List of Special Sessions（closed）

SS ID:

SS01

Topic:

Mechanical Behaviors and Applications of Advanced Materials and Structures

Organizer(s):

Jia-Jia Mao, Beijing University of Technology

Xiangying Guo, Beijing University of Technology

Jing Liu, Huazhong Agricultural University

Description:

Advanced materials and structures is promising to foster innovation, drive sustainable development, and reshape the landscape of engineering by creating solutions that transcend traditional limitations and contribute to the evolution of cutting-edge technologies. This special session aims to provide a platform for researchers, academics, and industry professionals to exchange knowledge, share advancements, and foster collaboration in the mechanical behaviors of advanced materials and structures, and bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and their real-world impact on engineering structures. Submissions are encouraged in, but not limited in the following topics:

·     Functionally Graded Materials

·     Smart Materials and Structures

·     Metamaterials Design

·     Intelligent Broadband Vibration Reduction and Isolation

·     Energy Conversion and Vibration Energy Harvesting

SS ID:

SS02

Topic:

Decarbonising Building Structures Using Renewable Materials

Organizer(s):

Benoit Gilbert, Griffith University

Hong Guan, Griffith University

Description:

With 37% of the world energy-related CO2 emissions produced by the construction industry, decarbonising building structures is essential for not only mitigating climate change but also promoting healthier, more resilient, and economically vibrant communities. It represents a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development and securing a better future for generations to come. Consequently, most developed and developing nations have recognised the importance of addressing emissions from buildings and have taken steps to implement relevant policies.

This special session proposes a forum where experts, junior researchers, industry leaders and PhD candidates can discuss and present the latest innovations and materials to decarbonise our built environment. The session is organised by members of the newly established Decarbonise Building Industry international research network. The session includes but is not restricted to carbon-neutral materials and load bearing systems, sustainable construction techniques, life cycle assessment, environmentally responsive structures, and relevant policies.

SS ID:

SS03

Topic:

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Engineering Structures

Organizer(s):

Ke Li, China State Construction Technical Center

Chen Liu, China State Construction Technical Center

Description:

The BIM technology is treated as the foundation of digitization and intelligence of the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry, and the application of BIM has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and quality of engineering structure design, analysis, and optimization. The proposed SS is aiming at discussing the latest innovations, achievements and current trends in the fields of BIM-based information collection, data analysis, work collaboration, and result display for engineering structures.

SS ID:

SS04

Topic:

Design Strategies for Improving the Dynamic Performance of Offshore Wind Turbine Systems

Organizer(s):

Hao Ding, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Okyay Altay, RWTH Aachen University

Jinting Wang, Tsinghua University

Description:

Offshore wind turbines operate in a harsh marine environment with complex wave, wind, and structure interactions. The dynamic loads imposed on the turbine structure can lead to fatigue damage, structural degradation, and reduced system reliability over time. In general, the design and analysis of high-rise and flexible wind turbine structures require consideration of multiple interacting dynamic effects, including aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, servo systems, soil mechanics, and structural dynamics. Comprehensive design strategies that include all the crucial dynamic effects should be explored to improve dynamic performance of the turbine system, which helps ensure the structural integrity and long-term reliability, thereby reducing the risk of costly repairs and downtime. This special session aims to generate a platform for the dissemination of the state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice in this active research field and bridge the knowledge gaps across disciplines.

SS ID:

SS05

Topic:

Energy Absorption of Advanced Materials and Structures

Organizer(s):

Xinmei Xiang, Guangzhou University

Xin Zhang, Southern University of Science and Technology

Shiqiang Li, Taiyuan University of Technology

Description:

This session focuses on the way in which structures and materials can be best designed to absorb energy in a controllable and predictable manner. Advanced structures with optimized geometrical designs and material selections could outperform conventional uniform structures in terms of energy absorption capacity. Advanced geometrical configuration could reduce the initial peak load as well as increase the mean crushing load, which provides the structure the possibility to collapse in a more controlled manner and have a remarkable energy-absorbing efficiency. The materials have wide-challenging properties such as viscoelastic behavior, deformation behavior, and damage initiation and propagation mechanisms, which are important in assessing the mechanical properties of the structure. The advanced materials could be used in multi-purpose applications with their flexibility, energy absorption, and possibility of utilizing in new fabrication methods such as 3D printing.

SS ID:

SS06

Topic:

Graphene Reinforced High-performance and Multifunctional Composite Structures

Organizer(s):

Chuang Feng, Nanjing Technology University

Helong Wu, Zhejiang University of Technology

Zhicheng Yang, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering

Description:

Due to the possession of excellent mechanical and physical properties, graphene and its derivatives have attracted great attention as reinforcing fillers for various matrices in developing high-performance and multifunctional composites and structures. It is evidenced that a small amount of the fillers added into matrix can considerably enhance the performances of the composites. Apart from serving as high-performance structural materials, graphene reinforced composites (GRCs) can be used as smart self-sensing materials and metamaterials by utilizing their physical properties, such as electrical conductivity, piezoresistivity and electromagnetic properties, negative Poison’s ratio and thermal expansion. The experiments as well as theoretical work on characterizing and predicting these properties are essential for the practical engineering applications of these multifunctional GRC.

SCOPE:

Interested topics including, but not limited to:

1. GRC-based metamaterials;

2. GRC-based smart materials and structures;

3. Piezoresistivity/thermoelectric/electromagnetic/mechanical properties of GRCs;

4. Modelling and simulation on predicting the performances of GRCs;

5. Experimental investigation on characterizing the performances of GRCs.

SS ID:

SS07

Topic:

Multi-scale Dynamic Behavior and Design Principle of Fiber Composite Structures

Organizer(s):

Pengfei Wang, University of Science and Technology of China

Xin Li, Nanjing University of Science and Technology

Xin Zhang, Southern University of Science and Technology

Description:

Fiber composite materials/structures play an important role in aerospace, automobile, infrastructure and other engineering field. However, these composite structures may face the threat of external high-velocity impact, such as car collision, bird strike, and seismic loading, etc., which lay a hidden danger for the safety of these composites. Nowadays, multi-scale dynamic experiments and design principle of composite structures are still a big challenge owing to the complex composition and structural forms. Dynamic damage evolution mechanism, interface delamination criteria, and strain rate effect of fiber-reinforced composite materials/structures are still hot issues. It is necessary to fully understand the dynamic deformation mechanism of fiber composite structures for designing and repairing the microstructural configurations of composites. Thus, we hope to organize this Special Session to discuss the latest research progress in multi-scale dynamic behavior and design principle of fiber composite structures

SS ID:

SS08

Topic:

Machine Learning -based Structural Analysis and Optimization

Organizer(s):

Sawekchai Tangaramvong, Chulalongkorn University

Wenxiong Li, South China Agricultural University

Wei Gao, The University of New South Wales

Description:

This special session addresses state-of-the-art machine learning (ML)-based methods developed in the analysis and optimal design applications of engineering structures. Based on the set of input-output data collection, the ML approach constructs a so-called surrogate-assisted model that can provide the response prediction of specified dataset. The technique, in view of its computational advantage in bypassing conventional analysis procedures, has supported the fast-growing research discoveries, involving the implementation of complex nonlinear responses in engineering mechanics applications. The ML methods have been not only applied with metaheuristic algorithms under deterministic structural optimization, but also to perform the failure probability approximation under indeterministic analysis and design of structures. The areas of interest, but-not-limited-to, encompass nonlinear structural optimization, elastoplastic analysis of engineering structures, parametric identification, static and dynamic response prediction, structural damage detection and health monitoring, reliability analysis and design, etc.

SS ID:

SS09

Topic:

Advancing Modular Construction: Innovations, Design, Construction, and Sustainability

Organizer(s):

Zhenyu Huang, Shenzhen University

Kai Leung  Su, The University of Hong Kong

Chao Hou, Southern University of Science and Technology

Jiadi Liu, Tianjin University

Enfeng Deng, Zhengzhou University

Liang Zong, Tianjin University

Description:

The Mini-Symposia/Special Session on " Advancing Modular Construction: Innovations, Design, Construction, and Sustainability" aims to spotlight the latest developments and innovative methodologies in the field of Modular Integrated Construction across Singapore (PPVC), Hong Kong (MiC) and Mainland China (Modular Constructions). This session will provide a comprehensive platform to invite Young Professors and industry experts for discussing the integration of prefabricated modules in the construction of various engineering structures, focusing on low carbon material, modular systems, efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancements and cost effectiveness. Industry experts and research scholars will present innovative modular systems, Transportation, Construction Technology, Analysis, Standards, & Code of Practice, case studies and technological breakthroughs that highlight the benefits and challenges associated with modular construction, including reduced construction times, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and the role of digital technologies in enhancing precision and quality. The session seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the current trends, future prospects, and practical applications of modular construction in engineering, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
The specific topics included, but not limited to:
1) Modular Structures: Concrete, Steel, Steel-Concrete Composite and Hybrid Systems
2) Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Digital Technologies
3) Transportation, Construction Technology and Project Acceptance for Modular Structures
4) Analysis, Standards, & Code of Practice for Modular Structures
5) BIM, Operation and Maintenance of Modular Structures
6) Seismic, Wind and Extreme Load Design Consideration for Modular Structures
7) Development of Low Carbon and Sustainable Modular Structures
8) Application of Modular Structures in Marine and Offshore Environments

SS ID:

SS10

Topic:

Nonlinear Dynamics of Engineering Structures

Organizer(s):

Chaoran Liu, Beijing University of Technology

Jiaxi Zhou, Hunan University

Xiaodong Yang, Beijing University of Technology

Description:

Nonlinearity can be exploited to enhance the performances of engineering structures. Examples of intentional nonlinear designs in engineering structures include nonlinear vibration isolators, nonlinear vibration absorbers, nonlinear energy harvesters, etc. Besides, inherent nonlinear property may also arise when engineering structures experience large deformation or large displacement. The intentional or inherent nonlinearity makes engineering structures exhibit complicated dynamic behaviors such as super-/sub-harmonic resonances, chaos, and bifurcations. This special session aims to provide a platform for scholars to disseminate and discuss the latest research progress on nonlinear dynamics of engineering structures. Submissions are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Nonlinear vibration control of engineering structures
- Nonlinear vibration energy harvesting from engineering structures
- Integrated nonlinear vibration control and energy harvesting
- Chaos and bifurcations in nonlinear structures
- Nonlinear metamaterials and metastructures
- Dynamic modelling of engineering structures with inherent nonlinearity

SS ID:

SS11

Topic:

Concrete Filled Steel Tubular Structures

Organizer(s):

Hua Yang, Harbin Institute of Technology

Wei Li, Tsinghua University

Chuan-Chuan Hou, Beihang University

Description:

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures have been widely adopted in super-tall buildings, large-span bridges, and large-scale energy projects, etc., due to their competitive mechanical properties. They have emerged as a superior structural type for the main structures in modern major constructions. Recently, extensive innovative research has been conducted to explore the mechanical excellence of CFST, discover new possibilities in various sectors, and meet the diverse demands of contemporary infrastructure. Therefore, this special session aims to present the latest ideas, theories, numerical modeling and tests, design, and applications of CFST structures. It also serves as a platform for interested researchers to exchange future research topics and facilitate potential collaborations.

SS ID:

SS12

Topic:

Advanced concrete technology and composite structures

Organizer(s):

F.M. Ren, Guangzhou University

J.C.M. Ho, University of Queensland

Z.W. Yu, Guangzhou University

M.H. Lai, Guangzhou University

Description:

The symposium explores the forefront of innovation and application in civil engineering materials. Highlighting the latest developments, this symposium brings together researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals to delve into the intricate realm of concrete technology and composite structures. Topics include novel materials, sustainable design for concrete to mitigate carbon footprint, structural performance of sustainable concrete-composite structure, and advanced construction methodologies. Through interdisciplinary discussions and case studies, participants will uncover the challenges and opportunities in enhancing durability, resilience, and sustainability in infrastructure. This symposium serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration and driving forward the evolution of concrete technology and composite structures to meet the demands of our ever-changing built environment.

SS ID:

SS13

Topic:

Damage Identification Under Changing Environmental and Operational Conditions in Structural Health Monitoring

Organizer(s):

Dongsheng Li, Shantou University

Jiezhong Huang, Shantou University

Hongnan Li, Dalian University of Technology

Description:

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has received considerable attention for the last two decades. Regarding the broad industrial application of different approaches, the “problem” is the ability to detect, locate and assess the extent of damages in a real structure in-situ so that its remaining life can be known and possibly extended. However, an SHM system for in-situ or in-service structures poses many significant technical challenges. One of the main obstacles is the environmental and operational variation of structures. In fact, these changes can often mask subtler structural changes caused by damage. In the most of cases the so-called damage-sensitive features employed in conventional damage detection techniques are also sensitive to changes in environmental and operational conditions (EOC) of structures. Therefore, we solicit papers that at one hand shows the influences of EOC on damage identification and the limitation of existing approaches. On the other hand we need papers presenting new technologies to remove the EOC effects on damage sensitive features, damage indicators or damage identification approaches. At the same time, we are looking for papers presenting EOC-insensitive features extracted from monitoring data of structures in-situ.. Other research about data analysis and signal processing techniques w.r.t to structures under EOC-influences is also welcomed. We expect submissions addressing any of these challenges.

–Techniques for separating EOC effects from structural damage
- EOC-effects and their compensation on vibration-, guided waves-, acoustic-emission- or radar-based methods
– Feature extraction for SHM under changing EOC
–Data fusion-based structural damage detection under varying EOC
–Statistical damage detection considering environmental influences
– EOC-effects like temperature or humidity, etc. on structural responses
–Long-term monitoring and data analysis of structures like bridges or wind power plants
–Structural monitoring under operating conditions

SS ID:

SS14

Topic:

Shape Memory Alloy-based Passive Seismic Protection Technologies for Resilient Structural Design

Organizer(s):

Fei Shi, Guangzhou University

Cheng Fang, Tongji University

Osman E. Ozbulut, University of Virginia

Description:

Resilience-based design has emerged as an extension of performance-based design since the introduction of a framework to quantitatively assess seismic resilience. The typical characteristics of seismically resilient structures include the ability to resist and minimize damage, the ability to maintain key functionality throughout an earthquake, and the ability to rapidly recover to the target operational level after such an event. One of the promising strategies for the resilient design of civil structures is the use of shape memory alloys (SMAs)-based seismic protection systems. SMAs are a class of smart metals that exhibit several peculiar properties, such as the ability to experience large, nonlinear deformations but fully recover these deformations upon the removal of the loading. Although SMAs have been considered for various civil engineering applications, the most promising and widely studied application of SMAs is their use in seismic protection systems, such as dampers, bracing systems, and isolation bearings. This session aims to explore the latest research developments related to the application of SMAs in passive seismic control systems and create a platform to discuss challenges in technology transfer, future prospects, and practical applications of SMA-based seismic protection technologies.

SS ID:

SS15

Topic:

Metallic and Bimetallic Structures for Long-life Service

Organizer(s):

Huiyong Ban, Tsinghua University

KF Chung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Zhongxing Wang, Tianjin University

Description:

Innovation in structural materials has always been one of the most important ways to address the challenges of contemporary structural engineering. Various kinds of advanced metals and bimetals are developed, and getting increasing attention from the academic community as they possess both high mechanical and service performance, such as high-strength aluminium alloy, stainless steel, titanium alloy and bimetallic steel with two different metals being metallurgically bonded together. These structural-functional integration materials can provide ideal design solutions for long-life structures against corrosion, fatigue, etc. However, their unique material properties and fabrication techniques make the structural performance special, and thus innovative research work and findings are in need.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Bimetallic steel structures with stainless or titanium cladding
- Aluminium alloy structures and their fabrication
- High-strength stainless steel structures
- Corrosion resistance of advanced metallic structures
- Enhanced fatigue properties of advanced metallic and bimetallic structures

SS ID:

SS16

Topic:

Recycled aggregate concrete structures and components

Organizer(s):

Yuxi Zhao, Zhejiang University

Yue Geng, Harbin Institute of Technology

Haiyan Zhang, South China University of Technology

Zhenhua Duan, Tongji University

Description:

The construction industry has increasingly prioritized sustainability and eco-friendly practices, with the utilization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) structures emerging as a notable trend. Embracing RAC structures offers a multitude of benefits, including a reduced carbon footprint, preservation of natural resources, and cost-effectiveness. In recent years, RAC structures have garnered significant attention for their potential to foster sustainable development within the construction sector. However, while much research has focused on the material properties of RAC, there remains a need for further exploration into the performance of RAC components and structures to effectively apply them in concrete projects. This special session aims to address this gap by providing a platform to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and applications of using RAC in structures.
Interested topics included, but not limited to:
1. Advances in research on RAC structures, including reinforced RAC structures, Steel-RAC composite structures, FRP-RAC composite structures, etc.
2. Short- and Long-term performance of RAC structures
3. Static and dynamic performance of RAC structures
4. Design methods for RAC structures
5. Life cycle assessment of RAC structures
6. Case studies of RAC structures

SS ID:

SS17

Topic:

Bayesian System Identification and Structural Health Monitoring of Engineering Structures: Algorithms, Machine Learning Methods and Applications

Organizer(s):

Heung-Fai Lam, City University of Hong Kong

Jia-Hua Yang, Guangxi University

Jun Hu, Wuhan University of Technology

Description:

Significant effort has been devoted to modeling and identification of engineering structural systems based on measured data to understand and predict structural behaviors. Structural health monitoring (SHM) employs system identification and other technologies to monitor and assess various structures, aiming at ensuring structural safety, reducing maintenance costs and extending lifespan. However, engineering structural systems are typically non-linear, high-dimensional and complex. Identifying these systems based only on physics principles is challenging, and sometimes the identified systems cannot accurately reflect actual structural behaviors. Moreover, extracting interpretable information from monitoring data is difficult.  Vast quantities of available data, large computational power and rapid development of machine learning methods are revolutionizing system identification and SHM of engineering structures. Machine learning methods can bring together traditional system identification methods, knowledge of physics and data to augment modeling and identification of engineering structural systems. They can also provide a new framework for discovering hidden governing physical principles in data of SHM for interpreting the data and extracting information for assessing and predicting structural performance.
The need to explicitly consider the uncertainty due to incomplete information has been recognized. System identification and SHM in the real world with such uncertainties considered is challenging and pushes many traditional methods to their limits. A powerful approach is to formulate the target problem as a Bayesian inference problem where the posterior probability distribution for a dynamic system model is identified conditional on modeling assumptions and measured data. Much progress has been made with the Bayesian approach but challenges remain, such as characterizing the posterior distribution for complex models with many uncertain parameters and treating large datasets from SHM.
This special session focuses on system identification and SHM following the Bayesian approach, and welcomes traditional and machine learning-based methods, as well as applications. Possible topics include but are not limited to: (1) Bayesian system identification; (2) AI-based SHM methods and applications; (3) deep neural networks for data processing; (4) posterior distribution sampling methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo methods; (5) governing equation discovery combining machine learning and physics principles; (6) design and implementation of new or improved experiments and technologies based on ambient and forced vibration measurements, including determination of sensor placements for maximizing information gain about a system model.