Danish Group of IABSE
Chair | Secretary |
NG logos available!
2026
IABSE Denmark – Young Engineers invites you to an engaging and interactive roundtable discussion:
“From Concept to Reality: A Roundtable with Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Experts”
When: February 4 after 17:00 CET.
Register Here: Click Here!
Where: Ramboll Auditorium. Event is only in-person.
This event will be a moderated panel discussion. Anne Moloney, from Ramboll, shall be the Moderator, and will ask broad questions connected to collaboration in large-scale AEC projects, with sample questions like:
- What typical pitfalls does your discipline fall into on large-scale projects?
- What is the most common friction point at your discipline interface, and how can it be addressed?
- What design issues are hardest to communicate across disciplines: speed, clarity, constructability, etc.?
The audience will consist primarily of structural engineers (both junior and senior).
This event shall feature three distinguished professionals representing the full project lifecycle:
Jesper Henriksen, CEO, Dissing+Weitling (Architecture); Marcos Sanchez, Director, Arup (Engineering); Peter Falk, Section Manager, MT Højgaard (Construction); Ramboll Auditorium, Hannemanns Allé 53, 2300 Copenhagen S, (Nearest metro: Ørestad)
Through expert insights, real-world experiences, and an interactive moderated discussion with audience Q&A, we will dive into interdisciplinary collaboration, common challenges, and communication across disciplines.
This event offers valuable insights into interdisciplinary collaboration on large-scale projects.
Agenda:
17:00 - Arrival & Refreshments
18:00 - Opening presentations
18:30 - Roundtable discussions
19:30 - Networking
20:00 - Close
Price: IABSE Members: FREE; Non-members: 125 DKK; Students: 50 DKK.
Sign up for the event: Click Here!
Event: 1st Oct 2025 (15:00–19:00) at the Storstrøm Bridge Construction Site & Visitor Center for an IABSE Denmark Mini Seminar on the New Storstrøm Bridge.
Key Presentations:
"The New Storstrøm Bridge – Cable Stayed Bridge" by Ilona Hall (COWI) & Torben Forsberg (FORSBERGS)
"The New Storstrøm Bridge: A Digital Birth Certificate for the Future" by Finn Jensen (COWI)
Guided site visit (please bring your own PPE)
Free for IABSE members, DSBy, NVF, and students.
Non-members: 500 DKK.
Sharpening Our Pencils: A Fireside Chat with Ian Firth
Event organised by Young Engineers from the IABSE Danish NG
Report by Justina Rubaviciute, Denmark. Watch the video recording of "hyggelig" with Ian Firth: Click Here.
On 11 June 2025, IABSE Young Engineers Denmark hosted a “hyggelig” yet thought-provoking evening with world-renowned bridge engineer Ian Firth. From concept design to carbon footprint, the evening was packed with inspiration and bold challenges to traditional thinking.
Firth encouraged us to “sharpen our pencils” and push for efficiency in our designs. “How many of you are content with utilisations of 75%?” he asked. “We should be aiming for 95%! There’s plenty of margin in the codes to stay safe.”
The message was clear: it’s time to change the paradigm. Challenge the rule book, rethink norms, and take responsibility for the carbon impact of our designs. One actionable takeaway? Introduce PAS 2080 pass/fail carbon criteria in project bids to drive real accountability. It was a night of learning, reflection, and renewed purpose – now, back to the drawing board.
IABSE Construction Prize 2024 presented at the General Assembly
On 28 April 2025, the Danish Group of IABSE presented the 'IABSE Construction Prize' to 'the Dome at ARoS'. This remarkable structure masterfully combines steel, concrete, and fibreglass art by James Turrell, achieving both maximum stability and minimal material usage — a true feat of engineering and design: More here. During the General Assembly, there was a valuable presentation on the project, where the award was officially handed over to Mads Suikkanen & Bernt Suikkanen.
Student Trip with DTU
(L) DTU students at FORCE Technology, observing the wind tunnels; (M) DTU students at FORCE Technology, observing the wind tunnels (R) Anamaria Gatej presenting presenting the project “Sustainable Design of Concrete Bridges”
On 20 March 2025, the Danish Group of IABSE organized a student trip for Civil Engineering students from The Technical University of Denmark, DTU, aimed at igniting their passion for structural engineering by exposing them to leading engineering companies and their cutting-edge practices. Around 45 students and senior engineers took part in this event. This enriching experience provided students with invaluable insights into the practical applications of their education, fostering inspiration and motivation for their future careers. A detailed report will be published in SEI May 2025 issue.
Mini seminar: New Storstrøm Bridge & West bridge bearing replacement; Kongens Lyngby
On 5 March 2025, the Danish National Group held a technical mini seminar for knowledge sharing and networking. A diverse group of around 40 attendees participated, including representatives from DTU, contractors, Øresundsbron, Sund & Bælt, The Danish Road Directorate, and five different consulting engineering companies.
The seminar featured two very interesting presentations starting with Finn Raun Gottfredsen from Sund & Bælt, who discussed the refurbishment and partial replacement of bearings on the Great Belt Link (West Bridge). He provided detailed insights into the engineering challenges e.g. estimating the remaining service life of the bearings and solutions involved. Since the West Bridge has around 250 bearings, finding the optimal and most cost-effective solution really matters. One of the hardest decisions in the project was finding the right balance between detailing the project and processes/logistics of the replacement and giving the contractor freedom to decide their own approach, while keeping the Storebælt Link safe and open for traffic to the largest extend possible.
Following this, Barbara MacAulay from the Danish Road Directorate presented an update on the soon to be finished New Storstrøm Bridge, highlighting the nearly completed project's construction methods and status. The bridge is now fully erected structurally and ready for waterproofing, road and railway equipment etc. The event concluded with an engaging networking session accompanied by drinks and snacks. The seminar offered a valuable opportunity to learn about significant and “non-typical” infrastructure projects and connect with fellow professionals in the field.
2023
Case Studies 3 Book Launch Party
Case Studies 3: Investigation of the Chirajara Bridge Collapse” was published by IABSE in 2022. A book launch party was held in Denmark on the 18th January 2023 by the Danish National Group, with the attendance of two of the authors Klaus Ostenfeld and Christos T. Georgakis. Publication of Case Study 3 followed the very successful IABSE webinar held on 27 May 2021 where the findings of the investigations into the tragic collapse of the Chirajara Bridge were shared with the engineering community. Please see link: IABSE - Webinars
This event was to mark the publication and to present the authors with their personal copies of the Case Study 3 and provided a unique opportunity for the participants to gain further insight into the investigation. The Danish Group of IABSE is very proud the achievement and would like to promote this very special publication.
Award Ceremony for Mikael W. BraestrupMikael W. Bræstrup was awarded an Honorary Membership of IABSE at the AWARDS Ceremony in Zürich on 17 November 2022, “In high appreciation for his outstanding and dedicated services to the association”. Unfortunately, Mikael could not attend the ceremony in Zürich, so the Danish National Group celebrated this award in Denmark on 14 December. Joined by his family, Mikael received his certificate from Tina Vejrum, President of IABSE, at a champagne reception. The celebration marked the appreciation and recognition IABSE would like to express to Mikael for his continued dedication to the Association.
Photo from L to R: M.W.Braestrup with his family, receiving the Certificate from the President, and the National Group Chair, Vice Chair.
2022
On 11 May, 2022, the Danish National Group held its Annual Meeting (in person) and Tina Vejrum, who is the President Elect of IABSE, stepped down from her role as the National Group Chair, after a very successful tenure, and passed on the baton to Barbara Boesen MacAulay, as the new NG Chair. Henning Schultz, chaired the Annual Meeting. Henning was the former Chair of the Danish NG. Changes in the NG core committee is listed below.
Photo from L to R: Incoming and outgoing Danish NG core committee Tina Vejrum, outgoing Chair; Barbara Boesen MacAulay, incoming Chair; Lars Fuhr Pedersen, Treasurer; Jan Vig Nielsen, Secretary; Jens Henrik Nielsen; NG member.
The National Group is planning tentatively the following activities, if you are interested to join please contact us, and we shall connect you to the NG Chair, for further information.
- Webinar on the winner of the Danish Structural Award 2021, Lille Langebro
- Site visit to Fehmarn tunnel construction site, May 2022
- Site visit to Storstrommen Bridge, September 2022
- The Danish Bridge and Tunnel Award, 2022: The winner will be announced at Danish Bridge Day on 5 April 2022
- The Danish Structural Award 2022: Deadline for nomination on 1 May 2022
- Annual meeting: 10 May 2022.