Balingen and Baiersbronn: Approaches to Timber Bridge Design
Abstract
<p>As our industry continues to grapple with the challenges of the climate emergency, we must all consider the materials we use, balancing performance with environmental impact. In recent years the prevalence of structural timber in small to medium bridges has grown steadily. While some view this trend with suspicion, it rightly challenges our reliance on steel and concrete as the primary materials of infrastructure.</p><p>As in the wider building industry, timber is by no means a silver bullet. However, when used intelligently, its role in a sustainable future is undeniable. The two structures described within this paper combine traditional and contemporary technologies with a better understanding of timber protection to create bridges that are both practical and beautiful.</p>
Reference
Frank Miebach; Dominik Niewerth; Lukas Osterloff; Ben Addy; Ezra Groskin. (2026). Balingen and Baiersbronn: Approaches to Timber Bridge Design. IABSE Reports. https://doi.org/10.2749/copenhagen.2026.1075
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