Steel Structures Education Foundation

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SSEF University Research Grants

The SSEF University Research Grants was created to support the research of topics which are considered to be of interest and importance to the steel industry.

The Steel Structures Education Foundation has awarded 85 research grants since 1995 to full-time members of engineering faculties of Canadian universities. Grants are awarded on subjects judged to be of value in advancing the use of steel in construction and are awarded at the discretion of the SSEF on the merits of the applications received. Each grant is awarded for a one-year period. The total value of grants awarded in 2013 is $102,000 and was announced in May, 2013.

The principal researcher of the highest ranked proposal also receives the H.A. Krentz Research Award and a gift of $5,000.  The recipient will be invited to accept the Award at the SSEF Annual Meeting.  This year the AGM will be held on September 20th at the Fairmount Chateau Whistler, Whistler, BC.

The SSEF 2013 Research Grant Brochure provides descriptions of suggested research topics and conditions pertaining to the award of grants. 

Suggestions for research topics can now be made by completing the SSEF Research Topic Suggestion Form.  Please return the completed form to David MacKinnon at dmackinnon@ssef-ffca.ca.

2013 Grant Recipients

Robert G. Driver
Solving the Mystery of Double-coped Beams
University of Alberta
Department of Civil Engineering

Scott Walbridge
Fatigue Behaviour and Design of Shear Connectors in Steel-Precast Composite Girders
University of Waterloo
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tony T.Y. Yang
Development of Innovative and Cost-Effective Seismic Fuses using Wide Flange Steel Sections
University of British Columbia
Department of Civil Engineering

Dimitrios Lignos
Development of Ry, Rt Factors and Probable Brace Resistance Axial Loads for the Seismic Design of Bracing Connections and Other Members
McGill University
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Anjan Bhowmick
Behaviour of Light-Gauge Steel Shear Walls With Screwed Infill Plate Connections for Regions of Low-to-Moderate Seismicity
Concordia University
Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering



Previous Grant Years

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995


2012 Grant Recipients

Robert G. Driver
Development of Generalized Design Procedures for Steel Extended Shear Tab Connections
University of Alberta
Department of Civil Engineering

Mark Gorgolewski
Life Cycle Assessment of Steel-Framed, Multi-Unit Residential Construction
Ryerson University
Department of Architectural Science

Yanglin Gong
Shear Tab to Hollow Structural Section Column Connections
Lakehead University
Department of Civil Engineering

Siegfried F. Stiemer
Hybrid (steel-frame / timber in-fill walls) Design for Mid-rise Hybrid Systems
University of British Columbia
Department of Civil Engineering

Tony T.Y. Yang
Development of High Performance Sustainable Steel Truss Frames for Seismic Applications
University of British Columbia
Department of Civil Engineering

Dimitrios Lignos
Dynamic Stability of Steel Columns Subjected to Seismic Loading
McGill University
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics


Aerial view of the ROM

Congratulations to the 2013 research grant recipients:  R. Driver (University of Alberta), A. Bhowmick (Concordia University), D. Lignos (McGill University), S. Walbridge and J. West (University of Waterloo), T. T.Y. Yang (University of British Columbia).

The 2013 H.A. Krentz Award goes to R. Driver (University of Alberta) for having the top-ranked research proposal.

The SSEF 2013 Research Grant Brochure includes suggested research topics and conditions of the award.

Download the SSEF Research Topic Suggestion Form.

Download a list of SSEF Research Grants awarded from 1995-2013.