Scope and topics
With the congress motto “Structural Concrete 2050: Towards Carbon Neutrality, AI Design, and Robotic Construction,” we invite delegates to submit papers that will help shape the future of structural concrete.
Topics can include recent advancements in materials for structural concrete, innovative construction and prefabrication methods, new tools for design and analysis, novel approaches for existing concrete structures, cutting-edge projects, and noteworthy case studies, as well as recently approved or ongoing work related to codes, standards, pre-norms, and guidelines for concrete structures.
Topic 1: Materials for Structural Concrete
- Eco-efficient and low-carbon concretes
- High-performance concrete
- Advanced materials
- Materials’ durability
- FRP reinforcements
- Reinforcing steel
- Prestressing materials and systems
Topic 2: Construction and Prefabrication
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
- Automation in concrete industry
- Other new technologies
- Reuse and circularity
- Composite structures
Topic 3: Design & Analysis
- AI-supported design
- BIM and Digital twins
- Life cycle based design
- Structural resilience and robustness
- Seismic design
- Numerical modelling for design
- Experimental testing for design
Topic 4: Existing Concrete Structures
- Assessment
- Maintenance, protection and repair
- Strengthening
- Seismic retrofitting
- SHM – Structural health monitoring
Topic 5: Projects, Works and Case Studies
- Buildings
- Bridges
- Off-shore structures
- Dams
- Tunnels
- Other special structures
Topic 6: Codes, standards, pre-norms & guidelines
- fib ModelCode 2020
- New codes
- New standards
- Pre-normative documents
- Technical Guidelines
Keynote Speakers
Jose M. Adam
Towards robust prefabricated building structures
Jose M. Adam is a Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). He and his team perform research in the field of structural engineering, always aiming to improve the resilience of buildings and bridges. He is an experimental researcher, and his research has always been associated with ambitious experimental campaigns, including many on full-scale structures.
Prof. Adam is a founding partner of the spin-off company Calsens, Editor-in-Chief of Construction and Building Materials, and holder of two ERC Grants for the amount of €2.6 million. One of his research works was featured on the cover of Nature magazine.
Miguel Lourenço
JSJ Structural Engineering
Stress Field Models: A Powerful Engineering Tool from the Conceptual Design up to Detailed Design
Miguel Lourenço is a structural engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in the design and coordination of bridges, buildings, industrial structures, and rehabilitation projects. He is CEO and Partner at JSJ – Structural Engineering since 2005, having led over 200 projects. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (2010) and was awarded the Ferry Borges Prize in 2008. He is convener of fib WP2.2.4 “Strut-and-Tie Models”, a member of CT115 for Eurocode 2 development, and a certified Structural Specialist by the Portuguese Engineers Association and IPS. In 2024, he received the National Civil Engineering Award from the Portuguese Engineers Association for his professional excellence. He is also Invited Professor at Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (since 2013) and at Instituto Superior Técnico (since 2023), focusing on building design, rehabilitation, and structural modelling.
Kenneth J. Elwood
University of Auckland
Seismic Retrofit of Existing Concrete Buildings in New Zealand: Challenges and Opportunities
Ken Elwood, Professor at University of Auckland, currently serves as Chief Engineer (Building Resilience) for New Zealand Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment and the Natural Hazards Commission. He is involved in research and provides policy advice in relation to the seismic risk of existing buildings and design of new buildings. Ken received his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2002, M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1995, and BASc from the University of British Columbia in 1993. He has over 20 years experience on international standards and code committees, including ACI 318, ASCE 41, NBCC, and NZS 1170.5. Ken is currently serving as Executive Vice President of the International Association for Earthquake Engineering.
Carmen Andrade Perdrix
International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE)
Residual mechanical properties of corroded reinforcements
Carmen Andrade is Dr. in Industrial Chemistry, and Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Trondheim (Norway) and of Alicante (Spain). She has been Titular Prof. 2021 of the Chair “Construindo a Amanha” of San Paulo University-Brasil. She awarded several international prizes, the most recent in 2024, the fib Medal of Merit. She has been Research Professor at the Institute of Construction Sciences of the CSIC of Spain, devoting his research to reinforcement corrosion, ND corrosion techniques, concrete durability and service life assessment. She has been President of RILEM, UEAtc, WFTAO and the Iberoamerican Association for Concrete Rehabilitation (ALCONPAT International).
Geert De Schutter
Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Ghent University
Active rheology control for 3D Concrete printing
Geert De Schutter is a Research Professor of Concrete Technology and Head of the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials at Ghent University, Belgium. He is an RILEM Honorary Member, ACI Fellow, and ERC Advanced Grant holder for the SmartCast project.
Prof. De Schutter has served as Technical Director of the Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory and was RILEM Director of Development (2009–2014). He is a laureate of several prestigious awards and has held visiting professorships in Japan, France, China, and Belgium. His research focuses on concrete technology, rheology, durability, and microstructure development, with over 700 scientific publications.
Ann Harrer
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Heritage Concrete: Conservation Approaches and Implementation of Repairs
Ann Harrer is a Principal at WJE in Los Angeles and a licensed professional engineer in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. She specializes in the assessment and repair of concrete structures, with a focus on the conservation of architecturally significant and heritage concrete. Her expertise also includes brick masonry, terra cotta, cast stone, and wood. She is active in ACI, APTi, and CPF, and received the ACI Young Member Award for Professional Achievement in 2019. Ann has authored numerous technical publications and presented nationally and internationally, including with RIBA and APTi.
Markus König
Ruhr University Bochum
Artificial Intelligence in Concrete Construction: Innovations for a Sustainable Future
Professor Dr. Markus König has led the Chair of Computing in Construction at Ruhr University Bochum since 2009. Recognized as one of Germany’s leading experts in the digitalization of the construction sector, he significantly contributed to the creation of the Road Map for Digital Design and Construction. His applied research and active engagement with industry have earned him several distinctions, including the prestigious Konrad Zuse Medal from the German Construction Industry Association in 2020. Professor König’s current research emphasizes developing innovative digital solutions for circular construction, particularly through the advanced use of artificial intelligence. His work leverages AI-driven methods to optimize efficiency and sustainability throughout the construction lifecycle, from design and planning to execution and asset management.
Sylvia Keßler
Helmut Schmid University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg
Shaping the Digital Future of Structural Concrete: The Role of fib
Prof. Keßler is Professor for Engineering Materials and Building Preservation. Her research centers on service-life design and condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures, with a strong focus on non-destructive testing and monitoring. She advances the integration of AI, digitalization, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve reliability and optimize maintenance strategies. Her work supports sustainable, data-driven infrastructure management across the entire life cycle. Prof. Keßler serves on the fib Presidium and convenes the fib Task Group on “Existing Concrete Structures: Life Management, Testing, and Structural Health Monitoring,” in addition to various national and international professional roles.
Technical Visit
More information coming soon…
Competitions
Students' Competition
Overview
As part of the 7th fib International Congress, we are pleased to launch an international Students’ Competition aimed at promoting innovation, creativity, and technical excellence among the next generation of structural engineers.
Objectives
Participants are challenged to design and produce a 3D-printed structural element that meets three key performance requirements:
- Lightweight construction – the model should be as light as possible.
- Load-bearing capacity – must withstand a target force of 60 kN.
- Energy absorption – should maximize energy absorption in flexural loading.
The competition is an opportunity to explore advanced fabrication methods, contribute to the future of sustainable construction, and engage with cutting-edge research in digital design and material technology.
Eligibility
- Teams must consist of up to three students (BSc, MSc, or PhD level) from the same institution.
- Each team must be supported by a Supervising Institution Advisor (SIA).
- A designated representative from each team must attend the fib Congress 2026 in Lisbon.
Key Dates
- Registration deadline: October 15, 2025
- Confirmation of registration: October 20, 2025
- Webinar 1: November 19, 2025 – Presentation of facilities and regulation Q&A
- Webinar 2: February 18, 2026 – Progress updates and feedback
- Final submission (report, presentation, video): June 1, 2026
- Model delivery: by 4:00 PM (Lisbon time), June 15, 2026
- Testing day: June 17, 2026
- Winner announcement: June 19, 2026
Deliverables
Each team must submit:
- A scientific report following the fib Congress paper guidelines
- A 3–5 minute presentation in PowerPoint format
- A 1-minute video documenting the 3D printing process
- The physical model, produced using only cement-based materials
Evaluation
Entries will be assessed based on:
- Lightness (mass of the model)
- Structural performance (maximum load capacity)
- Energy absorption (area under the load-displacement curve)
Bonus points are awarded for innovation, aesthetic quality, and originality.
Awards
- 🥇 1st Prize: €1,500
- 🥈 2nd Prize: €750
- 🥉 3rd Prize: €300
- 🏆 Special Award: Most Innovative Solution
Top-ranked teams will also be invited to co-author a paper for Structural Concrete, the official journal of fib. Selected submissions will be featured in the fib newsletter and Congress website.
Further information:
Contact
For additional information or clarification, please contact: Prof. José Sena Cruz (jose.sena-cruz@civil.uminho.pt), Chairman of the Jury.
Technical Exhibition' Competition
The Quiz Game – technical exhibition aims to promote interaction between participants and companies, as well as enhance participant engagement in the fib 2026 Congress.
Rules
- The game will be held online in a quiz format (questions and answers).
Question topics
- The questions will be about the companies present in the Technical Exhibition (e.g., activity, products, services, projects, or initiatives presented at the booths).
Answer format
- The answer will be in multiple-choice format, with three (3) options, only one (1) of them is correct.
- Platinum sponsors may propose up to three (3) questions, Gold sponsors up to two (2) questions, and Silver sponsors up to one (1) question.
- Only registered attendees may participate.
- The game will run throughout the congress (from 9:00 a.m. on June 15th to 12:00 a.m. on June 18th). Only answers submitted during this period will be valid.
- Access to the questions will be provided via a QR code made available by the organizers.
Winner selection
- The winners will be the participants with the highest number of correct answers.
Tie-breaking criterion: If there is a tie, the winner will be the participant who submitted their answers first. Only the top three participants will be selected.
Prize
- The winner will receive a paper copy of the Model Code 2020. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will each receive a paper copy of an fib bulletin of their choice.
- The winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony. To receive their prizes, winners must be present at the ceremony. The organizers will arrange the delivery of the prizes afterward.
Sponsors who do not submit their questions and answers within the deadline set by the organizers, or who choose not to participate, will not be included in the quiz.
By participating, all parties automatically accept these rules.
Social Media Challenge
1. Objectives
The Social Media Challenge aims to raise awareness and engagement around the fib Congress Lisbon 2026 by leveraging the global reach of social platforms. By encouraging participants to share creative content related to the congress, the initiative will:
- Promote early visibility of the event within the international engineering and construction community.
- Encourage user-generated content that highlights Lisbon as a destination and the fib Congress as a unique knowledge-sharing platform.
- Strengthen community spirit and anticipation in the lead-up to the congress.
2. How to Participate
- Create a photo or video post that promotes the fib Congress Lisbon 2026. The content can highlight the congress themes, Lisbon as the host city, or personal motivation to attend.
- Share the post publicly on Instagram, or LinkedIn.
- Use the official hashtag: #fibCongressLisbon2026 and tag the official fib Congress account.
- Submit the official Participation Form before the deadline. The form will require:
- Personal details (name, email, country of residence)
- Social media account(s) used for the entry
- Link to the published post
Entries will only be considered valid if both the social media post and the participation form are submitted.
3. Eligibility
- This challenge is aimed at everyone with an interest in the activities promoted by the fib, including all fib members.
- No registration fee is required.
4. Evaluation and Winner Selection
The winner will be determined based on a points system:
- 1 Like = 1 Point
- 1 Comment = 2 Points
The post with the highest total points across the eligible platforms will be declared the winner. Only genuine engagement will be counted. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to disqualify entries that show evidence of artificial or purchased interactions.
5. Prize
The winner will receive: One free registration for the fib Congress Lisbon 2026, including the Gala Dinner.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.
6. Timeline
- Launch of Challenge: 10th October 2025
- Deadline for entries: 30th April 2026
- Winner announcement: First week of May 2026
The winner will be announced on the official fib Congress Lisbon 2026 website and social media channels, and will also be contacted directly.
7. Terms & Conditions
- By participating, entrants grant permission for their submitted content to be reposted and used in promotional materials by the fib Congress Lisbon 2026.
- Content must be original and respectful. Posts containing offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate material will be disqualified.
- Participation implies full acceptance of these rules.
List of Approved Special Sessions
The Organizing Committee is pleased to share the list of Special Sessions that have been approved for inclusion in the technical programme of the 7th fib Congress, to be held in Lisbon from 15 to 19 June 2026. These sessions were selected based on their relevance, originality, and alignment with the main themes of the Congress. The full list of Special Sessions, including the title, conveners, and current availability for additional contributions, is available below.
| Number | Title | Submissions | Organizers |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS1 | Behavior and design of hybrid structures | open | Luís Costa Neves and Damien Dreier |
| SS2 | Structural robustness of cast-in-situ, precast, and composite structures | closed | Andri Setiawan |
| SS3 | Seismic Resilience of Precast Industrial Buildings: Design, Assessment, and Retrofitting | open | Hugo Rodrigues |
| SS4 | Low-damage seismic resilient concrete structures | closed | Hao Wu |
| SS5 | Punching and Shear in Concrete Structures | open | António Ramos; Leandro Mouta Trautwein |
| SS6 | Strengthening and Seismic Retrofitting of Concrete Structures/Infrastructures using innovative materials and systems/techniques | open | Francesco Bencardino |
| SS7 | Automated and Sustainable Concrete Construction – Bridging Research and Industry | closed | Peter Gappmaier; Mathias Hammerl |
| SS8 | Novel Monitoring Techniques for Concrete Structures | open | Numa Bertola; Alfred Strauss |
| SS9 | Physical modelling and assessment of existing concrete bridges | open | Yuguang Yang; Boyan Mihaylov |
| SS10 | AI based Concrete Production and Quality Assessment | open | Michael Haist; Sandra Nunes |
| SS11 | Long-term deformation behaviour of concrete | open | Michael Haist; Roman Wan-Wendner |
| SS12 | Repair of existing concrete infrastructures using high-performance materials | closed | Zhanchong Shi; Numa Bertola |
| SS13 | Global sustainable design and retrofit methodologies with advanced materials | open | Norbert Randl; Antroula Georgiou |
| SS14 | Advancements on bond in concrete | open | Giovanni Metelli; Akanshu Sharma |
| SS15 | From Diagnosis to Service life Extension: Advances in NDT, Assessment and Retrofitting of Ageing Concrete Bridges | open | Mohammad Mehdi Kashani; Alberto Meda; Zila Rinaldi |
| SS16 | Structural Concrete with Recycled Aggregates: Performance, Durability, and Design for a Circular Future | closed | Beatrice Belletti; Patrizia Bernardi; Marco Pepe |
| SS17 | Multifunctional low-carbon cementitious composites for structural and energy retrofitting of the existing structural and building portfolio: the experience of the HEurope SINCERE project | closed | Liberato Ferrara; Alva Peled |
| SS18 | Probabilistic reliability assessment | open | Miroslav Sykora |
| SS19 | Using Python digital tools for research and engineering practice | closed | Morten Engen; Diego Alejandro Talledo |
| SS20 | The Global Consensus on Sustainability in the Built Environment | closed | David Ruggiero |
| SS21 | Structural Performance and Sustainability of 3D-Printed Concrete | closed | Moslem Shahverdi; Saim Raza |
| SS22 | Strategies to design sustainable cement-based materials | closed | Belén González Fonteboa; Sindy Seara Paz |
| SS23 | Shaping Lisbon’s Underground: Concrete Solutions in a Geotechnically Complex Urban Environment | open | Alexandre Portugal ; Madalena Fernandes |
| SS24 | Performance of structures and infrastructure under tsunami loading and cascading | open | Marta Del Zoppo; Tiziana Rossetto |
| SS25 | Optimization-Based Strategies for the Design and Rehabilitation of Sustainable Concrete Structures | closed | Cristoforo Demartino |
| SS26 | The biggest case of Prestressed Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer in Brazil | closed | Beatriz Monteiro |
| SS27 | Seismic Design and Assessment of Floor Diaphragms in Concrete Building Structures | open | Andrea Belleri; Jose Restrepo |
| SS28 | Non-metallic reinforced concrete structures | open | Birgit Beckmann; Rostislav Chudoba |
| SS29 | Load testing of concrete structures using advanced monitoring technologies | closed | Steffen Marx; Chongjie Kang |
| SS30 | Challenges and recent developments in seismic vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of existing reinforced concrete structures | closed | Andrea Luchini; Maria Teresa de Risi |
| SS31 | Existing Regulatory Frameworks for Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Lessons and Challenges | open | Xavier Romão; António Arêde |
| SS32 | Accelerated Bridge Construction in the United States and Japan | closed | Alessandro Palermo; Tomohiro Miki |
| SS33 | Application of Steel–Concrete Composite Solutions in Bridge Construction | Luciano Rodrigues Ornelas de Lima; José Oliveira Pedro | |
| SS34 | Precast for the planet: sustainability, robustness, and efficiency in prefabricated concrete structures | Wit Derkowski | |
| SS35 | fib Bulletin no. 114 – Serviceability Limit States | Jan Vitek; Alejandro Perez Caldentey | |
| SS36 | A historical perspective upon structural concrete | Michel Moussard; Manfred Curbach | |
| SS37 | Polymer duct systems for internal bonded post-tensioning | Hans Ganz; Klaus Lanzinger | |
| SS38 | Technology and aesthetics of visual concrete surfaces | Ludger Lohaus; Tobias Schack | |
| SS39 | Restoration of the built heritage in exposed concrete | Jónatas Valença; Paul Gaudette |
Submission of Abstracts to Special Sessions
Authors are welcome to submit an abstract to one of the approved Special Sessions that are still open via the ConfTool platform. During the submission process, please select in the ConfTool platform the Special Session title or code and the corresponding topics related to the abstract. For any questions regarding the Special Sessions, please contact the Organizing Committee at the email info@fiblisbon2026.pt