A Commitment to Innovation, Sustainability, and Infrastructure Resilience.

About Kia Engineering Inc. and its Founder

Kia Engineering Inc. is a British Columbia corporation established in August 2023 and headquartered in Vancouver. The company is currently focused on research, scholarly activities, technical innovation, and professional development in structural and earthquake engineering, with particular emphasis on infrastructure resilience, structural dynamics, soil–structure interaction, performance-based earthquake engineering, seismic vulnerability assessment, collapse assessment, and seismic retrofit research.
The company was founded by Dr. Kianosh Ashkani-Zadeh, Ph.D., P.Eng., who serves as its President and Principal Engineer. Dr. Ashkani-Zadeh holds both a Master of Applied Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, specializing in structural and earthquake engineering, from the University of British Columbia.
During his academic and research career, Dr. Ashkani-Zadeh developed an advanced methodology for evaluating the seismic vulnerability and collapse potential of bridge structures while incorporating soil–structure interaction within a performance-based earthquake engineering framework. His research has been presented at national and international conferences and published through peer-reviewed scholarly venues. He has also contributed to the engineering profession through technical peer review, continuing professional development, and participation in engineering and research communities.
Prior to founding Kia Engineering Inc., Dr. Ashkani-Zadeh served as a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia and held engineering positions with internationally recognized organizations, including Parsons Corporation and WSP, contributing to the planning, analysis, design, and delivery of major transportation and infrastructure projects.
Dr. Ashkani-Zadeh is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), the Structural Engineers Association of British Columbia (SEABC), the Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering (CAEE), and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI).
Kia Engineering Inc. is preparing to transition to the provision of professional engineering consulting services following completion of all applicable regulatory requirements, including obtaining and maintaining the necessary Permit to Practice and implementing the required professional practice and compliance framework. Until those requirements are in place, the company does not offer or provide professional engineering services.

Selected projects and research activities from Dr. Ashkani-Zadeh’s academic and professional career include:

– Proposed Infrastructure Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability Center (IRISC) – Ongoing Independent Conceptual Research Initiative – September 2025 to Present
– Lions Gate Bridge No. 1481 Seismic Upgrade Study – Sep 2022 to Dec 2022
– City of Edmonton, Valley Line West Light Rail Transit Extension – Sep 2022 to Dec 2022
– Seismic Resilience of RC Bridges: Investigating Soil-Structure Interaction and Performance-Based Design Approaches – Sep 2014 to Nov 2022
– Investigation of Variation of Bridge Foundation Motion from the Free Field Motion – Sep 2015 to Jan 2016
– Seismic Behavior of Integral Abutment Bridges: Soil-Structure Interaction in Performance-Based Design – Jan 2012 to Nov 2013
– Nonlinear Response of a 20-Storey Steel Moment-Resisting Frame Building: Effect of Directionality of Ground Motions – April 2011 to Aug 2011
– R747/2A Dubai International Airport Roads Improvement – Nadd Al Hammar / Beirut Road Tunnel, Dubai, U.A.E. – Oct 2003 to Jan 2005
– Construction of Underpass at Airport Roundabout on Umm Al Nar / Shahama Road, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – Aug 2002 to Oct 2003
– R790-1 Ras Al Khor Interchange, Dubai, U.A.E. – Sep 2001 to Aug 2002
– R-690 Access at Jafza Main Gate, Dubai, U.A.E. – Sep 2000 to Sep 2001
– R114C Al Majaz Canal Area Roads and Bridges, Sharjah, U.A.E. – Feb 1998 to Sep 2000

Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada – Photo taken by Dr. Kianosh Ashkani-Zadeh, P.Eng., on August 18, 2024.

Advancing Structural and Earthquake Engineering Research

Welcome to Kia Engineering Inc.

Kia Engineering Inc. is a research-focused company dedicated to advancing structural and earthquake engineering through research, technical innovation, scholarly contributions, and professional development. Our research focuses on infrastructure resilience, structural dynamics, soil–structure interaction, performance-based earthquake engineering, seismic vulnerability assessment, collapse assessment, and seismic retrofit research.

We are committed to technical excellence, integrity, quality, and innovation as we prepare to transition to professional engineering consulting following completion of the applicable regulatory requirements, including obtaining the necessary Permit to Practice.

Bridge Engineering

Drawing on extensive professional experience in the 3D modelling, analysis, and design of major bridge structures with complex geometries and irregularities, together with ongoing research in bridge engineering and seismic resilience.

Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering

Advancing performance-based earthquake engineering through research, technical innovation, and scholarly contributions to improve the seismic resilience, safety, and performance of structures and infrastructure.

Seismic Design & Retrofitting Research

Advancing seismic design and retrofit methodologies through research, technical innovation, and scholarly contributions to improve the resilience, safety, and performance of buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure.

Seismic Vulnerability & Collapse Assessment

Advancing methodologies for seismic vulnerability and collapse assessment through research, advanced numerical modelling, nonlinear analysis, and performance-based earthquake engineering.

Soil-Structure Interaction

Research focused on understanding soil–structure interaction and its effects on the seismic response, performance, and resilience of buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure.

Construction Management Research and Experience

Research and professional expertise in construction management principles, project delivery, and infrastructure development, supported by extensive experience on major transportation and civil infrastructure projects.

Research Areas and Technical Expertise

Kia Engineering Inc. is currently focused on research, scholarly activities, technical innovation, and professional development in structural and earthquake engineering. These activities include advancing knowledge in infrastructure resilience, structural dynamics, soil–structure interaction, performance-based earthquake engineering, seismic vulnerability assessment, collapse assessment, and seismic retrofit research.

The company is preparing to transition to the provision of professional engineering consulting services following completion of the applicable regulatory requirements, including obtaining the necessary Permit to Practice and implementing the required professional practice framework.

Bridge and Tunnel Engineering Research and Experience

Extensive professional experience in the analysis, design, and construction of major bridge and transportation infrastructure projects
Research and development of advanced 3D numerical modelling techniques for structural analysis and seismic performance assessment
Specialized expertise in structural dynamics, soil–structure interaction, performance-based earthquake engineering, and seismic vulnerability assessment

Seismic Retrofit and Infrastructure Resilience Research

Research on seismic vulnerability assessment methodologies for buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure
Development of innovative methodologies for performance-based seismic evaluation and soil–structure interaction analysis
Research supporting seismic retrofit strategies and infrastructure resilience in accordance with current engineering guidelines and standards

“Dedicated to advancing structural and earthquake engineering through research, innovation, and technical excellence, Kia Engineering Inc. is committed to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and professional development while preparing to transition to professional engineering consulting following completion of the applicable regulatory requirements, including obtaining the necessary Permit to Practice.”