International fib Symposium on Conceptual Design of Structures
The International fib Symposium on Conceptual Design of Structures will take place from 26 to 28 September 2019 in Madrid, Spain at the Torroja Institute.
Conceptual design plays a leading role in defining the end-performance of structures. Facing new global challenges and embracing new technological opportunities, structural designers are encouraged to develop more creativity in their projects. Each project, independently on its size, is an opportunity to create.
Creativity in conceptual design is hard to foster and share. It is not the result of a sudden moment of inspiration, but the fruit of serious, systematic and ambitious work in the quest for an adequate solution to a given question. Conceptual design is rarely taught in civil engineering schools. Traditionally, successful processes are context-dependent, experience-based and principle-driven. However, new training modes, a deeper understanding of history, and the development of new tools and technologies set forth new possibilities for creative endeavours.
The fib International Symposium on Conceptual Design of Structures is a one-of-a-kind event specifically addressed to creative designers of all experience levels. The Symposium will take place at the Torroja Institute in Madrid, Spain, a unique blend of civil engineering and architecture.
The fib – the International Federation for Structural Concrete – is an association created in the 1950’s by eminent engineers, including Torroja, Freyssinet, Levi – that aims to share ideas to promote the use of structural concrete. This association acknowledges and has had, throughout its history, the mission to promote, communicate and teach the value of creativity in engineering. The symposium is organised together with the Spanish Association of Structural Engineering (ACHE). The Torroja Institute, built testimony of Eduardo Torroja’s creativity and teaching, is the venue of the event.
Four sessions will punctuate the symposium, each corresponding to a stage in the conceptual design process: INSPIRATION; DATA COLLECTION; CREATIVITY; and MATERIALISATION. Each session includes a keynote lecture, plenary presentations of selected papers, an open debate with the audience, and a series of hands-on workshops leveraging state-of-the-art tools and methods.
Authors are invited to submit original contributions on any topic related to the conceptual design of structures, and in particular, to the four
following stages.
|
INSPIRATION
|
DATA COLLECTION
|
| CREATIVITY Form Finding and optimisation Conceptual design process Parametric design Artificial Intelligence Tools |
MATERIALISATION Virtual reality 3D printing and rendering Construction and detailing Case studies Temporary structures |
TIMELINE
15 March 2019 | Deadline for submission of abstract
1 April 2019 | Notification of acceptance of abstract
1 June 2019 | Deadline for submission of full papers
1 August 2019 | Notification of acceptance of papers
REGISTRATION FEES
Before 1 August 2019: 130€ fib/ACHE members | 150€ general public
After 1 August 2019: 150€ fib/ACHE members | 170€ general public
For more information, please visit the official website.
