Explore the ECEE 2026 conference programme at a glance. Download the programme overview or access the detailed programme for full information on sessions, presentations, speakers, and timings. Log in to add sessions to your personal agenda and create your own conference schedule.
Divisions
| Divisions |
|---|
| 01 Seismic Hazard and Seismology |
| 02 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, SSI and Site Response |
| 03 Ground Motions and Seismic Input |
| 04 Seismic Modelling and Design |
| 05 Evolution of Earthquake Engineering and Seismic Codes |
| 06 Concrete Structures |
| 07 Masonry Structures |
| 08 Steel and Timber Structures |
| 09 Non-Structural Elements |
| 10 Experimental Testing |
| 11 Structural Health Monitoring |
| 12 Assessment and Retrofitting |
| 13 Bridges, Civil Infrastructure and Industrial/Critical Facilities |
| 14 Cultural Heritage and Historical Structures |
| 15 Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation/Response Control Devices |
| 16 Seismic Risk Assessment and Multi-Hazard Risk (incl. Tsunami, NaTech) |
| 17 Post-Event Reconnaissance and Field Observations |
| 18 Resilience of Communities and Infrastructure, Seismic Risk Management and Social/Economic Aspects |
Panel Discussion
Survey for Panel Discussion 01:
“Open Research Data: Embracing modern advances for engineering innovation”
More than twenty years after the 2004 OECD Declaration on Access to Research Data and the many developments which followed (e.g. FAIR principles, data repositories, etc.), it appears as the right point in time to see where Open Data in Earthquake Engineering stands.
To tailor panel discussion “Open Research Data: embracing modern advances for engineering innovation” directly to your experiences and challenges with research data, we invite participants to share their thoughts through a 10-min. long, anonymous survey.
Your feedback will directly guide our panel topics !
Scan the following QR Code or click the link below to participate from your phone or laptop.
The survey will remain open until September 8th, 2026
https://forms.gle/U3v61JQcGGCSRfKL7
Thank you for helping us shape an engaging and impactful session !
S. Bousias, R. Pinho, G. O’Reilly, D. Sayedi, A. Sextos, G. Tsionis
Panel members
Special Sessions
You can submit contributions to the following special sessions:
Contributions – 18th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering – ECEE2026
Special Session – Active and passive structural control strategies for resilient structures: bridging research and application
| Author(s): Eleonora Bruschi, Marco Furinghetti, Fabio Freddi, Christian Málaga-Chuquitaype Organization(s): Politecnico di Milano, Italy; University of Pavia, University College London, United Kingdom; Imperial College London, United Kingdom Active and passive control strategies, ranging from base isolation and energy dissipation devices to rocking systems, play a key role in mitigating seismic risk, enhancing structural safety, and ensuring the operational continuity of buildings and infrastructures. Recent technological innovations have further expanded their potential, offering designers and stakeholders a broad spectrum of solutions to improve the resilience of both new and existing structures. This Special Session aims to bring together academics, researchers, practitioners, and manufacturers to share cutting-edge developments, promote collaboration, and discuss the latest innovations in seismic control strategies. By welcoming contributions from both academia and the professional world, the session seeks to encourage constructive dialogue and to highlight how advanced technologies can be designed, validated, and successfully integrated into real projects, fostering a common ground for the development of safer and more resilient communities. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • case-studies and emblematic examples of active and passive structural control strategies in practice; • advances in numerical modelling and simulations; • recent developments in standards and codes; • insights from collaboration between manufacturers and designers; • experimental assessment and qualification testing; • design procedures for seismically upgrading existing structures; • advances in numerical modeling and simulations. |
Special Session – Structural Health Monitoring Case Studies
| Author(s): Jafarali Parol, Angelo Aloisio, Christian Málaga-Chuquitaype Organization(s): Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; Università degli Studi dell’Aquilla While SHM technologies have matured rapidly in recent years, their impact is best demonstrated through real-world applications. This session will highlight case studies that bridge the gap between theory and practice, showcasing the deployment of monitoring systems on critical infrastructure such as bridges, composite or hybrid structures, including building structures, and multi-material systems. Contributions are invited that address implementation challenges, integration of hybrid sensor data, use of advanced methodologies such as AI-driven techniques in real cases, computer vision technologies, data interpretation, integration with digital twins, and lessons learned from long-term monitoring. We aim to bring together researchers, practitioners, and infrastructure owners, and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge on how SHM enhances safety, resilience, and sustainability in bridges and other hybrid structures. |
Special Session – Seismic performance of non-structural components: recent findings and developments
| Author(s): Christoph Adam, Athanasia Kazantzi, Lukas Moschen, Dimitrios Vamvatsikos Organization(s): Universität Innsbruck, Austria; International Hellenic University, Greece; CSI Austria-Germany; National Technical University of Athens, Greece Non-structural components are defined as those elements of a building that do not constitute part of the load-bearing structure. Various seismic events have demonstrated that the failure of these components can leave a building inoperable or even cause fatalities, even if the structure itself remains undamaged. Non-structural components therefore contribute significantly to the seismic risk of the built environment. The seismic behavior of these components is, as such, the focus of analytical, numerical and experimental investigation in numerous research projects worldwide. The objective of this technical session is to present and discuss the latest findings and pioneering developments in this field. |
Special Session – Advanced Structural and Seismic Engineering for Industrial and Experimental Facilities
| Author(s): Michele Angiolilli Organization(s): Gran Sasso Science Institute, Italy Earthquakes can pose a significant threat to industrial infrastructures and large experimental facilities, which often host sensitive and potentially hazardous equipment. This vulnerability can have severe consequences on both economic activities and the continuity of scientific research. Storage tanks, piping systems, pipe-racks, multi-storey industrial frames, cryogenic vessels, and vacuum chambers are examples of structures where structural integrity, functionality, and seismic resilience are equally crucial. In addition to conventional components, many experimental facilities rely on unconventional and often prototypical equipment, which operates under highly specific geometric and environmental boundary conditions. These unique constraints make their seismic assessment particularly challenging and demand tailored methodologies beyond standard design practice. At the same time, the dynamic interaction between primary structures and process equipment has often been overlooked, despite its crucial role in the overall performance of complex systems. Neglecting such aspects can lead to a significant underestimation of seismic demand and potential damage, as highlighted in several recent studies. Addressing these challenges requires innovative technologies and advanced computational methods capable of capturing nonlinear dynamics, fluid–structure interaction phenomena such as sloshing, and complex soil–structure coupling. At the same time, the development of new materials, seismic isolation and energy dissipation devices, and the integration of AI-based monitoring and predictive maintenance tools are opening new perspectives for safer and more reliable design. Of particular interest are industrial-type structures and components that play a crucial role in both production facilities and physics-driven experimental infrastructures. These include steel and reinforced concrete frames for industrial buildings, storage tanks and silos subjected to seismic loading and sloshing phenomena, piping and pipe-rack systems in energy and petrochemical plants, and critical equipment–structure interaction in multi-storey frames or clean-room facilities. The seismic performance of these systems is often governed by nonlinear behavior, fatigue and durability issues, uplift mechanisms, and dynamic soil–structure interaction, which require high-fidelity modeling, hybrid experimental–numerical approaches, and risk-based design criteria. This Special Session will focus on advances in earthquake-resistant structural engineering for both industrial infrastructures and large experimental facilities, with the goal of extending the analysis and design framework to include primary–secondary interaction in a performance-based earthquake engineering perspective. This Special Session aims to provide a forum where researchers and practitioners can discuss state-of-the-art methodologies and applications for the seismic design and assessment of critical civil, industrial, and physics-related facilities. Contributions are welcome on: • advanced numerical and experimental methods, • steel or reinforced concrete infrastructure • resilience-based design of industrial structures and components, • seismic performance of tanks, piping systems and equipment–frame interaction, • Fluid Mechanics & Fluid–Structure Interaction • development and validation of innovative materials and devices, • uncertainty quantification, fragility analysis, and optimization strategies for seismic design and risk assessment. • applications of artificial intelligence to risk prediction and structural health monitoring. |
Special Session – From New Knowledge to Design Practice in Eurocode 8 (I)
Special Session – Eurocode 8 and Structural Materials: New Insights (II)
Special Session – Seismic Response and Resilience of Earthen Structures
| Author(s): Daniel Oliveira, Nicola Tarque, Savvas Saloustros Organization(s): University of Minho, Portugal; Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain; EPFL, Switzerland Earthen construction, a building tradition dating back to around 8000 BC, continues to serve as a primary or complementary construction method for millions of people worldwide. From rural dwellings to culturally significant heritage sites and modern architecture, earthen structures embody sustainable, low-carbon, and locally adapted building practices. However, despite their environmental and cultural value, earthen materials typically lack standardized seismic design provisions, leading to considerable uncertainty in their performance under earthquake loading. This vulnerability often results in significant structural damage, loss of life, and the irreversible destruction of architectural heritage. This special session aims to bring together researchers and engineers working to better understand and improve the seismic behaviour of earthen structures. The session will highlight both traditional and modern earthen construction techniques, emphasizing on methods for seismic assessment, strengthening, and retrofitting. We welcome contributions addressing: • Experimental investigations on the mechanical properties, dynamic behaviours, and failure mechanisms of earthen materials and structural systems. • Numerical and analytical modelling approaches for simulating seismic response, damage evolution, and collapse mechanisms. • Case studies of earthquake performance in existing earthen buildings and heritage sites. • Advances in seismic retrofit strategies, including the use of natural or sustainable reinforcement materials. • Development of design and assessment guidelines for improving resilience while preserving authenticity and sustainability. |
Special Session – Seismic Resilience of Traditional/Vernacular Structures
| Author(s): Yasemin Aktas, Kokcan Donmez Organization(s): UCL, United Kingdom Traditional and vernacular structures constitute a significant portion of the built environment in seismically active regions. These buildings embody generations of locally adapted construction techniques, material knowledge, and cultural practices, deeply rooted in their respective contexts. While some typologies have demonstrated inherent seismic resilience, established through post-disaster reconnaissance, experimental studies, or analytical methods, others have been identified as needing rehabilitation or strengthening. This may be due to limitations in their original construction technologies, or the effects of ageing, deterioration, and inappropriate interventions over time. Despite their cultural and architectural value, traditional and vernacular building systems are often poorly understood and undervalued. They are rarely represented in seismic design codes and are frequently overlooked in resilience planning, especially under multi-hazard scenarios. This session invites scholarly contributions that examine the seismic performance of traditional and vernacular structures, whether observed in recent earthquakes or assessed through empirical and theoretical approaches. Topics may include laboratory testing, structural modelling, fragility and vulnerability assessments, and structural health monitoring. We also welcome research on culturally sensitive retrofit strategies, post-disaster reconstruction programs informed by traditional building technologies, and proposals for integrating these systems into modern seismic assessment and design frameworks. |
Special Session – New Trend and Developments on Energy Based Seismic Engineering
| Author(s): Amadeo Benavent-Climent, Fabrizio Mollaioli, Kenji Fujii Organization(s): Universidad Politecnica De Madrid, Spain; Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy; Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan Since 1980’s, the concept of “energy balance” has been applied in the study of the nonlinear response of structures (e.g., Akiyama, 1985; Uang and Bertero, 1990). This concept is implemented in the Japanese seismic code in 2005 and in the second generation of Eurocode for buildings with displacement-dependent energy dissipation devices. More recently, the International Workshop on Energy-Based Seismic Engineering (IWEBSE) was held in 2021, 2023, and 2025 with the aim to develop a shared comprehensive vision for Energy-Based Seismic Engineering, for the design and improvement of new and existing structures, together with the application of new smart technologies. In this session, we would like to discuss the following topics. 1. Energy-based seismic intensity parameters, including the analysis of near-fault ground motions and earthquake sequences. 2. Innovative energy-based analysis method for understanding the basic nonlinear behavior of structures. 3. Response of structures with energy dissipating devices, seismic isolation system, or other innovative structural system subjected to seismic sequences. 4. Energy-based damage evaluation method of the structural members. 5. Energy-based seismic design schemes and its application for new buildings and seismic upgrading of existing buildings. |
Special Session – Advances in inertial and regenerative damping for the seismic protection of structures
| Author(s): Agathoklis Giaralis, Christian Meinhardt, Alexandros Taflanidis Organization(s): Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates; GERB GmbH; University of Notre Dame, USA The high structural repair, downtime, and replacement costs incurred by major seismic events in well-populated areas dictate the need for achieving cost-efficient, high-performing (i.e., minimum damage or damage-free) engineering structures under earthquakes. This need has fuelled recent interest in structural seismic control applications that utilize emerging inertial and regenerative supplemental damping devices and configurations, including inerter-enhanced vibration absorbers, hybrid seismic-isolation systems, dynamic energy harvesters, and negative stiffness mechanisms for the seismic protection of modern and heritage structures. This setting creates the premise for this special session, which aims to bring together researchers from the fields of structural dynamics, vibration control, energy harvesting, and mechatronics working on inertial and regenerative passive, hybrid, and semi-active control for earthquake-induced vibration suppression and risk mitigation. Papers on theoretical and computational structural dynamics and control discussing optimal design and/or assessment of devices are welcome. Contributions discussing the modelling and assessment of new devices at the conceptual stage, experimental testing, as well as their field deployment and assessment, are also invited. Case-studies on the seismic retrofitting or upgrading of existing structures through supplemental inertial and/or regenerative dampers are further well within the scope of this session. Lastly, submissions identifying practical needs and unexplored niches on the development, design, testing, and deployment of novel devices, as well as contributions aiming to bridge the gap between traditional approaches and technology for seismic control devices and novel adaptive/smart devices, are prioritized. |
Special Session – Open Challenges in the Seismic Assessment of Existing Structures
| Author(s): Sedef Kocakaplan Sezgin, Juan Murcia-Delso, Christian Malaga-Chuquitaype, Alper Ilki Organization(s): Bursa Technical University; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Imperial College London; Istanbul Technical University This Special Session aims to bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss current limitations and emerging directions in the seismic assessment of and existing structures. Despite significant advances in seismic engineering and the ongoing development of modern design codes such as Eurocode 8, critical challenges remain regarding the practical implementation of nonlinear analysis methods, the definition of consistent safety formats, and the assessment of aging and deteriorated systems. Contributions are invited on experimental and numerical studies addressing nonlinear dynamic behavior, seismic input characterization, and structural safety methodologies, as well as on the development of robust assessment approaches, both experimental and numerical, for existing structures with substandard designs or affected by corrosion or other degradation mechanisms, including steel, concrete and timber structures. Emphasis will also be placed on innovative strategies for damage assessment of structures under extreme events. The Special Session seeks to foster discussion that bridges theory and practice, advancing the state of knowledge toward more reliable, sustainable, and resilient structural systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: – Experimental and numerical assessment of corrosion-affected RC and steel structures – Advanced modelling techniques for nonlinear dynamic behavior of structures – Assessment methodologies for deteriorated infrastructure – Influence of modelling uncertainties on seismic performance assessment of RC and steel structures – New approaches for performance-based seismic evaluation. |
Special Session – Advancing Resilience of Confined Masonry Structures through Research and Design Codes
| Author(s): Svetlana Brzev, Ahsana Parammal Vatteri, Dina D’Ayala Organization(s): University of British Columbia; University College London, United Kingdom Application of confined masonry (CM) construction technology, where masonry walls are reinforced by means of horizontal and vertical reinforced concrete (RC) confining elements (tie-columns and tie-beams). Seismic resilience of CM construction was first reported in Italy, after the 1908 Messina earthquake, and it has been practiced in European countries exposed to moderate-high seismic hazard, particularly in eastern and southern Europe. Design of CM structures has been addressed by codes of some European countries since 1950s (Soviet Union) and 1960s (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Romania, etc.). Eurocode 6 and Eurocode 8 have included design provisions for structural and seismic design of CM structures since 1990s, and updated provisions will be included in the new generation of Eurocodes scheduled for 2026. CM construction technology, due to its relatively simple design and construction rules, has been used predominantly for low-rise residential buildings. Research related to CM construction technology has been particularly advanced in Latin American countries and India, while its applications are common in Middle Eastern countries, Indonesia, and China. Although CM has demonstrated resilience, affordability, and ease of application in many countries in seismic regions, its wide-spread adoption requires systematic investigation into its compatibility with regional materials, construction practices, and standards. Research priorities shall include experimental testing and numerical analysis of seismic performance parameters yet to be fully characterized, contributing to the development and advancement of codes and standards. Retrofitting of existing non-compliant CM buildings and using CM technique to retrofit unreinforced masonry buildings is another area of research significance. Although traditionally used for residential construction, CM is increasingly being used for public buildings such as schools, and the implications in standardization can be further explored. Moreover, interdisciplinary inquiry is needed to understand how CM can be adapted to address urban development challenges through life-cycle assessments to benchmark sustainability, durability, energy efficiency and climate resilience relative to prevailing systems. The objective of this session is to enhance the understanding and structural/seismic design approaches for CM structures exposed to natural hazards, such as earthquakes and climate change, by inviting contributions from the following research areas: • Numerical models for predicting seismic response of CM structures, • Latest developments in design codes and standards, • Application to schools, hospitals and other public buildings, • Seismic and climate resilience, and • Retrofitting of CM structures for enhancing performance under multiple hazards |
Special Session – Seismic Design of Industrial Facilities – practical application and experience
| Author(s): Timo Schmitt, Philipp Blume, Robert Borsutzky Organization(s): TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH; Hochtief Engineering GmbH The session aims at implementation of research and practical experience, bringing together academics and practitioners in the field of plant engineering with respect to the seismic behaviour of industrial facilities. Possible contents of the session with focus on industrial facilities are: new code requirements, seismic input and site effects, soil structure interaction, seismic design of structures and components, seismic design of tanks, seismic design of pipe systems, experimental investigations, seismic safety evaluations, seismic protection systems, dealing with uncertainties and risks. Through the exchange of experiences between theory and practice, fruitful discussions are expected. |
Special Session – Earthquakes and Multi-Hazard Scenarios: Beyond Conventional Risk Assessment and Design Approaches
| Author(s): Simona Bianchi, Roberto Gentile, Gianrocco Mucedero Organization(s): Delft University of Technology, Netherlands; University College London, United Kingdom; IUSS Pavia, Italy Designing built structures or assessing their performance by considering only earthquakes is not enough to satisfy society’s demand for resilience. Significant progress has been made in risk modelling to quantify the impacts of natural, human-made and climate-driven hazards, alongside the development of performance-based methods to design resilient structures and infrastructure. However, current state-of-practice methods typically focus on single-hazard scenarios, consider primarily economic losses as the key outcome, and overlook the compounded and cascading effects of multiple hazards over an asset’s lifecycle. Moreover, design strategies often prioritize immediate performance objectives without adequately addressing long-term environmental impacts, resource use or structural resilience. To move beyond conventional methods, next-generation frameworks for risk assessment and design must integrate multi-hazard interactions and life-cycle sustainability principles, enabling holistic approaches that enhance resilient and low-carbon structures and infrastructure. This special session will explore opportunities to overcome current limitations and promote a transformation in multi-hazard risk modelling and design. It brings together multidisciplinary contributions that bridge structural performance, sustainability and resilience within the context of multi-hazard scenarios. We invite innovative works addressing topics such as loss-based and resilience-based design for single or multiple hazards; modelling of functional recovery and downtime; quantification of time-dependent risk under evolving hazard, exposure and vulnerability conditions. Contributions are also encouraged on life-cycle assessment and cost analysis in multi-hazard design, as well as on multi-criteria decision-making. The session welcomes researchers and practitioners from diverse fields to share insights, methods and case studies that advance conventional practices and support more informed decisions for the built environment. |
Special Session – Advancing Vulnerability Modelling for Regional Risk Assessment and Resilient Communities
| Author(s): Al Mouayed Bellah Nafeh, Karim Aljawhari, Gianrocco Mucedero Organization(s): Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, Italy; IUSS Pavia, Italy With rapid urbanization and the increasing concentration of populations and assets in hazard-prone areas, strengthening the resilience of civil infrastructure, particularly residential buildings and exposed communities, has become a global priority. Natural hazards such as earthquakes and their secondary perils continue to pose significant risks, highlighting the urgent need for advanced loss and vulnerability models to support regional-scale risk assessments. This session focuses on the latest advancements in vulnerability modeling, with an emphasis on quantifying key decision variables such as environmental impact, economic losses, displaced populations, and fatalities that are critical for event response and probabilistic event-based risk to support better evidence-based decision-making in disaster risk reduction by understanding the full spectrum of potential risks, including uncertain and extreme events in addition to their environmental consequences. Key topics include: * Consequence modelling (e.g., damage-to-loss ratios, storey loss functions) for regional applications * Analytical and/or empirical fragility and vulnerability functions for structural and non-structural components and building content for global building classes * Damage-dependent vulnerability models for assessing losses under earthquake sequences (mainshock–aftershock), where structural damage accumulation is expected * Methods and datasets to quantify losses, displacement, downtime, fatalities, and recovery trajectories * Integration of embodied carbon and environmental costs into loss modeling to capture sustainability implications of damage, repair, and reconstruction * Case studies validating models through real-world applications across diverse geographies By convening experts from earthquake engineering, hazard sciences, social sciences, and catastrophe risk modeling, this session aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and advance state-of-the-art tools that directly inform decision-making. Attendees will gain valuable insights into strategies for assessing and enhancing the resilience of infrastructure systems and exposed populations, while supporting more effective preparedness, response, recovery, and equitable risk transfer worldwide. |
Special Session – Next Generation Seismic Retrofit Strategies: AI, Resilience and Sustainability-based approaches
| Author(s): Aleksandra Bogdanovic, Antonio Formisano, Ricardo Monteiro Organization(s): University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Department of Dynamic testing and informatics, Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology, North Macedonia; Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, School of Polytechnic and Basic Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy, External Researcher, CONSTRUCT, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal The increasing frequency of devastating earthquakes across Europe and worldwide underscores the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective retrofit solutions for existing structures. Conventional seismic strengthening strategies often focus on enhancing strength and stiffness, yet they may result in higher costs, intrusive interventions, and limited adaptability to diverse building typologies. In contrast, seismic-energy retrofit systems, including passive energy dissipation devices, base-isolation retrofits, and innovative exoskeleton frameworks aim to control and dissipate seismic input energy, thereby reducing demands on primary structural members and limiting damage. This special session will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to present recent advances, experimental evidence, AI-driven analytical modeling strategies, and real world applications of seismic energy retrofit systems. Contributions will span multiple structural typologies from reinforced concrete and steel frames to masonry and timber buildings highlighting both component level development (e.g., polyurethane joints, wall dampers, friction braces) and integrated retrofit concepts (e.g., modular exoskeletons, hybrid isolation-dissipation platforms). Discussions will emphasize design methodologies in line with Eurocode 8 and international standards, AI-assisted cost-benefit assessments, multi-hazard resilience, and the role of digital monitoring enhanced by machine learning for performance verification and predictive maintenance. By bridging academic research, engineering practice, and policy frameworks, this session seeks to showcase seismic-energy retrofit systems as a cornerstone of sustainable seismic risk mitigation strategies. In particular, the integration of artificial intelligence in modeling, optimization, and monitoring workflows offers great opportunities to accelerate design, improve decision-making, and support resilience society. Ultimately, the session will promote safer, smarter, and longer lasting built environments in Europe and beyond. |
Special Session – Seismic Structural Health Monitoring
| Author(s): Maria Pina Limongelli, Eleni Chatzi, Carlo Rainieri, Matthias Bessler Organization(s): Politecnico di Milano, Italy; ETH Zürich, Switzerland; National Research Council of Italy; BAM, Germany Seismic Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) not only deepens our understanding of how structures respond to earthquakes but also enables the calibration of reliable numerical models to simulate performance, detect potential damage, and inform management decisions. This Special Session highlights recent advances and real-world applications of Seismic SHM across a broad range of civil structures and infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, historical monuments, dams, wind turbines, and pipelines. We welcome contributions spanning theoretical and computational developments as well as field implementations. It will provide a platform to share insights, evaluate successful applications, and explore future challenges and directions in seismic SHM. |
Special Session – Disaster risk reduction of school infrastructure
| Author(s): Dina D’Ayala, Rafael Fernández, Fernando Ramírez, Soichiro Yasukauwa Organization(s): University College London, United Kingdom; University College London, United Kingdom; Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), The World Bank, France; Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, UNESCO, France This session will explore key aspects of disaster risk reduction and resilience in school infrastructure worldwide. It will highlight recent advancements in data collection, artificial intelligence, post-disaster recovery, and resilience planning, supported by practical applications and case studies. Particular emphasis will be placed on earthquake and multi-hazard mitigation, climate change adaptation, and the holistic improvement of educational facilities. Main topics include: – Data collection and classification of education infrastructure using novel methods and AI – Earthquake and multi-hazard disaster risk assessment methodologies – Decision-making approaches for retrofitting and resilience improvements in school infrastructure – Opportunities for holistic enhancements while also reducing disaster risk (e.g., energy efficiency, WASH, accessibility, and inclusive learning environments) – Interdependencies between school facilities and critical support systems (e.g., transportation, communication, energy networks) in post-disaster contexts Submissions addressing related areas of education infrastructure improvement beyond the topics listed above are also welcome. |
Special Session – Advances in seismic hazard assessment -from active tectonics to engineering applications
| Author(s): Zhikun Ren, Su Chen, Olaf Zielke Organization(s): Institute of Geology China Earthquake Administration, China; Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, China; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia Earthquake engineering utilizes seismic hazard assessment (SHA) to quantify the potential for ground shaking to inform the design of new buildings and retrofit older structures, ensuring they can withstand anticipated future shaking. A primary component of SHA is the characterization of seismic sources. This step are mainly active tectonics studies includes the identification of seismically active faults via the analysis of seismological observations and by mapping (remotely and in the field) the surface traces of faults that are deemed active. It further includes establishing an earthquake rupture forecast ERF, quantifying the probability of potentially hazardous earthquakes to occur on seismic sources (i.e., active faults). Technological advancements over the last two decades improved the ability to identify and characterize seismically active faults and seismic hazard assessment, for example by utilizing high-resolution data sets for fault surface trace mapping and sub-surface imaging. These data sets (e.g., Lidar, InSAR) have further proven to be valuable in post-earthquake reconnaissance, documenting fault rupture location and ground displacements as well as ground shaking with high accuracy. For this session, we invite contributions that advance seismic source characterization by a) utilizing high-resolutions data sets for source identification and post-earthquake reconnaissance, and b) applying novel approaches to establish data-driven earthquake rupture forecasts and evaluate seismic hazards. We further invite contributions that showcase how SSC advancements can be incorporated into the SHA framework, and how they inform/affect earthquake engineer applications (e.g., design choices). |
Special Session – International Macroseismic Scale 2025 (IMS-25)
| Author(s): Jochen Schwarz, David Wald, Thomas Wenk Organization(s): Bauhaus Universität Weimar, Germany; Wenk Erdbebeningenieurwesen und Baudynamik GmbH, Zurich, Switzerland; Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Germany; United States Geological Survey, Golden, USA Macroseismology plays a crucial role in earthquake hazard and risk analyses, tying earthquake occurrences and impacts from the past with those of the present and future. In addition to many traditional uses, the consumption of macroseismic intensity has grown dramatically since internet-based collection has proliferated and its more general use as a metric for communicating essential earthquake information to general audiences, for instance, for earthquake early warning and earthquake hazard maps. The earthquake engineering and seismological communities greatly benefit from an International Macroseismic Scale (IMS) aimed at standardizing macroseismic data collection worldwide, more consistent post-earthquake damage data collection, and more uniform crowd-sourced macroseismic data collection. We invite presentations that elaborate on current efforts on the International Macroseismic Scale 2025 (IMS-25), explain its innovations in terms of damage descriptions and extensions to the Vulnerability Table and damage grade example collection, and about the transformation of existing building stocks into the IMS typology. Contributions that provide feedback on the published IMS version are welcome. Session is open to discuss vulnerability class assignments and describe potential inclusion of additional building types and their damage descriptions. We also solicit papers on national or regional-scale macroseismic data collection or studies, more generally. Last but not least, we welcome papers that employ the EMS-98/IMS within the earthquake engineering, social science, or seismological communities, as well their application in loss prognosis and risk analyses. |
Special Session – Artificial Intelligence Applications in Earthquake Engineering
| Author(s): Salih Tileylioglu, Erdem Akagündüz Organization(s): Kadir Has Universirt, Turkiye; Middle East Technical University, Turkiye This session will focus on recent studies at the intersection of earthquake engineering and seismology with artificial intelligence. In particular, applications involving the use of AI and deep learning techniques for modeling seismic signals, strong ground motion records, and structural responses will be examined. In recent years, there has been a growing global trend in this field. AI-supported smart warning systems are expected to become an integral part of every structure in the future. The focus of the session will be to discuss how AI methods, when combined with signal processing techniques, provide solutions in earthquake engineering. The role of deep learning and data-driven modeling techniques in analyzing seismic motion and structural behavior will be addressed in detail. This special session aims to create a platform for evaluating new opportunities offered by AI technologies in earthquake engineering by promoting interdisciplinary collaborations. The session proposal is submitted by two academics who have formed a joint research group and carried out various projects in this field. |
Special Session – SELF-SENSING COMPOSITES FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING IN SEISMIC SCENARIOS
| Author(s): Paolino Cassese, Carlo Rainieri Organization(s): National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy The special session “SELF-SENSING COMPOSITES FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING IN SEISMIC SCENARIOS” is focused on exploring recent findings related to the application of construction materials characterized by relevant piezoresistive behavior for structural health monitoring of civil structures in seismic scenarios. The thematic core of the proposed symposium concerns self-sensing cement-based composites (SSCCs), from the production challenges to the application issues. However, novel material solutions, including high-performance mortar, alkali-activated materials, or sustainable mixes, are highly appreciated. Among others, topics of interest include: • assessment of self-sensing performance under cyclic loading; • mechanical behavior and durability of the self-sensing composites; • calibration of the self-sensing response under different loading conditions; • application of SSCCs to structures for both large-scale laboratory experimental activities or real on-field prototypes. Analytical and numerical modeling studies focused on the electro-mechanical response, as well as the latest advancements of SSCCs through innovative production, are welcome. The session aims to boost discussion within the research community about challenges and future trends toward the massive use of self-sensing composites within the framework of seismic engineering. |
Special Session – Glass and Hybrid Structural Systems for Seismic Resilience
| Author(s): Roko Žarnić, Vlatka Rajčić Organization(s): Slovenian Association for Earthquake Engineering, Slovenia; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Croatia Recent advances in material science, structural engineering, and digital design have brought glass and hybrid structures to the forefront of architectural and engineering innovation. Once regarded primarily as architectural elements, glass and hybrid structural systems are now being increasingly explored for their load-bearing capacity, structural performance, and potential for integration in resilient, sustainable, and adaptive built environments. However, their application in seismic regions still presents significant design, analytical, and experimental challenges that require interdisciplinary research and innovative engineering solutions. This Special Session aims to bring together researchers, engineers, architects, and industry professionals to discuss the state of the art, recent developments, and future directions in the field of glass and hybrid structural systems under seismic and dynamic loading. Contributions are invited that address fundamental and applied aspects of structural glass, hybrid assemblies combining glass with steel, timber, or composites, and integrated façade and structural systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • Seismic design concepts and analytical modelling of glass and hybrid structures • Experimental testing and numerical simulation of glass and hybrid components • Connections, interfaces, and damping mechanisms in hybrid assemblies • Post-cracking behavior, redundancy, and robustness under dynamic actions • Case studies and lessons learned from built projects • Sustainability, digital design, and adaptive reuse of glass-based structures The session will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, debate, and collaboration among experts from academia and practice, aiming to define future research directions and design approaches that enhance the safety, resilience, and aesthetic potential of glass and hybrid structural systems in seismic regions. |
Special Session – Next-Generation Probabilistic Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment: Scientific Advances and Emerging Challenges (EFEHR Session)
| Author(s): Fatemeh Jalayer, Antonio Correia, Jochen Woessner Organization(s): University College London, United Kingdom; LNEC – Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil; Moody’s RMS We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment (PSHA and PSRA). While these frameworks remain foundational for estimating the physical and societal impacts of earthquakes, their future development is increasingly shaped by contemporary challenges and opportunities, including the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and data-driven modelling, enhanced computational capabilities, the adoption of FAIR data principles and the climate change. This special session, convened by the European Facilities for Earthquake Hazard and Risk (EFEHR), will focus on the next generation of Pan-European seismic hazard and risk models. We aim to explore how recent scientific and technological advancements, as well as lessons learned from recent seismic events, can inform and improve future modelling efforts. We invite contributions that address advances in PSHA and PSRA, with particular emphasis on the following topics: Seismic Hazard Modelling: Innovations in ground motion modelling, including non-ergodic approaches, physics-based simulations, and novel intensity measures; Time-dependent hazard analysis incorporating temporal variations in seismicity and PSHA considering fault-segment activation. Exposure Modelling: Use of remote sensing technologies, volunteered geographic information (VGI), AI and machine learning (ML) for asset classification; Dynamic modelling to forecast future exposure scenarios; Probabilistic and data-driven approaches to address uncertainties in exposure models. Fragility Modelling for Regional Assessments: Analytical fragility modelling for asset portfolios; Data-driven models based on observed damage; Integration of ML and AI to improve accuracy and scalability. Vulnerability Modelling: Advances in loss and consequence modelling, including downtime and business interruption; Addressing challenges in data availability and quality for data-driven vulnerability models; Application of ML and AI to enhance predictive capabilities; Modelling earthquake impacts on supply chains and critical infrastructure. Multi-Hazard and Multi-Risk Considerations: Incorporation of aftershock effects into hazard and risk analyses; Modelling cascading and compound hazards and their consequences (e.g., earthquakes followed by tsunamis, liquefaction, landslide, fire, or flooding); Assessing the influence of climate change on seismic risk (e.g., accelerated deterioration due to exposure to atmospheric agents); Development of damage-dependent fragility models for multi-risk modelling purposes. Treatment and Communication of Uncertainties: uncertainty propagation from source to losses; methods for modelling and propagation of uncertainties (e.g., Expert Elicitation, Logic Trees, Bayesian Networks); validation of models used for seismic hazard and risk assessments; communication of uncertainties in hazard and risk models. Stakeholder Needs: Evolving requirements from engineers, insurers, government agencies, and researchers. Current Debates and Challenges: Addressing seismic risk assessment in the context of climate change; Balancing model complexity with usability and interpretability. This session aims to foster inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration across engineering, seismology, data science, private sector and policy-making communities. We welcome both methodological innovations and applied case studies that contribute to the advancement of seismic hazard and risk modelling in Europe and beyond. |
Special Session – NATECH RISK AND RESILIENCE OF HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES IN SEISMIC AREAS
| Author(s): Fabrizio Paolacci, Christoph Butenweg, Kyriazis Pitilakis Organization(s): Universita degli Studi Roma Tre, Italy; Aachen University. Germany; Aristotle University, Greece Industrial plants are particularly prone to be highly damaged when subjected to strong earthquakes. This has been clearly demonstrated in the aftermath of strong seismic events, which may trigger technological accidents usually referred as natural-technological (NaTech) events. One of the most famous examples is represents by the Fukushima disaster during 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. Nevertheless, the effort in developing new design/assessment methodologies is being more and more important aclearly proven by the rapid increasing of the contributions on this topic. In this respect, Performance Based Earthquake engineering, which has seen a rapid growing in the field of civil engineering, can be considered rather new in the world of industrial facilities because of the neuralgic role of the consequence analysis, necessary to quantify the individual or societal risk. This Special session, promoted by the Working Group 13 of EAEE (http://www.eaee.org/Media/Default/HtmlWidget/Contents/Item/Display/3/WG13.pdf) aims at bringing together the latest methodologies and techniques for a reliable estimation of Na-Tech risk of hazardous facilities, including upstream, midstream and downstream industrial hazmat facilities. Contributions are called from researchers and industry professionals, strongly involved in this area. Even though this issue should mainly focus on the current state-of-the-art on risk assessment of hazardous facilities subjected to Na-Tech Events, researchers involved in studying innovative techniques to reduce seismic risk are strongly encouraged to submit their contributions. As a result, topics of interest include but are not limited to: 1. Performance-based design of hazardous industrial facilities 2. Seismic hazard issues in NaTech risk assessment 3. Advanced methodologies for Na-Tech seismic risk assessment 4. Seismic design of industrial structures and critical non-structural components 5. Design of safety barriers for disaster control of hazardous plants under earthquakes 6. Data Driven SHM for seismic vulnarabilty and damage assessment of facilities 7. Resilience of industrial facilities and the neighboring communities 8. Earthquake damage to industrial facilities in Turkey-Syria earthquake series |
Special Session – Vulnerability and risk assessment for multi-hazard resilient urban societies
| Author(s): Lars Abrahamczyk, Carlos González-Calva, Lukas Moschen, Silke Beinersdorf Organization(s): Chair of Advanced Structures, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany; Faculty of Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico; CSI Austria-Germany, Austria; Earthquake Damage Analysis Center, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany In recent decades, the landscape of risk assessment for the different type of hazards and even multi-hazard has undergone profound transformation, driven by advances in data collection, computational modeling, data availability, and interdisciplinary integration. At the same time, societies face increasingly complex risk environments shaped not only by seismic activity, but also by cascading and compounding hazards such as tsunamis, climate-induced secondary failures, floods, and NaTech (Natural-to-Technological) events. These factors have revealed the limitations of traditional, hazard-centric risk assessment frameworks and underscored the need for holistic, forward-looking approaches that directly support resilience-based decision-making. This special session aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange new findings and trends in vulnerability and risk assessment concepts in the context of resilient urban societies. The session will highlight the emerging methodologies that integrate multi-hazard vulnerability and risk modeling, community-level resilience metrics, advanced probabilistic frameworks, and data-driven tools such as machine learning, hybrid simulation, and Bayesian inference. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how these new approaches enhance our ability to characterize system-level vulnerabilities, interdependencies across infrastructure sectors, and the dynamic evolution of functionality loss and recovery following extreme events. Our goal is to facilitate discussion that not only showcases state-of-the-art research but also identifies critical gaps and defines future research trajectories. By examining how multi-hazard vulnerability and risk assessment must evolve to meet the demands of increasingly complex societies, the session will offer insights to guide the development of actionable, robust methodologies that support resilience-centered policies and more sustainable, adaptive built environments. Key topics of interest include: – Vulnerability and risk assessment frameworks/concepts that explicitly capture cascading effects and/or interactions between physical, social, and technological systems. – Advances in probabilistic modeling, including Bayesian networks, Markov recovery models, stochastic simulations, and uncertainty quantification. – Quantification of community-level functionality, social vulnerability, and resilience indicators that extend beyond traditional structural performance metrics. – Integration of remote sensing, big data, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven analytics to support rapid damage assessment and forecasting. – Application of risk-informed decision-making to inform emergency planning, infra-structure investment, sustainable recovery strategies, and policy development. – Case studies demonstrating system-level consequences of infrastructure inter¬depen-dencies (e.g., water–power–transport systems) in recent disaster events. – Case studies addressing the vulnerability assessment of existing buildings and building stocks towards risk mitigation. – Case studies addressing informal buildings and settlements. |
Special Session – Uncertainty quantification in the seismic assessment of existing masonry buildings: Strategies, challenges, and applications
| Author(s): Mathias Haindl, Katrin Beyer Organization(s): EPFL, Switzerland; The seismic assessment of existing buildings is inherently affected by multiple sources of uncertainty. Most assessments rely on numerical models, which at the end are simplifications of reality. Those simplifications introduce uncertainty and potential errors that could be especially important for decision-making. Key contributors to this uncertainty include material properties (accounting for degradation), incomplete structural information, modeling assumptions, ground motion variability, and the incomplete understanding of the structural response. Systematically addressing these factors is essential for more reliable, risk-informed decisions on retrofit prioritization, safety evaluation, and ultimately, resilience planning. This special session aims to discuss recent advances and practical approaches in quantifying uncertainty for the seismic assessment of existing structures, with a particular focus on unreinforced masonry buildings. It seeks to highlight methodological innovations, computational strategies, and case studies that demonstrate the impact of uncertainty modeling on assessment outcomes and engineering decisions. The session will also explore how advanced computational tools, such as machine learning, surrogate modeling, and high-performance computing, enable scalable uncertainty analysis. Topics to target (but not limited to): • Model parameter characterization, including aging effects, deterioration/existing damage, and as-built variability. • Model-form uncertainty, ranging from nonlinear simulations using simplified models (e.g., equivalent frame models) to very detailed (e.g., “high-fidelity” finite element models) modeling approaches. • Use of data-interpretation methodologies for reducing uncertainties (e.g., Bayesian updating, model falsification). • Integration of uncertainty quantification in performance-based earthquake engineering for existing masonry buildings. • Propagation of uncertainty through multi-level models, from component to system to portfolio scales. • Challenges for practitioners in decision-making under uncertainty. By gathering experts in the field (academia and practice), this session also aims to boost dialogue on practices for quantifying uncertainties and improving transparency in seismic performance predictions. The outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of standardized frameworks and guidelines that better account for uncertainty in the seismic assessment of existing masonry buildings. |
Special Session – Seismic behaviour of masonry aggregates
| Author(s): Igor Tomić, Luca Pela, Maja Baniček, Francesca da Porto Organization(s): Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Laboratory, EPFL, Switzerland; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC-BarcelonaTech); Croatian Center for Earthquake Engineering, University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering Historical city centres worldwide are characterised by adjacent buildings forming masonry aggregates that evolved over centuries. As buildings developed through time, differences in materials, floor systems, opening layouts and storey heights accumulated, while repeated interventions further accentuated the structural heterogeneity. Connections between adjacent buildings often vary markedly—ranging from fully shared walls to two parallel walls with or without a gap—creating additional uncertainty in how these aggregates respond under seismic loading. Engineers therefore face significant difficulties in representing these interactions, frequently resorting to simplified assumptions that treat buildings as isolated structures. Researchers likewise encounter challenges in capturing the complex interaction between the units. This special session aims to bring together empirical observations, analytical approaches, macro-modelling strategies and detailed numerical simulations to advance our understanding of how masonry aggregates behave during earthquakes. By bridging these different perspectives, the session aims to improve modelling practices, inform risk assessments, and support more reliable seismic rehabilitation strategies for historical urban centers. |
Special Session – Artificial Intelligence techniques in Seismic Engineering applied to Critical Infrastructures
| Author(s): Gianluca Quinci, Cristoforo Demartino, Michalis Fragiadakis Organization(s): Department of Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Aeronautical Technologies Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Department of Architecture Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; Laboratory for Earthquake Engineering, School of Civil Engineering National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece A special session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques applied to critical infestructures to seismic Engineering will be organized under the framework of the 18th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering to be held in Berlin on 14-18 September 2025. We invite papers that focus on the application of various AI techniques such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Deep Leaning (DL), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), Random Forest (RM) and all the other machine learning techniques in seismic engineering with the focus on critical infrastructures (i.e. industrial plants, bridges, , etc.). The main goal of this special session is to present the cutting-edge integration of AI techniques and seismic engineering and to show how the machine learning can assist the structural engineering to solve complex problems of structures subjected to earthquakes. The special session covers novel AI and data-driven methods, and hybrid models combining AI and physics, in strong motion, structural analysis and seismic design, and multi-hazard engineering that includes earthquakes and other hazards. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) machine learning assisted/related: • Structural static, dynamic and stability analysis • Seismic hazard analysis • Risk assessment, robust structural design and optimization methods • Surrogate models for structures in seismic engineering • Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Existing Structures and Infrastructures; • Damage identification with image processing • Structural resilience of infrastructures in earthquake and man-made disasters The session wishes to attract researchers active in this area and also to become a forum for information exchange and debate for both researchers and practicing engineers. As you are an active researcher in this field it is our great pleasure to invite you or one of your co-workers to contribute within this subject area to the 18th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering. |
Special Session – Multi-Scale Technological Solutions for a Seismic Resilient and Low-Carbon Built Environment
| Author(s): Simona Bianchi, Alexandru Tiganescu, Livio Pedone Organization(s): Delft University of Technology, Netherlands; National Institute for Earth Physics, Romania; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy The existing built environment is largely unprepared for natural hazards, especially major earthquakes and the accelerating surge of climate-induced extreme events. These hazards continue to trigger structural failures and non-structural losses, leading to severe socio-economic consequences. Although recent scientific and technological advances offer promising opportunities to enhance resilience of urban communities, many existing solutions remain costly, rarely environmentally friendly and often fail to address the multiple hazards affecting many regions worldwide. Consequently, developing or selecting optimal strategies to make cities safer, more resilient and low-carbon remains a major challenge. Ongoing research is therefore focused on creating multi-criteria decision-support tools and delivering plug-and-play technologies and digital solutions that improve resilience in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. The technological innovations emphasize multifunctional smart low-carbon systems, while the digital solutions aim to provide interdisciplinary services for multi-hazard resilience assessment, design, operation and management across multiple scales – from materials and components to entire buildings and urban areas. This special session brings together contributions that integrate structural performance, sustainability and resilience in the built environment. It features research outcomes from EU-funded projects, complemented by other studies in the field. We invite innovative contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: (i) design and retrofitting strategies for low-carbon and seismic-resilient solutions; (ii) integration of earthquake and other natural hazards for resilient buildings and cities; (iii) real-time monitoring and digital decision-support tools for multi-risk management; (iv) real-world case studies demonstrating integrated technologies and applications. This session welcomes both researchers and practitioners from multiple disciplines to share insights, methodologies and case studies that promote evidence-based decision-making for a sustainable and resilient built environment. |
Special Session – Insuring the functionality of critical facilities and seismic qualification of components
| Author(s): Didier Combescure, Alberto Pavese, Gennaro Magliulo, Peter Grzesik Organization(s): F4E -Fusion For ENERGY- and AFPS – French Association for Earthquake Engineering, France; EUCenter, Pavia University; University of Napoli and SPONSE; HILTI and SPONSE Important components located in the critical infrastructures (hospitals, emergency centres, communication centres, Seveso industrial installations, dams, electrical power stations, etc.) must remain functional during or after a major seismic event. The demonstration of the operability of these components can be done using numerical modelling (calculations), dynamic tests on shaking table or feedback from major earthquakes. With the exception of equipment important for the safety of nuclear installations and some electrical equipment, the European standards give little indication for the specification of the tests to be carried out, on the practical methods for demonstrating the functionality and on the content of the qualification file or lessons learnt for the components. This special session is aimed at showing the work done in several working groups and testing facilities related to the functionality of critical facilities and the seismic qualification of components. This special session is organized by members of EAEE WG13, AFPS (French Association of Earthquake Engineering) and SPONSE. |
Special Session – Seismic Exposure of the West Balkans Built Environment
| Author(s): Bozidar Stojadinovic, Marko Markinkovic Organization(s): ETH Zurich, Switzerland; University of Belgrade, Serbia West Balkans has a common architectural and structural engineering heritage, developed over the past centuries and reflected in the built environment of the region. The seismic hazard exposure of the region is also similar. This session aims to present a composite view of the state of seismic exposure of West Balkans. Contributions on the typology of structures, typical earthquake damage observed in recent earthquakes and seismic vulnerability models of buildings and bridges, as well as experience in and estimates of the recovery actions, time and costs, are welcome. The presenters and the audience will benefit from sharing of the findings and a discussion on future actions to improve the seismic exposure data for this region, with the goal to better predict earthquake risk and improve earthquake resilience of West Balkans communities. |
Special Session – Advances in Earthquake-Resistant and Sustainable Masonry Design
| Author(s): Christoph Butenweg, Meyer Udo, Magenes Guido Organization(s): FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany; Bundesverband der Deutschen Ziegelindustrie e.V. Fachgruppe Hintermauerziegel, Berlin, Germany; University of Pavia, Italy Masonry is one of the most widely used construction materials worldwide, including in seismically active regions, and constitutes the basis of a large portion of the global building stock, particularly in residential construction. Its durability, availability, and inherent energy efficiency make it a key component of sustainable building practices for the future. In light of global challenges such as climate change and urbanization, the continued development of masonry structures represents an essential contribution to resource conservation and the achievement of climate goals. For the continued use and vertical extension of existing masonry buildings in seismically active areas, new, effective, and economical approaches to structural strengthening are required, combined with measures to enhance energy efficiency — thereby significantly extending the service life of existing buildings. At the same time, it is necessary to further develop and improve seismic design concepts for modern masonry structures, as past earthquakes have shown that, when properly designed and constructed, such structures often demonstrate considerably greater robustness than predicted by current design codes. Moreover, it is crucial to advance innovative earthquake-resistant masonry solutions that also integrate aspects of energy efficiency, sustainability, reuse, and recycling. This applies to both load-bearing and non-load-bearing masonry. This session focuses on recent progress in understanding and improving the seismic behavior of modern load-bearing masonry structures — including unreinforced, reinforced, and confined masonry — through both experimental investigations and numerical modeling. It also aims to highlight innovative masonry systems and construction techniques that contribute to enhanced structural resilience and sustainability. Submissions addressing the refinement and development of seismic design code provisions are particularly encouraged. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: – Experimental studies on masonry structures and elements – New innovative earthquake-resistant design approaches – Studies and contributions to codified criteria in seismic design – Strengthening of existing masonry structures in combination improved energy efficiency – Seismic design and protection of masonry infills and partitions – Seismic design with respect to sustainability – Seismic response of modern masonry buildings after earthquakes |
Special Session – Rocking systems: From historical applications to modern seismic-resistant structures
| Author(s): Antonios Katsamakas, Daniele Malomo, Anastasios Giouvanidis Organization(s): Polytechnique Montreal, Canada; McGill University, Canada; University of Auckland, New Zealand Rocking structures are characterized by their ability to uplift from their base when subjected to strong seismic motion. Rocking is inherently prevalent in the seismic response of a wide range of historical structures, including freestanding columns in ancient temples, the out-of-plane behavior of unreinforced masonry walls, and tall, slender components such as chimneys. Driven by the remarkable seismic stability of these non-engineered systems, more advanced self-centering rocking structures have been recently proposed as the next generation of resilient seismic design. Novel design strategies enable uplift and rocking motion during earthquake events, while ensuring the structure returns to its initial state (self-centering) with minimal or no damage. To further improve their performance and re-centering capacity, these structures can be coupled with supplemental restrainers, tendons, and energy dissipation devices (controlled rocking). These novel earthquake-resistant structures aim to be more resilient than conventional ones that follow capacity design, as they not only prevent collapse but also ensure post-earthquake functionality. Applications of modern self-centering structures can be found in buildings, bridges, and other special structures. This special session brings together researchers and practitioners to share the latest advances in the seismic design, assessment, retrofitting, numerical modeling, and experimental testing of rocking structures. The session welcomes contributions related to both historical and modern structures, aiming to bridge the gap between the past, the present, and the future of seismic-resistant structures. |
Special Session – Seismic ground motion for engineering
| Author(s): Alain Alsokhon, Irmela Zentner Organization(s): EDF, France; Seismic ground motion for engineering has multiple applications in geotechnical, civil engineering and especially mechanical domains and can be particularly critical for the design of equipments in NPPs. Several approaches exist to transfer seismic motion from the ground to the equipment, from the simplest to the most complex, and it appears necessary for the scientific community to converge on the necessary and sufficient approaches so that the choice of one method or another is not linked to a safety issue. This special session aims to present an overview of different techniques to define seismic ground motion and its transfer to floor response. We intend, if not to standardize practices, to validate them through comparisons between different approaches and confront these results to experimental tests or measurements when possible. |
Special Session – Seismic Challenges and Opportunities in Modular Construction Team/organizers
| Author(s): Hugo Rodrigues, André Furtado, Ornella Iuorio Organization(s): University of Aveiro, Portugal; University of Lisboa, Portugal; Politecnico Di Milano, Italy Modular construction has emerged as a key solution to address current demands for sustainable, affordable, and rapid building delivery. While these systems offer major advantages in terms of quality, cost efficiency, and environmental impact, their seismic performance remains a critical challenge, particularly in regions of moderate to high seismicity. The structural configuration of modular buildings introduces specific issues related to connection detailing, diaphragm continuity, and global dynamic response. The overall seismic behaviour of these systems depends largely on the robustness of the inter-module and module-to-foundation connections, which govern load transfer and energy dissipation capacity. This special session aims to gather researchers, designers, and industry experts to discuss advances in the seismic analysis, design, and experimental validation of modular structures. Contributions addressing connection performance, hybrid simulation, shaking-table testing, and performance-based design strategies are encouraged. The session also invites discussions on sustainability and resilience aspects, including life-cycle performance, reparability, and the integration of digital tools such as BIM and digital twins to enhance design and post-earthquake assessment. Trough a multidisciplinary perspective, this session will promote a better understanding of how modular construction can safely and effectively be implemented in seismic regions, paving the way toward next-generation resilient modular systems. |
Special Session – Innovative Systems for Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation
| Author(s): Anastasios Sextos, Ian Aiken, Bahadir Sadan, Giarlelis Christol, Michalis Vassiliou, Dimitris Konstantinidis, Fatih Sutku Organization(s): University of Bristol / National Technical University of Athens, United Kingdom / Greece; Seismic Isolation Engineering, USA; OBS, Turkiye; EQUIDAS, Greece; National Technical University of Athens, Greece; UC Berkeley, USA; Istanbul Technical University, Turkiye Conventional seismic design, while effective in preventing collapse and mitigating human losses worldwide, often results in significant damage, downtime, and economic loss. Seismic isolation and energy dissipation systems offer a paradigm shift by directly reducing seismic demand, thus leading to enhanced performance related to damage limitation, rapid functional recovery, and resilience of critical infrastructure. Recent earthquakes, such as those in Turkiye in 2023, and the rapid evolution of materials, devices, and analytical tools further highlight the need for continued innovation and knowledge exchange in this field. This Special Session invites original contributions that advance the state-of-the-art in seismic isolation and energy dissipation, with emphasis on innovative concepts, systems, and applications. Contributions are welcome in (but not limited to) the following thematic areas: Novel seismic isolation devices, advanced energy dissipation mechanisms (viscous, hysteretic, frictional, inerter-based, negative-stiffness, and hybrid systems), low-cost, sustainable, and scalable isolation and damping solutions, performance-based and resilience-oriented design frameworks for protected structures, component and large-scale experimental testing, seismic qualification, long-term performance of isolation and damping devices, numerical modeling, applications to critical infrastructure (hospitals, bridges, energy facilities, industrial plants, and lifelines), retrofit solutions for existing and heritage structures using isolation and energy dissipation, multi-hazard effects as well as Codes and Standards for Protective Systems. The session is intended to bring together researchers, practitioners, and industry experts. It will provide a focused forum for high-quality contributions aligned with the mission of the International Association for Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation (ASSISi), fostering international collaboration within and outside Europe to advance the safety and resilience of structures worldwide. |