Innovative Engineering and Materials Take Centre Stage at Double-Header Concrete Event

From November 10 to 14, 2024, Christchurch became the global hub for structural concrete innovation, hosting the prestigious fib Symposium and the Concrete NZ 1-Day Conference at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

Co-chair of the fib Symposium Organising Committee Alessandro Palermo gets proceedings underway.

These events brought together leading minds in concrete research, design, and construction, celebrating advancements in the industry while addressing resilience and sustainability.

fib SYMPOSIUM: A GLOBAL GATHERING OF CONCRETE EXPERTISE
The fib Symposium drew 640 delegates from 38 countries, showcasing an extensive technical program that featured 330 presentations across oral, monitor, and poster formats, supported by 16 special sessions. Five keynote speakers and six invited experts led discussions on critical themes, from earthquake engineering to decarbonisation pathways for concrete.

Spotlight on Earthquake Engineering
A strong focus on seismic design resonated throughout the Symposium, reflecting New Zealand's expertise in building resilience against earthquakes. Keynotes by industry leaders included:

• Des Bull, who highlighted New Zealand’s global leadership in seismic design.
• Prof. Laura Lowes, presenting advanced models for simulating earthquake responses in structures.
• Prof. Xilin Lu, who delved into innovative technologies for enhancing resilience in multi-storey buildings.

Concrete’s Decarbonisation Journey
With the industry striving to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, sessions explored strategies to reduce clinker content, incorporate supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and adopt carbon capture and utilization systems (CCUS). Keynotes included:

• Agnieszka Bigaj-van Vliet, showcasing practical low-carbon technologies.
• Steve Denton, emphasising sustainable infrastructure through updated construction Standards.

Enriching the Delegate Experience
Supporting events further enhanced the Symposium's value. Highlights included:

• Networking for Young Professionals: An Early Career Networking Event hosted by the fib Young Members Group and SESOC ESE Network.
• Technical Tours: Delegates visited the University of Canterbury’s Structural Engineering Labs, exploring the cutting-edge facility.
• fib Model Code 2020 Workshop: Attendees gained insights into integrating sustainability into design through this foundational resource.

A standout session, Australia vs. New Zealand 2050 Net-Zero Roadmap, saw representatives from Concrete NZ and the Concrete Institute of Australia exchange insights on achieving climate goals.

Rick Henry, co-chair of the fib Symposium Organising Committee, acknowledges presenters, delegates and sponsors.

CONCRETE NZ 1-DAY CONFERENCE: A FOCUSED FORUM
Condensed into a single day, the Concrete NZ Conference on November 14 welcomed over 120 day-only delegates, with a total attendance of around 350 as Symposium participants joined.

Introduced by Organising Committee chair Moustafa Al-Ani, the programme featured two plenary sessions, two concurrent sessions with a strong ready mixed concrete emphasis, and a lively Lightning Talks session.

Chair of the Organising Committee, Moustafa Al-Ani, opens the 1-day Concrete NZ Conference at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, opened the conference with a speech that acknowledged the concrete industry's contributions and future potential.

Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Chris Penk, shares his vision for the sector moving forward.

Key presentations included Ethan Page of WSP, whose award-winning talk, Sustainability in the Design and Construction of the CRL Te Waihorotiu Underground Station, set a high bar that was met by Dr. Fiona Crichton of Groov and Mike Botherway from Higgins Concrete who discuss strategies to foster resilient mental wellbeing.

Dr Fiona Crichton of Groov imparted some useful advice on how to manage day-to-day mental health challenges.

The Lightning Talks session returned in 2024 after a successful debut in 2023, with Tim Blackbourn of WSP being “live” voted by the audience as having prepared and presented the best talk with Pioneers: A Brief History of Concrete in NZ.

With an engaging mix of thoughtful observations and historical insights Tim Blackbourn's Lightning Talk ticked all the boxes.

fib Symposium and Concrete NZ Conference Highlights

• Symposium and Conference Summary

• Sandy Cormack Best Paper Award

• Concrete Cricket Bat Competition