The construction and fastening industry met on 6 and 7 February for the 11th fischer Expert Forum at the fischer headquarters in Waldachtal. Around 100 guests explored trends and the latest findings in fastening technology and the construction industry. This included digitalization with building information modelling (BIM), automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The focus was on other future topics such as building renovation, photovoltaics, timber system construction, bonding as a joining technology, the amended EU Construction Products Regulation, the project business and advances in fastening technology. The organizer fischer presented its product and system world as well as its fischer BauBot construction robot live and up close.

Alexander Bässler, Speaker of the Management Board of the fischer Group of Companies, welcomed the guests and emphasized: "All of you and your extensive wealth of experience make the expert forum particularly attractive and at the same time guarantee interesting technical discussions outside of the agenda." These included participants from research, structural engineering, test engineering, specialized planning, general planning, industry, system procurement, authorities, contractors and the trade press.

Prof. Konrad Bergmeister from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna (BOKU) opened the 11th fischer Expert Forum with a quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, which could be related in many ways to the topics presented and discussed: "Only those who know their goal will find the way." As a permanent fischer Expert Forum institution, Prof. Bergmeister moderated the program. He contributed his in-depth expertise, which he is always able to call on from a standing start, according to the positive feedback. 

Digitalization in the construction industry was the topic of forward-looking presentations. With in-depth knowledge from research and practice, the world-renowned AI expert Dr. Feiyu Xu showed in her keynote speech how AI applications can be implemented in companies in a targeted manner and improve products, processes and promotion in the construction industry, among other things. Prof. Reinhard Wimmer from Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences gave a practical and transparent presentation on how construction processes can be digitalised and optimised using BIM. The method was introduced in Germany in 2015 with the "digital planning and construction step-by-step plan" and is mandatory for infrastructure projects above a certain volume. However, only around 30 per cent of local companies use BIM across the board, stated Prof. Wimmer. "With the right strategy, clear standards and model-based processes, BIM can not only save time and costs, but also increase quality," he encouraged the industry and outlined possible solutions. The successful use of BIM requires information to be networked and managed in a standardised way, fair remuneration for BIM services to be ensured and interoperability to be promoted. 

Dr. Ronald Mihala, Deputy Managing Director of Development and Product Management at the fischer Group of Companies, illustrated the advantages of fischer's 360-degree services in the project business, also using outstanding reference projects. The company supports its customers from planning and execution through to documentation and building monitoring. Digital innovations range from BIM services and scanning methods for as-built documentation to automated construction with the BauBot robot and digitally equipped fastening products networked with the IoT (Internet of Things) for efficient monitoring of objects. "fischer not only connects components on the construction site, but also digitally connects all project participants," was the message.

Thomas Meibert from Gropyus AG spoke about timber system construction in the age of industrialisation, looking at efficiency, sustainability and future potential. He showed how Gropyus AG is using digitalisation and automation to make the construction industry more sustainable and efficient. Other presentations also focussed on pioneering solutions for sustainable construction. Prof. Benjamin Kromoser from BOKU in Vienna presented an innovative construction system for bonded wood-concrete composite ceilings (HBV ceilings). He emphasised how the HBV system increases efficiency in the manufacturing process, improves the ecological balance and increases the load-bearing capacity compared to a mechanical connection.

Dr. Máté Tóth, Head of the Building Renovation business unit at the fischer group of companies, presented solutions for structural reinforcement and concrete repair in order to use existing structures sustainably. He looked at a wide range of methods and applications covered by the fischer portfolio, including carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) and carbon fibre mesh (CF), steel mesh, mortar for concrete repair and systems for concrete reinforcement and subsequent reinforcement connections. Norbert Betzl, Head of Product Management at Solarwatt GmbH, and Jan Zimmermann, Head of Market Management International Façade systems at fischer, spoke about building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in façades. They showed how architectures can be optimally utilised for renewable energy generation using Solarwatt glass-glass photovoltaic modules and fischer façade systems as well as coordinated solutions.

Prof. Matthias Neuner from BOKU in Vienna provided insights into the topic of bonding in the construction industry. He focused on numerical material mechanics, which can be used to simulate and predict the mechanical behaviour of materials in structures and systems with the aid of computers. The method enables the understanding of complex mechanisms, such as those that occur in adhesive bonds. The durability of structures can be predicted and improved. Prof. Neuner has held the ‘Klaus Fischer Endowed Professorship’ ‘Structural Bonding in Construction - Numerical Mechanics of Materials’ at BOKU in Vienna for five years since July 2024 and is advancing this forward-looking topic.

Prof. Jan Hofmann from the University of Stuttgart presented the latest research results on the load-bearing capacity of anchors with very shallow anchoring depths. The use of shear studs (anchoring depth up to 15 mm) leads to setting errors in high-strength concrete (C70 to C90). Prof. Hofmann investigated the performance of shear studs as well as bonded and expansion anchors at shallow anchorage depths in test programmes. He demonstrated that secure fastenings can be achieved with the fasteners. This is very important, as shallow anchoring depths will become increasingly important with regard to new construction methods with CO₂ reduction. Andreas Kummerow from Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik introduced the guests to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR 2024), which has just come into force and is intended to improve the safety, sustainability and quality of construction products in the EU. Transitional rules will apply until its general application in January 2040.

The organizer, fischer, also took its guests on a production tour and gave them the opportunity to immerse themselves in its product and system world in a practical way at its fischer Academy. Moderated by Emil Kral, Managing Director of fischer BauBot Services GmbH, the participants experienced the fischer BauBot construction robot up close during autonomous drilling. At the same time, Emil Kral illustrated the advantages of the innovative helper in a presentation based on its use in the renovation of the Engelberg Tunnel near Leonberg.