The 2nd International RILEM conference on early-age and long-term cracking in RC structures

Overview

Even though reinforced concrete (RC) is one of the most used manmade materials in the world, and adequate models exist for the prediction and design of the ultimate capacity of RC structures, the prediction of service life behaviour is still not mature enough for actual design purposes. This may lead to immediate repair needs, inadequate service life behaviour even when regulatory prescriptions for design are strictly followed, or at other times to unnecessary overdesign of reinforcement, which has negative consequences on both sustainability and economic aspects. This is amplified by development of new more sustainable cements and supplementary materials since the range of material properties needed for SLS-design is considerably wider than for ULS design.

One of the most common issues relevant to many RC structures which is encountered on-site is that of cracking. Understanding the interplay between fundamental mechanisms involved in the processes of hydration-induced temperature, shrinkage, creep, loading and herewith caused cracking requires interdisciplinary integration of materials science and structural engineering. A comprehensive approach to this problem requires the design of robust experimental techniques, development of multiscale models (micro, meso and mainly, macro-scale) and evaluation of code-based and other analytical approaches relevant to crack control in concrete which is also the aim of RILEM TC CCS: Early age and long term crack width analysis in RC structures.

The conference aims to bring together experts to share the state-of-the-art developments on the aforementioned fields and is the closing event of RILEM TC CCS: Early-age and long-term crack width analysis in RC structures celebrating achievements in the TC over the past 6 years. The event follows on from a very successful conference under the same theme in 2021 (CRC2021) which was held in Paris (ENS-Paris-Saclay) on hybrid format due to Covid-19 measures.

The conference will consist of lectures by researchers and other professionals from a variety of scientific disciplines in works targeted to crack control in concrete. The conference is intended for researchers and practitioners at any career level who have interest in deepening knowledge on the targeted subjects.

Conference Topics

The conference topics fall within the scope of RILEM TC 287 CCS: Early-age and long-term crack width analysis in RC structures. The topic of cracking in RC structures from a serviceability limit state perspective has been addressed in the past, but not with integrative approaches which consider fundamental material behaviour and structural design. The conference is expected to bring about a significant number of new insights of important benefits for researchers and practitioners. The scope of the conference resonates with industry needs in the field of crack control which adopts relatively unsustainable approaches to the problem, such as overdesigning or excessively repairing. Contribution from authors on the following topics is encouraged:

Early-age and long-term imposed deformations in concrete,
Analytical formulations for calculating crack widths in concrete,
Numerical simulations of early-age and long-term restrained behaviour of concrete elements,
Experimental investigations on early-age and long-term cracking,
On-site monitoring of imposed deformations and cracking,
Crack control and crack repair,
Sustainability of design and remediation,
Scientific insights vs. standardisation.

Venue

The conference will be held in the Conference Centre of the Courtyard by Marriot Katowice City Centre. The conference centre is located in the iconic Altus building – one of the highest buildings of Katowice, nestled in the vibrant heart of the capital of Upper Silesia.

The city of Katowice is a dynamic urban hub brimming with culture, history, and innovation. At the epicentre of this vibrant metropolis lies its pulsating City Centre, a melting pot of architectural marvels, cultural landmarks, and lively streets that captivate visitors from near and far. The places worth recommending to visit while staying in Katowice include:

Katowice Cultural Zone – a modern district that includes the Silesian Museum, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR), and the International Congress Centre.
Nikiszowiec District – a historic workers’ district built in the early 20th century for coal miners and their families, which offers a glimpse into the region’s industrial heritage and everyday life in Silesia a century ago.
Giszowiec District – another historical workers’ district, similar to Nikiszowiec but with a different architectural style, featuring detached houses and green spaces.

A dedicated conference dinner will be organised in Katowice City Centre.

Places worth seeing while visiting the Upper Silesian region

For those willing to travel from Katowice, they can explore a variety of fascinating destinations that showcase Poland’s rich history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage.

Kraków (Cracow) – 80 km

One of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Kraków is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, historical significance, and vibrant cultural scene. Top tourist attractions include: Wawel Castle, Main Market Square, and the historic Jewish quarter Kazimierz District.

Oświecim – 40 km

The town of Oświęcim and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum – the site of the former Nazi concentration and extermination camps. It is now a solemn memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.

Częstochowa – 70 km

A major pilgrimage site in Poland, home to the Jasna Góra Monastery, which houses the revered icon of the Black Madonna. It is a spiritual and cultural center of Poland, attracting millions of pilgrims annually.

Ojców National Park – 90 km

A stunning national park featuring limestone cliffs and caves hosted in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. Known for the Eagles’ Nests Trail of medieval castles and fortresses, including the largest Ogrodzieniec Castle starring in the TV series “The Witcher”.

Salt mines in Lesser Poland region

The Wieliczka (90 km) and Bochnia (120 km) Salt Mines are two of Poland’s most famous and historically significant salt mines. These mines are renowned for their stunning underground chambers, intricate carvings, and unique saline landscapes. They are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Upper Silesia mines

Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry (30 km) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a fascinating journey underground to explore historic silver mining operations. Guido Mine and Queen Luiza Adit in Zabrze (20 km) serve as museums of the history of coal mining in the region.

Beskidy mountains

The Beskidy Mountains offer a diverse range of experiences, from outdoor adventures and scenic hikes to relaxation and cultural exploration. While in the region, it is recommended to visit a charming town of Bielsko-Biała (70 km) and the town of Żywiec (85 km) with its Brewery Museum.

Pszczyna and Tychy

Pszczyna (40 km) is famous for its beautifully preserved renaissance-baroque castle resided by the Dukes of Pless, as well as the historic city centre. It is also worth visiting the neighbouring city of Tychy (20 km) with the von Pless Tychy Brewery, one of Poland’s most famous breweries which operates until this day.

Accommodation

Katowice offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. You can use one of the popular booking services to search for the best option.

Luxury hotels: For those seeking a high-end experience, Katowice has several luxury hotels offering top-notch amenities and services. Prices typically range from 400 PLN to 800 PLN per night (approximately 90 EUR to 180 EUR).

Mid-range hotels: Mid-range hotels in the city centre provide a comfortable stay with modern facilities at reasonable prices. Expect to pay between 200 PLN and 400 PLN per night (approximately 45 EUR to 90 EUR).

Budget hotels and hostels: Travelers on a budget can find several budget hotels and hostels offering clean and convenient accommodations. Prices usually range from 100 PLN to 200 PLN per night (approximately 20 EUR to 45 EUR).

Apartments and short-term rentals: For a more home-like experience, there are numerous apartments and short-term rentals available. These can range from 150 PLN to 500 PLN per night (approximately 35 EUR to 110 EUR), depending on the size and location.

Accommodation beyond the city centre: As you move further from the city centre, accommodation options generally become more affordable. You can find a variety of guesthouses, budget hotels, and apartments at lower prices, often providing a quieter environment. Prices in the outskirts typically range from 80 PLN to 300 PLN per night (approximately 20 EUR to 70 EUR), offering excellent value for longer stays or for those seeking a more suburban experience.

Committees

Conference organisers

Miguel Azenha (Chair)
Fragkoulis Kanavaris (Chair)
Agnieszka Jędrzejewska (Local host)
Małgorzata Pająk (Local host)
Farid Benboudjema (President of the Scientific Committee)

Secretariat and general information
info@crc2025.org

Scientific Committee
Farid Benboudjema – President

Members of the Scientific Committee
Syed Yasir Alam, France
Mario Rui Arruda, Portugal
Shingo Asamoto, Japan
Miguel Azenha, Portugal
Alexandra Bourdot, France
Matthieu Briffaut, France
Eduardo Fairbairn, Brazil
Bahman Ghiassi, UK
Igarashi Go, Japan
Tulio Honorio, France
Agnieszka Jędrzejewska, Poland
Sri Kalyana Rama Jyosyula, India
Gintaris Kaklauskas, Lithuania
Fragkoulis Kanavaris, UK
Terje Kanstad, Norway
Anja Klausen, Norway
Barbara Klemczak, Poland
Laurie Lacarriere, France
Taito Miura, Japan
Małgorzata Pająk, Poland
Francesco Pesavento, Italy
Nivin Phillip, India
Łukasz Sadowski, Poland
Javier Sánchez Montero, Spain
Dirk Schlicke, Austria
Suresh Seetharam, Belgium
Carlos Serra, Portugal
Lorena Skevi, UK
Vit Smilauer, Czech Rep.
Carlos Sousa, Portugal
Stephanie Staquet, Belgium
Reignard Tan, Norway
Jean Michel Torrenti, France
Naoshi Ueda, Japan
Jens Peder Ulfkjaer, Denmark
Tatsuya Usui, Japan
Robert Vollum, UK
Guang Ye, The Netherlands
Mariusz Zych, Poland

Dates and Submission

Key dates
15th November 2024 (extended!) – Abstract submission deadline
31st November 2024 – Notification of abstract acceptance
31st January 2025 – Full paper submissions
31st March 2025 – Notification of paper acceptance
30th April 2025 – Final paper submission

Call for abstracts is now OPEN

Abstracts and papers are submitted through the SciencesConf platform.

We are now accepting submissions of 250-word abstracts – click the button below which will re-direct you to the CRC2025 SciencesConf webpage.

Proceedings

All accepted papers will be published by Springer as RILEM Bookseries and indexed in SCOPUS and Google Scholar (see an example from CRC2021 RILEM-Springer proceedings).

Proceedings of CRC2025 will be made available to the conference participants prior to the event free of charge.