Concrete congress

Concrete congress focuses on sustainability by Professor Ravindra Dhir.

Over 500 delegates from 62 countries converged on the Tower and Bonar Hall from 5-11 September 2002, to discuss reducing costs and energy in construction and the latest innovations in concrete technlogy. 'Challenges of concrete construction' was the fifth triennial congress to be held in Dundee since 1990 to examine the main issues facing the concrete construction industry in the new millennium.

The event, organised in collaboration with three of the world's premier engineering institutions; the American Concrete Institute, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, was also supported by 23 professional engineering institutions and sponsored by 33 national and international organisations.

Principal Sir Alan Langlands welcomed delegates to the University and spoke of the global importance of the delegates' work and of the contribution that the University's concrete technology unit had made. Lord Provost John Letford also welcomed delegates to the city at a civic reception in the Bonar Hall. The congress was formally opened by Ian Cox, development director of 'Concrete Thinking', who stressed the importance of promoting concrete as a competitive construction materials. During the congress, the role of concrete as the foundation for a sustainable environment and in shaping the quality of life, was addressed widely.

Professor Ravindra Dhir, congress chairman, spoke of the dialogue the congress has facilitated between academics and practitioners, inventors and end users and developed and developing countries. With over 25% of the delegates accompanied with their families at the congress, the process of cross-cultural interaction was clearly evident.

At the congress dinner, five people were presented with awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the development of the CTU into an enterprise.

The congress was formally closed by Professor Peter Hewlett, Chief Executive of the British Board of Agrement, with his address entitled 'concrete vade mecum', stating that concrete truly is "a material for all reasons" and that the congress has identified what concrete scientists and technologists have achieved and need to achieve.

It was widely acknowledged that this triennial congress series, organised by the CTU, is now firmly cemented in the world concrete calendar. It symbolises increasing synergy between academia, various sectors of the construction industry, professional bodies and local and national governments from all over the world.

It was noted that the next congress would be held in September 2005.

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