Research in focus: Peiman Azarsa

Name:

Peiman Azarsa

My pronouns:

he/him

Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow | Construction Materials Engineer

Department/Unit:

Civil Engineering

Location:

UBC Okanagan

Year I started working at UBC:

2022

Provide an overview of your research in 75 words or less:

Stormwater management in Canada is an important aspect of urban planning and environmental protection. Canada experiences a wide range of climatic conditions which can result in significant stormwater runoff. The Continuous Deflective Separator is used to meet trash Total Maximum Daily Load requirements, for stormwater quality control, pre-treatment for detention/infiltration, and bioretention. This research aims to increase the productivity of the current system by using a new screening system. Moreover, precast concrete is commonly used for underground stormwater management systems due to its durability and strength. So, another goal of this research is to produce sustainable concrete.

What first motivated you (or motivates you) to conduct your research?

Cement is essential in construction and infrastructure development, while it contributes to various environmental issues including carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption, air pollution, water consumption and pollution, land degradation, and waste generation. As a construction materials engineer, I was always looking for new methods and technologies to mitigate these impacts and make a sustainable environment for future generations.

What do you hope will change as a result of this research?

This research will have the following benefits:

• Durability: It can withstand harsh underground environments and resist corrosion.
• Strength: It can handle heavy loads and provide structural stability.
• Watertightness: It has lower leaks and seepage, ensuring efficient stormwater management.
• Design Flexibility: It can be customized to fit specific site requirements and accommodate different stormwater management strategies.

Are there any research collaborators you'd like to acknowledge and why?

I would like to thank Kon Kast Concrete Products Inc. and Contech Engineered Solutions for their contributions over this journey. The Kon Kast Concrete Products Inc. has provided funding and has been closely supporting the team. The Contech Engineered Solutions has introduced stormwater management technology and has been inputting data to develop a new screen for underground products.