With the current global focus on climate change and the energy crisis, nuclear energy is playing an increasingly important role in achieving deep decarbonization. This was recognized at COP28 in Dubai (2023), where nuclear energy was identified as a major low-emission technology. As of 2024, there are approximately 60 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide and around 110 additional planned reactors, most of which are based on traditional water-cooled technologies. Furthermore, new reactor types such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) are gaining traction, demanding innovations in ground and civil structures.
Topics: TINCE’26 will focus on the interplay between design and construction, an evolving area that leverages advances in interoperability between BIM and structural calculations. The development of environmentally friendly materials with lower carbon emissions is a key priority. Additionally, the conference will address long-term operational challenges, like structural health monitoring and the development of tools for managing aging effects in nuclear facilities. These include new sensing techniques, non-destructive testing methods, and digital twins to assess and predict asset conditions.