Canadian Scientists Study how to Adapt Building Codes to Weather Changes

When storm winds howl and rivers flood, buildings take the brunt. And as climate change makes all kinds of extreme weather more frequent and more destructive, scientists at the Canadian National Research Council are trying to figure out how to ensure Canada’s built environment is ready. The council is coming to the end of a five-year research program that has considered how changing weather and the new norms it brings will change stresses on buildings, roads, wastewater, transit, bridges and other infrastructure. Marianne Armstrong, who manages the council’s research effort said “We’re going to see change in the way we’re designing new buildings to help prevent the spread of wildfire, prevent the damage from flooding. We want to create a culture of thinking about resiliency.”