Uli Regenscheit

After extensive development work in an interdisciplinary team, we were excited to unveil our Guideline for Reusing Structural Steel and Timber Elements at the symposium “Less Träsh,” organized by the Ministry for Regional Development and Housing. In collaboration with KIT and the Technische Universität München (TUM), this guideline aims to provide actionable steps for reusing structural building components, helping to conserve resources in construction.
The key takeaway from our results is clear: the reuse of structural elements from steel and timber is not only feasible but can also be aligned with regulatory standards. In other words, it’s time for the building sector to roll up our sleeves and take action!

VAH

A lot has happened since the last Karlsruher Tage: resource-efficient construction, detachable connections and the reuse of components have long been part of everyday life, and "Tall Timber" is common practice. Special thanks go to the speakers whose presentations realised the motto "Research for practice". The event was a success thanks to your participation and the dialogue between colleagues. The positive response encourages us to organise the Karlsruher Tage again in two years' time - with the traditional closing in the laboratory.

Susanne Jacob-Freitag

Congratulations to Sven Teichmann on being awarded the Professor-Blaß-University-Prize 2024 for his master's thesis. Under the title ‘Brittle failure modes in timber connections with laterally loaded fasteners - A comparison of design proposals’, the work highlights the design model for brittle failure modes in connections. The results of the work have a direct influence on the revision of Eurocode 5. Presenter Andreas Hettich emphasised the outstanding scientific depth and practical relevance of the work. The prize was awarded for the first time and is sponsored by the association of tool manufacturers for timber screws.

Arnim Seidel

On 19 and 20 September 2024, after a long interruption, the tradition of this special event organised by Informationsdienst Holz for university lecturers was continued. 55 professors from engineering universities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland accepted the invitation to Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. The initiative for the resumption of the University Teachers' Days goes back to Prof Dietsch, who has been a board member of the Informationsverein Holz for two years.

VAH

From 25-29 August, the 11th meeting of the International Network on Timber Engineering Research (INTER 2024), chaired by Prof. Dietsch, took place at Università degli Studi di Padova. Over the course of four enriching days, 75 dedicated scientists from 18 countries and 4 continents came together to present, analyse and discuss 24 high-quality papers.

VAH

On 29 July 2024, Andrea Lindlohr (MdL), State Secretary in the Ministry for Regional Development and Housing, visited the Research Centre for Steel, Timber and Masonry. She was accompanied by the Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup and Karlsruhe's Member of Parliament, Alexander Salomon. 

KIT/Waibel

We are pleased to announce that our colleague Alexander Weese has been awarded the "Freunde der Versuchsanstalt für Stahl, Holz und Steine e.V." 2024 sponsorship prize for his master's thesis entitled "Extension of Beam-on-Foundation models for timber connections subjected to earthquake loading". The association promotes science and research at the KIT Research Centre for Steel, Timber and Masonry. This award recognises Mr Weese's work in the field of FE modelling of dowel-type fasteners.

VAH

Under the motto "Timber Structures - Research for Practice", we would like to cultivate the traditional and intensive exchange between research and practice with you. On October 10 and 11, 2024, you can expect a diverse spectrum of the latest developments and research.