Understanding the behaviour of cement-based materials and concrete structures across their entire lifecycle requires moving beyond single-discipline approaches. The increasing complexity of modern construction, driven by durability demands, sustainability goals, and digital transformation, calls for the integration of knowledge from multiple scientific and engineering domains. Such interdisciplinary collaboration, while essential, introduces challenges related to differences in methodologies, terminologies, and research cultures.
The SynerCrete conference series was initiated in 2018 within the framework of COST Action TU1404 “Towards the next generation of standards for service life of cement-based materials and structures”, which established a strong foundation for collaboration between material scientists, structural engineers, and experts in related fields. Since then, SynerCrete has evolved into a recognised platform for interdisciplinary exchange, continuing this legacy while expanding its scope and community. The third edition, SynerCrete’27, builds upon the success of the previous conferences (SynerCrete’18 and SynerCrete’23), maintaining its core mission to foster synergy between disciplines involved in the research, design, and application of cement-based materials and concrete structures.
The conference benefits from the patronage of the RILEM and active engagement of its Technical Committees, ensuring strong scientific grounding and connection to ongoing international research initiatives.
SynerCrete’27 aims to bring together researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to exchange knowledge and develop integrated approaches spanning material science, structural engineering, and emerging digital technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on multi-scale understanding from material behaviour to structural performance, and on bridging experimental, numerical, and data-driven methods. The conference also reflects the ongoing transformation of the field, incorporating topics related to digitalisation and automation of construction industry and lifecycle management processess. At the same time, it remains committed to addressing the fundamental challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration and to promoting effective knowledge transfer between academia and practice.
SynerCrete’27 welcomes participants from academia and industry, at all career stages, interested in contributing to the advancement of cement-based materials and structural concrete through collaborative and forward-looking research.
Farid Benboudjema and Agnieszka Jędrzejewska
Chairs of SynerCrete’27
Fragkoulis Kanavaris, Dirk Schlicke and Miguel Azenha
Chairs of the Scientific Committee of SynerCrete’27
Conference Topics
The focus of the conference is given to synergising interdisciplinary expertise on cement-based materials and concrete structures towards more robust and sustainable solutions on both material and structural level. The works on the following topics are welcome:
Sustainable and next-generation cement-based materials
- Alternative concrete formulations for climate adaptation
- Cement replacement materials and low-carbon binders
- Natural and calcined pozzolans
- Bio-based, alkali-activated and geopolymer materials
- Durability, ageing and long-term performance of novel materials
- Advanced experimental techniques and material characterisation
Performance-based, multi-scale and data-enhanced design
- Performance-based design approaches
- Multi-scale and multi-physics modelling
- Coupled numerical–experimental approaches
- Data-driven modelling and hybrid simulation methods
- Uncertainty quantification and reliability-informed design
- Innovative and large-scale testing methods
Structural health monitoring, diagnostics and lifecycle management
- Advanced sensing technologies and monitoring systems
- Data interpretation, fusion and decision-support for SHM
- Predictive maintenance and lifecycle performance assessment
Digitalisation in design and construction processes
- Building Information Modelling in structural engineering practice
- Integration of design, analysis and data environments
- Digital workflows across design, construction and operation
- Case studies and practical implementations
Sustainability, circularity and emerging construction technologies
- Resource-efficient and circular design strategies
- Innovative and industrialised construction methods
- Automation, robotics and digital fabrication
- Standardisation and guidelines for sustainable construction
