The explosion turned the innovative lab building into an unintentional experiment
On that morning in downtown Prince George, UNBC’s Wood Innovation Research Laboratory was in the wrong place at the wrong time when an adjacent building formerly known as the Achillion Restaurant exploded. The blast would later be blamed on people trying to steal copper ruptured a natural gas line that was subsequently ignited by a cigarette lighter.
“It’s pretty rare that you get to see a building that you designed go through something as extreme as an explosion next door,” said Adam Gerber, CEO/principal of Aspect Structural Engineers. “Overall, the building performed better than anyone could have predicted or expected based on the severity of the events that occurred," Gerber said.
The prefabricated exterior wall panels were strengthened by floor joists and filled with ground-up rock insulation, which acted as a barrier to the fire and did not burn. “Eventually a wall will get wet and when it gets wet, how will you make sure that it dries itself and doesn’t sit there and rot or grow mould? In some ways the building is self-healing, and I like that.”
The lab is large enough to build a two-storey structure which can then be tested for earthquake resistance using hydraulic machines. The hydraulic pump and cylinders and computer system suffered the brunt of the water damage.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Payne re-appointed to second term as UNBC presidentHe first stepped into the role as the pandemic broke out
Read more »
UNBC Timberwolves add cerebral, playmaking midfielder Megan HolykHead coach Neil Sedgwick announced the addition of the 100 Mile House player to the Green and Gold
Read more »
UNBC researchers reel in $5 million to study impact of climate change on salmonThe team will look at the effects of climate change and human activity
Read more »
Advanced wood in construction plan praised by stakeholdersCanada's construction news
Read more »
‘I’m heartbroken’: Wood carver hopes to get tools back after long weekend theftCalgary artist Adam Baker lost $4,000 in tools to thieves over the long weekend. Baker uses chainsaws and other equipment to carve animals from wood.
Read more »
Cathie Wood's Ark Invest is buying the dip on tech stocksArk Invest CEO Cathie Wood has bought into the dip, adding positions in Amazon (AMZN), Tesla (TSLA), and Tempus AI (TEM) across the invest firm's ETF...
Read more »