International Experts Discuss Safety Problems of Civil Engineering Critical Infrastructures at UrFU

16:00, October 4, 2018

International Conference with 50 participants from 7 countries started today

Problems of design, fracture mechanics, issues of diagnostics, monitoring and optimal management of infrastructures in the context of creating and operating safe, smart and long-lasting systems will be discussed at the university: the IV International Conference named "Safety Problems of Civil Engineering Critical Infrastructures" opened here today. 

The agenda also includes the creation of real conditions and a practical mechanism for an innovative, scientific, educational and organizational breakthrough in one of the most important problems of the 21^st century: ensuring safety and sustainable development of cities, territories and regions, taking into account the human factor. The goal of the event is to bring together internationally the efforts of scientists, experts and specialists in the field of comprehensive analysis of risks associated with building interdependent critical infrastructures throughout their entire life cycle. 

In his opening speech, Rector of Ural Federal University Victor Koksharov noted that with the increasing structural complexity of the Russian economy, the potential damage that could be caused to all its sectors due to industrial accidents, natural disasters, global climate change, and others, including extreme social and political situations, is growing. There is also a constant threat of systemic risks, cybernetic and terrorist attacks.

“Currently, the issues of regional security and interdisciplinary analysis of territorial risk have come to the fore all over the world,” noted Viсtor Koksharov. “Without solving them, it is impossible to ensure sustainable development of large municipalities, territories, and regions of the country. The arising problems can lead to systemic disruptions in the operations of enterprises and organizations, functioning of territories and individual sectors of the national economy. The participants of the conference will learn how the risk analysis methodology is applied for solving problems of ensuring safety and quality of life, and will also be able to meet their colleagues, participate in discussions and present their reports.” 

There will also be a coordination meeting within the series of activities aimed at promotion and sustainable development of the international project by ERASMUS+ named "Master Program in Innovative Technologies in the Field of Energy-efficient Construction for Universities and Enterprises of the Russian Federation and Armenia."

The event was organized by Ural Federal University, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ural Local Branch of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Science,

University of Genoa (Italy), South Ural State University, National Polytechnic University of Armenia, and EUCEET Association (European Civil Engineering Education and Training). More than 50 experts from Russia, Armenia, Lithuania, Great Britain, Italy, Romania and Slovakia are taking part in the conference.