/

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 BC Water & Waste Association). The WEF Fellows Program is designed to recognize the “professional achievements, stature, and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment.” Professor Mavinic, a first-time nominee, was the only Canadian to be honoured this year. The 2016 Fellowships were conferred in New Orleans in September, during WEFTEC, WEF’s annual technical exhibition and conference, which is the largest of its kind.

View the full list of 2016 WEF Fellows.

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 of positions from second-year rep and E-Week rep to Vice President. She also has extensive experience as an active member of the EUS, having served as a sustainability officer, publicity rep, and conferences director. She describes the latter, which involved travelling to conferences across the country to meet and collaborate with other engineering student groups, as a major highlight: “I absolutely loved that job – I got to meet students from across the country,” she says.

She’s also a member of the Concrete Toboggan Team, which will benefit this year from the hands-on experience with concrete she gained during a recent co-op work term; and she has spent the last two summers working for Geering Up’s Summer Camps, designed to spark kids’ interest in science and engineering. Anyone who has glimpsed Civil Club social media, posters, the Slipstick, or the Handbuk will also be familiar with Erica’s not-so-hidden talent: art and photography. She’s a skilled photographer who loves to capture the spirit of Civil Club through her lens, and a talented artist who learned graphic design to contribute to Civil Club and EUS publications. Erica’s experience with student organizations and enthusiasm for UBC Civil Engineering in general promise to guide her through a productive year as Civil Club President.

What inspires Erica about leading the Civil Club for 2016-2017? “I’m really excited to help it grow this year,” she says. Plans include strengthening the communication pathways between the Civil Club and the student chapters and teams, giving the Club’s constitution a long-awaited revamp, and re-igniting spirit in the student body (she fondly recalls her first year in the program, when Civil students won the Spirit Award during E-Week). Erica anticipates that with the confirmation of appointees to club executive positions, more specific objectives will become clear. Meanwhile, she says she looks forward to the club expanding its range of events this year, as well as possible upgrades to the Civil Loft: “We’re going to hopefully repaint, get all new appliances, and just get it functioning again so it’s more welcoming. We just got a new foosball table!”

Erica encourages Civil undergrads to make the most of their automatic membership in the Civil Club. Noting that the Civil Club receives some funding through student fees, Erica says, “We need to spend the money on the current students. So we do that by planning events…we’re always trying to find ways to put our resources toward the students.” Attending Civil Club events, joining the executive, or sitting in on weekly Civil Club meetings are all great ways to get involved. The Civil Club meets every Tuesday at 12:30PM in the Civil Loft – all undergraduates are welcome to attend.

Learn more about the Civil Club.