Future in construction: International workshop in Rostock starts today!

Future in construction: International workshop in Rostock starts today!

The 21st International Probabilistic Workshop at the University of Rostock will take place from September 10th to 12th, 2025. This event aims to promote exchanges about developments in probability methods in engineering practice and research. The topics range from the interaction between science and industry to the effects of climate change on infrastructure to the possible uses of artificial intelligence.

As part of the workshop, Professor Elizabeth Prommer will honor the distinguished civil engineer Dan M. Frangopol with an honor. Frangopol is not only Professor Emeritus at Lehigh University and the University of Colorado Boulder, but is also considered an international pioneer in the field of life cycle engineering for civil and shipbuilding. He is the inaugural holder of the Fazlur R. Khan Chair in Civil Engineering and Architecture and will deliver the opening keynote address at the conference.

Honorable awards and achievements

Dan M. Frangopol has achieved numerous awards throughout his career. These include four honorary doctorates and 14 honorary professorships. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the US National Academy of Construction, as well as a foreign member of several engineering academies in Canada, Japan and Mexico. His work has set standards in research and teaching, particularly in engineering. He is also a sought-after speaker and has given numerous plenary lectures at international conferences.

His influence also extends to the founding of important organizations. He was founding president of the International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety (IABMAS) and the International Association for Life Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE). In addition, he initiated the “Dan M. Frangopol Medal for Life-Cycle Engineering of Civil Structures,” which was launched on October 18, 2023.

Research focus and contributions

Frangopol's research interests are broad and include, among others, the development of probabilistic concepts in civil and marine engineering, as well as structural reliability and life cycle cost analysis. He works at the interface between probabilistic methods and practical applications in the civil engineering industry, which enables him to develop innovative approaches to the challenges of infrastructure lifecycle management.

The need for sustainable lifespan management is reinforced by increasing resource scarcity and climate change. Innovative life cycle engineering is concerned with ensuring the functionality of structures throughout their entire service life and integrates probabilistic-based assessment methods.

The ongoing lecture series at various institutions, including the BOKU, convey concepts for predictive lifespan management systems that are applied to engineering structures, hydraulic engineering structures and protective structures in the Alpine region. This comprehensive approach not only supports the monitoring and assessment of infrastructure, but also ensures the implementation of sustainable and economical solutions.

In order to further promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences, the Universidade Rostock has initiated excellent opportunities in the field of life cycle engineering and plans to continue the impulses of experts like Frangopol in order to overcome the challenges of the future together.