Assessment and Strengthening of Existing Masonry, Wood and Concrete Structures and Infrastructure

The sustainable management of our built environment hinges on extending the service life of existing structures amid escalating climate pressures and resource constraints. Aging wood, masonry, and concrete assets from historic monuments to vital infrastructure face accelerated degradation from environmental loads, seismic events, and material fatigue, demanding innovative assessment and rehabilitation paradigms. Current practices often rely on costly replacements or suboptimal retrofits, exacerbating embodied carbon emissions and resource depletion, with global infrastructure renewal needs projected to exceed trillions by 2030. This Research Topic addresses this gap by advancing integrated assessment and strengthening strategies that extend service life while minimizing environmental impact. It bridges traditional structural engineering with cutting-edge digital tools and materials science to deliver resilient, low-carbon solutions and by fostering practitioner-researcher dialogue, it promotes adaptive retrofit strategies that enhance both durability and seismic resilience for next-generation built environments.Objectiveso Develop precise diagnostic tools for early degradation detectiono Optimize performance-based retrofit designs tailored to structural material and contexto Validate low-carbon interventions through real-world case studies and experimental campaignso Quantify seismic resilience gains by combining in-situ monitoring with probabilistic simulationso Ensure net-zero compatibility through rigorous life-cycle assessmento Deliver actionable frameworks for resilient, circular infrastructure that reduce retrofit emissions by up to 50%o Foster global standards for adaptive reuse by uniting researchers, engineers, and policymakersKey Themes1. Advanced Nondestructive Testing (NDT)o Ultrasonic testing, infrared thermography, and ground-penetrating radaro Acoustic emission analysis for microcrack detection and monitoringo AI-driven NDT approaches for enhanced diagnostic precision and early degradation detection2. Experimental & Numerical Degradation Modelingo Finite element modeling of structural deterioration under environmental and mechanical loadso Machine learning-based damage prediction and condition assessmento Probabilistic simulations to quantify uncertainty in degradation pathways3. Performance-Based Strengtheningo Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), including basalt FRP compositeso Textile-reinforced mortars and advanced grouting techniqueso Shape-memory alloy dampers for adaptive, self-correcting strengtheningo Base isolation systems and jacketing for seismic resilienceo Self-healing geopolymers and other smart adaptive materials4. Life-Cycle Carbon Analysiso Embodied carbon assessment of retrofit interventions versus full replacemento Net-zero compatibility evaluations across the full structural lifespano Strategies to reduce retrofit-related emissions by up to 50%5. Digital Integration & Real-World Case Studieso Digital twins via BIM-FEM integration for predictive structural modelingo In-situ monitoring combined with real-world experimental campaignso Adaptive reuse case studies demonstrating practical application of diagnostic and retrofit frameworksManuscript TypesWe welcome the following contribution types:o Original Research experimental or numerical studies advancing assessment and rehabilitation methodso Systematic Reviews comprehensive synthesis of current diagnostics, materials, or retrofit strategieso Methods Papers novel frameworks, tools, or workflows with clear practical applicationo Perspective Pieces expert commentary on emerging challenges, policy implications, or future directions Topic editors: Micaela Mercuri, Maurizio Morgese Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80858/assessment-and-strengthening-of-existing-masonry-wood-and-concrete-structures-and-infrastructure