Keynote talk: Efforts to achieve durable and resilient concrete Infrastructure in Japan and Innovative eco-friendly construction materials

Prof. Akira HOSODA; Yokohama National University, Japan
Director of Research Center for Sustainability, Resilience and Well-being

Japan is highly prone to earthquakes and has an extensive coastline, making it susceptible to salt damage, particularly due to the use of de-icing agents. As a result, ensuring that concrete structures supporting society are both durable and resilient against major earthquakes and tsunamis is a significant challenge. This lecture will outline technologies and systems for ensuring the durability of newly constructed concrete structures, as well as continuous seismic retrofitting for existing ones, alongside repair technologies and systems for structures damaged by salt exposure.

Additionally, with the global demand for concrete rising—consuming vast amounts of resources—the need for environmentally friendly concrete and construction materials has become increasingly important. This lecture will also introduce zero-cement concrete, low-strength construction mortars, and methods to mitigate the heat island effect and control weeds using granulated porous concrete produced through granulation technology.