The theme of the congress is The Essence of Structural Engineering for Society. Structural Engineering is of essential importance for society as a whole.

But what is the essence of structural engineering? Society expects structures to be reliable and to perform well under all possible conditions, from normal to extreme, such as those imposed by climate change and natural and man-made hazards.

At the same time, society demands modern structures to be sustainable from an economic and environmental point of view, meaning that structures need to be designed avoiding the depletion of resources and CO2 emissions. To ensure this, modern structural engineers have more and more sophisticated tools at their disposal, which shall be used with judgment coming from a deep understanding of the fundamentals of structures.

One could summarise The Essence of Structural Engineering for Society as ‘back to basics’: making understandable, reliable and future-proof structures. Under this theme, the congress will address topics such as safety, reliability, serviceability, deterioration, monitoring, and maintenance of new and existing building structures and infrastructure, besides economy, sustainability, circularity, climate change, extreme loads and conditions, and natural and man-made hazards. Within the spirit of IABSE, all kinds of structures in all materials are addressed.

Bert H.H. Snijder & Davide Leonetti
Scientific Committee Co-Chairs, The Netherlands

Bart De Pauw

Scientific Committee Vice-Chair, Belgium

Members:

Adam Lubell, Canada

Alan OConnor, Ireland

Alessandro Palermo, USA

Alp Caner, USA

Andreas Lampropoulos, UK

Ane de Boer, The Netherlands

Ana Mandić Ivanković, Croatia

Anna Rakoczy, Poland

Bart De Pauw, Belgium

Bert Hesselink, The Netherlands

Brian Uy, Australia

Bruno Godart, France

Christian Cremona, France

Corneliu Bob, Romania

Daia Zwicky, Switzerland

David Knight, UK

Davide Leonetti, The Netherlands

Diogo Ribeiro, Portugal

Dong Xu, China

Dongzhou Huang, USA

Elgar Slooten, The Netherlands

Elsa de Sá Caetano, Portugal

Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga, France

Eugen Brühwiler, Switzerland

Fabrizio Palmisano, Italy

Haiying Ma, China

Heikki Lilja, Finland

Harshavardhan Subbarao, India

Hélder Sousa, USA

Ho-Kyung Kim, Korea Republic of 

Hyun-Moo Koh, Korea Republic of 

Ian Firth, UK

Joan Ramon Casas, Spain

Jochen Köhler, Norway

Jörg-Martin Hohberg, Switzerland

Jose Campos e Matos, Portugal

Jose Romo Martin, Spain

Laurent Rus, USA

Luis Oliviera Santos, Portugal

Maria Pina Limongelli, Italy

Mariano Angelo Zanini, Italy

Marion Rauch, Germany

Michel Ghosn, USA

Michael Bartlett, Canada

Mikael Braestrup, Denmark

Monica Nicoreac, The Netherlands

Mourad Bakhoum, Egypt

Naeem Hussain, Hong Kong SAR China

Niels Peter Hoj, Switzerland

Nisrine Makhoul, France

Paraic Ryan, Australia

Pedro Almeida, Brazil

Philippe Menétrey, Switzerland

Philippine Van Bogaert, Belgium

Pierre Mengeot, Belgium

Richard Stroetmann, Germany 

Robby Caspeele, Belgium

Rob Vergoossen, The Netherlands

Sander van Alphen, The Netherlands

Serge Montens, France

Tina Vejrum, Denmark

Ulrike Kuhlmann, Germany

Vincent de Ville de Goyet, Belgium

Yaojun Ge, China

Structures with Meaning: Designing for Society

Jean-Yves Del Forno is a civil structural engineer, graduated from the University of Liège. After an initial experience with the Belgian Railways (SNCB), he joined Bureau Greisch in 1994, where he is now a board member and head of the infrastructure department for the entire group. In this role, he has led many major projects in Belgium and abroad, including the Ravine Fontaine bridge on Réunion Island, the Millau Viaduct in France, and the Third Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.

His work spans from the design of new structures to the rehabilitation and optimization of existing ones, always combining technical rigour with creative thinking. He teaches bridge design at KU Leuven and actively shares his expertise through lectures, publications, and academic collaborations. He is also a board member of SECO and a member of several professional associations, including IABSE and AFGC. Through his work and engagements, he advocates for a structural engineering practice that is ambitious, socially engaged, and rooted in the quality of the built environment.

Avoiding Mistakes During Assessment, Design and Construction of Structural Repairs

Predrag L. Popovic, P.E., S.E., is Vice President and Senior Principal with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. in Northbrook, Illinois, USA. He specializes in assessment, load testing, and rehabilitation of existing structures. Over the years he has worked on over 2,000 projects, including buildings, bridges, tunnels, stadia, and parking garages. He has published and lectured extensively on assessment and repairs of structures and structural failures. He is an active member of various technical and professional societies and is an honorary member and past president of IABSE.

About Research, Education, Codes and Practice Related to Structural Integrity

Dick Hordijk is senior advisor at Adviesbureau Hageman, a consulting office in the Netherlands renowned for a long-lasting history in structural and forensic engineering, code work and teaching activities. His interest is in scientific research as well as in solving challenges in the construction practice. He is a former professor of concrete structures at successively Eindhoven and Delft University of Technology, and has been active in, among others, fracture mechanics of concrete, fastening technology, recycled and new aggregates for concrete, externally bonded FRP strengthening, assessment of existing structures and proof loading.

Korean Bridge Design: 30 Years of Innovation for a Dynamic Society

Ho-Kyung Kim is the POSCO Chair Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University, Korea. With extensive expertise in bridge aerodynamics and structural health monitoring, He has significantly contributed to numerous cable-supported bridge projects, focusing particularly on wind-related issues. His research also encompasses operational decision-making for infrastructures, ensuring their resilience and safety. He holds prominent positions in several leading organizations. He is the Vice President, a Fellow, and the Korean Group Chair of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), the Asia-Oceania Regional Coordinator for the International Association for Wind Engineering (IAWE), and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety (IABMAS). Additionally, he chaired the Scientific Committee for IABSE Seoul 2020, which concentrated on the risk intelligence of infrastructures. Currently, he directs the Floating Infrastructure Research Center (FLORA) at Seoul National University, supported by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA).

ROCO – Oosterweel Project

The ROCO project is the most extensive section of the Oosterweel Connection, a major Flemish infrastructure initiative aimed at completing the Antwerp Ring. By addressing long-standing congestion issues, the project significantly improves traffic flow and safety while enhancing urban liveability. Through the construction of tunnels and overpasses, traffic is rerouted efficiently, allowing for the development of new parks and green spaces that integrate the infrastructure seamlessly into its surroundings.

This ambitious project features several major engineering highlights, including large viaducts, an immersed tunnel, and extensive road redevelopment. These elements are designed to not only optimize mobility but also reduce the impact of traffic on nearby communities. The integration of sustainable solutions ensures a long-term balance between infrastructure and environmental concerns.

During this half-day bus tour, participants will visit key construction sites and gain firsthand insights into the engineering challenges and solutions that are shaping Antwerp’s mobility future. Experts will provide detailed explanations of the cutting-edge techniques used in tunnelling, bridge construction, and road redesign. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Belgium’s most significant infrastructure projects and understand how innovative engineering g the region’s transportation network.

R4WO – Ringway around Ghent

The R4WO project is a major investment by the Flemish Government to improve both traffic flow and quality of life along the R4. By making the R4 safer and more efficient, the project also enhances accessibility while reducing traffic impact on surrounding neighbourhoods.

A key highlight of the project is the renewal and expansion of the Ringvaart Bridge. Designed with a striking pyramid shape, the new bridge will serve as both an architectural landmark and a functional upgrade. It will feature a dedicated high-speed cycling route and a wide wildlife crossing, promoting sustainable mobility and ecological connectivity.

This technical tour will provide insights into the engineering and design solutions that are shaping the future of the R4 corridor.

Gent-Sint-Pieters Station

The historic Gent-Sint-Pieters station, designed by architect Louis Cloquet in 1913, is undergoing a remarkable transformation while preserving its architectural heritage. Behind the protected station building, a modern 35,000 m² open hall is replacing the existing underground passenger tunnels, significantly improving passenger flow and connectivity.

As the busiest railway station in Flanders, welcoming over 55,000 travellers daily, Gent-Sint-Pieters is being redesigned to enhance accessibility. The new 300-meter-long and 120- meter-wide open hall will integrate a tram station, bicycle parking, covered kiss & ride zones, a taxi area, retail spaces, and hospitality services. A key feature of the renovation is the innovative roof structure covering the platforms. Made of glass and silver-coloured façade fabric, it allows natural light to reach the platforms and even the ground-level hall.

The fabrics' unique properties provide thermal insulation, durability, and a striking visual effect—transparent by day and illuminated at night. This technical tour will offer a firsthand look at the engineering and architectural advancements shaping the future of Gent-Sint Pieters, balancing heritage conservation with modern mobility solutions.

Registration

All participants born in or after 1991 will benefit from a reduction in their registration fee.

Awards

An independent jury will evaluate contributions from young authors, selecting two outstanding oral or poster presentations for special recognition. Each winner will receive a 500 EUR prize, generously sponsored by the IABSE Fellows and the Organising Committee, as a testament to their exceptional work and contribution to the field. The awards will be presented during the Closing Ceremony of the Congress, offering well-deserved recognition in front of an international audience. This initiative celebrates innovation and excellence while encouraging the next generation of structural engineers to advance knowledge and make meaningful contributions to the profession.

Urban Hunt

A highlight of the Young Engineers Program, the Urban Hunt is an exciting and interactive challenge that brings together both Young Engineers and more distinguished members in

teams to explore the city in a unique way. As they navigate through the historic city centre, participants will search for hidden clues, solve riddles, and complete challenges, all while competing to achieve the highest score.

Designed to stimulate collaboration and interaction, this engaging activity encourages teamwork and networking across different experience levels. With a route that is accessible to all, the Urban Hunt ensures an inclusive and enjoyable experience, combining friendly competition with discovery and fun. The Urban Hunt will take place on Wednesday evening after the Welcome Reception, making it the perfect opportunity to continue conversations and build connections in a dynamic and informal setting.

Networking with IABSE Fellows

Young engineers will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions with IABSE Fellows during dedicated moments throughout the conference program. These sessions provide a valuable platform for early-career professionals to seek guidance, exchange ideas, and gain insights from experienced leaders in the field, fostering  mentorship and professional growth.