8th Rilem International Conference on the Mechanism of Cracking and Debonding in Pavements – June 2016

Under a blazing sun, Nantes hosted the 8th International Rilem Conference (International Conference of Materials Laboratories and Experts)
Thanks to the installations that were highly suited for such an event and the dynamism of both the staff at La Cité and the members of the Ifsttar organisation committee for MCD2016, the delegates were able to forget the hassle of their travel. Every morning, over 230 French and foreign delegates (+55.6%) from all over the world had the chance to listen to the progress in the research work of renowned speakers, comfortably seated in Auditorium 450. Afterwards, on the Mezzanine and again in Auditorium 450 as well as the GH and I rooms, various workshops with oral and poster presentations allowed fundamental scientific exchanges on the detection and mechanism of cracking and damage to structures and materials for road applications. Several convivial moments held in Nantes during the week punctuated these exchanges. In particular, our contacts at La Cité very pleasantly and professionally hosted Let’s cool (a local jazz group from the Jazz en Retz association) during a wine and cheese cocktail on the Mezzanine, in the middle of posters and around fifteen private-sector business stands. Thanks to very good signalling and the smartly designed spaces, everyone felt welcome despite the fatigue generated by this type of international conference. According to the participants, it was a success from all points of view. A big thank you and well done to all the teams at La Cité!

Acknowledgements from Armelle Chabot, Chairperson of the Organisation Committee of MCD2016, Research Director at Ifsttar