The international SMAR Conference provides scientists, engineers, companies and infrastructure operators with a forum for exchanging ideas on current developments in the monitoring, assessment, rehabilitation and strengthening of structures. Key topics include innovative testing and monitoring methods, condition and damage assessment, structural modelling, as well as new approaches to the sustainable rehabilitation and continued use of existing structures.
The Institute of Building Construction and Timber Structures (IBHolz) was represented by several contributions and, in particular, was able to contribute current research on the assessment, preservation and rehabilitation of existing timber structures to the international discussion.
A particular highlight was the Mini-Symposium organised by Mike Sieder, Elena Perria and Maria Loebjinski, together with our esteemed colleagues Robert Jockwer and Pedro Palma: “Advances in Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Timber Structures”.
In addition, iBHolz was represented by the following presentations:
• Elena Perria: “Comprehensive assessment and static analysis enabling rehabilitation through compensatory measures alone: a case study” (Elena Perria, Mike Sieder)
• Luca Gehling: “Prediction of mechanical timber properties – experimental investigation and updating” (Luca Gehling, Maria Loebjinski, Jan Grobe, Mike Sieder)
• Maria Loebjinski: “Museum of Local History Sternberg” (Andreas Meisel, Björn Schlichting, Christian Mägde, Maria Loebjinski)
Furthermore, Robert Jockwer, Maria Loebjinski, Mike Sieder and Wolfgang Rug contributed to the presentation “Development of the new Eurocode part on assessment of existing timber structures”, which addresses current European developments regarding the standardised assessment of existing timber structures.
SMAR 2026 thus provided an excellent opportunity to place current research findings from timber engineering within the broader international context of structural assessment, Structural Health Monitoring and the sustainable preservation of existing structures, as well as to exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues from research and practice.
Many thanks to the organising committee of SMAR 2026 for an inspiring conference, the numerous technical and scientific insights and the personal exchange – as well as for a wonderful conference dinner in a very special atmosphere!