HACBAC2025

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The 6th Ibero-American Congress on Special Concretes (concrete and sustainability), HACBAC2025, is a congress whose aim is to bring together valid, original and innovative contributions to the development of knowledge on the material concrete and particularly on special concretes, in a multidisciplinary way, addressing the various issues related to the impact of this area of research, which will necessarily have to overcome various challenges in the near future, both in academia and in industry.

This is a continuation of the series of Ibero-American congresses that began in Valencia in 2008, followed by editions in Guimarães, Madrid, Porto and Valencia again, which were interrupted by the untimely pandemic. We are currently experiencing new interests and challenges, which is why we are proposing a call for proposals geared towards sustainability.

This 6th edition of HACBAC, organized by the University of the Algarve (UAlg), the National Engineering Laboratory (LNEC), the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the University of Cadiz (UCA), will take place on September 18 and 19, 2025, in the historic coastal city of Faro, Algarve, Portugal, at the Higher Institute of Engineering of the University of the Algarve.

The official languages of HACBAC2025 will be Portuguese, Spanish and English.

Faro city in Portugal

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Faro_Sé_Catedral

Faro city in Portugal

Conference Topics

The aim of the organization is to hold an event that brings together specialists from Ibero-American countries, but not exclusively, who work or study on issues related to the formulation, behaviour, production or use of concrete. The scope of HACBAC2025 covers, but is not limited to, the following topics:

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Constituents
- Low environmental impact binders
- Use of unconventional materials
Composition and performance
- Formulation methods
- Test methods
- Rheology
- Experimental characterization
Special concretes
- Self-compacting concrete
- Concrete with fibers
- High-performance concrete
- Lightweight concrete
- Printed concrete
- Other types of concrete
Applications
- Precast concrete
- Specific applications
- Efficient use of concrete
- Technology
- Case studies
Rehabilitation
- Pathology
- Inspection and testing methods
- Case studies
Standardization
- Standardization / certification
- Assessing the sustainability of concrete
- The sector’s sustainability policies
Artificial Intelligence algorithms applied to concrete
- Prediction and characterization of concrete properties
- Concrete optimization problems
- Sustainability in concrete
- Concrete production and quality control
- Monitoring and maintenance of concrete elements

Important Dates

Deadline for abstract submission: February 15, 2025

Notification of acceptance of abstracts: February 28, 2025

Deadline for article submission: May 31, 2025

Notification of article acceptance: June 30, 2025

Early registration by: July 31, 2025

Regular registration until: September 10, 2025

Submissions

Authors can participate in HACBAC2025 by submitting articles (maximum 8 pages) in one of the 3 official languages of the congress (Portuguese, Spanish or English).

Authors should take the following guidelines into account:

Authors must use the Word Template available here both to prepare the abstract or final paper.
Final papers (in PDF) are sent via the following link:

http://www.webchairing.com/hacbac2025/intra/ (login-credentials sent in the abstract acceptance email)

The responsibility for the content of the documents lies with the authors, who are checked for plagiarism, which in its presence leads to the outright exclusion of the document.
Each paper will be peer-reviewed by at least two members of the Scientific Committee and accepted on the basis of its originality, scientific significance and clarity.

It has been agreed with the journal Materiales de Construcción to publish a special issue featuring a selection of articles submitted to HACBAC2025.
https://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc

Those interested must follow a selection process:

When submitting the article to the congress, interested authors must indicate it on the congress platform.

During the review process of the final congress paper, the Scientific Committee (SC) will select, among the candidates, those considered most suitable.

Selected articles will include only an abstract in the congress proceedings.

Once proposed, the authors must submit the full article to the journal, following its template and submission conditions, and undergo its external peer-review process.
https://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/about/submissions

The special issue is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026, subject to the review timeline.

Registration

Registration – until July 31 450 euros, until September 10 550 euros. Each valid registration allows for the submission of one article. Each additional article will cost an additional 200 euros.

Members/associates of entities that provide institutional support to HACBAC2025 have a 10% discount on the registration fee.

Student – 150 euros (does not include food)

Escort for dinner only – 50 euros

All participants must make their registration by filling out the registration form

Registration will only become effective after payment has been received.

Committees

Organizing committee

Miguel Oliveira, University of Algarve, Portugal (Chair)
Pedro Serna, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain
António Bettencourt Ribeiro, LNEC, Portugal
Lola Rubio Cintas, University of Cadiz, Spain
Fátima Farinha, University of Algarve, Portugal
Marta Marçal Gonçalves, University of Algarve, Portugal

Scientific Committee

Aires Camões (University of Minho, Portugal)

Aitor Llano Torre (Rover Grupo, Spain)

Albert de la Fuente (Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Spain)

Ana Mafalda Matos (University of Porto – FEUP, Portugal))

Andrew McCoy (Virginia Tech, USA)

Ángel Castillo Talavera Eduardo (Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences, Spain)

Angel de la Rosa (King Juan Carlos University, Spain)

Antonia Pacios (Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain)

Antonio Aguado de Cea (Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Spain)

António Bettencourt Ribeiro (National Civil Engineering Laboratory, Portugal)

Antonio Conforti (University of Brescia, Italy)

Angel de la rosa (King Juan Carlos University, Spain)

Antonio Figueiredo (Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil)

António Pinho Ramos (New University of Lisbon, Portugal)

Arnaldo Manoel Carneiro Federal (University of Pernambuco, Brazil)

Belen Gonzalez-Fonteboa (University of La Coruña, Spain)

Berenice Martins Toralles (State University of Londrina, Brazil)

Bernardo Tutikian (University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Brazil)

Bryan E. Barragán (Owens Corning, France)

Carlos Aire Untivero (National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico)

Damian Beben (Opole University of Technology, Poland)

Eduardo Júlio (University of Lisbon – IST, Portugal)

Emilio García-Taengua (University of Leeds, UK)

Enrique Hernandez Montes (University of Granada, Spain)

Enzo Martinelli (University of Salerno, Italy)

Estefania Cuenca Asensio (Milan Polytechnic, Italy)

Fátima Farinha (University of Algarve, Portugal)

Fernando J. Branco (University of Coimbra, Portugal)

Fernando L. Gayarre (University of Oviedo, Spain)

Flávio A. Silva (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Francisca Pérez García ( University of Malaga, Spain)

Francisca Puertas Maroto (Eduardo Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences, Spain)

Francisco Agrela (University of Cordoba, Spain)

Gemma Rodríguez (University of the Republic Montevideo, Uruguay)

Gina Matias (itecons, Portugal)

Guilherme Cordeiro (North Fluminense State University Darcy Ribeiro, Brazil)

Hector Cifuentes (University of Seville, Spain)

Hugo Pinheiro Rodrigues (University of Aveiro, Portugal)

Joana Roncero (Votorantim Cimentos, Spain)

João Batista e Silva (University of Campinas, Brazil)

João Castro Gomes (University of Beira Interior, Portugal)

João Estevão (University of Algarve, Portugal)

Joaquim Barros (University of Minho, Portugal)

Jorge Brito (University of Lisbon – IST, Portugal)

Jorge da Silva Pinto (University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal)

José Pinto Duarte (Penn State University, USA)

Juan Carbonell Márquez (University of Malaga, Spain)

Karyne Santos (C5LAB, Portugal)

Konstantin Sobolev (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA)

Liberato Ferrara (Milan Polytechnic, Italy)

Lluis Gil (Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Spain)

Lola Rubio Cintas (University of Cadiz, Spain)

Luis Fernández Luco (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Luis Segura (University of the Republic Montevideo, Uruguay)

Luisa Andreia Gachet (University of Campinas, Brazil)

Luisa María Gil Martín (University of Granada, Spain)

Manuel Alejandro Ruiz (University of Malaga, Spain)

Manuel Pinheiro (University of Lisbon – IST, Portugal)

Manuel Vieira (National Civil Engineering Laboratory, Portugal)

Maria Esther Fernández (University of the Republic Montevideo, Uruguay)

María Eugenia Rubio (University of Malaga, Spain)

Mário Pimentel (University of Porto – FEUP, Portugal)

Marta Roig-Flores (University Jaume I, Spain)

Mercedes Sanchez Moreno (University of Cordoba, Spain)

Miguel Ángel Vicente (University of Burgos, Spain)

Miguel Costa Nepomuceno (University of Beira Interior, Portugal)

Miguel Oliveira (University of Algarve, Portugal)

Nikola Tosic (Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Spain)

Paulo César Gomes (Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil)

Paulo Guetti (Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Brazil)

Paulo Silva Lobo (University of Madeira, Portugal)

Pedro Miguel da Silva (Lisbon Institute of Engineering, Portugal)

Pedro Serna (Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain)

Raúl Zerbino (National University of La Plata, Argentina)

Ravindra Gettu (IITM Madras, India)

Romeu Vicente (University of Aveiro, Portugal)

Rosa Cristina Lintz (University of Campinas, Brazil)

Rui Duarte Neves (Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Portugal)

Sandra Nunes (Delft University of Technology – Netherlands)

Sara Dias (itecons, Portugal)

Sergio Carmona Malatesta (Technical University Federico Santa María de Valparaíso, Chile)

Sergio Yazzar (National University of San Juan, Argentina)

Sindy Seara-Paz (University of La Coruña, Spain)

Teresa Pinheiro-Alves (University of Évora, Portugal)

Valdirene Maria Capuzzo (University of Brasilia, Brazil)

Vítor M. Cunha (University of Minho, Portugal)

Vitor Vermelhudo (SECIL, Portugal)

Keynote Speakers

The Keynote Speakers are:

Marta Palacios holds a PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid. She is a researcher at the Eduardo Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences (IETcc-CSIC) in the Cement Chemistry group. Her research career has focused on the field of Construction Materials, specifically the design and development of cements and concretes with low environmental impact, as well as the use of chemical additives to improve their properties. Her research focuses on the rheology control of low-clinker cements (LC3, cements with limestone addition, etc.), the impact of accelerating additives on the reactivity of sustainable cements, and the development of new admixtures from the forced carbonation of fine aggregates from construction and demolition waste. She has worked for over six years at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) and has completed several internships at Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh), the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Mainz), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). She has published 66 articles in international scientific journals, including one in Nature Communications. She has participated in 21 competitive research projects at national and international levels, supervised three doctoral theses, and served as Associate Editor of the journal Cement and Concrete Research.
Title of the presentation: (to be indicated)

Eduardo Júlio. Professor, University of Coimbra (1990/2011). Full Professor, IST Lisbon (2011/-). Launched the master’s degree ‘Rehabilitation of Built Space’ (2004). Promoted the creation of doctoral programs (2013). He has taught dozens of subjects in Portuguese and foreign HEIs. IST ‘Excellent Teacher’ Award. Promoted the creation of ISISE (2007). President ICIST (2013/14). Promoted the creation of CERIS (2015). Participated in the creation of C5LAB (2017). President CERIS (2021/22). Developed 35 R&D projects in the area of structural concrete (> 11 M€). Received several awards, e.g., “Novo Banco Innovation” (2014). Supervised 16 (+13) doctoral theses. Author > 500 scientific articles, ~ 200 listed in Scopus, > 6400 citations, h-index=47. Included in the list of “2% Most Influential Scientists in the World” Stanford University. President GPBE – Portuguese Structural Concrete Group (2019/-). ‘Convenor’ 3 TGs of fib –‘International Federation of Structural Concrete’, associate editor-in-chief Structural Concrete journal, editor fib bulletins 102 and 103, organizer fib Symposium 2021 and 7th fib Congress 2026. ‘Honorary life member’ and ‘fellow’ of fib. Carried out >120 consultancy jobs for national and foreign entities. CEO Fundiestamo (2019/20), responsible for FNRE – National Building Rehabilitation Fund. Member of Eurocode 2 working committees. Advisory member, specialist in Structures, Order of Engineers.
Presentation title: Structural Concrete – Past Developments and Future Challenges

Antonio Aguado de Cea. Emeritus Professor, UPC. Co-founder of Smart Engineering. He earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1974 from the University of Cantabria (Spain) and received his PhD in 1980 from the UPC. He became a full professor in the field of concrete structures at the ETSICCP (University of Barcelona) in 1987. His research focuses on concrete structures, structural design with special concretes, and new material characterization techniques. He also works on aspects related to multi-criteria decision-making systems for sustainability assessment. He has published 214 scientific articles (more than 75% in international journals indexed by JCR). He has supervised 60 doctoral theses and more than 200 master’s and bachelor’s theses. He currently has an h-index of 53. He has led more than 50 and 75 research projects with public and private funding, respectively, in which leading Spanish and foreign construction companies, energy and services companies, materials and ready-mix concrete companies, as well as various government agencies have also participated.
Presentation title: Special concretes and sustainability

Program

Preliminary Program (Final Program to be made available soon)

Lisbon (UTC+1)	September 18 (Thursday)	September 19 (Friday)	September 20 (Saturday)
9:30 – 10:15	Participant check-in	Parallel sessions
10:15 – 11:00	Opening Session (45 min)	Parallel sessions	Social event – Boat tour
11:00 – 11:30	Coffee break (30 min) (visit stands)	Coffee break (30 min) (visit stands)
11:30 – 12:00	Parallel sessions	Plenary session – Lecture (30 min)
12:00 – 13:00	Parallel sessions	Parallel sessions
13:00 – 14:30	Lunch (1h30)	Lunch (1h30)
14:30 – 15:00	Plenary session – Lecture (30 min)	Plenary session – Lecture (30 min)
15:00 – 16:30	Parallel sessions	Parallel sessions
16:30 – 17:00	Coffee break (30 min) (visit stands)	Coffee break (30 min) (visit stands)
17:00 – 18:00	Parallel sessions	Parallel sessions
18:00 – 18:30	Parallel sessions	Closing session (30 min)
20:30	Dinner

Information for Participants

Information for participants

To be completed…

Information and Venue

HACBAC2025 will take place in Faro, the administrative, social and commercial capital of the Algarve.

The Algarve, located in the south of Portugal, is a well-known tourist region. With a Mediterranean climate, this region is perfect for summer vacations. Some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the world can be found here, making the Algarve a favorite for tourists.

See more information about Faro on the Municipality of Faro website and watch some promotional videos about the Algarve: “Rebond, Rediscover, Relax… in Algarve”, ‘Algarve Craft Food’, ‘The Algarve looks good on you’.

Travel and accommodation

You can travel to Faro by plane, train and bus. Faro International Airport is served by several major airlines. The distance between Faro International Airport and the city of Faro is about 5 km. The city can be reached by cab or bus. Faro’s bus and train stations are located a 2-5 minute walk from the city center.

Faro has a wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets, from 4-star hotels to hostels.

Our local partner – Abreu Events – has implemented a Hotel Booking
Platform for the congress where you can book your accommodation quickly and
conveniently. September is still high season in the Algarve, so we recommend booking your
accommodation as far in advance as possible. BOOK HERE.

Local

HACBAC2025 will be held at the “Complexo Pedagógico”, Campus da Penha, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.

Use this LINK do Google Maps to navigate to the conference venue.

From Faro Airport to the Penha Campus:

Faro airport is 8 km from Campus da Penha. The journey takes approximately 11 minutes by car. You can take a cab or rent a car.

From Faro Airport to the city center:

From Faro Airport to the city center, you can take a cab, rent a car or take a bus. The PROXIMO 14 and 16 bus lines operate from Faro Airport from 05:00 to 23:00. The 20-minute bus ride to Faro is frequent and affordable (€2.40 single fare). For more information, visit www.proximo.pt

From the City Center to the Penha Campus

The “Pedagogical Complex” building on the Penha Campus is located about a 20-minute walk from the city center. Bus line 18 connects the central bus station (near Hotel Eva) to the Penha Campus. GPS: 37 ’01’ 42.4 N 7′ 55′ 28.4 W

Proceedings and Abstracts

Proceedings

Papers accepted for oral presentation will be published in the conference proceedings.

In addition, articles submitted to the conference may request to be selected for publication in a special issue of the journal that will appear in 2026:
Materiales de Construcción (a scientific journal published by CSIC and edited by Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja).
In this case, the articles must be written in English and meet the format and length conditions proposed (see submissions), and will follow a review process that guarantees the levels required for the journal. The conference proceedings will only publish a summary of these articles.

Previous conferences

The cycle of Ibero-American conferences on self-compacting concrete (BAC) began in Valencia in 2008, when BAC began its journey as an unavoidable reality in the world of construction.

From the outset, it was created with the aim of disseminating knowledge about this new concrete in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries at a scientific level, but without forgetting the practical orientation, trying to reach users and industry.

After the following editions in Guimarães, Madrid and Porto, the fifth edition was held again in Valencia, with the additional purpose of expanding the theme of the congress beyond the focus on BAC. It was a decision based on the tendency for many special concretes to be considered self-compacting and the reality that many of us work on other types of special concretes. As one of the aims of the congress is to facilitate mutual knowledge and generate synergies between our groups, it seemed logical that broadening the theme would be a good idea.

After its success, the pandemic made it difficult to develop new editions. But today we are once again detecting an interest in new challenges, which is why we are proposing the 6th edition, which on this occasion we suggest will focus on the theme of “sustainability” in concrete. This is a very topical subject that will have to overcome many challenges in the near future.

Contact

Do you have any questions? You can write to us.

Postal address