2024

Winner of the 2024 IABSE National Group of the Year Award - Congratulations!

IABSE Korean Group Visits the Gosam Bridge Construction Siteand Gyeongbu Line Straightening Tunnel Site

On 24 May 2024, members of the IABSE Korean Group participated in a field trip to visit the Gosam Bridge construction site and the Gyeongbu Line straightening tunnel site, gaining firsthand experience of the latest construction technologies and disaster preparedness.

The Group first visited the Gosam Bridge construction site, where they had the opportunity to learn directly from experts about the key processes from conceptual design to construction. The Gosam Bridge is aligned with a radius of 4,000 meters and spans a total length of 605 meters (85.40 + 3 @ 145 + 85.32), featuring multiple spans and a single-plane cable-supported extradosed design with saddle anchorage. This bridge represents the culmination of a design process aimed at harmonizing with the surrounding landscape, considering both the location and form of the foundation relative to geographical and ground conditions. Its structural shape incorporates six-sided club shapes, intended to aesthetically complement the natural surroundings of the bridge.

The second visit was to the Gyeongbu Expr essway straightening and undergrounding project. The total length for straightening is 4.7 km, with 1.21 km being an underpass consisting of the Gyeongbu Dongtan Tunnel. The cross section of the tunnel is an RC double box designed with a width of 53.96 meters for 10 lanes round-trip (5 lanes each direction) and a clearance limit of 5 meters. This project aims to enhance drivability and create a park in the upper space by undergrounding the highway in the urban area. The city park will cover 89,729 square meters, which is 12 times the size of a soccer field. Particularly impressive was the central exhaust duct system installed to control large-scale smoke, along with large fire-resistant panels, as safety measures for the 1.21 km long tunnel.

One IABSE young engineer remarked, 'This field trip was incredibly educational, and the interaction with field experts provided practical knowledge that is invaluable.' The IABSE Korean Group plans to continue offering various activities to help members stay updated with the latest technologies and acquire practical knowledge.

3rd Young Engineers Colloquium in East Asia 2024

January started with a very successful YEC event from 19-20 January 2024, organised by the Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Hong Kong group of IABSE. The three main programs spread across two days facilitated lively, in-depth discussions between young researchers and field practitioners. Programs included (I) Team design competition (2) Presentation of research and projects and (3) Social activities. The campus tour included the Extreme Performance Testing Center(ETPC), the SNU Museum of Art, and the SNU Library. The Keynote Lecture was delivered by Prof. Jae-Hoon Lee, the president of the Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineering. He presented an inspiring lecture on, "Growing from Beginner to Expert," which encouraged young engineers to ardently follow their dreams and ambitions in the field of structural engineering.

The day also included two design competition sessions. These sessions not only showcased the innovative talents of our young engineers but also fostered a spirit of healthy competition and collaboration. Additionally, a guided tour of Seoul National University campus was organized as part of the social program, which includes the SNU museum, the Gwangeoung Library and the Extreme Performance Testing Center. This tour provided a unique opportunity for participants to explore local academic facilities and engage in cultural exchange.

The day concluded with a colloquium dinner, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. During the dinner, an award ceremony was held where a total of four 'Best Design' awards were presented. This social event allowed for informal networking and further discussion of the day's topics in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Did you know that Students can join IABSE for an online membership for one full year at just 20 CHF? Find out more details here ...

2023

   

On 19 May 2023, the IABSE Korean Group of IABSE in collaboration with the Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineers (KIBSE) organised their annual field visit and workshop event, offering members a unique opportunity to explore and learn about the fascinating world of pedestrian suspension bridges. The event, was held at Geochang-gun, Republic of Korea, and attracted 32 members, including renowned experts, enthusiasts and students from the field.

The workshop seminar, focused on the planning, design, construction, and walking vibration tests of the pedestrian bridges, and offered invaluable insights into the intricacies of these remarkable structures. Two exceptional long-span pedestrian suspension bridges, namely the Suseungdae suspension bridge and the Y-shaped suspension bridge, served as the backdrop for this enriching experience. One of the seminar’s highlights was the presentation by Koo Ki-Jung, director of Cable Bridge, Ltd., who provided an in-depth overview of the main design elements employed in the Y-shaped suspension bridge. With a particular focus on the central connection and the awe-inspiring process of installing a cable soaring 60 meters high between the canyons, Koo Ki-Jung's expertise captivated the audience. The event also featured a presentation by Prof. Hwang Ui-Seung from Kyung Hee University, who spoke about the groundbreaking use of wireless sensors for vibration measurement in pedestrian suspension bridges. This technological innovation sparked engaging discussions among the attendees, fostering knowledge exchange and furthering the understanding of bridge dynamics.

During the on-site visit, a special ceremony was held, to unveil a plaque, commemorating the Y-shaped suspension bridge's prestigious recognition as a winner of the 2022 IABSE Award For Pedestrian And Cycle Bridges. Distinguished local officials, including honorary Prof. Chang Seung-Pil and Geochang County Governor Koo In-Mo, graced the occasion with their presence, emphasising the significance of this achievement. Since its grand opening in 2020, the Y-shaped suspension bridge has captured the imagination of visitors from near and far, rapidly becoming a cherished national landmark. Its allure as a remarkable architectural marvel has drawn over 150,000 tourists within just one month of its inauguration. With its recognition by the IABSE, this stunning bridge has solidified its status as an engineering masterpiece, alluring visitors with its breathtaking beauty and intricate design.

The successful collaboration between the IABSE Korean Group and the KIBSE facilitated knowledge sharing and celebrated outstanding achievements in bridge design and construction. As the participants departed, armed with new insights and experiences, their collective passion for advancing the field of structural engineering burned brighter than ever.

2022

NG report, March 28, 2022

Following the first annual meeting,the Korea Group had the 2nd meeting of online seminar on March 25, 2022, with more than 50 participants. This meeting was to support the exchange of academic research by young Ph.D members and to prepare for the design competition of YEC (Young Engineers Colloquium). Prof. Yun-Byeong Chae of Seoul National University chaired the seminar with presentations on the following topics:

-DfMA towards Smart Prefabricated Structures by Prof. Changsu Shim

-Digital Twin for Maintenance of PSC Bridges by Dr. Chihi Jeon

-Prediction of Seismic Responses of Nonlinear Structural Systems using Deep-Learning by Dr. Taeyong Kim

-Brainstorming on Design Competition for Footbridges by Prof. Namhee-Kim Hong

As a special guest lecturer, Prof. Changsu Shim, Chung Ang University, presented the advanced technology being implemented through the national projects in Korea focusing on DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly). Also, two young PhDs who participated in the 2022 IABSE Best PhD Award nominations in Korea introduced their doctoral research thesis. Finally Prof. Namhee-Kim Hong featured out some main characteristics of the recent pedestrian bridge designs and discussed the strategic plan for design competition to draw novel ideas from participants. The next meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2022.

As the first event of 2022, the Korea Group of IABSE held the first annual meeting online on Jan 25. This meeting was intended to encourage young engineers in Korea to engage in IABSE activities, and a total of 50 people participated with high interest. Prof. Ho-Kyung Kim, Seoul National University, addressed the opening address as chair of the Korean Group and a total of four speakers presented their topics.

First, the invited lecture, “Simulative Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and Robotics for Smart Construction“ was delivered by Prof. Ayoung Kim of department of mechanical engineering at Seoul National University. The lecture attracted a lot of attention from participants as it revealed the latest technology used in smart construction. In particular, sensor fusion technologies such as cameras, radars, and lidars, 3D mapping of the city center using them, maintenance of 3D spatial information, novel expression of spatial information, and recent SLAM technologies using deep learning were introduced.

Then Dr. Woo-Jung Kim, the president of DM Engineering Co., Ltd., introduced how to apply for the IABSE Awards that has been significantly updated recently. He is the leader in the design of 1,004m long cable-stayed bridge of the Cheonsa Bridge that was selected as the finalist of the 2020 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award (OStrA) and currently serves as an IABSE Award Committee member.

Prof. Wonsuk Park at Mokpo National University, the correspondent of the Korean Group, emphasized the active participation of young engineers through the IABSE Young Engineers Colloquium(YEC) in East Asia. This YEC Colloquium was organized by Korea, China, Japan and Hong Kong Group, and was held in Shanghai in 2018 and Tokyo in 2019. The 2020 competition was scheduled to be held in Seoul, but it was not held because of the pandemic. He announced that the Korean Group is still planning to host the YEC this year or next year, and encouraged Korean young engineers to participate.

Finally Mr. Doyun Hwang at Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering, shared his activities and experiences participating in the IABSE Congress and YEC. He emphasized not only the knowledge and information he could gain through the IABSE activities, but also the fun and joy he could feel while interacting with young engineers around the world.

2021 and 2020

Online Technical Course on Korean Highway Bridge Design Code (Limit State Design)

On June 24th and 25th, a two-day technical program on the Korean Highway Bridge Design Code (Limit State Design) was held online. The Korean Group of IABSE (chaired by Prof. Ho-Kyung Kim) prepared the technical program for practitioners who want to adapt to the Limit State Design Method with the KIBSE (Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineers). This program covered a full range of topics and design details: (1) new concept of load and resistance factor design; (2) concrete bridge design; (3) steel bridge design; (4) wind design; (5) seismic design; and (6) foundation design. Especially each lecture included answers to the questions that accumulated during the past 6 years since the application of the Limit State Design Method into practice so that it was an opportunity to considerably resolve the questions of practitioners. Also, this program offers certifications for engineers who need continuing education to go broader and deeper into bridge design area.

Photo: More than 86 participants were connected online.

2020

On 20 August, the technical short programs in smart design and construction related to structural engineering under the topic ‘Ready for Smart Technology’ was offered by the Korean Group of IABSE. This program was designed to prepare for the smart construction that has become an urgent issue internationally and domestically, far faster than expected, along with the economic revitalization issue, post Covid-19. The participants could access online or offline the program sessions, to gain crucial knowledge and applicable skills, from renowned leaders in the field of BIM to sensing technology, as well as in systems engineering. Specific technologies including digital twin and deep learning, were also covered in the lectures. The live Q&A session helped the interactive discussion between the speakers and the participants, who also used chat messages to communicate. For more details, visit http://www.kibse.or.kr/staticdata/static/activities/tech-programs/