Project contact is Ben Amor at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
Although lifecycle analysis approaches provide a reliable reading of the importance of the embodied energy of buildings, the tool is inaccessible for evaluation in a normative framework. The purpose of the project is to establish prescriptive directives linking the role of Transition Énergie Québec (TEQ) with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), which must ensure the quality of the work and the building safety. Similar to Part 9 of the NBC, it would be desirable to establish prescriptive rules based on know-how allowing a reasonable consideration of gray energy issues. In order to converge towards this approach, a number of tools will be considered. The various life cycle analysis methods (attributive, consequential, dynamic) (Astudillo et al., 2017) will be used, as well as more simplified approaches such as streamlined LCA (Arena et al., 2013, BellonMaurel et al. al., 2015) or simplified calculators, such as the carbon calculator that is currently being developed by Cecobois. The project will consider building carbon neutral objectives.
Project contact is Jean Proulx at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
The proposed project will include the development of an interface between structural calculation software by Finite Element Analysis (SAP2000, etc.) and BIM tools (e.g. Revit) to software allowing to perform a complete lifecycle analysis such as OpenLCA and Brightway2. This interface will add, among other things, missing information to 3D models (envelope, type of HVAC system, etc.) and allow designers to carry out a summary or detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of the different stages of the life cycle, ranging from construction, the operation and the eventual upgrading of the building. This interface will also make it possible to accelerate the process of analysis of preliminary solutions (example: structural system wood vs. steel or concrete). The research project will also include validation on different types of multi-storey structures (steel, concrete, wood).
Project contact is Jean Proulx at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
This project will involve the modeling of typical multistage buildings and non-linear dynamic analyzes for various seismic hazards (Montreal, Quebec, Charlevoix). The models will be developed using OpenSees, and validated with commercial software (SAFI, SAP2000). The temporal responses of typical buildings, subject to earthquakes generated for the region, will be calculated for different parameters (number of floors, bays, types of SRFS). Pushover type analyzes will also be carried out (rigid frame systems or shear walls). Sectional ductility demands will be evaluated for different types of wood sections and assemblies. These ductility values will be used to target the best wood seismic resistance systems, depending on the type of construction.
Project contact is Ben Amor at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
The circular economy is an economic concept that fits into the framework of sustainable development and which is inspired by the notions of green economy and industrial ecology. Some industries have identified available stocks of their in-service materials, particularly steel and aluminum, and then identified uses for second rotation or possible recycling. Wood products have not been subject to such characterization. The objective of this project is to quantify the volumes of wood in use, to evaluate the amount of biogenic carbon they represent and to propose uses of second rotation to enhance this environmental asset. The material flow analysis (MFA) will be the main methodology to be put forward in this project. The use of the MFA would also allow us to have a time resolution (e.g. annual) and to better monitor the environmental performance of different circular scenarios.
Project contact is Jean Proulx at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
While glued-in rods meet a need for refined architectural design, do they respond to a seismic architectural design? Can they prevent destructive damage and ensure recovery efforts given that this system has singular anchor points? Do the braces and diaphragms have the same behavior as in traditional connector systems? Based on the work of Verdet (2016), modeling can identify the a priori behavior followed by a validation test on seismic table.
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