Pr. Satwant RIHAL Professor Emeritus, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A. |
AI/ML APPLICATIONS FOR DOCUMENTATION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE STRUCTURES IN DISASTER ZONES – ONTOLOGIES AND DIGITAL TWINNING Summary The world has witnessed unprecedented devastation, loss of lives, staggering losses and damages of cultural heritage structures, from the impact of catastrophic earthquakes during the past thirty years and beyond. Massive amount of observed damage data has been accumulated over many decades during the process of digital documentation of heritage structures around the globe especially those in disaster zones. There is an urgent need to document significant cultural heritage structures especially those in hazard zones, using the latest 3D documentation technologies. The objective is to develop ML systems to automatically process large damage data sets to assess damage and extract patterns of damage in heritage structures during natural disasters e.g. earthquakes, floods, fires etc. The approach is to develop an ontology that combines the geometric and physical description, as well as the cultural value of heritage structures and use it as a basis for developing the deep learning systems for heritage structures. The benefits are expected to be generalization of damage patterns to assist the development of plans and methods to restore and preserve heritage structures especially those in disaster zones. Some examples include the lessons from the historic mosques e.g. the Tinmel Mosque severely damaged during the Al Haouz, Morocco earthquake of September 2023; Mexico dataset – Colonial Churches in Mexico damaged during the September 2017 Puebla earthquakes; and Italy dataset – heritage churches and other historic structures damaged during the catastrophic earthquakes in Italy. |
Pr. Kolawole A. OLONADE Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria |
Smart and Innovative Materials Summary Our world is fast growing and the resources to support the growth are diminishing due to indiscriminating consumption of materials. Materials are indispensable in building infrastructure needed to support and drive economy and growth. They are exploited in manufacturing, production and more importantly in the construction industry, which is alone responsible for consuming about 40% of the global resources. There must be a paradigm shift in the way we consume, exploit and utilize materials. The global challenges of climate change, sustainability, habitat and infrastructure make demand for the smart and innovative materials to be more of necessity than a choice. This presentation gives account of material usage in the annals of history; it underscores indispensability of materials for human growth. It also emphasizes the need to develop new and smart materials that meet modern challenges. What are the features of smart and innovative materials? How are they produce and their uses? What are safety and regulatory considerations needed for developing these new materials? These are among other questions that this lecture set to answer. In conclusion, the presentation identifies innovative and smart materials to be at the forefront of technological advancement, offering adaptive and responsive properties that can significantly enhance various applications. They are designed to respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, and light, making them highly versatile for use in energy, infrastructure, and product design. The development and integration of smart and innovative materials are crucial for sustainable solutions and innovative designs across multiple industries. |
Pr. Mimoun CHOURAK National School of Applied Science (ENSA), Mohammed |
THE APPLICATION OF AI IN FLOOD HAZARD ASSESSEMENT AND MITIGATION Summary As our climate transforms and extreme weather events intensify, traditional approaches to flood management are reaching their limits. Yet emerging artificial intelligence (IA) technologies are opening unprecedented possibilities for predicting and mitigating catastrophic floods. This study explores how AI is revolutionizing flood hazard mapping and response. By bringing together different AI categories – from machine learning to reinforcement learning – advanced algorithms now reveal the full picture of flood hazard in ways previously difficult. Case studies will demonstrate how these AI applications are already saving lives and property, from rapid prediction in urban cities to optimizing flood defense infrastructure. The discussion will examine how AI-driven insights are empowering communities to make smarter decisions about flood resilience, while acknowledging both the opportunities and challenges ahead. Join us to discover how the marriage of machine learning and environmental science is transforming our approach to one of humanity’s oldest challenges. Our study will investigate not just the technology, but its profound implications for creating a safer, more resilient future in our changing climate. |
Pr. ROSCIA Maria Cristina University of Bergamo, Italy |
SMART RESILIENT CITY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY OF AFRICA Summary Cities of the future will be increasingly populated but still are not smart or energetically ready and cities must be planned and built only on the basis of algorithms, but should be a dynamic entity, resilient and sustainable. Africa’s urban population is growing much faster than in Europe and is expected to surpass the rural population by 2050, when city will increase to 62% and even today about 30% of citizens have no access to electricity or heating fuels. The new global sustainable development goals has set as a target universal access to affordable, reliable energy, sustainable and modern for 2030 . In the implementation of Smart Cities, Africa must not be left behind: promote fair, resilient and sustainable energy systems, responsible energy industries and access for the poor to clean energy, efficient and affordable services, must be a priority also for the European Community. Access to green energy and electricity, is crucial for reducing poverty and driving sustainable economic development, it is necessary an innovative and long-term sustainable approach to design energy services to meet the needs of people living in energy poverty and not only. Africa will be “the next big market” due to the emergence of many rapidly growing economies: Smart cities in Africa will be a challenge for the energy supply, use of renewable sources, a better quality of life, reduced energy consumption, less environmental impact. The key elements to achieve sustainability in developing countries will be the introduction of smart grids, smart metering, the Internet of Things (IoT), dissemination of information and communication technology (ICT): a new vision in which the citizen becomes a hub, being both consumer and producer of green energy, renewable energy spread widely in the area (solar, hydro, wind), through integration in smart grid. This paper aims to be a starting point for decision makers and for future research, highlighting how the Smart City, pose greater opportunity for developing countries like Africa, through new technologies already widely spread on the territory, jointly with the redistribution and efficient use of alternative energy sources. |
Pr. Elhem GHORBEL Full Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at CY Cergy Paris Université (IUT) |
RECENT ADVANCES AND CASE STUDIES IN THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREDICTING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE Summary Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like machine learning and deep learning are helping to increase the quality of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste (C&DW) for use in environmentally friendly concrete mixes. In order to aid in the creation of eco-friendly construction materials, these systems evaluate massive volumes of data in order to forecast the mechanical characteristics and lifespan of recycled aggregates concrete (RAC). |
Pr. Lahcen BAHI International Expert in Geoengineering and Sustainable Development, Morocco |
RESEARCH IN SERVICE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Summary Morocco has firmly committed to an ecological transition through its National Sustainable Development Strategy, positioning scientific research as a cornerstone of this transformation. Moroccan universities and research centers are developing innovative solutions specifically tailored to the Kingdom’s environmental and climate challenges. In the field of construction materials, for example, Moroccan research teams have pioneered locally sourced geopolymers and low-carbon concrete through close collaboration between academia and industry. Moroccan expertise stands out for its pragmatic, territory-anchored approach. Key initiatives demonstrate this dynamic, such as smart water resource management systems developed by Moroccan engineers, and the growing integration of renewable energy into urban infrastructure. These innovations stem from strong institutional partnerships between universities and national economic stakeholders. However, challenges remain to amplify the impact of this research. Technology transfer to SMEs, the incorporation of traditional knowledge, and sustainable funding for applied research all represent crucial issues. This conference will provide a platform for stakeholders—researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students—to exchange ideas and collectively shape a research agenda that increasingly serves Morocco’s sustainable development priorities. |
Pr. Adil HAFIDI ALAOUI Faculty of Science and Technology of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Morocco |
MULTI-SCALE APPROACHES TO MATERIAL FAILURE FOR RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Summary In a context where infrastructures are increasingly exposed to extreme conditions—such as earthquakes, dynamic loads, and accelerated aging—ensuring their longevity has become a major concern. Understanding the mechanisms of material failure is no longer just a scientific pursuit; it is now essential for anticipating structural breakdowns and designing systems that are both robust and resilient. The multi-scale approach, which combines observations at the microscopic level (microstructure, localized damage) with those at the macroscopic scale (overall structural response), provides a detailed understanding of crack propagation, fatigue, and progressive failure mechanisms. This methodology not only deepens our knowledge of these phenomena but also enables the development of predictive models that more accurately reflect the actual behavior of materials. |
 Pr. Martin CYR Toulouse University and Associate Professor at Sherbrooke University |
CHALLENGES IN TRANSITIONING FROM COAL FLY ASH TO BIOMASS ASH IN CEMENT PRODUCTION Summary For decades, coal fly ash (CFA) has been a key component in sustainable cement and concrete production, recognized by European standards (EN 450-1, EN 197-1, EN 206) for its ability to reduce clinker content and improve material performance. Its spherical particles and silico-aluminous composition enhance workability and durability through pozzolanic reactions. However, Europe’s shift toward carbon neutrality is reducing coal combustion, creating scarcity of this once-abundant byproduct. Biomass fly ash emerges as a potential alternative, but presents significant challenges: Variable composition due to diverse biomass sources, affecting performance predictability |