Dr. Clayton Pettit

Assistant Professor

Biography

Clayton Pettit is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. He holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Alberta, which he completed in 2023. His primary research interests include masonry wall systems, nonlinear simulation, and seismic design. He specializes in flexural rigidity of slender walls and in-plane shear capacity of squat shear walls. Pettit conducts large-scale experimental testing and advanced nonlinear finite element modeling in his research. He is currently embarking on projects to develop sophisticated numerical models for long-distance pipelines and conducts thermal analyses on masonry veneer envelopes. In addition to his research, Pettit teaches various mechanics-based courses, including Engineering Mechanics and Structural Analysis. He has adapted his courses for online formats and manages a successful YouTube channel that reaches aspiring engineers worldwide.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor
2023-01-01 — Present

University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB

Teaching and conducting research in structural engineering, focusing on masonry wall systems and seismic design.

Assistant Lecturer
2022-01-01 — 2023-01-01

University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB

Lectured various courses in the engineering curriculum.

Sessional Instructor
2019-01-01 — 2022-01-01

University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB

Taught courses related to structural engineering.

Courses

ENGG 130 - Engineering Mechanics ENGG 160 - Introduction Engineering Design, Communication, Profession CIV E 398 - Introduction Continuum Mechanics CIV E 660 - Advanced Structural Analysis CIV E 665 - Introduction Finite Element Method CIV E 676 - Behaviour Design Masonry Structures