Keynote Speakers

Dr. Brahim Benmokrane
University Of Sherbrook, Canada
Keynote Speaker

Professor Brahim Benmokrane is one of the world’s top in the field of structural concrete internally reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement. He has made outstanding contributions to research, teaching, innovation, and leadership targeting the development of FRP reinforcement for concrete structures and their durability, structural performance, field applications, development of design codes and standards and the relentless pursuit of knowledge transfer to industry. His research has significantly influenced the development of concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars, building codes, design specifications, and its practical use in North America and beyond. Professor Benmokrane holds the Tier–1 Canada Research Chair in Advanced Composite Materials for Civil Structures and the NSERC-Alliance Industrial Research Chair in Innovative FRP Reinforcement for Sustainable Concrete Infrastructures at the Department of Civil and Building Engineering at the University of Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, QC, Canada). His research has significantly influenced the development of concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars, building codes, design specifications, and its practical use in North America and beyond.

Topic of Keynote: Recent Canadian Developments Related to FRP Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, Design Codes, and Applications in Buildings and Bridges
Keynote Abstract

Dr. Ivo Caliò
Università degli Studi di Catania, Italy
Keynote Speaker

Topic of Keynote: Seismic vulnerability and innovative retrofitting strategies for RC buildings not designed to withstand earthquake loadings

Dr. Alberto Carpinteri
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Keynote Speaker

Topic of Keynote: Fibre-Reinforced and Hybrid-Reinforced Concrete: An Updated Bridged Crack Model with Softening Pull-Out Forces
Keynote Abstract

Dr. Paulo B. Lourenço
University of Minho, Portugal
Keynote Speaker

Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal, and Head of the Institute in Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, with 250 researchers. Experienced in the fields of non-destructive testing, advanced experimental and numerical techniques, innovative repair and strengthening techniques, and earthquake engineering. Specialist in structural conservation and forensic engineering, with work on 100+ monuments including 17 UNESCO World Heritage. Leader of the revision of the European masonry code (EN 1996-1-1). Coordinator of the European Master on Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Constructions, with alumni from 70+ countries and European Heritage / Europa Nostra Award (most prestigious in Europe). Editor of the International Journal of Architectural Heritage and advisor of the Conference Series on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions. Supervised more than 60 PhD theses and coordinate multiple national and international research projects. Awarded an Advanced European Research Council Grant of 3.0 M€ to develop an integrated seismic assessment approach for heritage buildings. Coordinator of an innovative training network sustainable building lime applications via circular economy and biomimetic approaches with 15 PhD students across Europe.

Topic of Keynote: Monuments and Historic Buildings: Earthquakes and Structural Engineering
Keynote Abstract

Dr. Adil Al-Mayah
University of Waterloo, Canada
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Adil Al-Mayah has a blend of work experience in both the engineering and medical fields, resulting in the licensing of ground-breaking innovations in both areas. Dr. Al-Mayah’s expertise includes material characterizations, composite materials mechanics, imaging, biomechanical-based deformable image registration, biomechanical characterization of soft tissues, and cancer mechanics. He is the director of the Imaging-Mechanics Integration Laboratory (IMILab) at the University of Waterloo equipped with a state-of-the-art high resolution (20 μm) computed tomography (CT) imaging system, in addition to advanced computing facilities. The IMILab has attracted many researchers from different fields including environmental, earth science, building science, applied health and materials, in additional to civil and mechanical engineering fields. Al-Mayah’s current research programs have resulted in the development of economical gripping systems for prestressing fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) plates and rods. These economical systems are epoxy free, compact, and reusable. Also, he developed innovative components-based material characterization methods that integrate mechanics into 3D imaging to account for the contributions internal components of materials including voids, cracks, and corrosion.

Topic of Keynote: Toward Durable Structures: Novel Design and Advanced Material Characterization
Keynote Abstract