The 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices

This open access book provides the latest fundamental and practical advances in reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint based on a collection of papers presented at the 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices, held June 19-21, 2024, in Oslo, Norway.

The volume presents research investigations and case studies spanning five interrelated domains:

1. New materials and material preparation processes for zero (or negative) carbon footprint
2. Robotic construction technologies for minimum formwork and on-site activities
3. Novel structural designs and details for optimal performance with the least material usage
4. Advanced condition assessment and health monitoring methods for the longest service life
5. Innovative life-cycle analysis and policy-making strategies for effective civil infrastructure management

Prof. Dr. Mahdi Kioumarsi is a Professor in the Department of Built Environment at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet). As a leading expert in concrete materials and structures in Norway, he brings extensive experience in structural analysis, numerical modeling, and sustainable construction materials. He serves as the Head of Research and Development at the Structural Engineering Laboratory at OsloMet. He is also the leader of the SmartVED lab, which focuses on the smart monitoring and maintenance of infrastructures. Along with the Structural Engineering research group, Prof. Kioumarsi is also a member of the Construction Management, Sustainability, Innovation, and Digitalization research group at OsloMet. He has participated in and led several regional, national, and international research projects. OsloMet awarded him an individual fellowship at the Research Talent Development Program for 2020. Prof. Kioumarsi has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at well-respected conferences. He also serves as a reviewer and an editorial board member for several international scientific journals.

Prof. Dr. Behrouz Shafei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. He also holds a Professional Engineering license from California, where he finished his Ph.D. and Postdoctoral studies. His research investigations primarily address the issues associated with the performance of civil infrastructures under continuous deterioration processes and sudden extreme events. He also actively works on the development of innovative materials that deliver the requirements for resilience and sustainability during their service life. Prof. Shafei has completed multiple research projects sponsored by private and public sectors, including the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program. He has published the outcome of his research and educational activities in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He serves as a research advisor for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars while contributing to various scientific and professional committees at both national and international levels.