On November 12, the “The 4th Global Seminar on Sustainable and Earthquake-Resilient Structures” was held in a hybrid format (on-site and online) on the 5th floor of Okayama University’s Knowledge and Innovation Building with Integrated Networks in Okayama through Vibrant Exchange: KIBINOVE. The seminar was organized by the Green Innovation Center (GIC) of Okayama University, with the aim of strengthening international research networks in the field of structural engineering focused on sustainability and high seismic performance, as well as sharing the latest research outcomes.

Approximately 40 participants attended the seminar, including about 25 on site and around 15 online. In addition to undergraduate and graduate students from Okayama University, students and researchers from other universities in Japan participated, along with researchers, students, and engineers from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), Purdue University (United States), and Tohoku University (Japan), making the seminar a venue for international and interdisciplinary exchange.

The seminar focused primarily on the sustainability of timber structures and earthquake-resistant structural technologies, addressing global challenges such as the realization of a low-carbon society and the enhancement of urban resilience. Five invited lectures were delivered by researchers from Japan and abroad, introducing cutting-edge research results and fostering active discussions among participants.

At the closing of the seminar, a summary was presented by Associate Professor. Hamood Alwashali of the Okayama University Academic Research Assembly, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology (also affiliated with GIC). Through this seminar, GIC further strengthened its role as an international hub for research exchange and laid an important foundation for future international collaborative research in the fields of sustainable, environmentally conscious infrastructure and architecture.

The lectures were delivered by the following five researchers:

• Dr. Pablo Zavattieri (Purdue University, USA)
He delivered a lecture on “architected materials” for applications in earthquake engineering, demonstrating the potential to control properties such as strength, toughness, and energy absorption through the design of microstructures.

• Dr. Hyungsuk Lim (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
He introduced the potential and challenges of CLT and structural timber materials utilizing low-value bio-resources such as oil palm and coconut.

• Dr. Santiago Pujol (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
He presented a seismic retrofitting method for RC building columns using external steel plates and emphasized the effectiveness of experimental results, as well as the urgent need for rapid seismic strengthening, particularly in Wellington.

• Dr. Ke Jiang (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
He reported on the cyclic loading behavior of stainless–steel tubular T-joints and compared experimental results with design standards.

• Dr. Masaki MAEDA (Tohoku University, Japan)
He introduced research on CLT–steel hybrid structural systems and gave a lecture on contributions to a decarbonized society through timber structures and sustainable architecture.

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