On behalf of the Organising Committees in China and with the support from UK, we wish to extend an open invitation to all academicians, research engineering scientists, material failure investigators, town planners, architects and practising engineers who are conversant with risk analysis, material degradation, damage mitigation, vibration specialists and security protection of structures against the harmful effects of natural, environmental and man-made hazards to attend this gathering in Shenyang.

Our lack of understanding on the behaviour and performance of structures and materials together with an increasing inadequate provision against natural and man-made loading phenomena may result in catastrophic consequences. In many cases, the combined effects of fire and blast on aging building materials have a significant effect on structures.

Our role in research, experimentation and practise is to gather all our expertise to focus on overcoming these consequences. Increasing use of computational tools have provided realistic solutions to resist the effects of abnormal loading, material degradation with aging and environmental pollution on structures. However, these tools are at best an approximation.

This conference aims to provide a platform for participants from around the world to discuss and present their latest developments and creative approaches to protect structures subjected to hazardous loading and to increase the sustainability gap to avoid demolition, repair and rebuilding.

Special topics on protection of building structures against progressive collapse, damage to infrastructure, design and safety of human life, whilst retaining low-carbon output, are priorities in the Shenyang gathering. All known current and future hazardous loads such as those arising from impact, explosion, fire, fragmentation, vibration, fatigue, etc., and from natural hazards such as climate change, rising water levels and living with higher temperatures shall be addressed. Special topics not listed in the theme are also welcomed to be discussed in this International Conference on the Protection of Structures against Hazards.

We welcome you to participate and to present your research, discussion and solutions in this conference.

Professor Chunwei Zhang, Multidisciplinary Center for Infrastructure Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, China
Professor Li Sun, Ministry of Education Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor, Shenyang Jianzhu University, China
Er. Dr Tat-Seng Lok, former Assoc Prof, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore