Dr. Frank Bueker

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

frank.bueker@ubc.ca

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Frank Büker’s research focuses on the design, assessment and modeling of building structures under extreme loads. He joined the UBC Okanagan after completing his PhD at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Among other research studies, Dr. Büker led two full-scale experiments on moment-resisting frames under seismic loading at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. His doctoral studies have yielded several research papers and design guidelines for novel retrofits for precast concrete floors. He brings a wide range of experience, from experimental testing to on-site construction knowledge, paired with a strong background in mechanics and reinforced concrete behavior, to the table.
In the ASSET group, Dr. Büker is currently developing modeling approaches to better simulate the earthquake performance of conventional precast concrete walls. He has also established and organized monthly Structures Talks that enable students and academics to share their research with peers.
If not researching, Dr. Büker can be found outdoors on hiking or mountain bike trails or playing co-ed soccer. He balances outdoor activities with playing the guitar and the drums.

Research Interests

  • Nonlinear modeling of structural components and buildings
  • Seismic assessment and retrofit
  • Performance evaluation through experimental testing

Education

• PhD in Civil Engineering (2018-2023):

  • University of Auckland, New Zealand
  • Thesis: Experimental evaluation of the seismic performance of hollow-core floors and retrofits

• Bachelor of Engineering (Specialization in Structural Engineering):

  • TH Köln – University of Applied Science, Germany
  • Thesis: Residual capacity testing of damaged precast concrete floors – Test evaluation and investigation of failure modes.

Publications

• Journal Articles:

  • Büker, F., M. Parr, G. De Francesco, L. S. Hogan, D. K. Bull, K. J. Elwood, A. Liu, and T. J.Sullivan. 2022. “Seismic Damage Observations of Precast Hollow-Core Floors from Two FullScale Super-Assembly Tests.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 35(1): 125–147.
  • Büker, F., L. S. Hogan, K. J. Elwood, N. J. Brooke, and D. K. Bull. 2022. “Design Recommendations for Seating Angle Retrofits.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 35 (1): 55–68.
  • Büker, F., N. J. Brooke, L. S. Hogan, K. J. Elwood, D. K. Bull, and T. J. Sullivan. 2022. “Design Recommendations for Strongback Retrofits.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 35 (1): 69–84.
  • Büker, F., C. Poland, and N. J. Brooke. 2020. “Assessment of Existing Precast Concrete Floors: Hollow-core Worked Example – Revision 1.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 33 (2): 44–86.
  • Sarkis, A. I., F. Büker, T. Sullivan, K. J. Elwood, E. Brunesi, and L. Hogan. 2022. “Aspects Affecting the Nonlinear Behaviour of Precast Pre-stressed Hollow-core Units Failing in Shear.” Structural Concrete, 23 (5): 3021–3038.
  • Parr, M., F. Büker, G. De Francesco, D. K. Bull, N. J. Brooke, K. J. Elwood, L. S. Hogan, A. Liu, and T. J. Sullivan. 2022. “Load-Path and Stiffness Degradation of Floor Diaphragms in Reinforced Concrete Buildings Subjected to Lateral Loading – Part I, Experimental Observations.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 35 (1): 149–171.
  • Brooke, N. J., F. Büker, D. K. Bull, K. J. Elwood, R. S. Henry, and L. S. Hogan. 2022. “Overview of retrofit requirements and techniques for precast concrete floors.” Journal of the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand, 35 (1): 30–54.

• Conference Publications:

  • Büker, F., K. J. Elwood, L. S. Hogan, M. Parr, G. de Francesco, D. K. Bull, and T. J. Sullivan. 2024. “Earthquake-induced web cracking in hollow-core floors.” Proceedings of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering 2024, Milan, Italy.
  • Uwamahoro, C., F. Büker, G. Shishido, and L. Tobber. 2024. “Experimental Study of Grouted Dowel Connections under Monotonic Load.” Proceedings of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering 2024. Milan, Italy.
  • Büker, F., N. J. Brooke, K. J. Elwood, D. K. Bull, L. S. Hogan, and M. Parr. 2021. “Development and Validation of Retrofit Techniques for Hollow-core Floors.” Proceedings of the 2021 SESOC Conference, 14. Hamilton, New Zealand: Structural Engineering Society New Zealand.
  • Parr, M., K. J. Elwood, D. K. Bull, F. Büker, L. S. Hogan, A. Y. Puranam, R. S. Henry, and N. J. Brooke. 2019. “Development and Testing of Retrofit Solutions for Hollow-core Floors in Existing Buildings.” Proceedings of the 2019 Concrete New Zealand Conference, 12. Dunedin, New Zealand.
  • Parr, M., K. J. Elwood, D. K. Bull, F. Büker, L. S. Hogan, A. Y. Puranam, R. S. Henry, and N. J. Brooke. 2019. “Development and Testing of Retrofit Solutions for Hollow-core Floors in Existing Buildings.” Proceedings of the 2019 Concrete New Zealand Conference, 12. Dunedin, New Zealand.

Research presentation:

• Invited keynote presentation:

  • Büker, F. and N.J. Brooke. 2021. “Development and Validation of Retrofit Techniques for Hollow-core Floors.” 2021 SESOC Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.

• Seminars:

  • Büker, F., N. J. Brooke, and L. S. Hogan. 2023. “Assessment and Retrofit of Precast Floors Seminar Series.” Concrete NZ, Full-day seminars held in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Büker, F. 2022-2023. “Assessment and Retrofit of Hollow-core Floors”. Industry presentations at BGT Structures, Blue Barn Consulting and Aurecon (Engineering Consultancies), Auckland, New Zealand
  • Büker, F. 2022 “Earthquake Damage to Hollow-core Floors”. ACI convention (ACI 369 committee meeting), Dallas, United States
  • Büker, F. 2022 “Performance Observations of Precast Hollow-core Floors and RC Frame in Large-scale Super-assembly Tests”. Residual Capacity & Repair Workshop, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Büker, F. 2019. “Development and Testing of Hollow-core Floor Retrofits”. QuakeCoRE Emerging Research Chapter (QERC) – Monthly Research Meeting, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Büker, F. 2019. Lightning Talk on Doctoral Research (“Development and Testing of Hollowcore Retrofits”). QuakeCoRE Annual Meeting – Lightning Talk Finals, Nelson, New Zealand.

Professional Activities and Affiliations

  • Member, Structural Engineering Association of British Columbia (SEABC), Canada
  • Member, Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI), Canada
  • Member, American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA
  • Member, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), USA
  • Member, Structural Engineering Society New Zealand (SESOC), New Zealand
  • Member, New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE), New Zealand
  • Member, Concrete NZ, New Zealand

Honors & Awards

  • PhD Scholarship by BRANZ (2021/01 – 2023/08)
  • PhD Scholarship by QuakeCoRE – NZ Centre for Earthquake Engineering (2018/11 – 2020/12)
  • PROMOS Stipend by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) (2017)
  • Top of the year bricklayer apprentices award by Bauindustrieverband NRW (Construction
    Industry Association) (2016/09)
  • Deutschlandstipendium scholarship jointly awarded by Engineering company Grobecker and the German government (2014/10 – 2018/08)