INTER is one of the longest-standing international forums for research in timber engineering. Its focus is on the intensive exchange between leading scientists and experts on current research results and their transfer into design practice, standardisation and the further development of international standards. This year’s meeting brought together 92 researchers from 19 countries and four continents.
The Institute of Building Construction and Timber Structures (IBHolz) was represented this year by Mike Sieder and Moritz Tronnier.
During the session “Timber Joints and Fasteners”, Moritz Tronnier presented the contribution co-authored with Mike Sieder “Fatigue behaviour of self-tapping timber screws under axial tensile loading”. The contribution addresses the fatigue behaviour of self-tapping timber screws under axial pulsating tensile loading and presents current results from iBHolz research on the load-bearing and fatigue behaviour of mechanical fasteners in timber construction.
In addition to the technical presentations and intensive discussions, the Technical Tour provided a special insight into innovative and pioneering Norwegian timber structures. The stops included, among others, the Da Vinci Bridge in Ås, Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal and the Vikingskipet in Hamar.
The pedestrian and cycle bridge „Da Vinci Bridge“ in Ås over the E18 is based on a bridge concept developed by Leonardo da Vinci as early as 1502. Unlike the original design, which was conceived in stone, the modern structure, spanning approximately 40 m, was realised in glulam – a remarkable combination of historical engineering thinking and modern timber construction.
The 18-storey Mjøstårnet impressively demonstrates the possibilities of multi-storey timber construction. Its main vertical and horizontal load-bearing structures are made of timber, with glulam and cross-laminated timber in particular being used for the structural system.
With the Vikingskipet, a hall built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, an extraordinary example of long-span timber engineering could also be visited. The characteristic roof structure, reminiscent of an upside-down Viking ship, is supported by large trusses made from glued laminated timber.
INTER 2026 thus provided not only the opportunity to present the current research results of iBHolz to an international expert audience in timber engineering, but also numerous opportunities for technical discussions, new impulses and personal exchange within the international timber engineering community.
Many thanks to the INTER Chairs, Philipp Dietsch and Frank Lam, for their dedicated chairmanship and their commitment to fostering international exchange within the INTER community. We would also like to thank Roberto Tomasi and the entire team at NMBU for hosting this year’s meeting and organising the impressive Technical Tour, as well as Carmen Sandhaas for her excellent organisation and coordination of INTER 2026.