Page 12 - 2021 Annual Report

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"Mass timber is an innovative wood product. When compared to traditional steel and concrete buildings, it offers the potential for quicker construction times, better seismic performance, and reduced carbon emissions. Pre-fabricated mass timber panels could also encourage the efficient construction of affordable housing.
However, mass timber buildings present unique challenges for fire safety design.
My research focuses on developing methods to simulate the behavior of mass timber structures during a fire, allowing researchers to study internal stresses difficult
to measure during physical testing. This research will help us understand
the fundamental behavior of mass timber structures and help engineers
design these structures for fire safety. My ARCS scholar award
has allowed me to research using mass timber as a safe and
sustainable new building material.
The building and construction industry is responsible for over a third of global carbon emissions. Unlike steel and concrete, trees remove carbon from the atmosphere as they grow, making mass timber usage an opportunity for more sustainable architecture.
I have been lucky to have female professors, colleagues, and friends to look up to as role models. Each has shown me how to be a better researcher and engineer. I hope to be that person for someone else.
ARCS Oregon members and scholars inspire me with the persistence of their dedication and hope that today's research will improve the future. I'm honored to be part of this community."
Julie Liu
College of Engineering Oregon State University
ARCS Named Scholar
given by: Sally and Cecil Drinkward