Matiyas A. Bezabeh
Ph.D.
Professor Bezabeh specializes in the evaluation and design of timber and timber-hybrid structures for earthquakes and strong winds. Prior to joining McGill, he worked as a Scientist/Technical Coordinator at Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin (RWDI) Inc. At RWDI, he coordinated the technical teams tasked with developing solutions to challenges in the wind design of tall and complex buildings. These solutions involved wind tunnel testing and dynamic structural analysis. He received his Ph.D. and M.A.Sc. from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, in 2021 and 2014, respectively. He developed a displacement-based seismic design guideline for a novel steel-timber hybrid structure as part of his M.A.Sc. project at UBC. He spent four years as a visiting research student at Western University (UWO) and conducted numerous wind tunnel studies at Western's WindEEE Dome and Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory (BLWTL). His doctoral work developed new performance-based wind design frameworks for tall buildings. The frameworks are included in the new Modelling Guide for Timber Structures and the second edition of Canada's Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings, published by FPInnovations. At the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE), he received the Young Scientist Excellence Award in 2018.
Professor Bezabeh is a subcommittee member of CSA O86 and chairs the Reliability-Based Design of Connections Task Group within the same standard. He also serves on ASCE's Performance-Based Wind Engineering Task Committee and is an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.
Professor Bezabeh's research focuses on promoting resilient and sustainable urban development through tall timber buildings. In particular, he is interested in performance-based wind and seismic design of tall timber and hybrid buildings, seismic risk assessment of mass timber buildings, self-centering systems, uncertainty modelling and propagation, aeroelastic instability of structures, wind directionality, hybrid aeroelastic wind tunnel testing, the inelastic response of tall buildings with supplemental damping systems, and near-collapse behaviour of structures subjected to strong non-synoptic wind systems.
- Ph.D., The University of British Columbia (2021)
- M.A.Sc., The University of British Columbia (2014)
- BSc., Addis Ababa University (2011)
- Timber structures
- Wind engineering
- Seismic design
- Performance-based wind design (PBWD)
- Nonlinear dynamic analysis
- Performance-based seismic design
- Experimental techniques in wind and earthquake engineering
- Young Scientist Excellence Award, World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE), 2018
- Mitacs Accelerated Ph.D. Fellowship, 2016-2019
- Mitacs-JSPS Fellowship, 2018
- University Graduate Fellowship, The University of British Columbia, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016
2026
Zhu, H., Aloisio, A., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2026, April). Development, validation, and application of reduced-order numerical models for post-tensioned cross-laminated timber rocking walls. In Structures (Vol. 86, p. 111397). Elsevier.
Maky, A. M., Romanic, D., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2026). Sensitivity analysis of structural response to thunderstorm downburst models. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 269, 106332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2026.106332.
Gholamizoj, K., Zhu, H., Salenikovich, A., Bezabeh, M., & Chui, Y. H. (2026, March). Seismic performance assessment of timber braced frames with dowel connections and slotted-in steel plates: Drift-and energy-based performance indicators. In Structures (Vol. 85, p. 111155). Elsevier.
Yang, Z., Liu, Y., Chang, Y., Dai, K., Zhong, J., Huang, E., ... & Bezabeh, M. A. (2026). Wind Tunnel Investigation of Heliostat Field Wind Loads and Load Reduction Measures. Renewable Energy, 125395.
Calayir, M., Tao, J., Mercan, O., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2026). Multi‐Hazard Wind‐Seismic Vibration Mitigation of Tall Buildings Using Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (TMDI) and Structural Modification: Numerical Optimization and Experimental Validation. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics.
Zhu, H., Bezabeh, M. A., Iqbal, A., Popovski, M., & Chen, Z. (2026). Determination of Canadian Seismic Force Modification Factors for Post-Tensioned Cross-Laminated Timber Rocking Walls. Journal of Structural Engineering, 152(1), 04025250.
2025
Berile, N. K., Bezabeh, M. A., & Bekele, S. A. (2026). Nonparametric sector dependence modelling for the directional synthesis of local wind climate and building aerodynamic responses: Adaptive kernel-based approach. Structural Safety, 119, 102671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2025.102671.
Risha, A., Bezabeh, M. A., Rogers, C., Feng, H., & Salenikovich, A. (2025). Life cycle carbon assessment of reinforced concrete, structural steel, and mass-timber buildings in Canada. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 52(12), 2375-2389.
Aloisio, A., Bezabeh, M. A., Pasca, D. P., Rosso, M. M., Giordano, P. F., Reynolds, T., ... & Kurent, B. (2025). Vibration-Based Wind Design Provisions for Tall Timber Buildings. In Holistic Design of Taller Timber Buildings (pp. 115-124). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Gholamizoj, K., Salenikovich, A., Chui, Y. H., Zhu, H., & Bezabeh, M. (2025). Structural performance of dowel connections with slotted-in steel plates for mass-timber braced frames. Journal of Building Engineering, 113959.
Zhu, H., Bezabeh, M. A., Iqbal, A., Popovski, M., & Chen, Z. (2025). Seismic design and performance evaluation of post-tensioned CLT shear walls with coupling U-shaped flexural plates in Canada. Earthquake Spectra, 41(3), 2203-2224.
Lin, X., Bekele, B. N., Bezabeh, M., Zhang, B., Yang, P., Li, Y., Tse, T.K.T, & Li, C. Y. (2025). Simulating stochastic wind loads using spectral proper orthogonal decomposition. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 235, 112876.
Berile, N. K., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2025). Performance-based wind design of tall mass timber buildings with coupled post-tensioned cross-laminated timber shear walls. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 257, 105981.
2024
Tang, J., Dai, K., Luo, Y., Bezabeh, M. A., & Ding, Z. (2024). Integrated control strategy for the vibration mitigation of wind turbines based on pitch angle control and TMDI systems. Engineering Structures, 303, 117529.
Zhu, H., Bezabeh, M. A., Iqbal, A., Popovski, M., & Chen, Z. (2024). Seismic performance assessment of post-tensioned CLT shear wall buildings with buckling-restrained axial fuses. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 51(7), 784-802.
2023
Dai, K., Sun, T., Liu, Y., Li, T., Xu, J., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2023). Seismic performance of RC frames with self-centering precast post-tensioned connections considering the effect of infill walls. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 171, 107969.
2022
2021
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., & Tesfamariam, S. (2021). Nonlinear dynamic response of single-degree-of-freedom systems subjected to along-wind loads. I: Parametric study. Journal of Structural Engineering, 147(11), 04021177.
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., & Tesfamariam, S. (2021). Nonlinear dynamic response of single-degree-of-freedom systems subjected to along-wind loads. II: Implications for structural reliability. Journal of Structural Engineering, 147(11), 04021178.
Tesfamariam, S., Skandalos, K., Goda, K., Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G., & Popovski, M. (2021). Quantifying the ductility-related force modification factor for 10-story timber–RC hybrid building using FEMA P695 procedure and considering the 2015 NBC seismic hazard. Journal of Structural Engineering, 147(5), 04021052.
2020
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., Popovski, M., & Tesfamariam, S. (2020). Dynamic response of tall mass-timber buildings to wind excitation. Journal of Structural Engineering, 146(10), 04020199.
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., & Tesfamariam, S. (2020). Performance-based wind design of tall buildings: Concepts, frameworks, and opportunities. Wind Struct, 31(2), 103-142.
2019
2018
Bezabeh, M. A., Gairola, A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., Popovski, M., & Tesfamariam, S. (2018). Structural performance of multi-story mass-timber buildings under tornado-like wind field. Engineering Structures, 177, 519-539.
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., Popovski, M., & Tesfamariam, S. (2018). Probabilistic serviceability-performance assessment of tall mass-timber buildings subjected to stochastic wind loads: Part I-structural design and wind tunnel testing. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 181, 85-103.
Bezabeh, M. A., Bitsuamlak, G. T., Popovski, M., & Tesfamariam, S. (2018). Probabilistic serviceability-performance assessment of tall mass-timber buildings subjected to stochastic wind loads: Part I-structural design and wind tunnel testing. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 181, 85-103.
2017
Bezabeh, M. A., Tesfamariam, S., Popovski, M., Goda, K., & Stiemer, S. F. (2017). Seismic base shear modification factors for timber-steel hybrid structure: collapse risk assessment approach. Journal of Structural Engineering, 143(10), 04017136.
Tesfamariam, S., Loeppky, J. L., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2017). Gaussian process model for maximum and residual drifts of timber-steel hybrid building. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 13(5), 554-566.
2016
Bezabeh, M. A., Tesfamariam, S., Stiemer, S. F., Popovski, M., & Karacabeyli, E. (2016). Direct displacement-based design of a novel hybrid structure: Steel moment-resisting frames with cross-laminated timber infill walls. Earthquake Spectra, 32(3), 1565-1585.
Bezabeh, M. A., Tesfamariam, S., & Stiemer, S. F. (2016). Equivalent viscous damping for steel moment-resisting frames with cross-laminated timber infill walls. Journal of Structural Engineering, 142(1), 04015080.
Previous
Dickof, C., Stiemer, S. F., Bezabeh, M. A., & Tesfamariam, S. (2014). CLT–steel hybrid system: Ductility and overstrength values based on static pushover analysis. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 28(6), A4014012.
Tesfamariam, S., Stiemer, S. F., Dickof, C., & Bezabeh, M. A. (2014). Seismic vulnerability assessment of hybrid steel-timber structure: Steel moment-resisting frames with CLT infill. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 18(6), 929-944.
Current postdoctoral researchers
Daniel Habtamu Zelleke
Xisheng (Eric) Lin
Current PhD students
Nahom K. Berile
Abebaw Abie Mekonnen
Mohammed S. Ibrahim
Ahmed Maky
Kalkidan T. Shewandagn
Lei Liao
Huanru Zhu
Zijian (Jerry) Liang
Current master's students
Sukhveer Singh
Meghan Egan
Karim Basha
Ze Yu (Thomas) Dong
Satria Rainville
Kylie Chan
Sean Cameron
Past students
Huanru Zhu (Master's)
Zijian (Jerry) Liang (Master's)
Aya Risha (Master's)
Simon Cleghorn (BEng)
Po-Yun Cheng (BEng)
- Performance-based wind design (PBWD) of tall buildings
- Seismic collapse risk assessment of mass-timber and hybrid buildings
- Probabilistic displacement-based design of mass-timber buildings
- Mitigation of excessive wind-induced motions in tall mass-timber buildings
- Nonlinear dynamic response of wind-excited tall buildings
- Experimental techniques in wind and earthquake engineering
- Uncertainty modeling and propagation
- Aeroelastic instability of structures
- Inelastic response of tall buildings with supplemental damping systems
- Near-collapse behavior and collapse mechanism of tall buildings under earthquake and extreme wind loads
- Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.
- Subcommittee member of CSA O86 standard.
- Chair of the Reliability-Based Design of Connections Task Group within the CSA O86 standard.
- Editorial board member of the International Journal of Earthquake and Impact Engineering.
- Member of the ASCE Performance-Based Wind Engineering Committee of the SEI Technical Activities Division.
- Member of the working groups 2 and 3, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA20139, Holistic Design of Taller Timber Buildings (HELEN).
- Member of the American Society for Testing and Materials Committee D07 (Wood) and E06 (Performance of Buildings).
- Mentor for the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology PhD (IBET-PhD) project.