The Encontro Nacional de Betão Estrutural – BE2024, held at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) from November 13 to 15, 2024, provided an ideal platform to showcase innovative developments in structural concrete. As Portugal experiences a period of significant public works activity, the conference fostered technical discussions and knowledge exchange among professionals, academics, and industry leaders.

Aligned with  Modular Construction, Prefabrication, and Additive Manufacturing, the Precast Concrete Modular Buildings in R2U Technologies Project took center stage in addressing key challenges of the construction industry’s digital transformation. This theme emphasized the industrialization of the construction sector through innovative approaches like prefabrication, modular construction systems, 3D printing, and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Led by principal investigator, Professor Eduardo Júlio and co- principal investigator Professor André Furtado, the project was featured in a thematic session that explored cutting-edge research and practical advancements in Construction 4.0. The session highlighted the project’s contributions to sustainable and efficient modular systems, reflecting the transformative potential of these technologies.

The Project team also made significant scientific contributions, presenting 10 articles that delved into the project’s ongoing work. These publications addressed crucial topics such as optimization of modular designs, environmental sustainability, and the integration of advanced manufacturing techniques into construction workflows.

BE2024 proved to be a critical forum to discuss such groundbreaking developments, offering opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The R2U Technologies Project exemplifies the integration of research and practice, advancing the industry’s move toward a more sustainable and digitally-driven future.