On March 12^th, the China Award for Science and Technology in Construction Committee released the list of award-winning projects in 2023. Guangxi University, as the first completion unit, was awarded the first prize for the project’ Key Technologies and Engineering Applications for Quantitative Design of Durability of Nearshore Concrete Structures’ in the 2023 China Award for Science and Technology in Construction. The project was led by Professor Yang Lvfeng from GXU’s School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and marks the first time that Guangxi has received the first prize in this award category.

This project has developed a suite of pioneering technologies for the quantitative durability design of nearshore concrete structures, distinguished by its proprietary intellectual property. It has effectively addressed the formidable global challenge of quantitatively designing the durability of concrete materials and structures. Notably, it represents the first instance worldwide of integrating the design ethos of ‘strength and durability in equilibrium’ across models, processes, and technologies for concrete structures. This achievement has significantly enhanced the durability of marine concrete structures, while concurrently mitigating construction costs and carbon emissions, thereby yielding substantial economic and environmental dividends.

The research outcomes have been assimilated into national engineering construction design standards and have secured 41 international and national patents, along with 7 computer software copyrights. Moreover, they have been disseminated through the publication of 84 papers, including 40 indexed in SCI and EI. Recognitions include the China Patent Excellence Award (2020), China Engineering Construction Standard Science and Technology Innovation Award First Prize (2020), and the prestigious Gold Award at the Guangxi Invention and Creation Achievement Exhibition and Trade Fair (2012).

These transformative technologies have found widespread application in engineering projects spanning building construction, bridge engineering, and port infrastructure, among others, across nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Tanzania.

The China Award for Science and Technology in Construction, established in 2002 with approval from the National Office for Science and Technology Awards, represents a distinguished recognition within the construction industry, bestowed through societal mechanisms. It stands as one of the highest accolades in the domain of construction science and technology nationwide. The award aims to honor entities and individuals who have made notable contributions to the construction sector, facilitating the transformation of scientific and technological advancements into tangible productivity enhancements and elevating the overall technical proficiency of the industry.