Simpson Strong-Tie announced that it is establishing an annual $100,000 donation for the next eight years to support Washington State University construction and engineering research in the new PACCAR Environmental Technology Building on the WSU Pullman campus.

The donation establishes the Simpson Strong-Tie Research and Testing Laboratory and an excellence fund that will support research in areas such as concrete durability, repair and retrofit; tall timber buildings, deck safety, post-frame buildings, and seismic retrofit. The funds will support fellowships for professors and graduate students and for equipment purchases. 

“We believe this partnership will drive our research innovations and lead to safer and more cost-effective buildings and structures,’’ said Candis Claiborn, dean of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “We are so grateful to Simpson Strong-Tie for their generous support that will help us discover these next-generation engineering practices while educating our future design and construction leaders.’’

WSU faculty have conducted research with Simpson Strong-Tie for more than 20 years in a number of areas, including new product testing, deck safety, and seismic risk mitigation. WSU researchers conducted leading research on deck design and helped to make changes to building codes to make them safer.

The PACCAR Environmental Technology Building (PETB), which was completed earlier this year, is a highly integrated, multidisciplinary facility that houses the Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC), as well as faculty who are conducting research in sustainable design, and environmental science and engineering.

“Simpson Strong-Tie is honored to support Washington State University by establishing the new Simpson Strong-Tie Excellence Fund at the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture,’’ said CEO Karen Colonias. “We are excited about the opportunity for increased collaboration with the university’s highly respected engineering department on testing and engineering programs.’’