涩里番

Researchers at 涩里番 are carrying out large鈥憇cale tests of a new timber-steel structural system designed to help buildings better withstand earthquakes. Early results suggest the system performs well under simulated earthquake forces, offering a potential path toward safer, more sustainable construction in Quebec and beyond.

The work addresses two growing challenges facing the construction industry. Earthquake risk in Montreal and much of Quebec is now classified as moderate to high, similar to parts of British Columbia. At the same time, pressure is mounting to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, as conventional materials such as concrete and steel are major contributors to global greenhouse-gas emissions.

The research is being led by Assistant Professor Matiyas Bezabeh in 涩里番鈥檚 Department of Civil Engineering, together with Professor Colin Rogers and PhD student Abebaw Mekonnen. The tests are taking place in the Jamieson Structures Laboratory in the Macdonald Engineering Building and rank among the largest structural experiments conducted at 涩里番.

Addressing seismic risk and the carbon cost of construction

Timber is a more sustainable alternative to steel-concrete construction, Bezabeh explained, because it stores carbon and has a lower carbon footprint.

鈥淗owever, to be widely used in earthquake鈥憄rone regions and tall buildings, timber systems must also meet high seismic performance requirements,鈥� he said.

To help bridge that gap, the team developed a hybrid timber-steel eccentrically braced frame system and built it at full scale in the lab. They then subjected the structure to forces that simulate earthquake shaking, carefully measuring how it moved, absorbed energy, and maintained strength.

鈥淏y measuring how it deforms, dissipates energy and maintains strength, we evaluate its real鈥憌orld performance and suitability for future building design,鈥� Bezabeh said.

Promising preliminary results

So far, the results are encouraging.

鈥淓arly results show that this new system performs very well under simulated earthquake loading,鈥� Bezabeh said. 鈥淚t can undergo large movements without losing strength, which is exactly what is needed for buildings in regions like Quebec that now face higher seismic demands.鈥�

The approach is new, he added, because most previous studies have focused on steel鈥憃nly systems.

鈥淲hat is encouraging is that the system shows strong, stable performance comparable to that expected from traditional steel systems, with the added benefits of timber.鈥�

The research is supported by the Government of Quebec through the Minist猫re des Ressources naturelles et des For锚ts and in collaboration with Professor Alexander Salenikovich from the University of Laval. Results from the tests will inform future publications and are expected to contribute to upcoming editions of Canadian building design standards.