History of the Founding of ISHMII and Its Evolution into SCSHM
The Society for Civil Structural Health Monitoring (SCSHM) is a global organization that brings together researchers, practitioners, infrastructure owners, educators, and technology developers dedicated to advancing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and related asset management methodologies for civil infrastructure. The Society was founded in 2003 as the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII) through the vision and leadership of a distinguished group of pioneers in the civil engineering community.
The founding members of the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII) were:
Professor Dan M. Frangopol, although not shown in the photograph, was also a founding member whose contributions were instrumental in the establishment and early development of the Society.
The founding of ISHMII represents one of the most significant and enduring achievements of these visionary leaders. Recognizing the emerging importance of intelligent sensing technologies, advanced monitoring systems, and performance-based infrastructure management, they created an international platform dedicated to the development and dissemination of Structural Health Monitoring knowledge and practice. Through their leadership, foresight, and unwavering commitment to international collaboration, they helped transform Structural Health Monitoring from a collection of specialized research activities into a recognized global field of science and engineering.
Professor Aftab Mufti was nominated by Professor Emin Aktan and seconded by Professor Dan Frangopol to serve as the Founding President of ISHMII. The nomination received the unanimous support of all founding members, who also agreed to serve as Vice Presidents of the Society. The headquarters of ISHMII were established at the Network of Centres of Excellence on Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures (NCE ISIS Canada) at the University of Manitoba, where Professor Mufti served as Scientific Director and President.
From its inception, ISHMII promoted international cooperation through conferences, workshops, publications, and educational initiatives. The Society established the highly successful International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (SHMII Conference Series), which rapidly became one of the world’s premier forums for presenting advances in sensing technologies, monitoring systems, data analytics, condition assessment, life-cycle performance evaluation, and infrastructure resilience. These conferences helped create a truly global community of Structural Health Monitoring researchers and practitioners.
ISHMII also initiated and supported the Civil Structural Health Monitoring (CSHM) Workshop Series, which became an important international venue for the exchange of ideas among researchers, practicing engineers, infrastructure owners, and technology developers. The CSHM Workshops played a significant role in bridging the gap between research and practice, accelerating the transfer of innovative technologies into real-world applications, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Through these workshops, ISHMII strengthened the global SHM community and helped establish best practices for monitoring, assessment, maintenance, and management of critical infrastructure.
Another major achievement of ISHMII was its leadership in supporting the development of the Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring (JCSHM). Published by Springer, the Journal has become one of the leading international journals in the field, serving as a focal point for disseminating research findings, technological innovations, case studies, and professional practice related to Structural Health Monitoring and infrastructure asset management.
ISHMII was among the first international organizations devoted exclusively to the advancement of Structural Health Monitoring of civil infrastructure. Its influence extended far beyond the establishment of a professional society. Through the creation of the SHMII Conference Series, the CSHM Workshops, and the Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring, ISHMII established enduring institutions that continue to shape the field today.
The Society remains a lasting testament to the collective vision, dedication, and leadership of its founders. Its continued success reflects their scholarship, mentorship, and commitment to improving the safety, reliability, sustainability, and resilience of infrastructure throughout the world. Through their efforts, a global community of Structural Health Monitoring professionals was established, creating lasting benefits for society and future generations of engineers and researchers.
Leadership and Growth of the Society
Since its founding in 2003, the Society has benefited from the dedicated leadership of internationally recognized scholars and practitioners who have continued the vision established by the founding members. Under their guidance, the Society expanded its global reach, strengthened its technical programs, enhanced international collaboration, and promoted the advancement of Structural Health Monitoring throughout the world.