Hellen Christodoulou
PH.D. Ing., B.C.L., LL. B, M.B.A.
Director, Steel Market, and Industry Development.
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC-ICCA)

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about some of the research investments done in the last 10 years! The CISC lives up to its entrenched role as the “Voice of the Steel Industry”.

The Research Grants program was created by the CISC to support research at Canadian Universities and Technical Colleges. This commitment to research on topics that are of interest and importance to the steel industry is critical for building the future of the steel construction industry. Over 100 research grants have been awarded since 1995 to full-time members of engineering faculties of Canadian universities and as of 2016, the program has been opened to qualified Technical Colleges.

In partnership with the steel industry, the CISC’s Education & Research Foundation awards research grants that have an immeasurable value to the advancement of the use of steel in construction. These grants have a pivotal role in supporting innovative and industry-leading research advancements that address the specific needs of industry development and are geared towards providing support to those who are dedicated to the improvement of steel construction. The steel industry is the backbone of these efforts, with many long-standing partners that are firm believers and share CISC’s vision in investing in our tomorrow today.

To achieve excellence in design and construction in the steel industry it takes continuous dedication in supporting the next generation of steel professionals through various programs. This support, with direct funding for research and education at leading Canadian educational institutions, promote and advance the discovery of innovative steel solutions, targeted to solve the most complex design and construction challenges while positioning steel as the material of choice.

 

2011 

Tension-Only Brace System for Earthquake Resistance of Low-Rise Buildings: Shake Table Testing, University of British Columbia
Lateral torsional buckling of plate girders with flexible restraints, Dalhousie University
Dynamic Testing of Low-Rise, Steel-Framed Buildings with Flexible Roof Deck Diaphragms, McGill University
A Holistic Approach to Evaluating and Enhancing the Progressive Collapse Resistance of Steel Structures, University of Alberta
Development of Innovative Steel Structural Systems for Seismic Applications in Canada, University of British Columbia 

2012 

Life Cycle Assessment of Steel-Framed, Multi-Unit Residential Construction, Ryerson University
Development of Generalized Design Procedures for Steel Extended Shear Tab Connections, University of Alberta
Hybrid (steel-frame / timber in-fill walls) Design for Mid-Rise Hybrid Systems, University of British Columbia
Shear Tab to Hollow Structural Section Column Connections, Lakehead University
Development of High-Performance Sustainable Steel Truss Frames for Seismic Applications, University of British Columbia
Dynamic Stability of Steel Columns Subjected to Seismic Loading, McGill University, École Polytechnique Université de Sherbrooke 

2013 

Solving the Mystery of Double-Coped Beams, University of Alberta
Behaviour of Light-Gauge Steel Shear Walls with Screwed Infill Plate Connections for Regions of Low to Moderate Seismicity, Concordia University
Development of Ry, Rt Factors and Probable Brace Resistance Axial Loads for the Seismic Design of Bracing Connections and
Other Members, McGill University
Fatigue Behaviour and Design of Shear Connectors in Steel-Precast Composite Girders, University of Waterloo
Development of Innovative and Cost-Effective Seismic Fuses Using Wide Flange Steel Sections, University of British Columbia 

2014 

Development of High-Performance Modular Steel Structures, University of British Columbia
Effective Weld Properties for Connections of Round HSS, University of Toronto
The Increasingly Common Case of Weak-Axis End Moments – Eliminating Unnecessary Joint Stiffeners, University of Alberta
Reducing Construction Costs by Improving Seismic Performance: Controlled Rocking Steel Braced Frames, McMaster University
Design of Partial-Length Cover Plates to Strengthen Steel Columns, University of Western Ontario 

2015 

An Improved Connection for Seismically Designed Concentrically Braced Frames, McMaster University
Offset HSS Connections, University of Toronto
Development of Innovative and Economical Steel Floor System, University of British Columbia
Towards a Performance-Based Fire Design Framework for Composite Steel Deck Construction in Canada, Carleton University
Lateral Torsional Buckling of Welded Wide Flange Beams, Concordia University 

2016 

Performance-Based Seismic Design of Steel Bridges According to CHBDC S6-14, University of British Columbia
Development of Innovative Steel Diagrid High-Rise Structures for Seismic Applications, University of British Columbia
Completing the Load Path for Controlled Rocking Steel Braced Frames, McMaster University
Hot Dip Galvanized HSS, University of Victoria
Promoting Steel as a Material of Choice in Bridge Infrastructures: Current and Future Innovations, Ryerson University 

2017 

Simplified Design Methods for Steel Multi-Tiered Braced Frames in Regions of Low and Moderate Seismicity, University of Alberta
Design of Beams with Overhanging Segments Against Lateral Torsional Buckling, Laval University
Analysis of Concentrically Loaded Braced Frame Using Continuous End Plate, Université de Sherbrooke
Performance-Based Seismic Design of Innovative Damage Free Rocking Steel Bridge Piers, University of British Columbia
École Polytechnique de Montréal 

2018 

HSS Joint Welding, University of Toronto
Experimental Validation of Seismically Resilient Concentrically Braced Frames with Replaceable Brace Modules, McMaster University
Test-Based Design Method for Steel Cantilever Beams, University of Alberta
Assessment of Fatigue Design Provisions for Welded Shear Studs in Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges, University of Waterloo 

2019 

Design of Single-Sided Fillet Welds in Tension, Dalhousie University
Application of Artificial Intelligence to Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering of Steel Buildings, McMaster University
Improved Evaluation Methods for Fatigue Life and Toughness Assessment of Steel Bridges, University of Waterloo
Design of Exposed Column Base Connections Subjected to Axial Load and Bi-Axial Bending, Lakehead University
Innovative Modular Structural System for Steel Framed Structures, University of Alberta 

2020 

Artificial Intelligence Applications for Advancing the Canadian Steel Construction Industry, University of Alberta
Enhancing the Design of Connections for Fire Resiliency, Queen’s University, York University 

2021 

Lighter Concrete Shoes: Towards Lower-Cost Foundations for Seismically Designed Steel Braced Frames McMaster University,
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Next-Generation Green Steel Construction in Canada, University of British Columbia
Moment Connections to RHS Columns, Dalhousie University
Stress Concentration Factors for Truss/Girder-End Hollow Section Connections Near an Open Chord End, University of Victoria