Plenary & Keynote Speakers
9th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Concrete Technology (ICSECT 2024)
We are pleased to announce the plenary and keynote speakers for the 9th International conference on Structural Engineering and Concrete Technology (ICSECT 2024) :
Dr. Riadh Al-Mahaidi
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Plenary Speaker
Professor Riadh Al-Mahaidi is the Director of the Smart Structures Laboratory and a Professor of Structural Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. He previously held the position of Vice President (International Engagement) at Swinburne from 2017 to 2022. Before joining Swinburne in 2010, he was the Head of the Structures Group at Monash University. He earned a BSc (Hon 1) in civil engineering from the University of Baghdad and MSc and PhD degrees in structural engineering from Cornell University in the United States. Over the past 25 years, he has focused his research and practice on the lifetime integrity of structures, with a particular interest in structural strength assessment and retrofitting using advanced composite materials. His current research projects involve strengthening bridges using fiber reinforced polymers combined with cement-based bonding agents, improving the fatigue life of metallic structures using advanced composite systems and shape memory alloys, and assessing structure collapse through multi-axis hybrid testing.
Professor Al-Mahaidi is a prolific researcher, with over 250 journal and 270 conference papers published to date, as well as 18 authored/edited books and conference proceedings. To date, he has scored an H-Index of 60 and received several awards, the most recent one was the 2023 IIFC Medal for distinguished contributions to the field of FRP composites for construction through research or practical applications, or both. He was also the recipient of the 2021 IABMAS Special Service Award from the International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety. In 2019, he received the Magazine of Concrete Research Prize, from the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK. In 2016, his research group won the Engineers Australia Excellence Award for Innovation, Research, and Development (High Commendation) for the Multi-Axis Substructure Testing (MAST) System. In 2017 he was awarded the WH Warren Medal by Engineers Australia and in 2018 the ARRB Research Impact Award. Other awards included the Vice Chancellor’s Internationalization Award in 2012, the RW Chapman Medals in 2005 and 2010 for best journal publication in Engineers Australia Structural Journal, and best paper awards at ACUN-4 (2002) and ACUN-6 (2012) Composites conferences.
Professor Al-Mahaidi is a Fellow of various institutions, including Institution of Engineers Australia, American Concrete Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, The International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC), Institution of Civil Engineers (UK), and the Bridge Engineering Institute.
Topic of Keynote: Enhanced Structural Safety during Extreme Events through Innovative Materials and Advanced Testing Methods
Plenary Abstract
Dr. Stephen Foster
University of New South Wales, Australia
Plenary Speaker
Stephen Foster a Professor of Structural Engineering at The University of New South Wales, Sydney, and the former Dean of Engineering (2020-23). He received his PhD from the University of New South Wales in 1993 and has over 40 years’ experience as a structural engineer in practice and in teaching.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Fellow of Engineers Australia, Fellow of fib, Honorary Member of the Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA), a member Australian Standards Committee BD2, Chairman of sub-committee BD2/1 “Strength and Analysis”BD2/6 “Fibre Reinforced Concrete”, BD2/9 “Geopolymer Concrete”, Member of Australia Standards Committee BD90.5 “Bridge Design – Concrete” and chaired the BD90.5 working group on “Fibre Reinforced Concrete” and he is a Member of Canadian Standards Association Task Force on “Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code Ultra High Performance Concrete”.
He is the elected President of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) (2023-24) and member of the fib Presidium.
Stephen has over 380 publications in the field of structural concrete and concrete materials, with textbooks on Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete. His main research interests are in the fields of bringing new materials technologies to the design concrete structures, including fibre and ultra-high-performance concrete, low carbon construction materials such as Geopolymer and alkaline activated concretes and high strength reinforcing steels.
He chaired committee that developed the first national Standards Australia Technical Specification “Design of geopolymer and alkali activated binder concrete structures” (SA TS 199.
Topic of Keynote: Challenges in Decarbonisation of Concrete Materials and Structures and Pathways to Achievement
Plenary Abstract
Registration fee includes the following:
- Publication of 1 accepted paper in the proceedings. Publication of each additional paper requires a €250 EUR registration
- Buffet lunch for each day of the conference
- 2 coffee breaks for each day of the conference
- 1 banquet dinner OR cruise tour
Important information for accompanying person(s): Please be informed that the accompanying person can NOT be a co-author.
Co-authors, regardless if 1 author is attending, must pay the full registration fee.
The accompany person fee is only for spouses and/or children. Please contact us if you are unsure.
Virtual registration fee includes the following:
- Publication of 1 accepted paper in the proceedings. Publication of each additional paper requires a €150 EUR registration
- Access to all the sessions of the conference