News & Media Impact

Belén Riveiro and her CINTECX research team received the 2025 Premio da Crítica de Galicia in recognition of their work on artificial intelligence applied to the evaluation of existing bridges.

The award acknowledges the originality and impact of research that combines machine learning tools with engineering knowledge to improve infrastructure assessment, maintenance and safety. It also highlights the social relevance of this work in the context of ageing transport infrastructure and increasing resilience challenges.

Research carried out at the University of Vigo identified previously unknown resistance mechanisms in truss bridges, with the results published in Nature.

The study offers new knowledge on how these structures behave under demanding conditions and how they can redistribute loads through latent structural mechanisms. The findings contribute to improving bridge assessment and maintenance strategies, while advancing understanding of resilience in existing transport infrastructure.

The CINTECX research team was recognised among the winners of the international Traffic3D Challenge 2025, a competition focused on advanced 3D data processing and analysis for transport and infrastructure applications.

The distinction highlights the group’s expertise in digital modelling, intelligent data analysis and engineering-oriented computational methods. The result reflects the team’s growing international visibility in the field of smart infrastructure systems and advanced engineering applications.

Members of the research group contributed to experimental testing activities carried out at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) within the framework of the PONT3 project. The tests focused on the structural behaviour of masonry arch bridges, one of the most representative and widely used types of historical infrastructure in Europe.

The experimental campaign provided valuable insights into load-carrying mechanisms, failure modes and structural response under controlled conditions. These results support the development of improved assessment methodologies and contribute to enhancing the safety and preservation of existing bridge stock.

The collaboration highlights the importance of combining experimental research, advanced modelling and international cooperation to address current challenges in infrastructure assessment and resilience.

The MOVEO project officially launched in Málaga, bringing together an international consortium of research institutions, industry partners and public stakeholders committed to advancing smarter and more sustainable mobility systems across Europe.

The project focuses on developing innovative solutions that integrate digital technologies, data-driven approaches and engineering knowledge to improve the performance, safety and resilience of transport infrastructure. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, MOVEO aims to support the transition towards more efficient and adaptive mobility networks in the context of increasing societal and environmental challenges.

The 3R-SS Project Workshop (May 2025) brought together international researchers and experts in structural engineering to discuss innovative approaches towards zero-emission constructional steelwork. The event addressed the transition towards a circular economy through the principles of reduction, reuse and recycling (3R), with a particular focus on sustainable steel structures.

The workshop presented recent advances in demountable and reusable structural systems, including the development of clamped connections that enable efficient disassembly and reuse of steel members. Experimental results and Finite Element Method (FEM) modelling were showcased to assess structural behaviour and validate the feasibility of reusing steel components while maintaining safety and performance.

The 3R-SS project promotes a shift from conventional construction practices towards more sustainable solutions, reducing the environmental impact of the sector, which accounts for a significant share of global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. The initiative highlights the role of engineering innovation in bridging the gap between high-performance materials and circular design strategies.

Belén Riveiro received the Agustín de Betancourt y Molina Prize awarded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the most prestigious recognitions for young researchers in Spain.

The award acknowledges her scientific career and her contributions to structural engineering, with particular emphasis on infrastructure monitoring, geomatics and resilience. The distinction reinforces her position as a leading researcher in intelligent infrastructure systems and highlights the relevance of her work at national and international level.

Belén Riveiro received an award from the Real Academia Galega de Ciencias in the field of Technical Sciences, recognising the impact of her research in structural engineering.

Her work focuses on improving infrastructure assessment and safety, particularly in transport systems and civil engineering structures. The distinction acknowledges both the scientific quality and the practical relevance of her contributions to engineering research.

Members of the research group were recognised in the 13th International Student Competition for their work in advanced engineering methodologies related to intelligent infrastructure systems.

The award highlights the strong involvement of young researchers in high-level international activities and reflects the quality of the research training environment developed within the group. It also underscores the group’s commitment to mentoring and supporting emerging talent in engineering research.

The research group organised the International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering 2024, bringing together specialists from around the world in Vigo.

The event positioned the city as a meeting point for international research in geoinformation, advanced computation and intelligent engineering systems. It also strengthened scientific exchange and collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, modelling and infrastructure analysis.

A new publication by the CINTECX team examined the increasing risks associated with bridge collapse, drawing attention to structural vulnerabilities in ageing infrastructure systems.

Published in Nature, the work emphasises the urgency of improving monitoring, predictive modelling and risk management strategies. The study contributes to raising awareness of infrastructure safety and supports the development of more robust engineering approaches for the assessment of existing bridges.

In 2022, Belén Riveiro received the Spanish National Research Award for Young Researchers “Matilde Ucelay”, granted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The award recognises outstanding scientific careers and highlights her contributions to structural engineering, infrastructure resilience and advanced modelling techniques. This distinction placed her among the leading researchers in engineering in Spain and gave national visibility to the work developed at the University of Vigo.