Andrey Nikulin's speech
On 3 February, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering held the II International Scientific and Technical Symposium "Serov Readings". The symposium focused on current issues in the development of wooden structures and timber housing construction.
The symposium's target audience included leading Russian and international scientists and specialists, as well as young researchers in the field of timber structure design and analysis. They discussed the latest advances in design and construction using engineered wood.
The dean of the SPbGASU Faculty of Civil Engineering, Head of the Department of Technosphere Safety, PhD of Engineering Sciences Andrey Nikulin, addressed the participants of the symposium with a welcoming speech. He also conveyed words of greeting from the Vice-Rector for Research, DSc in Engineering Evgeny Korolev.
In his address, Andrey Nikolaevich noted the particular importance of research in the field of timber structures, emphasizing the engineer's responsibility when working with natural materials:
"Many of you have dedicated your lives to timber housing construction and the creation of multi-component wooden structures. Timber construction involves working with living material, which means the responsibility of the designer and builder increases significantly."
The Head of the Faculty of Civil Engineering noted that the development of timber housing construction is directly linked to modern societal demands: "People are increasingly choosing to live in a natural environment, using natural materials, with access to modern technology and high-quality services. This trend will undoubtedly grow."
Andrey Nikulin expressed confidence that it is scientific research and the continuity of scientific schools that shape the future of the industry, emphasizing the contribution of the outstanding scientist Evgeny Serov, whose 94th birthday the symposium was timed to coincide with: "Scientists like Evgeny Nikolaevich Serov are the very 'wooden beams' on which the future of construction science and the development of wooden structures are built."
In his welcoming remarks, the Dean placed particular emphasis on the future of the Serov Readings as a high-level scientific platform. He emphasized that the symposium must continue to evolve while maintaining strict requirements for the selection of papers and the quality of scientific publications.
The symposium featured presentations by specialists from leading universities in Russia and Kazakhstan, research institutes, design organizations, and construction companies. Participants discussed the use of timber structures in civil and industrial engineering, the development of information modeling in the design of single- and multi-story buildings, and prospects for improving the regulatory framework and educational programs in timber construction.
