It is always a privilege to write the editorial of an issue in an established journal that bridges the gap between academia and industry. Serving on the Editorial Board of this journal for several years, I enjoy the way new techniques and methods are flowing into the study of classical infrastructures that influence the quality of life and prosperity of society. This issue is no exception.
In particular, the advancement of computer-aided design and engineering in the form of reliable non-linear finite-element packages allows for the design of innovative structures and parts of them that cover the requirements of design codes.
The paper by Gao et al. (2025) investigates the mechanical behaviour of a novel joint in prefabricated subway stations by using experimental and numerical non-linear finite-element simulations that take into account unilateral contact at the joints. The results show that the joint plays a role in adjusting the bending moment distribution of the structure, which helps to reduce the thickness of components. The findings provide valuable references for the structural design of prefabricated subway stations.
The paper by Lin et al. (2025) proposes methods of improving the flexural resistance of steel–concrete composite beams under environmental deterioration from natural sand depletion and molybdenum tailings accumulation. In particular, an innovative structural design incorporating molybdenum tailings is proposed. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed design, while further numerical simulation is used for parametric design investigation.
Furthermore, advanced modelling guarantees the quality and safety of complex construction procedures. The paper by Tian and Li (2025) deals with the construction of a large-span steel truss roof system, and mainly introduces the technical points of high-precision sliding construction of a large-span truss in a harsh cold environment. Using modelling, the authors analyse key parameters during construction in detail, providing solid theoretical support for practical engineering and on-site detection technology to conduct real-time monitoring of the sliding construction process. The results leverage the dual advantages of numerical simulation and on-site detection technology. The paper reports on modern structural analysis issues for steel structures from a mixed academia–industry group.
Design for extreme loadings and special requirements can also profit from advanced modelling tools. In Fatima et al. (2025) the effect of blast loads on reinforced concrete structures is investigated by using non-linear time history finite-element analysis. The computational models provide estimates of the extent of damage and the most affected structural elements by way of the demand capacity ratio at the front facade. Results indicate that the dynamic response of the building is highly sensitive to the blast pulse shape. The work demonstrates the intelligent usage of modern modelling tools for the design according to the most up-to-date structural analysis codes.
Finally, modern techniques, including artificial intelligence, also support the restoration of monumental structures. Wang and Chen (2025) present the application of holographic image projection technology in the restoration of wooden components of monuments. The neural network feature analysis automatically calibrates the damaged part and the repair weight value, and the dual transfer function fusion algorithm is optimised. Non-destructive testing techniques and neural networks are used to obtain integral data from the detection of structural defects during the protection and repair of ancient buildings.
We do hope that you also enjoy the papers of this issue and you are inspired to present your work in a future volume of this journal.
