A study of the hydrogeotechnical behavior of in-pit tailings and their interaction with the contact structures – Year two

Mines wastes include tailings and waste rock. Tailings are crushed rock produced by mineral extraction and waste rock is coarse material excavated to create mine openings. These wastes are commonly disposed on the surface in tailings or waste rock piles, which could pose serious environmental and geotechnical issues. Backfilling the openings of underground mines with […]

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Design and Testing of Innovative Precast Concrete I-Beams using FRP Reinforcement and Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

This research addresses the feasibility of using FRP reinforcement in concrete beams taking into consideration the effect of fiber dosage and prestressing level in order to enhance the structural performance, time efficiency and optimised-cost. Full-scale precast concrete I-beams will be tested as simple beams to determine their flexural and shear capacity. The test parameters include […]

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Time-Dependent Effects On Vertical Shafts Used In Micro-Tunneling applications In Queenston Shale – Year two

Micro-tunneling technique is a feasible means to construct pipelines and tunnels in different types of ground including Queenston shale. However, this shale exhibits time-dependent deformation behavior, generally known as the rock swelling, which produces additional stresses on underground structures. These stresses may exceed the allowable tensile or compressive strength of concrete of the pipeline or […]

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Assessing bioremediation potential for arsenic released from mine waste rock

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid that is widespread in the environment. Anthropogenic mining activities result in As being released from rock via mining activities in mine tailings, waste rock and process waters. AREVA has a proposed mine site expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of waste rock containing As. This waste rock […]

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Development of the supporting peripherals for bioelectrode system operation in oxygenated environments

In this project, a pre-conditioning system to remove the oxygen prior to reaching a bioelectrode system sensor will be developed and tested. Bioelectrode system sensors require anoxic conditions for operation, and a low complexity solution would extend use cases of the technology. Bioelectrode system sensors measures the microbial activity of bacteria and the data can […]

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Mobile Robotic Platform for Autonomous Data Collection on Large Complex Construction Projects

Autonomous data collection on construction sites has increasing potential to replace manual surveying methods, which are expensive, non-scalable, and potentially dangerous for the workers involved. In the proposed research the intern will work with industry partners Veerum and Clearpath Robotics to advance the technology which is needed to conduct autonomous data collection on large construction […]

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Low-Velocity Sprayed Mortar and Shotcrete: Equivalent Repair Methods?

There is an increasing level of confusion in the industry with regards to the proper identification, use and specification of Pneumatically Applied Concrete (PAC). Indeed, it appears that many job-sites may have, over the last few years, allowed the use of Low Velocity Sprayed Mortar (LVSM) in situations where it was not appropriate, and where […]

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Digital twin framework for modular residential construction systems

In order to address issues with affordable housing, new innovative approaches to construction are being developed which require customized feedback using smart data solutions. This research aims to develop the necessary software and hardware configuration to enable designers to optimize their decision making in design, construction and operations of single-unit and multi-unit residential buildings. The […]

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Stochastic analysis of infiltration facilities for storm water control

Infiltration facilities are an effective storm water management practice. The conventional continuous simulation models are widely used in the hydrologic analysis of infiltration facilities in practical engineering practices. However, these continuous simulation models are often time-consuming and data-demanding. The previously proposed analytical probabilistic models can also be used for analyzing hydrologic performance of infiltration facilities, […]

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Enabling Decision Making for Lower Mainland Facilities Management through Seismic Risk Modelling of Hospital Infrastructure

Healthcare infrastructure plays a key role in the recovery of communities in a post-disaster scenario. In seismically active regions, such as western Canada, an understanding of the seismic performance of hospitals is essential to inform emergency management and effectively mitigate earthquake risk. This research project aims to develop new methodological approaches to integrate seismic risk […]

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Sustainability and energy independence for Indigenous communities in BC

Indigenous people, particularly on reserves, suffer from some of the worst housing conditions in Canada today. Inadequate housing contributes to mental and physical health problems, poor educational outcomes, family conflict, and outright homelessness. This research project will contribute to the housing solutions space through partnering with Cleantech Community Gateway and the T’Sou-ke First Nation to […]

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Green Cement Appraisal for Precast Concrete

This project seeks to appraise the use of three different blended cements, with 25 – 50% lower carbon footprint than commercial Portland cement, in masonry concrete applications. Carbonation will also be implemented as one of the curing scenarios, for an added potential increase in CO2 offset. Work will be carried out at the laboratory-scale first, […]

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