Annual Report 1998/1999

Exceptional Progress President's Message In the past year, ISIS welcomed five new Project Leaders and two new universities as a result of introducing new fields of original research into the Network. The ideas for these projects germinated during an extensive tour of all ISIS research sites conducted by the Research Management Committee. The purpose was to give researchers an opportunity to discuss their future research ambitions and their role in the Network. New activities include seismic rehabilitation, fire resistance testing, and the use of fibre optics to measure temperatures and strain over long distances without the need for sensors. At the same time, we developed plans for the future. ISIS personnel continue to work on a variety of committees to accelerate the rate at which design codes are being established. This is normally a lengthy process to ensure optimum safety. However, because of the efforts of ISIS participants and rapid research results, progress toward codes is leaping ahead of schedule. Canada's new Highway Bridge Design Code has already been written and the Canadian Standards Association code is near completion. Members of both committees are well represented by ISIS researchers. Several design manuals are already in final draft form and will serve as a solid base for advanced teaching aids and Canadian codes when published later this year. The manuals form part of ISIS Canada's Theme 6 which deals exclusively with developing codes, guidelines and specifications. As design aids, the manuals go beyond presenting test and demonstration results. They are essential tools to move the technology swiftly into the public domain. The high value we place on preparing students for knowledge-based careers never wavers. Research students hone their professionalism in presenting papers to academic colleagues and private industry at the ISIS Annual Conference. They attend workshops at other universities and are given opportunities to work as team members on actual projects alongside contractors, engineering consultants and infrastructure owners. We have set our sights high on revolutionizing the design of global infrastructure. Equally important is our effort to develop and retain Canada's great young minds. Sami H. Rizkalla, Ph.D., P.Eng. President

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