Competing against 43 universities worldwide, the team also secured first place in load prediction accuracy.

The 2026 edition marked Buet’s first planned in-person participation in the competition. However, due to unexpected flight disruptions, the team competed remotely. Despite the setback, the students demonstrated strong technical expertise and resilience, delivering one of the competition’s top performances.

The achievement carries symbolic significance, as Chicago, home to the Willis Tower designed by Bangladeshi-American engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, has long been associated with Bangladesh’s civil engineering legacy. The top-four finish further strengthens that connection while highlighting Buet’s continued excellence in structural engineering.

The team’s performance followed months of laboratory work and experimentation. The students developed fibre-reinforced polymer concrete systems using locally available recyclable materials, reducing concrete self-weight by nearly one-third while maintaining structural integrity. Their design demonstrated that reinforcement costs can be reduced without compromising durability and performance.

The team acknowledged the support of industry partners. GESTRA Engineering, Inc. assisted with travel-related expenses, while Shah Cement Industries Limited supplied cement and Baral Chemical Company Ltd. provided specialised admixtures for the project.

Special appreciation was extended to Dr Ariful Hasnat, a Buet alumnus who travelled from California to support the team during testing at the competition venue.

With a top-four global ranking and the highest load prediction accuracy, the achievement highlights Bangladesh’s growing presence in advanced and sustainable concrete technologies and reinforces Buet’s reputation for engineering innovation.