At the 46th Assembly of the Slovenian Association of Structural Engineers in Portorož, we will present two lectures. Dr. h. c. Marjan Pipenbaher will have a keynote lecture on current trends in design, construction and monitoring of large-span bridges, while Rok Mlakar will present the Pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Savinja River at Špica in Celje. Both presentations will take place on the first day of the assembly, November 13, 2025.Advances in structural systems, high-strength and ultra-high-strength materials and high-performance computers are enabling the design of the most challenging structures of all time. Current trends in this field are focussed on the following main areas: the development of innovative structural systems, the development of high-strength materials, the aerodynamic stability of lightweight steel bridge structures and seismic safety. The further development of the design and construction of bridges with large spans is being driven by the development of new materials and modern and innovative designs.
The bridge at Špica, with a span of 76.0 meters, is designed as a simply-supported arch "Vierendeel" girder. The girder’s structural height varies due to the arch-shaped upper chord, ranging from just 1.5 meters at the ends to 6.0 meters at the midspan. The vertical members are spaced 4.0 meters apart and aligned centrically (radially) relative to the curvature of the upper chord. The superstructure's bottom chord is strengthened by a composite Hi-Bond deck-slab, adding also to the dynamic stability of the slender bridge. The installation of a 127 tons steel structure took place in November 2024, and was completed in June 2025.
Dr. h. c. Marjan Pipenbaher (1957) is a Partner, Managing Director and a Senior Bridge designer of Ponting Bridges and Pipenbaher Consulting Engineers. His notable bridges include Pelješac Bridge in Croatia (2022), Nissibi Bridge over Euphrates in Turkey (2015), Millennium Bridge in Podgorica (2006), the biggest railway viaduct in Israel (2017) and Viaduct Črni Kal in Slovenia (2004). He is a winner of many awards for his engineering expertise and a lecturer that passes the knowledge to future generations at University of Maribor.
Rok Mlakar (1976) is a Project manager and Bridge designer of Ponting Bridges. In addition to the bridge at Špica (2025), he has collaborated with his colleagues on award-winning pedestrian bridges, namely the pedestrian bridge in Gdańsk (2017), the Marinič Bridge in Škocjan Caves (2010) and the Studenci footbridge in Maribor (2007), as well as the bridge over Savinja in Laško (2021) and Ceršak Bridge (2025). His most important projects also include the highway bridges K1 and L211 Gleinalmtunnel in Austria (2018) and Ernest Faber Bridge in Coburg, Germany (2017).
Event details:
- Date: 13. - 14. November 2025
- Location: Grand hotel Bernardin, Portorož, Slovenia
- Marjan Pipenbaher, Current trends in design, construction and monitoring of large-span bridges (13. 11. 2025, 14:30 – 15:00)
- Rok Mlakar, Jernej Maher, Viktor Markelj: Pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Savinja River at Špica in Celje (13. 11. 2025, 15:00 – 15:15)
- Events website
- Complete programme
Project details:
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