ICEC Final Stage in Timișoara

The International Civil Engineering Competition (ICEC) 2024 took place from 14.07. to 21.07.24 in Timisoara, Romania. During this week, around 40 civil engineering students and alumni from eight nations took part in a three-day construction competition. Three students from Karlsruhe, who had won the IACES construction competition at the local level in Karlsruhe, took part.

On the first day of the international construction competition, a cement-sand and a bentonite test specimen had to be produced. These were subjected to static pressure on the following day. The second day focused on sustainability and the circular economy in the construction sector. The participants gave presentations on current research projects from their countries. On the third day, the participants had to build a tower out of wooden skewers. The three-story tower was loaded with weights and tested on a vibrating plate to simulate earthquakes.

Of course, there was also a cultural supporting program. We visited the historic old town, went on a boat tour and visited a museum about the 1989 revolution in Timisoara against the communist dictatorship. Finally, we went on a day trip to the mountains. In addition to swimming in a reservoir, there was a beer festival in a small town with traditional Romanian music, costumes and food.

Many thanks to LC Timisoara for the special hospitality!

Written by Sabina Laqua