Overview
The general emphasis of research in the Structural Materials program involves the analysis and investigation of the structure, properties, behaviour and usage of all types of materials used in Civil Engineering projects, especially concrete, timber and FRPs.
Key Areas
• Mechanical Properties and Durability of Concrete and Geopolymers and their Fiber Reinforced Composites
• Shotcrete
• 3D Printed Concrete
• Impact/Blast Resistance of Concrete Structures
• Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks FRPs in New Construction and Repair
• Carbon Neutral Building Materials
• Repair and Rehabilitation including Seismic Strengthening
• Fracture Mechanics
Media Highlights
- Professor Nemy Banthia receives $1.5 million from NSERC to develop carbon-neutral materials to rehabilitate Vancouver sewerage
- Global structural materials expert awarded top UBC research prize
- UBC Civil In The Media – Sensor network can protect roads, bridges from damage caused by flooding
- UBC Civil In The Media – Sensor warning system could predict B.C. mudslides, bridge collapse
Specialization Requirements
| MASc | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Elective courses (min. credits) | 17 | 29 |
| Seminar course | CIVL 597-008 | CIVL 597-008 |
| Thesis course | CIVL 599 | CIVL 699 |
Elective requirements
Electives may be taken from the list of Approved Electives below, or other electives may be taken with the approval of the Specialty Advisor / Supervisor.
Undergraduate students who are interested in Structural Materials are directed to the following courses:
- CIVL 420
Graduate Courses
Approved Graduate Electives:
| Course | Name | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIVL 507 | Dynamics of Structures I | 3 | 1 |
| CIVL 508 | Dynamics of Structures II | 3 | 2 |
| CIVL 513 | Concrete Structures | 3 | 2 |
| CIVL 528 | Advanced Concrete Technology | 2 | N/A1 |
| CIVL 529 | Condition Assessment & Rehab of Civil Infrastructure | 2 | 1 |
| CIVL 537 | Computational Mechanics I | 3 | 1 |
| CIVL 538 | Computational Mechanics II | 3 | 2 |
| MTRL 571 | Advanced Nanofibre Technology | 3 | 2 |
| MTRL 585 | Topics in Fracture Mechanics | 3 | 1 |
| MTRL 594 | Advanced Composite Materials | 3 | 1 |
Approved Undergraduate Electives:
| Course | Title | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTRL 394 | Polymer and Polymer Matrix Composites | 4 | 2 |
1N/A – not offered in 2020/21.
Questions?
To learn more about Structural Materials research at UBC, please contact Dr. Nemy Banthia.
People
Facilities
We have an 800 square metre laboratory devoted solely to structural materials research. Our labs contain several types of sophisticated equipment used to measure various mechanical properties and durability of materials. We also have a state-of-the-art shotcrete facility. Learn more.