Seismic design of buildings in Canada

Author: William Loasby

Date published

6 February 2024

Price
Free
The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

Seismic design of buildings in Canada

Guidance

Author

William Loasby

Date published

6 February 2024

Author

William Loasby

Price

Free

Guidance on seismic engineering design in Canada.

This guidance covers:

  • Local seismicity
  • Regulatory framework and historical background
  • Basis of design
  • Ground conditions
  • Design spectrum
  • Analysis and design process
  • Safety verfications

 

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
19

Tags

Guidance Seismic & Vibration IStructE London HQ Seismic and Dynamic Events Panel

Related Resources & Events

Course
A construction site revealing a concrete structure and scaffolding against bright sun is shown.

Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures - November 2026

Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures - November 2026
This course covers the design of common structural elements to Eurocode 2. Participants will be introduced to concrete material properties and learn about designing for durability and fire.
Date – 17 November 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
A building undergoing demolition

Demolition and structural refurbishment - October 2026

Demolition and structural refurbishment - October 2026
This course provides guidance on specific aspects of demolition and refurbishment from an engineering perspective, while addressing safety, environmental and sustainability influences.
Date – 6 October 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Regional
A modern concrete building with a large, curved roof and glass windows, surrounded by people and outdoor seating at dusk.

Architectural innovation through base isolation and exposed concrete

Architectural innovation through base isolation and exposed concrete
This talk examines the structural design and seismic resilience of the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) building, highlighting its exposed-concrete system, triple pendulum isolation, and construction challenges associated with a continuous, joint-free structure.
Date – 25 August 2026
Location – Online
Price – Free
Training
Construction of Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus
This lecture explores the delivery of an award‑winning, earthquake‑resistant project in rural Rwanda, examining context‑specific challenges of working with local materials in a seismic zone while building skills, supply chains, and lasting community impact.
Date – 21 May 2026
Author – Various
Price – Free
Blog
Aerial view of a demolished building site with debris, rubble, and two people walking on the right.

More than a field diary: the role of mission blogs in post-earthquake reconnaissance

More than a field diary: the role of mission blogs in post-earthquake reconnaissance
This blog, from Yasemin D. Aktas (EEFIT Management Committee Chair), discusses the importance of publishing mission journals which can provide a real-time account of the post-disaster recovery process.
Date – 21 April 2026
Author – Yasemin Didem Aktas, UCL
Price – Free
Training
A photo of earthquake damage

EEFIT: research grant showcase 2026

EEFIT: research grant showcase 2026
This lecture showcased how the annual grants supported two short-term projects that benefit earthquake disaster mitigation and post disaster reconnaissance efforts.
Date – 18 March 2026
Author – Yilong Yang and Sahin Dede
Price – Free
Report
Destroyed buildings and rubble from an earthquake in a mountainous region.

31 August 2025 Eastern Afghanistan earthquake - a joint virtual reconnaissance report

31 August 2025 Eastern Afghanistan earthquake - a joint virtual reconnaissance report
This joint virtual reconniassance report into the magntiude 6.0 31 August 2025 eastern Afghanistan earthquake details the earthquakes impact and aftermath.
Date – 5 March 2026
Author – Rafi, M., Aktas, Y.D., Smars, P. et al.
Price – Free
Wooden model of a Chinese Tulou dwelling for seismic resilience testing

A holistic approach to enhance the seismic resilience of the Hakka Tulou

A holistic approach to enhance the seismic resilience of the Hakka Tulou
The aim of this study, funded by the Institution’s 2024/25 Undergraduate Grant Scheme, is to provide a holistic approach to improving the seismic resilience of the Tulou.
Date – 26 February 2026
Author – William Dobney
Price – Free
Report
A LEGO-based testing kit for analysing seismic vibration

Constructing tomorrow: exploring LEGO-based solutions for modern construction challenges

Constructing tomorrow: exploring LEGO-based solutions for modern construction challenges
This project, funded by the Institution’s 2024/25 Undergraduate Grant Scheme, investigates whether a low-cost, programmable LEGO-based shaking table can be used to simulate real seismic activity using real-world earthquake data.
Date – 26 February 2026
Author – Diego Das Neves
Price – Free