When: Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Where: Room CAWP 2916 (Caseroom)
This event is open to all and will be held in person only.
Seminar Abstract
Mass timber is transforming the way we design and construct buildings, offering a renewable, low-carbon alternative to steel and concrete. But are mass timber buildings safe enough during big earthquakes? In this talk, I will share how new research is helping mass timber structures not only survive earthquakes, but also recover quickly with minimal damage. We will explore innovations in timber building systems and design concepts that make them both safe and sustainable. Drawing on case studies and lessons from my research, I will highlight how this knowledge is shaping building design and guiding the next generation of earthquake-resilient, environmentally responsible timber buildings.
Speaker
Dr. Minghao Li is an Associate Professor in Department of Wood Science and a licensed Professional Engineer in British Columbia. Before joining UBC Forestry, he was an Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.
With over two decades of research experience in timber structures, Dr. Li’s work focuses on developing innovative timber building technologies and advancing sustainable construction practices. He has supervised ten Ph.D. students and published more than eighty peer-reviewed journal papers. Dr. Li was recognized among the Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists in Civil and Structural Engineering in 2022 and 2024. He also serves on several national and international technical committees, including CSA O86 (Engineering Design in Wood), CSA O122 (Structural Glued-Laminated Timber), ISO/TC 165 (Timber Structures), and the World Conference on Timber Engineering.