Canada is a wonderful country. Its physical beauty is glorious during the autumn season (while I am writing this) when the leaves on millions of trees change from green to brilliant shades of red, yellow and brown. The brilliance of our architects, engineers, steel fabricators and contractors also makes this country a special place. Structures that win the CISC Steel Design Awards, featured in past issues, and this one, provide evidence of this fact.
Competence and the dedicated effort of Canadian researchers illustrated in the article on steel plate shear walls, is recognized worldwide. Designing structures to resist earthquake forces is a challenge, but steel plate shear walls provide a valuable, innovative system to assist designers – and Canadians have been in the forefront of its development.
Another challenge is to continue to provide educational opportunities for our designers and builders, as they develop their skills and knowledge. The article on the Gooderham Centre for Industrial Learning provides useful information, along with a brief historical perspective, on continuing education related to welding – an omnipresent element in steel structures today.
Finally, in the words of the beautiful song by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman it is “Time to Say Goodbye”. After 22 years as President of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction I am planning to resign from that position, and I will also be resigning as Editor of this publication. In doing so, I plan to devote more time to other interests and continue to work on codes, standards and education – fields of activity that are of particular interest to me. I will also look forward to reading future issues of Advantage Steel.
Hugh A. Krentz, P.Eng., Editor