Standards · Design principles · Industry insights · Practical applications · Canadian Codes, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

In our first three posts, we’ve journeyed through the “what and why” of Performance-Based Design (PBD), mapped out the typical PBD process and player lineup, and even gotten our hands dirty with the nitty-gritty of modeling, analysis, and verification. If you’ve been following along, you know PBD isn’t just a fancy buzzword; it’s a powerful approach to designing structures that meet specific, tangible performance goals.

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Design principles · Practical applications · Industry insights · PBD Toolkit Part 3: Analysis, Modeling & Verification

In our first two posts on Performance-Based Design (PBD), we covered the “what and why” – shifting from prescriptive codes to targeting specific building performance – and then we looked at the “who and how” of setting those crucial performance objectives. If you missed them, I’d suggest giving them a read first as we’re about to jump into the deep end of the pool.

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Design principles · Practical applications · Industry insights · Standards · Assembling Your Team & Nailing Down Performance Goals

Welcome back! In our last chat (An Introduction to Performance Based Design), we unpacked what Performance-Based Design (PBD) actually is and why it’s becoming such a critical approach, especially for us here in Canada dealing with everything from high seismic zones in B.C. to unique client demands across the country.

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Design principles · Standards · Industry insights · An Introduction to Performance Based Design

Alright, let’s talk about something that’s been gaining a lot of traction in our field, especially for those of us dealing with complex structures or designing in areas where Mother Nature likes to throw a curveball (hello, seismic zones!). I’m talking about Performance-Based Design, or PBD.

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Standards · Design principles · Practical applications · Navigating Serviceability (SLS) in NBC 2020

We spend a lot of time ensuring our structures are strong enough (hello, ULS!). But what about how they feel and perform day-to-day? That’s where Serviceability Limit States (SLS) come in. Sagging floors, cracked partitions, or that annoying bounce when someone walks by – these are all SLS concerns. The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 has brought SLS criteria more formally into the main body of the code (Article 4.1.3.4.), underscoring its importance.

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Standards · Design principles · Industry insights · Professional development · Tracing the Evolution of NBC Structural Design

Ever wonder how we landed on the structural design provisions we use today in Canada? The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) hasn’t always looked the way it does. It’s a living document, evolving with research, experience, and a continuous drive for safer, more reliable structures.

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