30 Jul FRPRCS17 Successfully Concludes in Girona with More than 300 International Participants
The 17th International Symposium on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Concrete Structures (FRPRCS17) was successfully held in Girona, Spain, from 6 to 8 July 2026, bringing together more than 300 researchers, engineers, industry professionals and company representatives from around the world. The event confirmed its position as one of the leading international forums dedicated to the advancement of structural engineering with fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.
Hosted at the historic Sant Domènec Campus of the University of Girona, the symposium was jointly organised by the University of Girona (UdG), the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom). The conference was coordinated by the AMADE Research Group (UdG), reinforcing its international leadership in the field of advanced composite materials and structural engineering.
As the longest-running conference of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC), FRPRCS has been held biennially since 1993 and has become the world’s premier scientific meeting dedicated to the use of FRP materials in civil engineering.
The scientific programme featured an extensive range of technical sessions covering the latest developments in FRP materials, innovative strengthening techniques, sustainable construction, durability, structural safety, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, masonry structures, and emerging technologies. In addition, eighteen special sessions promoted in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research topics and fostered collaboration between academia and industry.
The symposium also included several high-profile plenary lectures delivered by internationally renowned experts, including Professor Jin Guang Teng (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Professor Lijuan Cheng (University of California) and Professor Marco Di Ludovico (University of Naples Federico II), who shared the latest advances and future perspectives in structural engineering with composite materials.
Beyond the technical programme, FRPRCS17 offered activities aimed at strengthening the international research community, including a dedicated Young Researchers Day, a Women in FRP plenary session highlighting the role of women in research and engineering, and a panel of editors from leading international scientific journals discussing research quality, publication strategies and future challenges.
The outstanding participation and scientific quality of FRPRCS17 once again demonstrated the growing importance of fibre-reinforced polymer technologies in creating more resilient, durable and sustainable infrastructure. The symposium also strengthened international collaboration between universities, research centres and industry while showcasing Girona as an excellent venue for world-class scientific events.
The successful organisation of FRPRCS17 further consolidates the AMADE Research Group and the University of Girona as internationally recognised leaders in advanced composite materials and structural engineering research, while contributing to the international visibility of both the University and the city of Girona.
