GRK 2250/II - Winter Workshop 2023

The Winter Workshop of the GRK2250/II was held from February 27^th to March 4^th, 2023. The workshop has been divided into two parts. First, the group of GRK doctoral researchers attended an intensive two-days training, led by Mr Orlando Schenk, to improve their academic presentation skills. During the training, focus was set on gesture, voice intonation and slide preparation, in order to optimise the quality and the clarity of scientific presentations. Individual coaching was also an significant module of the training, being an important chance for each of the participants to get used to their own uncertainties and aspects to improve.

On March 1^st, the group moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the second part of the workshop, namely the core of the scientific meeting. The GRK 2250 group from Dresden, including principal investigators and associated members, had the opportunity to meet up in the wonderful frame of the Bavarian alps, with four international experts, assembling an intense and interesting scientific programme, which was also made available for attendees connected online in a successful hybrid and interactive mode.

Prof. Yiska Goldfeld, from Technion, Israel, delivered a talk on the potential of designing novel thin textile-reinforced concrete structures with smart properties, like self-sensing and diagnostic features. Prof. Ezio Cadoni, from SUPSI in Switzerland, showcased the last progresses in the investigation of dynamic properties of materials, through advanced testing techniques and programmes designed in close collaboration with the industrial sector. Prof. Will Coombs, from Durham University in the UK, presented advanced computational techniques recently developed to describe the fracture mechanism of complex materials and soils.

As the opening lecture of the last day, Prof. Radoslav Sovják, from the Czech University of Technology in Prague, surveyed the topic of ballistic properties and damage assessment of protective construction materials and structures, also presenting cutting-edge studies regarding the delicate issue of resilience of vehicles.

All the GRK 2250 researchers, including five  associated members, had the opportunity to present their recent research achieve-ments. It was a great opportunity to trigger discussions with international experts, fostering the chance of consolidating and initiating collaborations that enrich the articulated network of expertise flowing into the group. The amazing natural environment also allowed the organisation of group activities outdoors.