In Part Two of our series on steel used with other materials, John Leckie explores Steel and Wood, a mix of two very different materials. Used together for many decades, this mixed construction, with its challenging interface, uses steel to deliver extraordinary results as our West Coast members have demonstrated. Five of the twelve stations on the Vancouver SkyTrain Millennium Line make use of some combination of wood and steel.
Steel to the rescue! On page 15 Frédéric Simonnot describes how steel-plate shear walls have been used to salvage a concrete condominium building. With a minimum of disruption to residents, and using a minimum amount of interior space, steel plate walls brought the building up to the seismic requirements of the building code.
Our overview of this year’s Alberta and Ontario Design Awards demonstrates some of the dynamic steel construction occurring in these two locales. The picture above of the Calgary LRT 7th Avenue refurbishment is a particularly elegant example of steel form following function.
Toronto’s Covenant House, Canada's largest shelter for homeless youth, is using steel to support a green roof over their agency. This should reduce heating and cooling costs while providing a source of fresh herbs and vegetables for use in cooking classes. On page 13 discover how you may contribute to this worthwhile endeavour.
Also, our regular columns Ask Dr. Sylvie, Seismic Corner, and What’s Cool, What’s Hot, What’s New are sure to be of interest. In addition, many upcoming events are also listed.
Michael I. Gilmor, P.Eng.
President CISC
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