On March 24, the UBC Department of Civil Engineering is hosting the 2026 Keith Robinson Event: Learning from Earthquake Case Histories, with a keynote by Prof. Misko Cubrinovski from the University of Canterbury.
Engineers employ a wide range of tools and methodologies, including field investigations, laboratory testing, physical modelling of soil – structure interaction, and theoretical and analytical approaches in earthquake geotechnical engineering practice. A critical element that provides a reality check for these engineering methods is field evidence and observations of how ground and structures have actually performed during past earthquakes (i.e., case histories). This presentation draws on exceptionally well-documented geotechnical case histories from recent earthquakes in New Zealand. Particular emphasis is placed on soil liquefaction, to highlight some unique insights and learning opportunities that case histories offer to the geotechnical engineering profession and to society at large. Research findings and lessons from these case histories informed and supported community recovery efforts following the 2010–2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 24, 5:45pm to 7:30pm
Location: Kaiser 2020, 2332 Main Mall
Please RSVP
Meet Shreyas Rai, @ubccivil student and a tap dancer in his own right.
He’s blending engineering and rhythm, using improvisation from dance to sharpen quick thinking, and adaptability when solving engineering problems.
At UBC, Shreyas has taken on @ubcapsccoop roles, built bridges in group projects, and found strength in the tight-knit civil engineering community.
Want to learn more about his #UBCEngineering journey? Drop a comment and we’ll send you the link!
Can engineering help cities work with nature instead of against it?
A team of UBC Environmental Engineering students proved it can by designing a nature-based stormwater solution for the City of Coquitlam that helps make communities more resilient and sustainable.
Their innovation earned them first place internationally at WEFTEC 2025 in Chicago! 🎉
Guided by Dr. Zeina Baalbaki, Team StormWise Innovations — Jaden Gauw, Jaden Mah, Kajal Mishra, Cindy Chow and Megan Slot — showed how creativity, collaboration and engineering design can make a real difference.
🔗 Read the full story at the link in our profile
#UBCCivilEngineering #UBCStudents #UBCResearch #WEFTEC2025 #EnvironmentalEngineering #Sustainability #EngineeringForTheFuture #StudentSuccess
🌊 Can nature protect our cities better than concrete?
Researchers from UBC Civil Engineering are testing how restored tidal marshes could help defend Richmond from rising sea levels. The Fraser Estuary Sediment Pilot Project continues this fall, using natural processes to rebuild the coastline and strengthen flood resilience.
🔗 Read the full story on our website to learn how this research could reshape the future of climate adaptation.
#UBCCivilEngineering #UBCResearch #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CoastalResilience #EngineeringForTheFuture
Ever wondered what fieldwork looks like at the top of the world? 🌍❄️
This summer, UBC Environmental Fluid Mechanics researchers headed to Milne Fiord, Ellesmere Island, one of the most remote Arctic sites, to study how mysterious melt ponds form and evolve on the Milne Ice Shelf.
For Master’s student Romane Bouchard, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, joining her supervisor Dr. Bernard Laval and Dr. Jérémie Bonneau, who has been returning here since his PhD days.
Together with collaborators from Carleton University and the community of Grise Fiord, they spent the week retrieving instruments, mapping pond depths, and installing sensors that will track the ice-ocean environment all year long.
Their findings will shed light on how these Arctic systems respond to a warming climate.
#UBCCivil #UBCEngineering #ArcticResearch #Fieldwork #ubcstudents
💫 Meet @UBCCivil Alum Ruddy NDina 💫 From refugee camp to UBC to an impressive career at @KiewitCorp he's been busy building a bright future!
Ruddy's childhood fascination with bridges led to a full scholarship in Civil Engineering. Now he is working as a Senior Project Coordinator on the Darlington New Nuclear Project – the first of its kind in North America. This groundbreaking clean energy project will be the blueprint for delivering sustainable, renewable energy to communities across Canada.
He also authored a book about his story, 'From Dreamer to Doer', and is passionate about connecting with young students who aspire to become engineers.
Ready to turn your engineering dreams into reality? Comment for the link to learn more!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Riwaj (Ribu) Dhakal as Assistant Professor in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. His research advances how we understand and mitigate soil liquefaction and seismic foundation risks, work that will strengthen resilient infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Dhakal to UBC Civil Engineering!
Read more about his journey and research at the link in our bio 🔗
#UBCCivil #UBCResearch #EarthquakeEngineering #GeotechnicalEngineering
And with that, the 2024/2025 season comes to an end 😌
Concrete Canoe has had a phenomenal year filled with laughter, smiles, and so much fun. We are so lucky to have had an amazing team! Swipe to go down memory lane ☺️
Interested in joining? Go to our website at yesitfloats.ca to apply! Applications are open from August 10th to September 20th. If you have any questions, feel free to DM us on instagram or email us at [email protected]!
#ubc #van #vancouver #ubcvancouver #ubcengineering #ubccivilengineering #ubccivil #ubclove #ubcdesign #design #concretecanoeteam #concrete #canoe #designteam #engineer #engineering
@UBCCivil Associate Professor Dr. Ryan Ziels is collaborating with @FortisBC to improve renewable natural gas production from organic waste!
Dr. Ziels and his team are investigating the use of microorganisms to increase the efficiency of the conversion.
"We’re exploring how to harness beneficial microbial communities in a way that enhances RNG production from existing digesters,” says Dr. Ziels. “This collaboration with FortisBC is helping to drive RNG innovation with real-world impact."
By collaborating with Fortis through the Clean Growth Innovation Fund, this research has the potential to make a real impact that creates solutions for people.
UBC Civil Engineering is pleased to welcome Dr. Nimish Pujara as Associate Professor. Dr. Pujara brings internationally recognized expertise in environmental fluid mechanics and the transport of particles in coastal environments.
His research explores how waves influence the movement of particles such as sediment, plastic pollution, and plankton, with applications in sustainable coastal management, pollution mitigation, and climate resilience.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Pujara to the department as we continue to advance research in coastal engineering and environmental sustainability.
Get to know him at the link in our bio.
#UBCCivil #CoastalEngineering #environmentalfluidmechanics #PlasticPollution #HydrotechnicalEngineering #SedimentTransport #ClimateResilience #CoastalResearch
Tire chemicals are polluting waterways, harming salmon, and showing up in humans—yet they remain largely unregulated.
A UBC-led international team is calling for urgent action with the first global framework to manage tire additive pollution. Published ahead of the ongoing #PlasticsTreaty negotiations in Geneva, the proposed framework outlines a five-point plan to reduce risks, improve transparency, and push for international coordination.
“We have a chance to get ahead of this issue before it becomes even more entrenched.” — Dr. Rachel Scholes
Read more about the proposed framework and why the time to act is now at the link in our bio.
#EnvironmentalEngineering #TireAdditives #ClimateResilience#ScienceForImpact #ScienceToPolicy #environmentalpolicy
Ruddy Ndina, a UBC Civil Engineering graduate, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a refugee camp to leading projects like the Darlington New Nuclear Project. With a passion for bridges and project management, Ruddy emphasizes the importance of communication skills for engineers and mentors aspiring engineers, especially African and refugee students. His story, detailed in his book From Dreamer to Doer, motivates others to pursue meaningful academic and career opportunities in engineering.
🔗 Curious about his advice for students? Comment "RUDDY" and we'll send you the link to his full #UBCCivilEngineering journey, along with other alumni and student stories!
