On 20 and 21 February 2025, the traditional Pfahl-Symposium took place again at the Technical University of Braunschweig. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the 10th Edgard Frankignoul Prize. Three outstanding scientific and practice-oriented works were honoured. The independent jury, consisting of renowned experts, evaluated both practical-technical and theoretical research contributions and awarded prizes to the following works:

1st prize was awarded to Michael Zeberer for his master's thesis ‘Experimental investigations on driven displacement piles in Berlin sand in a newly developed calibration chamber’. 2nd prize went to Anne Hagemann for her dissertation ‘On cyclic and dynamic pile-bearing behaviour’, in which she examined the cyclic and dynamic pile-bearing behaviour. Vincent Jarde took third place with his bachelor's thesis ‘Model tests to investigate the influence of the installation sequence on displacement pile groups in non-cohesive soil’. His research highlights the relationship between installation energy and static load-bearing behaviour of individual piles, as well as the entire pile group.

Targeted support for young talent in special civil engineering

The award is not only intended to honour the winners, but also to encourage them to further develop their scientific and practical qualifications: ‘I think it's great and important how the award creates the opportunity to recognise and appreciate the special achievements of young engineers and junior scientists, especially in the case of theses,’ says Michael Zeberer. Anne Hagemann agrees: ‘The opportunity to share my research results and experiences in science with leading experts was a great motivation for me. This award is a valuable recognition of my work and encourages me to continue pursuing innovative approaches in (offshore) geotechnics.’ Vincent Jarde also sees the award as an incentive: ‘For me, the award is a special recognition and appreciation of my scientific work. I see the award as confirmation that innovative research approaches in geotechnics are in demand and I look forward to exchanging ideas with colleagues in the field about future developments.’

With the Edgard Frankignoul Prize, PORR Specialised Civil Engineering, in cooperation with the Technical University of Braunschweig, is setting an important example for the promotion of young engineers and honours innovative solutions as well as well-founded scientific research in this field of civil engineering. PORR Special Civil Engineering will present the award again in 2027; the call for submissions for the next award ceremony will be published in summer/autumn 2026.