SSEF Research Grant Recipient

Robert G. Driver
Professor

University of Alberta
Department of Civil Engineering

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

2010

Steel Plate Shear Walls for Economic Industrial Protective Structures
This research project will explore the competency of the steel plate shear wall system under accidental blast loading for industrial applications in order to expand their use beyond the traditional application of earthquake load resistance. The behaviour of steel plate shear walls with different levels of inherent ductility under both in-plane and out-of-plane air-blast loading from accidental explosions will be investigated and their efficiency against different blast hazard levels will be identified. Critical zones in each system will be observed and recommendations for design requirements will be made for different performance objectives. This project also aims to develop simplified analysis techniques for the design of steel protective structures under blast loading using non-linear static (pushover) analysis.

The inherent blast resistance capacity of shear wall systems with the current design requirements of the CSA Standard S16 for seismic applications will also be assessed and corresponding performance requirements associated with desired levels of protection will be established.

Years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Biography
After a six year career as a structural engineer in industry, Dr. Robert Driver, P.Eng. earned a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in 1996. Thereafter, he joined the faculty at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. He returned to the University of Alberta in 2000 where he is currently a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His primary research interests pertain to the design and behaviour of steel structures, including topics such as bolted and welded connections, plate walls, high performance steel, rehabilitation, composite columns, and behaviour under extreme loading.

Link: Professor Driver

Robert Driver was the recipient of the H.A. Krentz Award for having the top ranked research topic for the 2009 Grant Competition. A gift of $5000 is given as part of this notable award. He also received this award in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

In 1993 Robert Driver was the recipient of the SSEF G.J. Jackson Fellowship.

Steel Structures Education Foundation

SSEF Research Grant Recipient

2010