Structures mechanics and construction engineering

Close up shot of drafts


The structures mechanics and construction engineering (SM&C) field of study is supported by 14.75 (FTE) tenure and tenure-track professors and one research assistant professor.

This research field is also extremely strong within civil and environmental engineering and has an outstanding track record of providing excellent education and training opportunities.  In addition, the superb laboratory facilities and specialized technical staff provide support for a large cohort of lab-based graduate students.

Structures mechanics and construction engineering (SM&C) Faculty Members

Major areas of study

  • applied mechanics
  • structural mechanics
  • steel and concrete structures
  • structural reliability
  • properties of materials
  • experimental mechanics
  • stochastic systems
  • building science and performance

Current research activities

  • structural stability
  • static and dynamic response of structures
  • propagation of elastic disturbances in solids
  • stability of elastic and inelastic continua
  • structural response to random excitation
  • nonlinear stochastic processes
  • hydroelasticity
  • analysis and design of steel
  • reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures
  • building enclosure performance
  • structural optimization
  • conceptual design
  • computer-aided design of structures
  • strength and safety of structures
  • strength of pressure vessels
  • plastic behaviour of shells
  • mechanisms of fatigue failure in materials
  • structural model mechanics
  • experimental stress analysis
  • hybrid-experimental techniques for complex stress concentration regions
  • shape optimization
  • fluid flow theories and techniques of advanced experimental mechanics
  • principles of modelling reality
  • rheological responses of engineering materials
  • 3-D mechanics of composite structures and of contact problems
  • fracture mechanics
  • optical methods in mechanics
  • isodyne and strain-gradient stress analysis
  • experimental testing of analytical models and solutions in mechanics
  • wall and roof performance
  • computational fracture mechanics
  • computational mechanics
  • extended finite element methods
  • carbon sequestration
  • hydraulic fracturing and shale gas/oil development
  • nanoscale and microscale mechanics of crystal plasticity
  • bayesian analysis and parameter estimation
  • seismic risk analysis and design
  • craft productivity
  • automated construction project state
  • electronic product and process management systems for construction projects
  • dynamic modelling of self-financing for water and waste-water
  • gerontechnology for construction
  • behavioural economics in construction

Research centres, groups and labs

Industry and government partnerships