Welcome to ICTB 2025
Welcome to the 5th International Conference on Timber Bridges (5ICTB) in Rotorua, New Zealand!
We are thrilled to be hosting this conference in the stunning city of Rotorua, known for its volcanic and thermal activities that create a relaxing and therapeutic atmosphere. As the first time hosting this conference in the southern hemisphere, we are excited to welcome professionals from around the world to discuss the efficient and reliable use of timber bridges in transportation infrastructure.
Our focus on timber bridges aligns with the current need for resilient infrastructure to support thriving communities, and we believe that by bringing together leading professionals from various fields, we can collectively improve design, productivity, manufacture, supply, and maintenance of timber bridges for the next five decades and beyond.
With a strong panel of local and international speakers expected, we are confident that this conference will provide invaluable insights and knowledge exchange to drive improvements in timber bridge construction worldwide. In addition to the core conference program, we are offering visits to research facilities, manufacturing plants, and other educational expeditions, subject to delegate interest.
While attending the conference, we encourage you to explore the wonders of Rotorua, from its world-famous thermal areas and geysers to the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest with its exhilarating mountain bike trails and relaxing geothermal baths. Rotorua truly has something for everyone, whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation.
We extend a warm invitation to all delegates to join us in Rotorua, where Māori culture and the beauty of timber bridges will be showcased in unforgettable ways.
Nau mai, haere mai ki Rotorua! Welcome to Rotorua!
Key Dates
| Extended Abstracts Submission Deadline | Tuesday 10 September 2024 |
| Author Acceptance Notification | End October 2024 |
| Full Paper Submission | Friday 15 March 2025 |
| Early/Presenter Registration Deadline | Friday 15 March 2025 |
Note that our sister conference, World Conference in Timber Engineering 2025, will be held in Brisbane, Australia
from 22nd June to 26th June 2025.
Program Overview
| Date |
Day Event |
Evening Event |
| Sunday 29 June |
Pre Conference (optional):
- Bus Tour from Auckland to Rotorua including sites of interest
- Student and Young Professional Bridge Competition
- Rotorua Bridge Walking Tour and Scion Visit
- Tourist activities
Conference Registration Opens
|
Pōwhiri and Welcome Function |
| Monday 30 June |
Registration
Keynote Sessions
Concurrent Technical Presentations
Industry Trade Exhibition
|
Cultural Performance |
| Tuesday 1 July |
Registration
Keynote Sessions
Concurrent Technical Presentations
Industry Trade Exhibition
|
Conference Dinner |
| Wednesday 2 July |
Technical Visits
- Various half day and full day options to be offered
Return Bus Transport to Auckland (optional)
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Keynotes
Breathing New Life into Timber Bridge Engineering in Canada
Speaker: David Moses - PhD, PEng, PE, LEED®AP
While timber is not in the mainstream for most Canadian bridge engineers, many new timber bridges have been built in recent years – these serve as examples that inspire a new generation of bridge designers and authorities to consider building with wood. David will highlight the changes that are happening in Canada in standards and education and will present a sampling of recent timber roadway and pedestrian bridges, new and restored, from across Canada, showcasing the work of engineers who continue to pursue and evolve the craft of timber engineering.
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David is the founder of Moses Structural Engineers, a Toronto-based firm whose core purpose is to have a “Lasting Impact” on our cities and communities. David has over 25 years of experience structural engineering projects across Canada and the United States, including many firsts: early CNCing of mass timber in Canada, first Canadian and Ontario Cross-laminated timber buildings, and adopting new connection systems.
David is a member of the CHBDC Section 9 Wood Structures sub-committee, and co-author of the Ontario Wood Bridge Reference Guide (2017). David is also founder of TimberFever® a design-build competition for engineering and architecture students across Canada and the United States.
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Long-span timber highway bridges as a contribution to global decarbonization
Speaker: Steffen Franke - Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Steffen will describe the possible contribution of long-span timber highway bridges to a global decarbonization strategy for the infrastructural sector, including and the feasibility of long-span heavy-duty timber bridges in a mountainous country such as Switzerland.
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Steffen Franke graduated in structural engineering at the Bauhaus-University Weimar Germany, in 2001 and completed his PhD in 2008 in Timber Engineering. From 2020 until 2012, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Timber Design with Prof Quenneville at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Since 2012 he has been Professor of Timber Engineering at the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. He is teaching courses mainly in structural and timber design and has an extensive track record of over 30 successful research projects and over 100 publications.
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Past, Present and Future of Timber Bridges in Australia
Speaker: Ralph Belperio - BEng (Hons1) FIE Aust CPEng NER RBP (Vic) RPEQ
Ralph will contribute to the conference with an engaging keynote focussing on the materiality, durability and sustainability of bridge design across Australia, based on his knowledge of timber and its applicability in bridge structures.
He will combine this expertise with what has worked historically in Australia and what technologies are emerging (such as parametrics) that can influence better design outcomes moving forward.
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In a career spanning 4 decades, Ralph is a recognised industry expert in the design and delivery of Mass Timber Structures.
Ralph leads Aurecon’s Timber Expertise capability, having worked with the timber industry across his long consulting career. He has carried out research in glue laminated timber reinforced with Carbon Fibre, Modular School Buildings and the Development of Applications for Robotics in Timber Construction.
Ralph is an Executive Board Member and Partner Investigator at the Advance Timber Hub, hosted at the University of Queensland, and is active in several of the research initiatives underway.
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Design and construction of timber bridges in New Zealand
Speaker: Daniel Moroder – PhD dott. Ing. CPEng IntPE(NZ) CMEngNZ
Daniel will describe the design and construction of timber bridges in New Zealand, providing a historical survey of old timber bridges, showcasing a range of current designs, and exploring the future of timber bridges in the country. He is working closely with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to develop new New Zealand specific guidance on timber bridge design. Additionally, Daniel will discuss recent developments in New Zealand regarding timber manufacturing, durability and pavement compatibility.
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Daniel is a senior structural engineer at PTL Structural & Fire, Christchurch, New Zealand. He has designed and managed construction of multi-storey timber buildings and timber bridges, with a focus on practical and cost-effective solutions. He has also assisted clients and fellow engineers with independent peer reviews for projects with innovative materials and structural systems.
He is immediate past-president of the New Zealand Timber Design Society.
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