Mr. Markus Schäfer, professor de Structural Engineering and Composite Structures au Department of Engineering, at the end of his visit to MOROCCO led a public conference on “The development of the second generation of Eurocodes: New rules for Eurocode 4, mixed steel-concrete structures”, at the premises of the Hassania Works School Public in Casablanca on Saturday October 15, 2022. This conference for the benefit of the students of the Hassania School of Public Works, particularly the students of the Department of Bridges, Roads and Transport and Research Team in Engineering of Construction (ERIC), also knew the participation of professional associations and other academic researchers. During this day, the audience debated everything related directly or indirectly to the application of Eurocode 4 in buildings and construction. On the sidelines of this event, BTPnews met Markus Schäfer for more details. Maintenance.
BTPnews: In what context does this training session of which you are the guest take place?
Markus Schaefer: First of all, this training session is part of the bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Luxemburg, of which an important official delegation visited Casablanca last week. It is also part of this clear desire to develop academic and scientific cooperation between the Hassania School of Public Works and the University of Luxemburg. It is perfectly in this context that I was invited to animate and exchange with the students around the novelties of the Eurocode.
Concretely, how is this cooperation possible?
First, we discussed the possibilities of exchange and collaboration in the field of research between the two universities. The possibility of developing joint projects and the sharing of information and scientific data between the students of the two universities was also mentioned. We also have the ambition to enable Moroccan students from the Hassania School of Public Works to benefit from studies in Luxembourg, for example the master’s program in civil engineering, Megastructures with ressources. In parallel, international projects such as Erasmus+ can constitute a basis for joint projects and exchanges of students and doctoral students. We would like to continue the exchanges on the Eurocodes, because according to the president of the AMBC Moroccan association of offices, Morocco has already implemented the amendment of certain national standards in accordance with the Eurocodes, which is very interesting for students.
Can we have an idea of the main novelties of the Eurocode?
I think the most important novelty remains the updating and adaptation of the Eurocodes during the 80s and 90s. The idea of the European Commission was to review these Eurocodes for more harmonization.
In your opinion, how can construction be made an eco-friendly sector?
The demand for building materials continues to grow to meet the incessant needs of urban planning and construction. On the other hand, resources are increasingly limited. It is therefore important today to adapt, but above all to optimize the use of energy resources. I also think that we must continue to develop new technologies capable of ensuring the resistance and durability expected in any act of building.
Interview by
Khalid Fakher
