17-20 February 2008, Swiss-Grand, Bondi Beach, Sydney

Masonry at the Crossroads

Masonry is a proven traditional building material that is still widely used because of its aesthetic appeal, strength, durability and other desirable properties.

However, with the advent of new materials and building systems, sustainability considerations and the increasing costs of labour, the use of masonry will decline unless it can be shown that it is also a material for the future.

This conference will explore these issues in the context of research and building practice and will aim to establish strategies for meeting the challenges.

* Delegates presenting papers please note: registration payment must be received by 4 January 2008 to ensure your abstract and paper are included in conference publication and CD.

Jointly hosted by CMAA, Think Brick Australia and The University of Newcastle

Conference Program and Information for Speakers

To view the conference social and technical program as well as access information for presenting authors, please click here

Conference Sponsors

The 14IB²MaC gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors. To find out more about the conference sponsors the website of each sponsor can be accessed by clicking on the company logos shown below.

Attention all delegates: Change of Conference Venue!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Manly Pacific Hotel will be undergoing renovation works at the time of the 14IBMaC. In the interests of providing a disruption free conference, the 14IBMaC will relocate to the Swiss-Grand Resort & Spa, Bondi Beach, Sydney.

The organising committee apologises for this late change in venue. However, the change brings with it many advantages. Not only does the new venue provide exceptional conference and accommodation facilities, it is located waterfront at the most famous of Australia’s beaches, Bondi.

The new venue is much closer to Sydney’s international airport and allows easier access to Sydney’s landmark attractions such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Furthermore, accommodation rates remain unchanged.

Sponsorship opportunities

There are a number of opportunities for sponsorship by organisations with an interest in masonry:

Product Displays
Sponsorship of conference events or functions such as the conference dinner
Distribution of brochures
Provision of conference satchels
Sponsorship of keynote speakers, individuals, or groups to attend the conference

For more information or to apply for sponsorship opportunities, please download the Expressions of Interest Registration Form PDF PDF 172kb

Conference Themes and Preparation of Papers

Papers published and presented at the 14th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference will address a wide range of masonry related topics including the following:

Innovative masonry
Sustainable construction
Architectural masonry
Structural design
Research and testing
Codes and regulations
Restoration, repair, rehabilitation and refurbishment
Construction and practice
Training and education
Case studies

Papers will be submitted for peer review before inclusion in the conference proceedings. Authors currently preparing their manuscripts should ensure that they conform to the manuscript preparation instructions 14IBMAC_Manuscript_Requirements.pdf PDF 27kb

Keynote Speaker

The Organising Committee for the 14th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference is pleased to announce that the conference program will include a keynote address by Mr David Biggs, P.E., Hon. M. ASCE.

David Biggs is a Principal with Ryan-Biggs Associates, a structural engineering firm in New York and Pennsylvania. He specializes in the design, evaluation, and restoration of structures, forensic engineering, and the development of new masonry products. He chairs the Pre-stressed Subcommittee for the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (ACI 530) code and was a member of the Building Performance Assessment team that evaluated the World Trade Center Disaster for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In 2005, he was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is involved with the development of international standards for the restoration of structures and currently serves on a team of consultants to the Republic of Egypt for conservation and restoration of their masonry monuments and antiquities.

Mr Bigg’s keynote address is titled “THE DISASTERS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001”

Summary: This paper presents some structural observations, findings, and recommendations regarding the masonry performance of the buildings affected by the September 11 attacks in New York City and Washington D.C.

Schedule

Submission of abstracts – 1 Mar 2007
Acceptance of abstracts – 1 April 2007
Submission of papers – 1 Aug 2007
Final acceptance of papers (after review) – 1 Nov 2007
Conference 17-20 Feb 2008, Swiss-Grand, Bondi Beach, Sydney

Organising committee

Yuri Totoev, Mark Masia, Adrian Page, Goran Simundic, Heber Sugo The University of Newcastle

Stephen Lawrence SPL ConsultingAlan Pearson Concrete Masonry Association of Australia

Linda Ginger Think Brick Australia

Location

Swiss-Grand Resort & Spa, Bondi Beach

Overlooking Australia's most famous stretch of sand and surf the Swiss-Grand Resort & Spa Bondi Beach is a 4.5 star luxury all-suite Resort. The city could be a million miles away, yet both downtown Sydney and the International airport are only minutes away.

Home of the oldest surf life saving club in Australia, Bondi was originally named Bondi by the indigenous Aboriginal people in the area and means ‘water breaking over rocks'.

Widely known as the birthplace of the bikini in Australia, Bondi Beach is Australia's most famous beach and a classic example of Sydney's beach culture, spanning nearly a kilometer from point to point.

The final date has passed for on-line reservations via the conference block booking. However, rooms can be reserved (depending on availability) by contacting the hotel directly.

Contact name: Zahira Abdal-Ghani
Email: groupres@swissgrand.com.au
Telephone: +61 2 93659725
Facsimile: +61 2 93655330

Be sure to indicate that you are attending the 14IB2Mac in order to receive the preferential room rate.

Statutes of the International Brick and Block Masonry Conference

The Statutes of the International Brick and Block Masonry Conference (IB²MaC) define the aim of IB²MaC.

The statutes define the duties of the organizing committee for an IB²MaC as well as the process to select the venue for the next IB²MaC.

Organisations with an interest in hosting future events should consult carefully the statutes. The statutes can be viewed by clicking here. PDF 380kb