On June 5-8 2018, the 2nd International Workshop on Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures (DSCS-2018), organized by the International and Russian Academies of Engineering, the Italian Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI Italy), International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), and the International Federation of Structural Concrete (fib) was held at the “Ismailovo” Congress Center in Moscow. The previous International Workshop took place in Bologna, Italy, in 2014.
The Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, Research Center of Construction, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering and other organizations took part in the preparation and development of the Workshop. Workshop was sponsored by Rusatom Energy International, Sukholozhsk Cement, Construction Technologies Development Center (Krasnodar), Materials Advanced Services (Argentina) and Reoplast (Saint-Petersburg). The info partners of the Workshop were the leading professional journals, including “Construction Materials”, “Industrial and Civil Construction”, “Nanotechnologies in Construction: a Scientific Internet Journal”, as well as one of the leaders of specialized industry magazines in Russia and abroad “CPI Concrete Plant International”, published in 11 languages in many countries of the world. The sponsors and info partners were awarded diplomas of participation.
At the six plenary and 24 breakout sessions, 180 participants from almost 40 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and EU countries discussed the prospects of concrete and reinforced concrete applications in the world, as well as their accumulated experience gained in recent years. The complete range of foreign and domestic construction science was present at the Workshop. World-renowned authorities, including Prof. Nemkumar Banthia as Special envoy of the American Concrete Institute (Canada), presidents and honorary members of specialized international organizations, such as Prof. Ravindra Gettu (India), Prof. Surendra Shah (USA), Prof. Richard Douglas Hooton (Canada), Prof. Mario Alberto Chiorino (Italy) gave their presentations at the Workshop. A curious report was brought by the correspondingt member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the IAE and REA, B.V. Gusev regarding the 150th anniversary of the Periodic table of chemical elements, which will be celebrated by the international community next year.
The Builders Association of Russia (N.P.Koshman), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (L.S. Barinova), the administration of the Moscow State university of Civil Engineering, the International Congressional Service Agency were all contributing to the organization of the event. The Deputy Mayor of City of Moscow in the Government of Moscow on the urban policy and construction M. S. Khusnullin had sent his greetings to the participants of the Workshop.
The Workshop papers will be published by the American Concrete Institute as a Special Publication (SP ACI 326), their electronic version will also be available. They will be indexed in the leading international indices and distributed among the main world libraries, including the US Congress Library. There are presenting around 200 reports concerning the most relevant issues of concrete and reinforced concrete.
The Workshop was included into the Plans of activities of some of the most significant specialized international organizations: International Academy of Engineering, American Concrete Institute (ACI), International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), International Federation of Structural Concrete (fib) and others.
The Workshop delegates, who came from various countries around the world, as well as from different cities and regions in Russia had the opportunity to both discuss with their colleagues a lot of problems related to the development of concrete and reinforced concrete, and also to go sightseeing around Moscow, to visit the most interesting construction sites in the City and visit the modern research centers and laboratories. The unique architecture of the “Moscow City” business center, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and the Victory Monument and the Victory Park Memorial on Poklonnaya Hill – they are all achievement of Russia’s modern construction workers.
All the participants noted the very high organizational level of the Workshop and the scientific discussions within it, a large practical and innovative focus and also the novelty and relevance of current global research. Workshop became a good platform for active dialogue between specialists, business and government aimed joint discussion of sustainable development at the international level. Unfortunately, it was a pity that there were certainly not enough Russian representatives involved (not more than 20%).
The next, 3rd Workshop on Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures will take place in 2021. Delegates from Canada and India submitted their offers to the Organizational Committee.
The complete program and the photos of the Workshop could be accessed at http://www.aciitaly.com/events/dscs2018/index.php. The final report on the Workshop is in production.