Researchers at McGill University are carrying out large‑scale tests of a new timber-steel structural system designed to help buildings better withstand earthquakes. Early results suggest the system performs well under simulated earthquake forces, offering a potential path toward safer, more sustainable construction in Quebec and beyond.
The work addresses two growing challenges facing the construction industry. Earthquake risk in Montreal and much of Quebec is now classified as moderate to high, similar to parts of British Columbia. At the same time, pressure is mounting to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, as conventional materials such as concrete and steel are major contributors to global greenhouse-gas emissions.
The research is being led by Assistant Professor Matiyas Bezabeh in McGill's Department of Civil Engineering, together with Professor Colin Rogers and PhD student Abebaw Mekonnen. The tests are taking place in the Jamieson Structures Laboratory in the Macdonald Engineering Building and rank among the largest structural experiments conducted at McGill.
Addressing seismic risk and the carbon cost of construction
Timber is a more sustainable alternative to steel-concrete construction, Bezabeh explained, because it stores carbon and has a lower carbon footprint.
"However, to be widely used in earthquake‑prone regions and tall buildings, timber systems must also meet high seismic performance requirements," he said.
To help bridge that gap, the team developed a hybrid timber-steel eccentrically braced frame system and built it at full scale in the lab. They then subjected the structure to forces that simulate earthquake shaking, carefully measuring how it moved, absorbed energy, and maintained strength.
"By measuring how it deforms, dissipates energy and maintains strength, we evaluate its real‑world performance and suitability for future building design," Bezabeh said.
Promising preliminary results
So far, the results are encouraging.
"Early results show that this new system performs very well under simulated earthquake loading," Bezabeh said. "It can undergo large movements without losing strength, which is exactly what is needed for buildings in regions like Quebec that now face higher seismic demands."
The approach is new, he added, because most previous studies have focused on steel‑only systems.
"What is encouraging is that the system shows strong, stable performance comparable to that expected from traditional steel systems, with the added benefits of timber."
The research is supported by the Government of Quebec through the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts and in collaboration with Professor Alexander Salenikovich from the University of Laval. Results from the tests will inform future publications and are expected to contribute to upcoming editions of Canadian building design standards.
