CCMPA funding helps build innovation in Canadian universities and colleges

New programs and equipment, more researchers and green technologies
will help Canada's masonry industry sharpen its competitive edge

To see this social media release please visit: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/ccmpa/ccmpa-funding-helps-build-innovation-in-canadian-universities

MONTREAL, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - Researchers at McGill University are working on a green production process for concrete block that, if put into use across Canada and the U.S., could reduce our collective CO2 footprint by more than 3.2 million tonnes per year. Taking into account the potential carbon credits the process could generate — at $20 per tonne of CO2— it could result in additional monetary benefits of $64 million per year.

This is the kind of innovation being supported by the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA). CCMPA makes financial and in-kind donations to several Canadian universities and colleges, usually over five-year timelines. To date the organization has committed a total of over $2 million with most grants supplemented by funds from organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

In the case of McGill's work in carbonation, CCMPA is supporting the research with an in-kind donation of staff and materials totalling $31,200 a year.

"The project has just started in January (2010) but so far the results are promising," says Professor Yixin Shao of McGill's Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. He explains that the process being developed uses carbonation rather than traditional steam to cure concrete block, and uses manufactured aggregates (sand and gravel) to help achieve carbon sequestration targets — sequestration refers to the capture of carbon within the block in a way that prevents its emission into the atmosphere. In addition to reducing emissions, the process itself uses far less energy than steam curing.

"If such a process could be applied to all blocks in Canada and U.S.," says Professor Shao, "the environmental, economic and technical benefits would be tremendous."

Out in Alberta, meanwhile, Athabasca University, a Canadian leader in online and distance education, is working with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) to develop a four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture program. "Canada's newest architecture program will work to break down the geographical barriers of receiving quality education in architecture," states a progress report from the university. CCMPA is contributing $250,000 over five years to the initiative, and Alberta's Access to the Future Fund is matching the donation.

This kind of program development bodes well in today's economy — one that is digitally-enabled but is grappling with an aging workforce and, as a result, ongoing attrition in many skilled trades. CCMPA's support, therefore, is not only about innovating and advancing production, but also ensuring that the industry itself remains strong.

"Construction generates about 6 percent of Canada's GDP and employs well over a million Canadians," says Paul Hargest, President of CCMPA. "And within that sector, concrete masonry plays a foundational role, figuratively and literally." He points out that concrete block is one of the most durable, long-lasting and fire-safe materials available, adding that a lot of research and a certain set of skills go into ensuring that continued strength and production quality.

The seismic response of masonry, for example — i.e. the degree to which it withstands earthquakes — is a key focus of the research currently underway at the University of Calgary and Hamilton's McMaster University. In Calgary, CCMPA funding of $250,000 over five years is allowing researchers to develop and conduct tests that measure the resilience of historic masonry structures such as the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and the Prince of Wales Fort near Churchill, Manitoba. The testing in Ottawa is particularly significant following the June 23rd earthquake that, measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale, was centred just across the Ottawa River in Quebec — the region is vulnerable to quakes because of a major fault line that runs through the Ottawa Valley.

The seismic testing at McMaster University, which houses the largest masonry-research team in North America, involves the use of an industrial-grade concrete block production machine purchased in 2008 using $200,000 in CCMPA funds. McMaster is now producing test blocks for use at its own facilities as well as for donation to other schools — Dalhousie University in Halifax, for one.

At Dalhousie, researchers are testing the load-bearing capacity of masonry in-filled steel frames. The test results will form the basis of a technical paper the university plans to submit to the 11^th North American Masonry Conference in June 2011. CCMPA's funding for the school — $250,000 over five years — is supporting the recruitment and training of several masters- and doctoral-level researchers, and is serving as leverage for an additional funding request the university is making to NSERC. (Similarly, McMaster's $200,000 has been matched by NSERC, and McGill's work on green carbonation is receiving NSERC funding of $140,000 per year over three years.)

The University of Alberta is another institution that uses CCMPA funds to support a number of masonry-related initiatives. These range from ongoing research programs on how to specify concrete strength to the development of conference papers such as the one presented in July at the 8^th International Masonry Conference in Dresden, Germany.

"This funding is vital in helping us carry out our research," says Professor Yasser Korany of the University of Alberta's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "Though it primarily provides financial support to the students conducting the research, it also helps cover necessary computing costs and travel expenses." And, as is the case with other schools, it can lend weight to an NSERC application which, in U of A's case, will bring in an additional $75,000 over the next three years.

"Canada's masonry producers manufacture some of the best products and work to some of the highest standards in the world," says CCMPA's Paul Hargest. "It's because of research like this that these products are good, and our buildings are as safe and as durable as they are. The fact that they can withstand our harsh Canadian climate — snowstorms, heat waves, earthquakes and all — is a testament to their strength, as well as that of our industry. We intend to keep it that way."

PAUL HARGEST is President of the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA). He is also Vice President of MasonryWorx (the marketing and government-relations body for the masonry industry); Chair, A165-04 Block Standard (CSA); Board Member, Canadian Masonry Contractors Association; Board Member, Ontario Masonry Contractors Association; and Executive Committee Board Member, National Concrete Masonry Association.

ABOUT CCMPA

The Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association operates as Region 6 of the National Concrete Masonry Association and is the representative voice for the Canadian concrete block manufacturing industry. The Association supports concrete masonry producers and suppliers in a number of areas including standards, training, technological research, government relations, and marketing and communications. Through these areas, the Association works to ensure the highest standards of quality, and maintain the industry's strong market presence.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: The photo accompanying this social media release is also available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information:

OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL HARGEST:

Marina de Souza
Managing Director, CCMPA
Toll Free: 1-888-495-7497
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.ccmpa.ca