PEO York Chapter : Key Structural Changes in the 2024 Ontario Building Code

Event Information:

The Ontario Building Code 2024 came into effect on January 1, 2025, with a transitional grace period in place until March 31, 2025, for certain projects that were already underway.

This seminar will provide a focused overview of the significant structural updates introduced in the 2024 edition, particularly in comparison to the previous 2012 version. Attendees will gain insights into how these changes are influencing current structural design practices and regulatory compliance.

The session will also examine key differences between the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2015 and 2020, providing context for how national updates have informed Ontario’s code revisions.

In addition to code analysis, the seminar will highlight relevant project applications, including the design of transfer slabs and inclined columns, to demonstrate how the new code requirements are being implemented in real-world structural engineering scenarios.

Topics will include updated provisions related to wind loads, seismic loads, snow loads, and other critical structural clauses. While not a comprehensive review, the seminar is designed to offer practical and technical insights for engineers navigating the transition to the 2024 code.

Agenda:

6:30 - 6:35 pm   Event Opening

6:35 - 7:30 pm   Presentation

7:30 - 8:00 pm   Q & A

8:00 - 8:30 pm   Professional Networking

Our Guest Speaker:

Mohamed AbuGazia, Ph.D., P.Eng. 

Senior Structural Engineer, Stephenson Engineering

Dr. Mohamed (Gazia) AbuGazia is a licensed structural engineer based in Toronto, registered with both Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC). He holds a dual Ph.D. in Structural and Wind Engineering from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and Tongji University (China), awarded in December 2021. He previously earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in civil engineering from Ain Shams University in Cairo, in 2012 and 2016, respectively. His master’s research focused on the strengthening of concrete structures using prestressed CFRP laminates and external unbonded tendons, while his doctoral work investigated the structural performance of wind turbine towers under tornado-induced loads.

Dr. AbuGazia has received several academic honors, including the Dr. Robert Addie Graduate Scholarship in Wind Engineering and the Graduate Student Scholarship from Western University, as well as the Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship and Tongji University Scholarship for international students.

Professionally, Gazia has contributed to a diverse range of structural projects across North America, including high-rise and mid- to low-rise residential, commercial, healthcare, and institutional developments. His project portfolio spans major cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Oshawa, Niagara, Edmonton, and Calgary.