The Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026 is a major international conference dedicated to structural diagnostics and non-destructive testing (NDT), taking place on 26–27 February 2026 in Münster, Germany.
The event represents a key reference point for the civil engineering and construction sector, bringing together scientific research, advanced technologies, and practical applications to address challenges related to the safety, durability, and maintenance of civil infrastructure.
The conference focuses on non-destructive testing (NDT) and structural health monitoring as essential tools for preventing degradation and ensuring the long-term performance of existing infrastructure.
Organised by DGZfP (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung), Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose addresses critical issues related to the safety of bridges, viaducts, and civil structures in Germany and across Europe.
The context behind the event is often summarised by a recurring question in public debate: “Germany – a country of crumbling bridges?”. The conference aims to move beyond this narrative, promoting a perspective based on prevention, advanced diagnostics, and intelligent maintenance, supported by data-driven and scientifically sound methodologies.
Who should attend Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose
Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026 is aimed at a broad and interdisciplinary audience, with a strong technical and educational focus. In particular, the event is designed for:
- Engineers and designers involved in structural assessment and maintenance of civil works;
- Diagnostic companies and laboratories specialised in non-destructive testing (NDT);
- Infrastructure owners and operators seeking to reduce risks and operational costs;
- Manufacturers of diagnostic and monitoring technologies;
- Students and researchers interested in a rapidly growing technical field.
In addition to the scientific sessions, the conference offers networking opportunities, live demonstrations, and international exchange among industry experts.
Program of Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026
The conference program includes around twenty technical presentations, covering the main areas of structural diagnostics applied to buildings and infrastructure. Key topics include:
- investigation methods based on non-destructive testing (NDT) applied to construction;
- structural monitoring techniques for existing infrastructure;
- practical applications and successful case studies in building diagnostics;
- a special session dedicated to prestressed concrete bridges, a highly relevant topic in the European context.
Within this framework, particular attention will be given to advanced diagnostic techniques for assessing the state of prestressing, which are essential for estimating residual structural safety and planning targeted maintenance actions. In this context, methodologies such as the direct measurement of residual stresses in prestressing steels using X-ray diffraction represent a significant advancement compared to traditional indirect approaches.
—> Full program: Download the official program (PDF)
Alongside the scientific sessions, the conference will host a permanent equipment exhibition at the University of Applied Sciences in Münster, where participants will be able to attend live demonstrations and directly engage with the latest technologies for structural diagnostics.
GNR at Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026: technologies for structural diagnostics and material analysis
GNR Analytical Instruments will participate in Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026 with a technical contribution developed by Alessandro Torboli of GNR, focused on advanced diagnostics of prestressed concrete structures, one of the central themes of the conference.
During the event, Dominik Dapprich, GNR’s representative in Germany at Dapprich Ingenieurbüro, will deliver a presentation entitled:
In-situ measurement of residual stress in prestressing steels using X-ray diffraction (XRD).
The presentation will illustrate how X-ray diffraction enables direct, non-destructive, in-situ measurement of residual stress in prestressing steels, providing a highly reliable approach for assessing the structural condition of bridges and existing infrastructure. This methodology represents a significant step forward compared to traditional indirect techniques, particularly in terms of predictive maintenance and life-cycle management of civil structures.
In addition to the scientific presentation, GNR will be present with an exhibition booth, where EDGE, GNR’s X-ray diffraction system for industrial and infrastructure applications, will be showcased.
EDGE is designed to support:
- XRD-based structural analysis;
- evaluation of residual stresses in metallic materials;
- advanced on-site diagnostic applications.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaqVRZ6c3uk&t=3s
GNR’s presence at Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026 confirms the company’s commitment to supporting predictive diagnostics, degradation prevention, and technological innovation in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Practical information – Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026
- Dates: 26–27 February 2026
- Venue: Fachhochschule Münster – University of Applied Sciences, Corrensstraße 25, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Organiser: DGZfP
- Program and registration: available on the official website
FAQ – Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026
The conference will be held on 26–27 February 2026 in Münster, at the University of Applied Sciences.
The event is organised by DGZfP, the German Society for Non-Destructive Testing.
The program focuses on non-destructive testing (NDT), structural monitoring, building diagnostics, and infrastructure safety, with a particular emphasis on prestressed concrete bridges.
The conference is open to engineers, companies, researchers, students, and infrastructure operators. Registration is available via the official event website.
NDT methods allow the condition of a structure to be assessed without causing damage, playing a key role in maintenance and degradation prevention.
Yes, GNR will take part with a technical contribution and an exhibition booth, sharing its expertise in material diagnostics.
GNR provides X-ray diffraction, OES, and XRF-based solutions for material control, residual stress evaluation, and infrastructure monitoring.
The full program is available as a PDF on the official Fachtagung Bauwerksdiagnose 2026 website.
