Three Técnico researchers were awarded by International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) during the 11th International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering (CICE2023), which took place in Rio de Janeiro, in July.

Inês Rosa, a former Técnico PhD student and current researcher at Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), received the award for the best PhD thesis developed in the last two years, for her work “Fire behaviour of concrete structures reinforced with GFRP bars”. It was the first time that this prize had been awarded to a PhD thesis developed at a Portuguese institution.

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of GFRP bars and their adhesion to concrete at high temperatures, to study the fire resistance of reinforced concrete slabs with these bars and to propose fire design recommendations. It concluded that the current recommendations are insufficient and excessively conservative. Improvements have been proposed with a view to safer, more sustainable and more economical use of this type of beam in civil engineering applications.

Lourenço Almeida Fernandes, also a former Técnico PhD student received an honourable mention in the award for the IIFC Best PhD Thesis with the work “Fracture behaviour of pultruded GFRP profiles: application to web-crippling phenomena”. The thesis developed “design expressions that contribute to the safer use of these new structural materials, which are stronger, lighter and more durable than traditional materials”.

João Ramôa Correia, a Técnico professor and co-supervisor of the above-mentioned theses, was awarded the “IIFC President’s Award”, “in recognition of his distinguished services [to IIFC] for advancing the understanding and application of fiber-reinforced polymers in civil infrastructure, in service of the engineering profession and society”. He was also elected Vice-President of the IIFC for the 2023-2025 biennium.