The combination of extreme weather conditions, like atmospheric rivers, and aging infrastructure is putting increasing pressures on Canadian highways, bridges and tunnels—many of which are almost 100 years old. UBC Okanagan researchers caution that these systems are facing hazards they weren’t considered in their original design, and this increases their vulnerability to failure. This growing strain is putting significant pressure on local governments, which must secure funding to upgrade and maintain these critical transportation networks, says UBC Okanagan School of Engineering postdoctoral researcher Dr. Alaa Al Hawarneh. He is the lead author of a recently published paper in Automation in Construction that gives crews guidelines for spotting wear or climate-related damage on bridges and roads. The study also introduces a data-driven decision-support framework that helps agencies systematically prioritize infrastructure interventions under limited budgets. “Engineers today are increasingly concerned about extreme climate-driven hazards,” says Dr. Al Hawarneh, who works with UBCO’s Applied Lab for Advanced Materials. “Climate change is steadily raising average temperatures and sea levels, which in turn intensifies hydrological processes such as extreme rainfall, flooding and severe storms.” He points to the November 2021 atmospheric river, which caused bridges to collapse, highways to washout and major routes to close—cutting off BC’s lower mainland from the rest of Canada. While climate change is part of the problem, Dr. Al Hawarneh notes that Canada’s aging infrastructure compounds the issue because many structures are approaching or exceeding their intended lifespan. “More than 40 per cent of highway bridges in Canada and nearly half the tunnels owned by rural municipalities were constructed before 1940, meaning they were not designed for current traffic demands or evolving climate conditions. Half of these structures are rated between very poor and fair condition.” Dr. Al Hawarneh also says many governments have limited funding for maintenance and repairs, and the estimated cost across Canada could reach hundreds of billions of dollars. Most deterioration occurs gradually through corrosion, fatigue or repeated use, and regular inspections usually catch problems long before they pose a safety concern. However, because resources are limited, transportation agencies must determine which bridges should be repaired first, balancing cost with safety, performance and wider socio-economic impacts. “Our approach helps agencies screen and rank bridges efficiently without detailed structural analyses, which are often costly and impractical during the early stages of infrastructure planning. Instead, the framework relies on readily available inspection and operational data to support rapid and informed decision-making.” He notes that while all provinces have regular highway and bridge inspection schedules, supported by manuals and regulations, this research adds a broader framework that also weighs traffic demand, economic impact and community disruption to help prioritize repairs. “Our research contributes to the next step of the process. Inspection manuals tell engineers the condition of each bridge, but governments must still decide which bridges should be repaired first when budgets are limited,” explains Dr. Al Hawarneh. “Our research helps them make transparent, data-informed decisions to prioritize inspections and repairs.” The team developed a bridge screening index using structural, operational and community factors, such as daily traffic, detour time and length, accident risk and the potential economic or social impacts of disruption. They combined these factors into a simplified mathematical expression with weighted indicators, allowing each bridge to be assigned a single score that reflects its overall priority for maintenance or rehabilitation. Using a ranking system, the team found that not all evaluation criteria contribute equally to maintenance decisions. Out of 21 potential indicators, they identified 11 factors as truly significant for prioritizing bridges. Structural condition emerged as the most influential parameter, followed by user-related impacts such as delay cost, fuel consumption and the cost of potential detour-related accidents. This means that decisions are not based on engineering conditions alone, but also on how bridge deterioration affects the public and the economy. A total of 10,000 simulations were conducted across seven scenarios to test different “what-if” situations to show how changing priorities can affect which bridges are ranked most critical. This helps decision-makers see how sensitive the results are to different policy choices, explains Dr. Shahria Alam, Director of UBC Okanagan’s Green Construction Research and Training Centre. “Overall, the research advances bridge management practices by introducing a robust and scalable decision-support tool,” says Dr. Alam. “While it has its limits—such as dataset size and the exclusion of time-dependent deterioration—it provides a strong foundation for future enhancements, including the integration of larger datasets into the model and the use of emerging tools like artificial intelligence to better prioritize infrastructure.” The post Bridges, roadways threatened by changes in weather patterns appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

Two UBC Okanagan research projects were awarded a combined $4.15 million in infrastructure funding today as part of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Innovation Fund. Funded projects include pursuing the development of better, cleaner battery technology in a new, state-of-the-art on-campus facility and the revitalization of endangered Indigenous languages and cultures through a series of resource hubs embedded in regional Indigenous communities. The Innovation Fund is a grant program that supports large-scale, team-based research projects that require cutting-edge infrastructure to help Canada remain at the forefront of exploration and knowledge generation. Funds support researchers in addressing global challenges and making meaningful contributions to the social, health, environmental and economic aspects of life in Canada. The announcement marks the first time UBCO has been awarded funding through the Innovation Fund, a sign of the university’s continuing research growth and expanding expertise, says Dr. Suzie Currie, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation. “I am delighted to see our researchers and their teams recognized for their knowledge, drive and ongoing contributions to such important and impactful areas,” says Dr. Currie. “The urgency for cleaner, more efficient, affordable energy has never been more evident, nor has the need to safeguard endangered languages and cultures that are a prominent part of our region’s history. We are grateful to the CFI for this vote of confidence and look forward to establishing ourselves as leaders in these fields as we continue to make impactful contributions to benefit Canada and the world.” Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced the funds today at the Université de Sherbrooke as part of more than $552 million in support for Canadian research infrastructure through the Innovation Fund. A total of 14 projects across UBC were awarded funding. The post UBCO to be at the forefront of battery innovation, Indigenous language revitalization appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

UBC Okanagan researchers have advanced their work on developing a non-invasive, accessible way to reduce uncontrolled hand tremors. In a newly published study, the team has demonstrated how a new wearable device may reduce involuntary hand tremors linked with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Hand tremors affect millions of people worldwide and can interfere with everyday activities such as eating, writing and personal care, explains Dr. Hadi Mohammadi, Professor in UBCO’s School of Engineering. Current treatments often involve medication or surgery, while existing wearable devices can be costly, bulky or cause unwanted side effects. “Hand tremors are among the most prevalent neurodegenerative movement disorders, causing involuntary upper-limb fluctuations that significantly impair a person’s quality of life,” says Dr. Mohammadi. “Although not life-threatening, tremors can severely impair daily living and adversely impact psychological wellbeing.” Since 2018, UBC Okanagan’s Heart Valve Performance Laboratory has been researching ways to reduce hand tremor attenuation using patient-centred, mechanically driven solutions. While medications and therapy provide limited relief, wearable devices that suppress tremors offer a promising non-invasive alternative, he says. A typical hand tremor absorber works by counteracting the involuntary shaking with a mechanical or electronic device. But Dr. Mohammadi’s research, published recently in the Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, takes a different approach. The lightweight, wearable brace works without the need for motors, batteries or invasive procedures—making it accessible to many people. “Rather than actively driving motion, the device uses a passive omnidirectional vibration-absorbing mechanism tuned to the frequency range of the uncontrolled tremors,” he says. “When worn on the hand, the system dampens involuntary fluctuations while allowing voluntary movement to continue largely unhindered.” Through a combination of computer modelling and experimental testing—using a full-scale mannequin arm with a simulator designed to replicate tremor patterns—the researchers saw a 79 per cent reduction in unidirectional tremors and a 73 per cent reduction in omnidirectional tremors. “Our goal was to develop a solution that is effective, wearable and practical for everyday use,” says Dr. Dylan Goode, lab manager in the Heart Valve Performance Laboratory, which is led by Dr. Mohammadi. “By using a passive system, we can reduce tremors without adding complexity, power requirements or limiting natural movement.” UBCO master’s student Manthan Shah completed his thesis on this technology and notes that the orthosis is lightweight, compact and ergonomically designed—addressing many of the comfort and usability limitations that have historically limited the adoption of wearable tremor suppression devices. While the results are promising, Dr. Mohammadi says the next step is clinical testing with human participants to evaluate real-world performance, comfort and impact on daily function. If successful, the technology could offer a non-invasive, low-maintenance option for people living with tremor-related disorders, either as a standalone aid or as a complement to existing treatments. “This work represents a meaningful step toward improving functional independence and quality of life for people living with hand tremors,” he adds. “We hope that this technology will soon be in the hands of patients in British Columbia and across Canada.” The post Helping hands: UBCO research team develops brace to reduce tremors appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

UBC Okanagan researchers have created a new two-layer membrane filtration system that can significantly reduce the amount of micro and nanoplastics that leak from landfills into local water basins. Dr. Sumi Siddiqua, Professor at UBCO’s School of Engineering, and doctoral student Mahmoud Babalar, have published a study detailing how a double-layer membrane installed at landfills can act as a filter to keep tiny pollutants out of groundwater and surrounding ecosystems. “Landfills are silent threats to our environment, acting as major reservoirs for emerging pollutants,” says Dr. Siddiqua. “Conventional drainage systems fail against microscopic contaminants, including nanoplastics and hazardous chemicals. This allows them to infiltrate groundwater.” Landfills generate leachate, a contaminated liquid that forms when rainwater passes through waste, Dr. Siddiqua explains. Although most landfills are designed to contain this liquid, recent studies show leachate has become a major collection basin for microscopic plastic, which can escape into water systems. “As plastic waste breaks down, these particles accumulate in landfill leachate,” explains Babalar. “Current systems handle liquid waste, but they were never designed to completely intercept plastic micro and nano particles.” The two-layer membrane system featured in their study, published recently in the Journal of Environmental Management, proved to be the most effective when it comes to trapping these pollutants. The top layer uses chemical attraction and filtration to capture micro and nanoplastics. It is engineered to bind plastic particles efficiently, even in complex, organic-rich leachate. The lower layer establishes a protective barrier that repels the remaining plastic particles through electrostatic forces, reducing clogging, membrane fouling and maintaining steady performance over time. “The two complementary layers work together to block tiny plastic particles under harsh landfill conditions,” he adds. “This combination of layers allows the membrane to filter plastics while liquid can still flow, which is a critical requirement for landfill safety.” In repeated lab tests, the membrane removed nearly all microplastics and captured more than 98 per cent of nanoplastics. Babalar says that during the testing, the membrane performed well over multiple filtration cycles, and could be cleaned and reused thanks to a methodical backwashing system. “The membrane is made from durable, chemically stable materials designed to withstand temperature changes, aggressive wastewater and long-term exposure,” he adds. “Its ability to be cleaned and reused reduces waste and supports more sustainable landfill operations.” Beyond filtration, the researchers say the technology could serve as a foundation for next-generation landfill liners that combine structural protection with active pollution control. This discovery has significant potential to protect groundwater and surface water supplies, reduce the spread of pollutants and also support circular waste management and climate-resilient infrastructure. The study marks an important step toward smarter landfill systems that not only contain waste but also actively prevent long-term environmental harm, says Dr. Siddiqua. “Our unique dual-layer modified matrix membrane system is specifically engineered to handle highly contaminated, fouling-intensive raw leachate, positioning it as a foundational component of advanced waste containment,” she adds. “This innovative approach is essential for preventing the migration of pollutants into groundwater, and it represents a significant advancement in waste management and climate-resilient infrastructure.” The post UBCO innovation blocks nanoplastics release from landfill leachate appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

While burning electric vehicles, exploding e-bikes and melting smartphones no longer make the headlines, the issue of battery safety has yet to be fully resolved. However, UBC researchers recently made a crucial breakthrough in battery research that may improve the longevity and safety of zinc-ion batteries. Led by doctoral student Musanna Galib, the team studied how dendrites can damage the protective coating on zinc-ion batteries, using labs at both UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver. Dendrites, explains Galib, are harmful but minuscule, needle-like structures that grow on the surface of a battery’s electrode during charging. Over time, dendrites can pierce the separating layer between electrodes to cause a short circuit. This can lead to battery failure, damage or even an explosive fire. “In zinc batteries, dendrites are a major obstacle to developing safe and rechargeable alternatives to lithium-ion technology as they limit the lifespan and reliability of the battery,” explains Galib. Dr. Jian Liu, an associate professor with the School of Engineering and lead researcher with UBC’s Battery Innovation Research Excellence Cluster, says that while lithium-ion batteries dominate the market due to their high energy density and advanced manufacturing maturity, zinc batteries are cheaper to produce, safer and more environmentally friendly than lithium ones. “Zinc batteries offer significant advantages as zinc is abundant and inexpensive, and the water-based electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries make them non-flammable,” he explains. “If we can solve the dendrite problem, zinc could become a strong alternative for grid storage and safe, affordable energy systems.” The study, featured on the cover of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, showed that applying a thin film coating can initiate internal mechanical stresses that act as a shield and discourage dendrite growth. This mechanical barrier suppresses dendrite initiation and growth at the atomic scale, says Galib. By using high-speed in situ optical microscopy, Galib and the team watched zinc dendrites grow in real time. They learned that the coated zinc surfaces stayed smoother and produced less hydrogen gas, even under high current densities. “The computer simulations backed this up,” says Galib. “Residual stresses from the coatings made it harder for sharp dendrites to form, leading to more stable cycling and fewer safety risks.” While the computational modelling and stress analysis simulations took place in the Modelling and Simulation Research Group’s lab, supervised by UBC Vancouver’s Dr. Mauricio Ponga, much of the experimental synthesis and electrochemical testing took place at UBC Okanagan’s Battery Innovation Centre. Future energy storage systems need to be not only powerful but also safe and sustainable, adds Dr. Liu. He also notes this particular project is a strong example of the cross-campus research opportunities provided to UBC students. “The collaboration between the two campuses was essential. It combined state-of-the-art simulations and experiments to uncover the coating’s stress-driven protection mechanism,” he adds. “This study provided the first clear connection between coating stress and electrochemical stability. Understanding and controlling these dendrites opens the door to safer, high-performance batteries for electric vehicles, wearable tech and renewable energy grids.” The post Zinc-ion batteries get a boost from cross-campus research team appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

Who: UBCO students, faculty, staff and members of the public
What: 14 Not Forgotten Memorial Ceremony
Where: Engineering, Management and Education (EME) Building and Amphitheatre, 1137 Alumni Avenue, UBC Okanagan
When: Monday, December 1, noon to 1 pm

UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering invites the community to attend the annual 14 Not Forgotten memorial ceremony on December 1 to honour the women whose lives were lost in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.

“It is deeply important to us as engineers, learners, teachers and human beings that we continually honour the memory of the 14 women who lost their lives,” says Dr. Will Hughes, Director of the UBC Okanagan School of Engineering. “We invite everyone to join us in standing together against gender-based violence in our society.”

The campus’s memorial fire bowl, For Future Matriarchs, will be lit throughout the event. The piece incorporates symbolic elements, including Quebec’s blue flag iris, traditional plants of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and Interior Salish basketry aesthetics.

The fire bowl—created by internationally recognized Syilx artist Krista-Belle Stewart and Secwépemc artist Tania Willard, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts in UBCO’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies—will be lit from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and again from 3:45 to 5 pm on December 1.

An indoor memorial will also be on display in the EME Building foyer throughout the day.

UBCO’s 14 Not Forgotten Memorial commemorates the École Polytechnique tragedy that took place 36 years ago and honours the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

On December 6, 1989, an armed man entered an engineering classroom at Montréal’s École Polytechnique. After separating the men from the women, he opened fire—killing 14 women and wounding 10 others.

In response, Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a reminder of the gender-based violence that persists today in Canada and around the world.

December 1 is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign that runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Human Rights Day on December 10.

For details about UBCO’s 14 Not Forgotten event, visit: events.ok.ubc.ca/event/14-not-forgotten-memorial-ceremony

The post Community invited to stand against gender-based violence appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

With winter approaching and people spending more time indoors, the quality of the air they breathe becomes increasingly important. Especially during cold and flu season. Researchers at UBC Okanagan are exploring an air-cleaning device that can remove airborne pathogens, offering a powerful new tool for reducing the spread of respiratory diseases in enclosed spaces. The traditional approach to alleviating transmission of infectious diseases involves improving a building’s ventilation system to regulate large-scale airflow, explains study co-author Dr. Sunny Li, professor in the School of Engineering. Personalized ventilation systems go a step further by directing clean air towards a person from a fixed distance—similar to the air circulation system on passenger airplanes. But these systems have drawbacks, he says. A person needs to stay in the same position, or all people in the surrounding area need to be using the same system at the same time. There is also the discomfort of dry skin and eyes due to the constant exposure to the air. “Ensuring high air quality while indoors is crucial for mitigating the transmission of airborne disease, particularly in shared environments,” says Dr. Li. “Many Canadians spend nearly 90 per cent of their time inside, making indoor air quality a critical factor for health and wellbeing.” Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Mojtaba Zabihi, the study’s first author, explains that room layouts and ventilation systems vary significantly, making it challenging to implement changes in existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. This highlights the importance of personalized ventilation. “We wanted to develop an innovative system that prevents occupants from inhaling contaminated air while allowing them to use a personalized ventilation system comfortably for extended periods,” he says. The team of mechanical engineers, who work with UBC’s Airborne Disease Transmission Research Cluster, created an induction-removal or jet-sink airflow concept to capture and remove exhaled aerosols before they can circulate through the room. Unlike conventional personalized ventilation systems, which rely on high-speed air jets that can cause discomfort and lose effectiveness when users move, the new design redirects airflow around the person while continuously drawing contaminated particles into a localized purification zone. “Our design combines comfort with control,” says Dr. Zabihi. “It creates a targeted airflow that traps and removes exhaled aerosols almost immediately—before they have a chance to spread.” Using computer simulations to model breathing, body heat and airflow during a 30-minute consultation scenario, the researchers compared their device against standard personal ventilation systems. The results, published recently in Building and Environment, were dramatic. The new system reduced the probability of infection to just 9.5 per cent, compared with 47.6 per cent for a personal setup, 38 per cent for a personal ventilation system with an exhaust design, and 91 per cent under standard room ventilation. Under optimal placement, the device prevented pathogen inhalation for the first 15 minutes of exposure, allowing only 10 particles out of 540,000 to reach another person. In fact, their simulations indicated it was able to remove up to 94 per cent of airborne pathogens. “Traditional personalized ventilation systems can’t adapt when people move or interact,” explains Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff, study co-author. “It’s a smart, responsive solution for spaces like clinics, classrooms or offices where close contact is unavoidable.” Dr. Brinkerhoff says the study highlights the potential for airflow engineering—not just filtration—to improve indoor air quality and occupant safety. Future research will focus on refining the design for larger rooms and testing physical prototypes in clinical and public settings. As a member of Canada’s National Model Codes Committee on Indoor Environment, Dr. Zabihi hopes their research will help shape future ventilation standards, making indoor spaces safer and healthier for everyone. The post UBCO engineers create new device to improve indoor air quality appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

A technique used for the long-term preservation of human and animal remains is now being tested on one of Canada’s most iconic building materials—the Western red cedar. Plastination, originally designed to embalm the dead, is now being used to improve the functionality and durability of advanced composite materials. A team from UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering has been experimenting with the technique and previously published a study that examined the plastination of bamboo to create a strong and durable composite building material. The researchers have taken that work one step further, and in their latest study demonstrated the technique can also be used on Western red cedar to make it stronger and protect the wood from water damage and decay. The study was published in the journal Materials. “Western red cedar is prized for its abundance and renewability, though its tendency to absorb moisture is a major drawback,” says doctoral student Olivia Margoto, a researcher with UBC’s Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute. “By applying plastination, we’re preserving the wood’s structure from the inside out—maintaining its strength while dramatically improving its resistance to water.” Plastination is a new method for managing moisture in wood by replacing water in the cellular structure with a silicone compound to create a durable, hydrophobic barrier that resists swelling, rotting and cracking. Unlike conventional wood protection treatments—which typically rely on surface coatings, bulk impregnation or chemical treatments—plastination offers a fundamentally different approach by first dehydrating the wood using acetone and infusing it with a compatible polymer. This replaces water within the cells and preserves the anatomical architecture previously occupied by moisture, explains study supervisor Dr. Abbas Milani, Professor in the School of Engineering. Most importantly, the treatment does not compromise tensile strength and tends to improve the material’s flexibility. “Plastination offers a powerful alternative to traditional wood preservatives, which often rely on toxic chemicals or short-lived coatings,” adds Dr. Milani. “This technique could extend the lifespan of natural wood products significantly, without sacrificing environmental performance.” In their recent work, the researchers used advanced imaging and spectroscopy tools to confirm that the silicone deeply saturated the cedar’s microscopic channels, reducing water absorption by nearly 60 per cent and increasing surface hydrophobicity by more than 45 per cent. They found that Western red cedar performed better than their earlier work on bamboo, likely because of the very different microstructure of these two natural materials. Western red cedar is a softwood composed of long, thin cells with microstructural dimensions up to seven times smaller than those of bamboo. The research is supported by industrial partner NetZero Enterprises Inc., a Penticton-based company with a number of global sustainability projects underway. The company is collaborating on three projects with UBC researchers, and holds the Canadian and American patents on the plastination technique. Other researchers on this project include Netzero Enterprises CEO Grant Bogyo and UBCO students Madisyn Szypula and Victor Yang. This process shows significant moisture resistance in Western red cedar, which is encouraging for North American construction applications. Future work will explore ways to scale up the method, recover and reuse solvents, and substitute bio-based polymers for silicone to further reduce environmental impact. “Nature has already given us incredible materials,” Margoto adds. “Our job is to make them last longer in a safe, sustainable and economical way.” The post UBCO researchers apply body preservation technique to wood appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

What: UBC Okanagan School of Engineering open house
Who: Prospective students, general public
When: Saturday, November 1, from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Engineering, Management and Education Building, UBC Okanagan

How can we help young people thrive in a future shaped by artificial intelligence, the need for sustainable technologies and global innovation?

Parents and students want to know which skills will lead to opportunity and a lasting career. Exploring engineering pathways at UBC Okanagan can help answer many of those questions, says Dr. Will Hughes, Director of the School of Engineering.

“An engineering degree can be the foundation for a secure, rewarding and impactful career,” says Dr. Hughes.

The best way to explore career options is to attend the school’s open house on Saturday, November 1. The event welcomes high school and mature students, along with their friends and families, and offers hands-on ways to discover how a future in engineering can lead to meaningful work and global opportunities.

Attendees can expect an interactive day filled with displays, activities and informative sessions. They can also tour campus and labs, as well as meet students and faculty who can provide insights into the many fields of engineering.

“We are thrilled to welcome future engineers to campus,” says Dr. Hughes. “This open house provides a fantastic opportunity for prospective students to engage with students and faculty, see the world-class labs, discover spaces within the school and envision their future in engineering.”

UBCO’s School of Engineering offers five undergraduate programs—civil, computer, electrical, manufacturing and mechanical.

“Our newest option, computer engineering, launched last fall and blends electrical engineering with computer science,” says Dr. Hughes. “It gives students an exciting and in-demand pathway as fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity increasingly need engineers skilled in both hardware and software.”

The 2024 BC Labour Market Outlook projects that more than 120,000 STEM jobs will need to be filled in BC by 2034—highlighting the value of an engineering education. Dr. Hughes says the best way for a high school student to discover these opportunities is to visit campus and connect with students, faculty and staff.

“Choosing a university is a big decision, both for you and for your family. We want to help you make the best decision for your future.”

The event is free, but registration is required. To learn more about UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering and register for the open house, visit: engineering.ok.ubc.ca/attend-the-on-campus-ubc-engineering-open-house-to-discover-your-future

The post UBC Okanagan opens its doors to aspiring engineers appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

A team of UBC Okanagan students has shown that recycling rubble from destroyed buildings can help Ukraine rebuild its roads when the war eventually ends.

As part of their year-end capstone project, six School of Engineering students worked on an initiative called “Rebuilding Ukraine.” They partnered with Dr. Kate Woodman and Iryna Storozhuk, the founding members of Okanagan 4 Ukraine, and four Ukrainian engineers to test the idea of using rubble from destroyed buildings to rebuild roads.

Dr. Woodman reached out to numerous Canadian universities and organizations— including the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine, the Canadian Ukrainian Foundation and Engineers without Borders—to find groups willing to help the country.

“Of the more than 25 engineering faculties I wrote to, many said this was a new idea—finding ways to support a country during an active war,” says Dr. Woodman. “I’m glad the UBCO team took it on. This project shows how Canadian universities can contribute to humanitarian engineering and post-conflict resilience while giving students valuable international experience.”

The six students—Alexa Hum, Alexander Marcuzzi, Arman Hajiabdolmajid, Hans Nicolajsen Suarez, Jacques Aritanto and Yugandher Ghugare—worked with faculty advisors Drs. Dimitry Sediako, Jonathan Holzman, Suliman Gargoum and Gordon Lovegrove. They explored using the ruins of buildings to create the right type of concrete strong enough to rebuild the road network.

Arman Hajiabdolmajid, who is finishing his studies at UBCO this year, explains that the team designed a strong, reliable concrete mix that can be used as a solid and reliable road surface to rebuild the country’s existing but heavily damaged transportation infrastructure.

“Due to the ongoing war there are large amounts of waste material in the form of rubble and debris and, if not put to use, will end up in landfills and eventually overwhelm the country’s waste system,” says Hajiabdolmajid. “By recycling the concrete rubble as a replacement for aggregate, a major component in concrete, we can put this rubble to good use rather than discarding it.”

He adds that recycling rubble also helps reduce the need to extract the traditional fine and coarse aggregate from riverbeds and quarries as the recycled concrete proves to be a suitable substitution.

“As rebuilding begins, demand for materials will increase, potentially depleting local reserves. This could lead to costly imports as substitutes,” he adds. “And the country’s waste system is not designed to process the amount of waste material produced from this war.”

A typical concrete mix consists of cement, fine aggregate or sand, gravel or coarse aggregate, water and additives that enhance the final product. To reuse rubble from Ukraine, the debris must be crushed into fine sand. This involves gathering and transporting the damaged concrete to a processing site where materials like metal, plastic, glass and wood are removed and disposed of properly.

In the UBCO lab, the students gathered concrete waste from past experiments to create a solution that included the highest volume of recycled fine aggregate while still meeting strength requirements. They used compression testing to monitor the concrete’s strength after seven, 14 and 28 days.

Although concrete roads are not common in Ukraine, the team chose concrete over asphalt because it has a longer lifespan. Reusing rubble also supports some United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and makes the mix more environmentally friendly. The students created a sustainable, high-performance concrete using 30 per cent recycled aggregate. It passed lab testing at UBCO and exceeded benchmarks required for European road infrastructure. To complete the project, they also created a prototype sensor to detect internal concrete cracks or instability.

Dr. Jonathan Holzman, an electrical engineering professor, says this innovative approach helps solve resource scarcity and sustainability problems.

“Our capstone projects give students hands-on, real-world experiences before they even graduate. Working with the Okanagan 4 Ukraine team and engineers in Ukraine gave these students the opportunity to make a difference in a country that will, hopefully, one day soon, begin the path to reconstruction.”

UBC Okanagan connects businesses and community organizations with student teams through capstone projects and other student-experience programs. Opportunities are open to partner with students to solve real-world challenges and benefit from their expertise. To learn more visit: ee.ok.ubc.ca/programs-and-opportunities/capstone-projects.

The post UBCO engineers test rubble from destroyed buildings to help “rebuild Ukraine” appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.