From February 25 to February 27, 2024, the 8th International Conference on Applications of Structural Fire Engineering (ASFE’24) was successfully held at Guangxi University. Hosted by Guangxi University and organized by its School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, the conference brought together over 100 representatives from nine countries and regions, including the UK, Singapore, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Slovenia, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Plenary keynote speeches were delivered by distinguished scholars, including Prof. Tan Kang Hai from Nanyang Technological University, Prof. Xiao Jianzhuang, Dr. Bin Zhao from the French Centre for Metal Construction, and Prof. Yongchang Wang from University of Manchester.
The conference featured three breakout sessions and six parallel forums, with discussions focusing on cutting-edge topics such as:
• New methods for fire characteristics and simulation
• Fire-resistant materials
• Performance of steel, concrete, timber, and composite structures under (or after) fire conditions
Participants also visited Guangxi University’s advanced research facilities, including the Full-Scale Structural Impact Test System at the Agricultural Science City, the Multi-Condition Mechanics Testing System for Civil Engineering Materials, and the Large-Scale Structural Testing Platform.
The ASFE conference series was initiated in 2009 by Prof. Frantisek Wald of the Czech Technical University, with the first conference held in Prague. Subsequent conferences were successfully hosted in Prague (2011, 2013), Dubrovnik, Slovenia (2015), Manchester, UK (2017), Singapore (2019), and Ljubljana, Slovenia (2021, online). ASFE’24 marks the first time the conference has been held in China.
The event provided a platform for domestic and international experts in structural fire engineering to exchange the latest research findings and practical applications in design, consulting, and construction. This international collaboration fosters stronger ties among researchers and professionals, offering valuable insights into advancements in fire safety engineering.
ASFE’24 was co-hosted by Guangxi University and supported by key research platforms, including the “111 Base” for the Discipline Innovation and Talent Introduction Program, the National Key Laboratory of Safety for Special Metal Materials and Composite Structures, and the Western Land-Sea Corridor Development Research Institute.
The success of ASFE’24 not only enhances Guangxi University’s global reputation in structural fire engineering but also contributes significantly to the development of its world-class civil engineering discipline and its “111 Base” program.
