Grant: Alliance Grants

Rapid population growth in major cities worldwide is creating new challenges in providing affordable housing. The construction costs can be quelled by employing concrete elements (e.g., slabs, walls, panels, beams, columns, etc.) reinforced with welded wire mesh (WWM). WWM-reinforced concrete structural components have been widely adopted in construction owing to their advantages, such as high production efficiency and speed. Besides, using WWM in the construction industry can reduce project costs. These elements come pre-assembled, the size and spacing of bars stay consistent and precise as the concrete is placed, and they are less likely to be bent incorrectly.This research project aims to team up with the SACKS Industrial Corporation (the industry leader in wire mesh manufacturing in Canada) and the Smart Structures research team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) (a leading earthquake engineering research institute in Canada) to examine the seismic performance of concrete components utilizing heat-treated, and epoxy coated WWM. Advanced heat treatments of the WWM will be researched and implemented at the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the SACKS Industrial Corporation, while advanced experimental and numerical simulation of the concrete components utilizing the heat-treated WWM will be systematically examined at the world-class research facility in UBC. Detailed parameter study on the use of the WWM on a variety of concrete components, such as slabs, walls, and beams, will be systematically examined. Finally, a detailed design guideline for the novel structural components with enhanced WWM will be developed. This will allow engineers to use the newly developed structural system in the industry. Making the Canadian construction industry more efficient and competitive in the Canadian and worldwide market. Hence, resulting in more affordable housing constructions in Canada.