Professor Hadjisophocleous receives NSERC Strategic Research Network Grant

Funding for 11 research networks was announced on February 2, 2010 by the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry.  Among them is a new NSERC Strategic network on innovative wood products and building systems, NEWBuildS.  The vision of the NEWBuildS research network is to increase the use of wood in mid-rise and non-residential buildings in Canada and other markets by creating advanced technologies and technical tools that accelerate further developments in wood products and construction industries.  Around 40 Canadian researchers with expertise in architectural, structural, fire, serviceability, acoustic, and durability aspects of building design and performance will conduct leading research, to provide solutions that meet the needs of society, sustain key industries and train high level experts of tomorrow.

Professor Hadjisophocleous, Industrial Research Chair in Fire Safety Engineering is the Theme Leader of the Fire Performance and Sound and Vibration serviceability theme of NEWBuildS.  This theme includes projects valued at over $1.2 million dealing with fire risk analysis; the rationalization of the life safety code requirements for mid-rise buildings, the study of the fire behaviour of cross laminated timber (CLT) panels and the fire performance of timber connections.  In addition this theme will study the vibrational performance of CLT floors and sound insulation of wood building systems in mid-rise buildings.