Amir Fam
Building for the Future
As climate change continues to pose unprecedented challenges, Canada鈥檚 infrastructure faces increasing risks from extreme temperatures and severe winds, combined with increased demand as with traffic loads for bridges. Dr. Amir Fam is leading a research program to address these challenges, focusing on both adaptation and mitigation strategies for infrastructure durability and safety. As the Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Resilient Infrastructure, Dr. Fam aims to develop innovative solutions for bridges and buildings. On the adaptation side, his team will design corrosion-resistant bridges with longer life, retrofit existing structures, and create wind-resistant, thermally-insulated walls for energy-efficient buildings and homes using light-weight precast panels or 3D-printed concrete. On the mitigation front, his work will focus on reducing carbon emissions by developing introducing corrosion-resistant materials, developing rapid construction methods for lower impact on the environment and operation disruptions, and developing low-carbon structures through application of stronger concrete that reduces the volume of concrete used as with ultra-high-performance concrete.
Dr. Fam鈥檚 research leverages Canada鈥檚 only Rolling Load Simulator (ROLLS) for testing bridges, and large scale extreme-temperature environmental chambers at Queen鈥檚 with the goal to help future-proof highway bridges, buildings, and sustainable construction materials. The outcomes will shape critical infrastructure decisions and inform authorities on safety measures under extreme weather and loading conditions. Dr. Fam鈥檚 program will also provide essential training for graduate and undergraduate students, equipping them with technical and professional skills to contribute to real-world engineering challenges, and ensuring that Canada鈥檚 infrastructure is prepared for the future.