On July 1st, 2016, the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering welcomed Dr. Amir Fam as the journal’s new Co-Editor. Dr. Fam is Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and the Donald and Sarah Munro Chair Professor in Engineering and Applied Science at Queen’s University. Dr. Fam is replacing Dr. Michael Bartlett – we would like to thank Dr. Bartlett for his hard work and commitment to the journal, and we are grateful for his service.
Dr. Fam has served as Associate Editor for CJCE for a number of years and we are excited to see him take on more responsibility and guide the journal towards his vision of the future of Canadian civil engineering.
We spoke with Dr. Fam to learn a bit more about his interests and experiences. Please help us in welcoming Dr. Fam to his new role with the journal!
Image: Royal Society of Canada
Q: What inspired your passion for engineering?
I enjoy building things that are strong and stable enough to stand on their own! My love for engineering started in high school, where I developed a general interest in ‘buildings’. As I was starting to solidify my career path, I went through a period of confusion, where I felt torn between ‘architectural’ and ‘structural’ aspects of design, which many of us experience at this early stage. I finally realized that structural design was what interested me the most, though I still like and enjoy the ‘architectural’ and ‘artistic’ component of buildings and bridges.
Q: Tell me about your research interests.
My own research and expertise is in structural engineering. More specifically, reinforced and prestressed concrete for buildings and bridges with strong emphasis on using fiber reinforced polymer as an alternative reinforcement and/or stay in place structural forms. My research aims for rapid construction and longevity of a durable structure with less maintenance.
Q: During your career, you have lived in many different cities, including Alexandria (Egypt), Winnipeg (Canada), Raleigh (U.S.A.), and Kingston (Canada). Have you noticed any differences in the way civil engineering is practiced in these drastically different environments?
In Alexandria, and indeed in many other parts of the world, cast-in-place concrete is much more common than pre-cast (prefabricated) concrete for buildings and bridges. This is the opposite in North America. I first noticed this when I moved to Winnipeg, where the precast industry is very strong and very efficient. This is likely due to the shorter construction season in Canada where installation of precast units is much faster. Labour cost in other parts of the world may be lower, which may explain why cast in place concrete construction seems to be more widespread. Precast, however, generally offers better quality control. Transportation of precast units is an important consideration as it adds to the cost significantly. For example, Winnipeg has precast plants in the city, whereas large prestressed concrete units have to be shipped to Kingston from elsewhere. Another thing I have noticed is that design for sub-zero environments requires special considerations, for example, air-entrainment in concrete to avoid freeze-thaw damage is essential. On the other hand, in places like Raleigh you have to consider the effects of hurricanes and high wind loading. One of the worst deterioration mechanisms of concrete structures, the corrosion of steel reinforcement, is almost everywhere! In Alexandria it was induced through ocean salt water and spray, and general humidity, while in Winnipeg and other places in Canada, it is induced by de-icing salts on bridges.
Q: Your term as Associate Dean at Queen’s University began on July 1st, how have things been going so far? What are you most looking forward to in this new position?
I started my Associate Dean and Editor positions at the same time. So far it has been great—there is a steep learning curve for both roles, but my background makes it easier for me to manage my new tasks—I was an associate editor of several journals for many years and, as a researcher, I have six years of administration experience in my department as the undergraduate program chair. My goal is to use my experience to serve the faculty, building on the excellent momentum established by others in the past few years. I will continue promoting research and scholarship, and assist in developing large collaborative research projects with hopes of attracting top domestic and international graduate students.
Q: How does your research affect the daily lives of our blog readers? What might be an unexpected role civil engineering plays in our everyday lives?
The notion that civil engineering is only ‘sky scrapers and bridges’, is a widely spread misconception among some of the public; it is much more than that. Civil engineering touches on almost every aspect of our lives. Civil engineering essentially supports our complete modern society: from the water we drink, to the homes we live in, to the roads and bridges we drive on, to the ground below our feet and that which we can’t see below us (like buried pipe lines and tunnels).
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges currently facing civil engineers? Where do you think solutions to those problems will arise from?
I think the aging, deterioration, and reduced functionality of infrastructure are some of the biggest challenges in civil engineering, particularly for bridges, roads, and pipelines. Global warming and rising sea water levels are becoming more and more of a threat to our shore lines and the infrastructure located along water fronts as well. Solutions to these problems must involve much broader thinking and collaborations. This might include non-traditional approaches and designs, new and durable materials, a stronger emphasis on longer-term planning and life cycle analyses, and learning lessons from other industries, including ship, aerospace or automobile.
Q: What motivated you to become Editor of the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering?
I always have enjoyed research, both developing and producing my own, and reading that of others. I also enjoyed sharing my research with the scientific and engineering communities through publishing. I have been an Associate Editor of this CJCE for eight years or so and I very much enjoyed this type of service and learned quite a bit through this journey. I also gained tremendous experience and developed and shaped my own style and vision of managing research and publications. As such, when the invitation came my way, I felt strongly motivated to take on this service role to share my experiences and vision.
Q: What are you most excited for about being an Editor for the journal?
I look forward to sharing my experiences with both authors and colleagues on the Editorial Board, and also combining my vision with theirs to make the journal among the top in the field. This effort will build on, and extend the incredible efforts and high standards already establish by my Co-Editor colleague, Professor Nihar Biswas of the University of Windsor, and my predecessors, including Professor Mike Bartlett of Western University. Among a number of things relating to maintaining very high standards and quality, I am particularly keen on shortening the time from submission to decision and making every effort to increase the impact factor of the journal.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy swimming and spending time with my family.
