Beate Hörnel-Metzger

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Beate Hörnel-Metzger is a Full Professor of Civil Engineering with a focus on construction materials science and testing at Hochschule Mainz - University of Applied Sciences. She serves as Vice Head of the Material Testing Authority (MPA) and specializes in the mechanical grading of hardwood, non-destructive testing of wood, and creep behavior of composite materials.

• Doctor of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.), Technical University of Darmstadt (cooperation with Hochschule Mainz)
• Diploma in Civil Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.), Karlsruhe University of Technology (cooperation with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Her research focuses on upgrading small-diameter oak logs for structural timber applications, including non-destructive testing, moisture distribution effects, and mechanical properties of anisotropic materials. She contributes to technical standards through national and European construction approvals.

Key article trends include:

• 2022-2024: Mechanical characterization of green oak for sustainable construction
• 2015-2021: Creep behavior and failure analysis of sandwich panels
• 2010: Hybrid composite design in steel-lightweight systems

She leads research initiatives at the MPA and Hochschule Mainz, emphasizing innovative timber engineering and composite material testing in practical applications like the BangNa-Expressway in Bangkok.