Influence of base rigidity on the load-carrying capacity of loadbearing masonry walls

Design of loadbearing, out-of-plane (OOP), tall masonry walls tends to have stringent limits related to their buckling stability and the scarcity of research on their structural reliability. This currently puts the masonry industry at a disadvantage as a construction alternative compared to other structural options. The proposed research investigates the strength of tall masonry walls […]

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Revisiting the personality-performance link

Studies on the personality-performance relationship have traditionally focused on relating stable individual differences in behaviour, thought, and emotion (i.e., personality traits) to stable individual differences in performance. Whereas this approach has undoubtedly advanced our understanding of the relationship between personality and performance, it is at odds with a recent call in the literature to conceptualize […]

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Upgrading of heavy and high-contaminant Hydrofaction™ Oil, to fuels blendstock with the use of Catalytic Steam Cracking

The Project’s objective is to continue the upgrading work executed in the previous MITACS Converge project with a larger focus on more challenging biocrude oils such as heavy fractions, high viscosity, high nitrogen, high ash oils that are produced from feedstocks such as “feed gate residues” in the form of manures, biosludges and organics from […]

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Characterizing wetlands of different restoration ages in central Alberta using drone-based information (an extension to current Mitacs project: Advanced mapping techniques applied to wetland drone base information; IT08204)

Wetlands provide important ecosystem services to human communities, such as groundwater recharge, storing floodwater, and supplying fishery resources. In Alberta, wetlands cover ~21% of the province, forming one of the Canada’s largest wetlands reserves; however, many of these wetlands have been impacted or lost through human activities. Over the past 30 years, there have been […]

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Sound localization for acoustic monitoring of bird populations in response to fire and oil extraction in Alberta’s oil sands region

Sound localization involves the triangulation of the location of a sound source by recording it on multiple microphones. One potential application of sound localization technology is to monitor the movements of vocalizing animals passively, without the need for a human observer. This project aims to further develop and test sound localization technology, then to apply […]

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An Integrated model of Geomechanics and a Multiporosity Reservoir Simulator to Investigate Improved Recovery Techniques in Shale Reservoirs

Shale reservoirs have become a very important source of hydrocarbons, especially in North America. Shales are rocks with very low permeability and therefore, produce the hydrocarbons stored in them is difficult. In order to do it, oil companies have to inject high pressurized fluids to break the rock. But, by using this unique strategy, most […]

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Evaluation of the accuracy of the in-situ individual particle sizing technology

The research objectives are to better understand the limitations of a new particle sizing system in terms of accuracy on particle size, of accuracy on size distribution, of accuracy on particle concentration and finally of size dynamic range. During the research project, the sources of the limitations will be identified and improvements to the technology […]

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Statistical Machine Learning Framework in Retention and Attrition Modelling

Customer or member retention refers to the ability of a company to retain its customers, and customer attrition, as the counterpart of customer retention, refers to the loss of customers. Developing a more accurate and comprehensible predictive model can help companies like Servus better understand member retention and attrition. This project is aiming at using […]

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Multi-Perspective Text Analysis of Social Knowledge Networks

Knowledge workers (i.e., researchers, business consultants and analysts, research-program managers) produce documents (research publications, analysis reports, opinion pieces, calls-for-proposals, and blog posts) through which they express their knowledge and opinions. They also read and review similar documents, produced by individuals and organizations in their domain of interest and expertise, to keep current with their domain. […]

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Probabilistic Life Cycle Analysis of Alternative Reinforcement Products in the Design of Concrete Structures — Phase One: Laboratory Durability Testing

Corrosion of internal reinforcement of concrete bridges represents a significant issue. Due to a presence of deicing salts, cycles of freezing and thawing, sustained and repetitive loads, the concrete loses its ability to protect the internal reinforcement. Unprotected reinforcement starts to corrode sooner than anticipated and, therefore, reduces the bridge service life. To avoid shortening […]

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