Annual Report 1999/2000

President's Message Solution-Oriented Research through Joint Ventures with Industry and Government The past year has been an extremely busy time for the ISIS Network. More research and demonstration projects were undertaken, the research team increased to 256, the list of significant research accomplishments reached 159, and the total funds received exceeded $6.1 million, which is 131 percent greater than last year. Of particular importance are the $3.5 million in non-NCE funds which were contributed by industry and government partners, representing 57 percent of the total funding. Of even greater significance is the fact that these non-NCE funds constitute an increase of 170 percent over last year - a reflection of the growing value the infrastructure sector is placing on ISIS activities, thus paving the way for increased receptor capacity and enhanced utilization of ISIS technologies. It is rewarding to experience such a positive response from industry and infrastructure owners entering into joint ventures on solution-oriented research. Everyone benefits. In addition to direct benefits to the participants, there are substantial spin-off benefits for student researchers. Having the opportunity to work directly with design engineers and contractors on practical field demonstration projects provides students valuable work experience. It broadens their knowledge and enhances future job opportunities. Training highly qualified personnel is a priority for ISIS because it is the engineering graduates who will change the technological landscape in the long term. Special efforts were made over the past year to provide student researchers with increased opportunities to travel, visit network laboratories, present papers, and to attend the annual ISIS conference. They have responded, excelled and benefited accordingly. To enhance their own networking they have formed a student committee which has proven to be an important source of feedback for the Research Management Committee. It has been rewarding to see graduates from the ISIS program move into positions of responsibility in government, industry and academia, and champion the cause of using advanced technologies in the design and rehabilitation of civil engineering structures. The base is being laid for long-term benefits to Canadians. ISIS Canada has always recognized that the lack of appropriate design codes would be a constraint to the widespread utilization of ISIS technologies. For this reason, much effort has been expended to develop guidelines and manuals for design engineers in the infrastructure sector. One of the greatest achievements of the Network over the past year has been the development of draft manuals covering the four major areas of the ISIS research program. Nationally, the manuals are the precursor to Canadian codes. Internationally, they are perceived as an important resource. These documents are currently undergoing an international peer review process prior to finalization in the spring of 2001. Crumbling infrastructure is a global issue and so is the race to develop solution-oriented technologies. International collaboration is one way for ISIS to ensure it is not duplicating the work of others and to enhance widespread use of its own technologies. In the past year we have hosted members from the ConFibreCrete Network of Europe, a delegation of infrastructure specialists from the United States, as well as several professors from universities around the world. Project Leaders have taken advantage of research exchange agreements, such as with the Université Claude-Bernard in France, and the student exchange agreement with Nagaoka University of Technology in Japan. ISIS researchers are in great demand to present the results of their findings at conferences. Consequently, multitudes of such presentations have been made over the past year by Project Leaders and students. In response to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I have decided to leave ISIS Canada. On September 1, 2000, I will take up the position of Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction at North Carolina State University. However, at the request of the Board of Directors of ISIS Canada, I am pleased to continue my association with the Network in the capacity of Past-President. In parting from ISIS Canada, I want to thank the Research Management Committee, the Board of Directors, and especially our team of Project Leaders for the wonderful experience I have had as Program Leader and President. Through this NCE program, opportunity abounds for all ISIS participants. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Sami H. Rizkalla, Ph.D., P.Eng. President

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