SAHC: Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Constructions

09/10/2026

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐌𝐒 𝟐𝟑 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐃𝐘𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬!

MS 23 – Recent advances in numerical modelling of the static and dynamic behaviour of historic masonry structures and infrastructure

The mini-symposium brings together researchers and practitioners to share recent developments and discuss current challenges in the numerical modelling and structural assessment of historic masonry structures and infrastructure.

Contributions are welcome on topics including:

▪️ Continuous and discrete modelling approaches
▪️ Dynamic response and rocking behaviour
▪️ Macro-element and equivalent frame formulations
▪️ Vulnerability assessment of historic structures and infrastructure
▪️ Structural health monitoring and AI-based tools

📍 Location: Crete, Greece
📅 Conference dates: 13–16 June 2027
📅 Abstract submission deadline: 30 October 2026
🔑 Mini-symposium code: MS-23-CW

🔗 More information and abstract submission: https://2027.compdyn.org/

07/10/2026

Always nice to meet SAHC alumni, and even more special when it is to celebrate 20 years of the SAHC MSc Programme! 🎓

Last Friday, we gathered a great group of practitioners, engineers, researchers, and alumni in Lisbon for the ISCARSAH Seminar on the Conservation of Monuments and Historical Buildings.

The day ended with a special session honouring the 20 years of the SAHC MSc Programme in Heritage Structures, bringing together views on the need for training, practice, and research.

The panel, chaired by Tom Morrison, brought together:
* Cláudia Pinto (Lisbon Municipality)
* Daniel V. Oliveira (University of Minho)
* Fernando Pinho (Gecorpa)
* Vasco Appleton (APPC)
* Bernd Mittnacht (ISCARSAH)

It was a great opportunity to reflect on how education, research and professional practice have evolved over the past 20 years. And, above all, to reconnect with people who have been part of the SAHC community along the way.

Here’s to celebrating 20 years of the SAHC Programme and to many more years!

19/09/2026

✨ The SAHC community keeps bringing us together! ✨

A recent SAHC reunion took place in Berlin, Germany, during the ECEE 2026 – 18th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering.

Lecturers and alumni from different cohorts, countries, and generations came together to reconnect, share ideas, and build stronger professional relationships.

SAHC is a lasting network that goes beyond the Master’s programme, bringing people together who share a commitment to conserving and protecting built heritage.

🔗 Learn more about ECEE 2026: https://ecee2026.eu/

08/09/2026

🎓 20th Edition of the SAHC Program 🎓

The first students of the 2026–2027 SAHC class have arrived!

This year marks a special milestone as we celebrate the 20th edition of the SAHC Program. We are delighted to welcome the first members of this new cohort as they begin their journey with us.

The new academic year starts with inspiring introductory sessions and engaging activities designed to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and build a strong sense of community.

We look forward to seeing all the amazing things this talented group will accomplish throughout the program.

Welcome to SAHC, and wishing you all a successful, inspiring, and unforgettable journey! ✨

07/09/2026

How would you rate your SAHC experience from 1 to 5? ⭐

As we welcome our new 2026/2027 class today, we asked our outgoing students to give their final rating on their time in the program.

04/09/2026

Which SAHC course was your favorite, and why?

As we welcome our new 2026/2027 students, we asked our previous class to reflect on the subjects that made the biggest impact on them. 📚

02/09/2026

How would you describe SAHC in 3 words? 🏛️

We asked our 2025/2026 students—watch to see what they said! 💬

26/08/2026

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐃𝐘𝐍 2027: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐌𝐒38 - 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The minisymposium aims to connect seismological characterization and ground motion modelling with nonlinear structural analysis, performance-based assessment, fragility and loss estimation, and the design and selection of seismic retrofit strategies for masonry and reinforced concrete structures. Particular emphasis is placed on innovative and eco-efficient solutions that balance seismic-risk reduction with environmental impacts, economic costs, resource consumption, constructability, downtime, and long-term resilience.

Topics of interest include:

▪️ Seismic-hazard assessment, ground-motion modelling, near-fault effects, local site response, seismic microzonation, and soil-structure interaction;

Nonlinear numerical modelling and performance assessment of masonry and reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, cultural-heritage structures, and critical facilities;

▪️ Fragility, vulnerability, damage, loss, functionality, post-earthquake recovery, and resilience assessment;

Seismic retrofit using isolation, supplemental damping, and innovative strengthening systems;

▪️ Eco-efficient retrofit design, life-cycle assessment and costing, embodied carbon, resource efficiency, and circular-economy approaches;

▪️ Uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, probabilistic methods, multi-objective optimization, and multi-criteria decision-making;

▪️ Artificial intelligence, machine learning, surrogate modelling, and digital twins.

Organisers:

Dr. Shaghayegh Karimzadeh – University of Minho, Portugal

Dr. Nuno Mendes – University of Minho, Portugal

Dr. Omid Hassanshahi – Riga Technical University, Latvia

Dr. Milad Roohi – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

📍 Crete, Greece

📅 Conference dates: 13–16 June 2027

📅 Abstract submission deadline: 30 October 2026

📄 Optional full paper & early-bird registration deadline: 28 February 2027

🔗 More information:

COMPDYN 2027 is the ninth edition of the International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering and one of the Thematic Conferences of the ECCOMAS

26/08/2026

What do you like most about living in Portugal? 🇵🇹

We grabbed our mic and asked our 2025/2026 students to share their thoughts about life in this magical country by the ocean! 🌊

24/08/2026

What makes SAHC so special? ✨

Hear from our students as they share their favorite things about the program—from making lifelong friends and studying abroad to why they chose conservation engineering! 🏛️