Lydell Wiebe

Dr. Lydell Wiebe is a Professor and Acting Chair of Civil Engineering at McMaster University. He specializes in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and seismic resilience, focusing on controlled rocking systems and steel structures. His research group combines large-scale experiments and advanced modeling to enhance building resilience in seismic regions. Dr. Wiebe holds a BASc (2005) and PhD (2013) from the University of Toronto, and an MSc in Earthquake Engineering from the ROSE School in Italy (2008).

He serves as Chair of CSA S16 Working Group 9 (Seismic Design) and is Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering. His teaching awards include the McMaster University Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award (2017) and the McMaster Students Union Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014, 2017). He teaches courses on structural analysis, seismic design, and civil engineering fundamentals.

• Research Focus: Seismic resilience, self-centering systems, and masonry innovation
• Professional Roles: Editorial Boards of the Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering

His research emphasizes transforming seismic resilience into a routine design outcome, with applications in steel braced frames and masonry systems. Recent work addresses foundation design, energy dissipation mechanisms, and probabilistic risk assessment for critical infrastructure.

• Awards: GJ Jackson Fellowship, HA Krentz Research Award
• Key Projects: Controlled rocking braced frames for low-seismicity regions, resilient masonry systems