From Research Labs to Real-World Engineering: Meet BOCA Staff Engineer Ruite “Ray” Qiang

BOCA adds high-strength expertise in wood-frame testing and design with Ray Qiang, PhD structural engineering specialist.

From China, to Germany, to Canada, Ray Qiang’s journey has been driven by one thing: a pursuit of knowledge and engineering excellence.

After completing his undergraduate studies in China and earning his Master’s degree in Germany, Ray recently completed his PhD at the University of Victoria and has now joined BOCA Engineering as one of our newest structural engineering specialists.

Although deeply rooted in academia and research, Ray has always been drawn to the practical side of engineering. As he approached the completion of his PhD research, he became increasingly interested in consulting, design, testing, and field applications within the engineering industry.

Following an initial screening call with BOCA’s recruiting agency, Ray met virtually with BOCA President Chris Bowness. What started as a typical interview quickly evolved into a deeper technical discussion, sparked by Ray’s unique international academic background and specialized research experience. That conversation eventually led to an in-person interview at BOCA’s Victoria office, where Ray’s technical curiosity and drive for growth stood out immediately and ultimately leading to a full-time position with the company.

Ray’s PhD focused on high-capacity wood-frame shear walls, in some cases up to three times greater than conventional systems. His work is especially relevant in British Columbia and other high seismic regions where demand for resilient wood-frame construction continues to grow.

His research involved extensive full-scale testing of wood-frame shear walls, including specimen fabrication, reversed cyclic testing, seismic equivalency evaluations in accordance with ASTM standards, and detailed structural data analysis. Beyond the theoretical and analytical aspects, Ray was heavily involved in the hands-on side of testing, setting up instrumentation, and leading complex experimental programs.

At BOCA Engineering, this expertise adds tremendous value to our innovative structural design projects along with expanding product evaluation and structural testing services. BOCA regularly performs evaluations of proprietary structural assemblies, where testing is essential to demonstrate compliance with seismic, wind, fire, and building code requirements. Ray’s background in structural testing, experimental design, and advanced analysis strengthens our ability to support clients through all stages of construction, from product development through to building design and code compliance.

Despite only being with BOCA for a short time, Ray has already gained exposure to nearly every corner of the company’s service areas. He has contributed to the design of one- and two-storey residential buildings, condition assessments of concrete structures, evaluations of specialized structures such as derricks and aerial highlines, and product evaluations for guardrails and exterior cladding systems.

“The variety and range of these projects is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” says Ray. “I’m excited to continue learning and becoming more proficient in all aspects of the work.”

What makes Ray especially valuable is his ability to approach complex engineering problems with both technical rigor and curiosity. He combines the mindset of a researcher with the adaptability of a consulting engineer — capable of diving deep into unfamiliar subjects, organizing complex information, and developing practical solutions for clients.

Emma Amiralaei, P.Eng, BOCA’s Director of Engineering, has these observations to share: “When I joined BOCA at the start of this year, one of my first impressions of Ray was his exceptional work ethic and specialized technical expertise. Ray’s professionalism and skillset are a great reflection of BOCA Engineering’s commitment to attracting and developing top talent.”

Outside of engineering, Ray brings the same intensity and discipline to his personal interests. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him weightlifting, arm wrestling, sketching, or exploring different forms of art and design.

At BOCA, we are excited to support Ray as he continues developing into a confident and highly capable structural engineer. With his strong technical foundation, international experience, and passion for continuous growth, we are confident he will play an important role in shaping the future of our team and the projects we deliver.

Read one of Ray’s published research papers here:
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Seismic Performance of High-capacity Light Wood Frame Shear Walls with Multiple Rows of Nails, Canadian Conference - Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering 2023, https://www.caee.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CCEE-PCEE_2023-Qiang-199.pdf