“The move to a virtual event presents some new opportunities for the way that the conference will be structured, and we are sure we can maintain full participation by delegates, with a range of styles of discussion, networking and social activity sessions,” said a spokesperson. “We have access to a great platform for this virtual event through the IOM3 conferencing facilities. We look forward to gathering for the presentations, discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking sessions.

The conference will span all topics related to timber – from the largest structures to the smallest models of the influence of ultrastructure on performance. Topics will range from preservation to panel products; modified wood to engineered lumber.

The provisional programme includes Martin Ansell speaking on massive timber structures; Alicja Przystup, Hannah Schrempf and Giedriius Visniauskas and Thomas Reynolds speaking on CLT connection behaviour under extreme deformations and its influence on structural robustness in large timber structures.

David Trujillo will present on developing ISO standards for bamboo, while Nick Meech and George Fereday will discuss “the XR beam” – a trussed hardwood beam for value-added use of roundwood thinnings in the south-east of England.

Tabitha Binding, of TRADA and the TTF will speak on the subject of teaching timber, while Dan Ridley-Ellis and Marlene Cramer will ask “some awkward questions about density. Janet Sycamore will present on the Timber Decking & Cladding Association’s work to establish a quality scheme for wood-plastic composite decking.

For further details of the programme and registration, visit www.iom3online.org or email: conferences@iom3.org