Date
Thursday 26 November 2026
Time
13:30–18:00
Location
De Zwarte Doos (TU Eindhoven)
Den Dolech 2
TU-terrein, Eindhoven
About the seminar
The Dutch and Belgian Groups of IABSE are pleased to invite you to the joint seminar “The Essence of Structural Engineering for Society”, taking place on Thursday 26 November 2026 at Eindhoven University of Technology.
In August 2025, the Belgian and Dutch Groups presented this theme to an international audience during the IABSE Congress Ghent 2025. With this seminar in Eindhoven, the discussion continues closer to home: what does structural engineering really contribute to society?
Five speakers from leading engineering practices and universities will present inspiring projects and share their lessons learned. The programme ranges from the structural challenges associated with two major airport projects to an award-winning timber structure, the design and installation of a remarkable bridge, and the forensic investigation of a car park collapse that revealed a much broader structural issue.
Programme
| 13:30 | Registration and welcome | |
| 14:00 | Lectures | |
| | Growth in Motion – Structural Challenges in the Expansion of Eindhoven Airport | Robert Willemsen – IV |
| | Brussels Airport | Frank Kaalberg – Witteveen+Bos |
| | Matchbox – A Timber Structure Beyond Engineering | Erwin ten Brincke – abt |
| | Tegenbosch Bridge – From Design to Installation | Marcel Somers – Wagemaker |
| | Beyond a Single Failure – How a Car Park Collapse Revealed a Broader Structural Issue | Simon Wijte – Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) |
| 17:00 | Networking reception | |
Who should attend?
The seminar will be held in English and is open to both IABSE members and non-members.
It will be of particular interest to:
- practising structural engineers;
- contractors;
- asset owners;
- researchers;
- students.
Dutch and Belgian engineers face many comparable challenges, including ageing infrastructure, increasingly ambitious sustainability requirements and a rapidly changing materials landscape. The seminar provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences across disciplines and national borders.
The networking reception following the lectures offers further opportunity to meet colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium and continue the discussion in an informal setting.
Registration
Attendance is free of charge, but places are limited. There is no need to wait to register for the seminar. You can confirm your attendance via the red registration button at the top of this page. After registering, you will automatically receive a notification from the website. Once registrations have been processed, no later than one week before the event, Bouwen met Staal will send a confirmation of participation to your email address.
When registering, please indicate in the ‘General comments’ field whether you are an IABSE member and, if so, include your membership number. Registration is open until 24 November 2026.
Cancellation
Catering arrangements are made based on the number of registered participants. Participants who have registered but do not attend and have not cancelled in time will be charged a €50 no-show fee.
If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration before 25 November 2026. Cancellations received in time are free of charge and allow your place to be offered to someone on the waiting list.
KE/PE credit – Constructeursregister
Are you registered with the Dutch Constructeursregister as a Registerconstructeur, Registerontwerper or Registertoetser? Participation in this seminar entitles you to 1 KE/PE credit (Knowledge Units / Continuing Professional Education).
We look forward to welcoming you to Eindhoven on 26 November!
