#FeelGoodFriday
We're so happy to announce that Dr Robin Lee has received the 2026 Ivan Skinner Award at the recent New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) conference 👏👏👏
Robin’s research helps us better understand why earthquake shaking varies from place to place. His work has contributed to some of New Zealand’s key seismic design frameworks, including the National Seismic Hazard Model and TS 1170.5.
He’ll use the $15,000 prize to model Wellington’s complex ground conditions - helping improve future hazard estimates and support more resilient communities.
Read more about Robin's research: https://bit.ly/4tC31au
#CivilandEnvironmental #CEE #UCResearch #UCNZ
🎓 PhD Distinction Award 2026 Winner: Luis de la Flor
Ranked in the top 10% of the department, Luis began his PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Canterbury in 2021. His research focuses on alternative materials and the mechanical behaviour and sustainability of concrete structures - developing cost-effective, low-CO₂ concrete mixes for 3D concrete printing (3DCP), and testing reinforced concrete elements with 3D-printed permanent formwork.
Concrete is the most widely used building material, yet cement production contributes significantly to global emissions. Luis’ work explores locally sourced materials - including natural clays, zeolite and recycled mussel shells - to reduce environmental impact without compromising strength or durability.
He also assessed the structural performance of reinforced concrete elements with 3D-printed formwork, proposing innovative detailing approaches that improve strength and ductility, and developing a novel analytical model to predict structural response. His findings support making 3DCP a reliable and sustainable construction method in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. “Structural engineering elevates architecture, transforming technical innovation and creativity into enduring, resilient works of art, with 3DCP blurring the line between what can be imagined and what can be built.”
Luis has recently joined AtkinsRéalis in Ireland as a Graduate Structural Engineer and is eager to apply research-driven thinking to real-world challenges. He encourages aspiring engineers to stay curious, ask questions, and embrace new directions.
🔗 Connect with Luis:
sites.google.com/view/luisdelaflor/home
linkedin.com/in/luismdelaflor/
#PhDDistinctionAward #CivilEngineering #3DConcretePrinting #SustainableConstruction #CEE #CivilandEnvironmental #UCNZ
📢 Calling all First-Year Engineering Students!
Come along to Xplore Pathways this Thursday to get a real taste of all the disciplines including Civil - our booth is just next to the vending machines in Rātā.
Tour our labs, try hands-on demos, talk to students and staff, and see what Civil Engineering is really about, plus heaps of free chocolate, prizes, and giveaways 🎉
You’ll also explore all engineering disciplines and get clarity on your pathway, so you’re ready to rank your preferences at the end of the year.
✨ The most important event of your first year!
📅 Thu 14 May
🕘 9:45am – 1:00pm
📍 Rātā
What keeps buildings safe in a fire? 🔥
With a Master of Fire Engineering Studies, you’ll learn how fires behave, how people react, and how to design solutions that save lives.
Read more and apply here: http://bit.ly/4nmiSZd
#FireEngineering #CivilEngineering #CEE #UCNZ #TaughtMasters
#FeelGoodFriday 👏👏👏
Congratulations to Prof Misko Cubrinovski on being elected a Life Member of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering.
Misko is internationally recognised for his work on earthquake-induced liquefaction and its impact on the built environment, with a career spanning over 40 years of research, practice, and mentorship.
This honour recognises his outstanding contributions to earthquake engineering, including advancing liquefaction assessment methods, shaping national guidelines, and supporting the next generation of engineers.
#CEE #CivilandEnvironmental #UCNZ
As the built environment faces increasing pressure to respond to climate change, Professor Larry Bellamy is leading research that sits at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact. His work is helping shape how New Zealand transitions toward low-carbon, climate-resilient buildings and infrastructure.
At the core of this effort is the Building Innovation Partnership (BIP), an eight-year, $12.5 million research programme co-funded by government and industry, bringing together experts from the Universities of Canterbury and Auckland.
A major milestone has been the development of industry-backed roadmaps for lowering carbon emissions in concrete and steel - two of the most carbon-intensive materials in construction. Created in collaboration with Concrete NZ, the Sustainable Steel Council, and BRANZ, these roadmaps are helping align industry on the innovations needed to decarbonise material supply.
Beyond materials, Professor Bellamy’s research is also exploring how energy is used across neighbourhoods. In collaboration with BRANZ, his work examines the impact of electrification, particularly the uptake of electric vehicles, hot water heat pumps, and solar panels on the electricity network. Encouragingly, the findings show that combining these existing technologies can reduce household operating emissions by up to 90%, without overloading the grid.
Looking to the future, Professor Bellamy sees universities playing a critical role in preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving sector - particularly as technologies like AI begin to reshape construction. He emphasises the growing importance of what he calls the “three C’s”: the ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, and collaborate respectfully across disciplines. This philosophy is embedded in UC’s architectural engineering programme, equipping graduates not just with technical skills, but with the mindset needed to tackle complex climate and energy challenges.
#LowCarbonFuture #ArchitecturalEngineering #BIP #CivilEngineering #CivilandEnvironmental #CEE #AcademicSpotlight
#EngineeringTheFuture
With a strong foundation in civil engineering and a growing curiosity about structural failure, PhD candidate Hooman Pakdaman brings both practical experience from his time as a Construction Manager back in Tehran and research insight to his work.
“In practice, civil engineering constantly involves questions about damage, safety, repair, and failure. I found myself becoming more interested in understanding why structures fail, not just how to fix them.”
Hooman's research focuses on improving how we repair damaged structures, especially when taking them completely out of service isn't practical. His PhD is supervised by Professor Derek Warner, who leads the Canterbury Fracture Group, with co-supervision from Professor K.T. Ramesh at Johns Hopkins University.
A key focus is fatigue cracks, one of the most common forms of material failure. Using computer simulations, Hooman evaluates different repair methods under various conditions, aiming to develop more efficient repair strategies through better understanding of material behaviour.
“My goal is to help engineers make more informed decisions when repairing damaged structures. By improving our understanding of how cracks behave and how repairs influence structural performance, we can enhance safety, reduce costs, and minimise downtime.”
Looking ahead, he hopes his research contributes to more resilient infrastructure and practical repair methods.
One finding challenges a common assumption: repairing a structure while it is still under load may not be as disadvantageous as previously thought.
Their motivation is grounded in real-world experience. “What inspired me most was the gap between engineering practice and scientific understanding,” Hooman reflects. “While working in construction, I saw that structural failure is not just theoretical- it directly impacts safety, cost, and decision making.” This motivated Hooman to understand the mechanics behind failure - not only to explain it but to improve how we respond to it.
“Understanding how structures fail is the first step toward learning how to repair them more intelligently.”
#CEE #CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering
During the April term break, approximately 250 Year 2 students took part in an unforgettable field camp experience at Living Springs on Banks Peninsula. Delivered across three engaging camps - one per week - each camp welcomed around 85 students, supported by a dedicated team of staff committed to creating a high quality learning and pastoral experience.
Across three dynamic days, students participated in seven hands on learning activities, including hazard and risk assessment, water quality sampling and analysis, stream invertebrate studies, soil assessments, site sketching, and team building exercises. These practical field sessions were balanced with a wide range of recreational opportunities, allowing students to relax, connect, and enjoy the outstanding facilities and surroundings. Activities included swimming pool access, basketball and rugby, scenic nature walks, table tennis and pool, and time to take in the stunning views of Banks Peninsula.
Evenings were also a highlight of the camp experience, featuring an inspiring discussion with department graduates and a fun, competitive quiz night held on site. Scheduled during the first term break, the Living Springs camps play a key role in welcoming students into the programme and building a sense of belonging across the cohort - helping them form strong peer connections, build professional character, and gain valuable field experience in a memorable way.\
#CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering #CEE #Year2FieldCamp #EnvironmentalEngineering
#FeelGoodFriday Here's a proud moment for all of us at UC Civil!
Congratulations to Professor Timothy Sullivan on being elected a Fellow of NZSEE. New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering 👏👏👏
Professor Sullivan has rendered exceptional service to the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering over two decades, including long-standing service on the NZSEE Bulletin Editorial Board, prolific scholarly contributions to the Bulletin, and sustained engagement through NZSEE conferences, seminars, guideline development, and knowledge dissemination.
In recognition of his eminence in the field, his integrity and leadership, and his distinguished service to the Society and the profession, Professor Timothy Sullivan is hereby admitted as a Fellow of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering.
🔊 We are pleased to welcome another visiting academic this week, David Kammer, Associate Professor of Solid Mechanics at ETH Zurich. David is hosted by Derek Warner.
Originally from Switzerland, David studied Civil Engineering at EPFL, where he also completed his PhD in Mechanics. Following research positions in Switzerland and Israel, and a faculty role at Cornell University in the USA, he returned to Switzerland in 2019 to join ETH Zurich.
David’s research centers on understanding how and why materials fail, across a wide range of scales. Using a combination of computational modelling, theoretical approaches, and laboratory experiments, he investigates how small-scale features - such as microstructural defects or slight nonlinearities in material behaviour - can have large consequences for fracture initiation and propagation. His work spans topics from nanoscale processes in biological materials, such as collagen fibres in bone, to large-scale fracture dynamics relevant to earthquakes.
A recurring theme in his research is that seemingly minor changes can fundamentally alter how fractures develop. For example, his work has shown how small variations in material properties can allow cracks to propagate faster than classical limits would suggest, and how deliberately introduced defects in architected materials can, counterintuitively, hinder fracture growth by forcing cracks onto more energy-demanding paths.
Alongside his research, David is actively engaged in teaching and mentoring, and values interactive and collaborative approaches to learning. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active through sport - occasionally, and not always successfully, avoiding fractures of his own😊
He is looking forward to exchanging ideas with researchers and students, and to exploring new perspectives during his visit.
#VisitingAcademic #CivilEngineering #CivilandEnvironmental #CEE #MaterialEngineering
📢 Please join us in welcoming Associate Professor Pengfei He from School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology Gansu Province, China.
He is hosted by Professor Gabriele Chiaro from the Geotechnical cluster. Pengfei will be here as a visiting academic from now until April 2027.
His current research mainly includes two areas:
Geosynthetics have been extensively used in frozen soil engineering. The soil–geosynthetic interface is a critical weak plane, which is subjected to the coupling effects of moisture, temperature, and external loads in cold regions. A series of laboratory tests have been carried out to explore the instantaneous shear and creep shear behaviors of the interface under different hydrothermal conditions, loading rates and saturation levels. The research findings can provide technical references for the structural design of frozen soil projects.
He also researches the static ice load acting on hydraulic structures in high-altitude areas. Although reservoir ice rarely causes severe damage to main dam bodies, it poses potential risks to auxiliary structures. Distinct from conventional cold regions, high-altitude areas feature intense temperature fluctuations and complex local climates. This research explored the evolution mechanism of static ice load and its adverse effects on hydraulic auxiliary facilities, aiming to supplement the research system of high-altitude cold-region engineering.
During his visit at UC, he will further investigate the effects of geosynthetics on enhancing the resilience of geotechnical structures. He will mainly focus on dynamic loading conditions such as earthquakes and traffic vibration, to promote the long-term service performance and operational safety of geotechnical infrastructure, and better support social production and people’s daily life.
In his spare time, he like playing basketball and running. Pengfei also enjoys a traditional card game called Guandan in his leisure time.
#Visitor #VisitingAcademic #CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering #CEE #CivilEngineering
📢 #AlumniSpotlight
Originally from Kenya and now based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Nasrina Stuart completed her Master of Architectural Engineering (Integrated Building Design) with Distinction. She is now the Founder of LiveliQ Ltd where her work focuses on improving how decisions are captured and managed in building projects.
We asked her a few questions about her journey through study, her work, and what she’s been up to since graduating.
What motivated you to study your Master of Architectural Engineering degree?
I wanted to understand how buildings work beyond their appearance. I was interested in the technical side of buildings including materials, environmental performance, and structural systems, and how those elements influence design and usability.
How has your study prepared you for what you are doing now?
The programme provided a strong foundation in building science, integrated design, and systems thinking. It trained me to analyse problems from multiple perspectives including technical performance, environmental impact, and practical construction considerations. This approach has been very useful in my current work.
Have you taken part in any summer programmes at UC? How did you find the experience? Would you recommend it?
I participated in the UC Summer Startup Programme where I developed the early concept for LiveliQ. The programme provided mentorship and support from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals. It was a valuable experience, and I would recommend it to students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying in your degree area?
Stay curious about how buildings function in the real world. The programme is challenging but it teaches valuable analytical and problem solving skills. It is a great field for anyone interested in improving the built environment.
