skip to content

Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction

Transforming infrastructure through smarter information
 
Robert Mair, City, University of London Anniversary Lecture

Professor Lord Robert Mair, Head of CSIC, gave the 125th Anniversary Lecture at the City, University of London hosted by the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, which is part of a year of events marking City’s anniversary.

 

The lecture titled 'Smart civil engineering infrastructure and construction'
discussed the challenges facing the infrastructure and construction industry, bringing focus to the latest developments for Smart Infrastructure, including recent advances in sensing and digital technologies.

Lord Mair reflected on the work of CSIC applying innovative fibre optic sensing to new construction and ageing infrastructure, with examples of shafts, tunnels, bridges and buildings. Citing a range of collaborative projects completed with CSIC industry partners, Lord Mair demonstrated the huge potential for innovative monitoring of the performance of infrastructure both during its construction and throughout its design life.

The lecture, delivered in the Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre, highlighted examples of disastrous infrastructure vulnerability, including: the collapse of the Viadotto Polcevera Bridge in Italy in 2018; the burst water main and extensive flooding in Stoke Newington (London) in 2016; the Singapore Metro Station collapse in 2014; and the Minnesota Bridge collapse in 2007. Lord Mair said: “Sensors, data analytics and smart infrastructure can transform construction, delivering value and greater efficiencies.”

 

Read more at City, University of London website here.

Latest news

Tongji University and University of Cambridge Forge Stronger Civil Engineering Ties Through Graduate Forum

23 June 2025

The Civil Engineering Division of the Department of Engineering at Cambridge welcomed a distinguished delegation from Tongji University, China, for a week-long graduate forum titled "From Concrete to Code: Civil Engineering in the Digital Era" , held from 17 -20th June 2025. The visit marked a significant milestone in the...

Cambridge Researchers Battle for Summer Research Support in CSIC’s “Dragon’s Den” Event

20 June 2025

CSIC hosted a dynamic and engaging "Dragon’s Den" event this week, where researcher associates and PhD and Master’s students pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of industry experts in the hopes of winning research support for the summer. Held on Wednesday morning 18 June at the University’s Cambridge West site, the...

 

CSIC Social Media

Follow us on:  LinkedIn and BlueSky

Watch our videos on: YouTube