📢 New publication by ISISE researchers!

A new study has been published in Construction and Building Materials:

📄 “Determining the coefficient of thermal expansion of FRP–concrete hybrid structural system constituents: Implementation and validation of a strain gauge–based method”

The work presents and validates a practical methodology for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion of materials used in FRP–concrete hybrid structural systems. Based on strain-gauge measurements, a low-expansion reference material and dedicated post-processing, the proposed approach offers a robust and cost-effective alternative for structural engineering laboratories.

The methodology was applied to the constituents of a hybrid sandwich panel composed of pultruded GFRP, polyurethane foam and steel fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete. Full-scale experimental testing and numerical analyses confirmed that the material-level properties obtained with the proposed method can successfully reproduce the thermal response of the complete structural system.

👥 Authors: Marco Abreu Filho, João M. Pereira, Miguel Azenha and José Sena-Cruz

🔗 Read the open-access paper:
buff.ly/d3SiJCL

#ISISE #SC #FRP #ARISE #UniversityOfMinho #StructuralEngineering #CompositeMaterials #FRP #Concrete #ThermalBehaviour #ExperimentalResearch #OpenAccess ... See MoreSee Less

📢 The ISISE Newsletter N30 is out!

In this 30th biannual edition, we share some of the latest highlights from our research community, including:

🔹 ISISE Day Out 2025 in Tomar
🔹 A new Impact Story featuring Mohammadali Rezazadeh
🔹 Completed and newly started R&D projects
🔹 Recently completed PhD theses
🔹 Awards, prizes, events, upcoming conferences and courses

This edition once again reflects the strong scientific activity, collaboration and impact of the ISISE community across structural engineering, sustainability, heritage, digitalisation and innovation.

📖 Read the full newsletter here:
buff.ly/z4syrMY

#ISISE #StructuralEngineering #Research #Innovation #Sustainability #CivilEngineering #ScienceCommunication ... See MoreSee Less

📢 New publication in Construction and Building Materials!

“Durability of NSM CFRP-to-concrete bond after six years of exposure to laboratory and outdoor environments”

This study provides rare long-term experimental evidence on the durability of near-surface mounted (NSM) CFRP strengthening systems for reinforced concrete structures. The work followed specimens exposed for six years to laboratory-controlled conditions and to real outdoor environments in Portugal, including Lisbon, Serra da Estrela, Elvas, and Viana do Castelo.

The results show that CFRP laminates maintained their mechanical performance after ageing, while the epoxy adhesive was more sensitive to environmental exposure, particularly under water immersion. These findings contribute to more reliable durability assessment and long-term design of CFRP strengthening systems.

👏 Congratulations to the authors: Luís Correia, Aloys Dushimimana, Sayed Adeel Jawed, João Miguel Pereira, Susana Cabral-Fonseca, and José Sena-Cruz.

🔗 Read the paper: buff.ly/s3pXTsf

#ISISE #SC #FRP #ARISE #UniversityOfMinho #LNEC #CivilEngineering #StructuralEngineering #CFRP #FRP #Concrete #Durability #Infrastructure #Research ... See MoreSee Less

🚨 Final reminder | PhD Position closes soon

Only a few days left to apply for PhD11 in the REFFRACTEUR European Industrial Doctoral Network.

This PhD will focus on THM-FEM modelling of dry-out and early-age behaviour in castable refractory linings, combining modelling, experimental data and industrial validation.

The project will address key questions such as:
🔹 How can dry-out schedules be optimised?
🔹 How do moisture transport, temperature and stress interact?
🔹 How does early-age damage affect long-term refractory durability?

📍 Mobility: Portugal + Austria

🎓 Profile: Engineering, multiphysics modelling, programming, excellent English

⚠️ Residents of Portugal cannot apply for this specific position due to the MSCA Mobility Rule.

📅 Apply by 24 June
🌐 www.reffracteur.eu

Do not miss this opportunity to join an international academia–industry doctoral network.

#ISISE #HMS #sc #matich #dice #reffracteur #ApplyNow #PhDOpportunity #MSCA #doctoralcandidate #refractories #FEM #thermomechanicalmodelling #materialsengineering ... See MoreSee Less

⏳ One week left to apply! | PhD Position 11

REFFRACTEUR is recruiting a Doctoral Candidate for PhD11: Thermo-hygral-mechanical modelling and optimisation of dry-out and early-age behaviour in castable refractory linings.

This position is ideal for candidates with a background in engineering, constitutive modelling, multiphysics simulation and programming.

You will contribute to the development of validated models and experimental strategies to optimise refractory castable dry-out, helping industry move towards safer, faster and more durable refractory operations.

📍 Host institutions:
University of Minho, Portugal
RHI Magnesita, Austria

⚠️ Due to the MSCA Mobility Rule, residents of Portugal cannot apply for PhD11.

📅 Deadline: 24 June
🌐 Apply at: www.reffracteur.eu

#ISISE #HMS #sc #matich #dice #reffracteur #PhDposition #MSCA #DoctoralNetwork #refractorymaterials #numericalmodelling #Multiphysics #IndustrialResearch #EngineeringJobs ... See MoreSee Less

📢 New publication in the Journal of Building Engineering

We are pleased to share our latest open-access article:

“Full-scale flexural behaviour of polyurethane-infilled steel web-core sandwich floor panels”

Authors: Pier Giovanni Benzo, Guilherme Gontijo, Marco Abreu Filho, João M. Pereira, José Sena-Cruz

This study investigates the structural performance of innovative lightweight sandwich floor panels made of cold-formed steel face sheets, steel web-core reinforcement, and polyurethane foam infill.

Through full-scale static and dynamic flexural testing, the work evaluates the potential of these panels as lightweight flooring systems for the rehabilitation of existing buildings, particularly where reducing structural mass is essential.

The results highlight the promising stabilising effect of the steel–foam interaction, the good agreement of numerical models up to peak load, and key insights into the failure mechanisms that should guide future design developments.

🔗 Read the paper here: buff.ly/7WIajQX

#ISISE #HMS #MATICH #SC #FRP #OpenAccess #JournalOfBuildingEngineering #StructuralEngineering #ColdFormedSteel #SandwichPanels #LightweightStructures #BuildingRehabilitation #SustainableConstruction #CivilEngineering #UniversityOfMinho #ARISE ... See MoreSee Less