Section: Partnerships and Cooperations

European Initiatives

• Call: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015 (Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks)

• Type of Action: MSCA-ITN-ETN

• Objective: Improve energy performance of building design

• Duration: 48 months since 2016 May 1st

• Coordinator: Odile Abraham (IFSTTAR)

• Academic and industrial Partners: IFSTTAR, UNIVERSITY OF AALBORG, BAM, EPFL, GuD Consult Gmbh, COWI A/S, NeoStrain, PHIMECA

• Inria contact: X. Chapeleau

• Website: http://infrastar.eu/

• Abstract: The aim of INFRASTAR project is to develop tools combining modeling and measurements for the prediction of the fatigue behavior of concrete structures (bridges and foundations of wind turbines) with the ultimate objective of establishing an efficient strategy for inspection and reinforcement operations. In the second half of 2016, 12 young researchers were recruited to carry out and cross-examine research on monitoring and auscultation (WP 1), structural models (WP 2) and reliability of approaches for decision-making ( WP 3). In this project, a phd student (Antoine Bassil) was recruited (Nov. 2016) on the fatigue monitoring of concrete structure by fiber-optic sensors.

  A state of the Art about distributed optical fiber sensor’s technology for crack detection in concrete was done together with experimental tests to assess linear models. More precisely, three points bending tests were performed on reinforced concrete beams instrumented with fiber optic cables embedded and attached to the concrete surface. The analytical expressions of linear models were fitted to strain measurements to deduce the cracks opening during the test. The comparison of these results with those obtained with traditional extensometers placed around the cracks showed a good agreement for crack openings reaching 150$\nu$m in single crack case. This model was also validated in multiple neighboring crack case until 400$\nu$m. In order to focus more on the sensor/host material system properties, wedge-splitting tests made it possible to attend higher crack openings for a single crack case allowing us to better analyze the transition from elastic to post elastic behavior of the optical cable. The use of different types of cables with relatively different mechanical properties will allow us in the near future to choose the best cable configuration for monitoring of concrete structures.

• Call: H2020 -Call: RFCS-2017 (Call of the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel - 2017)

• Type of Action: RFCS-RPJ (Research project)

• Objective: DESDEMONA objective is the development of novel design methods, systems, procedure and technical solution, to integrate sensing and automation technologies for the purpose of self-inspection and self-monitoring of steel structures.

• Duration: 36 months since 2018 June 1st

• Coordinator: Pr. Vincenzo Gatulli (La Sapienza University of Rome)

• Academic and industrial Partners: Sapienza Università di Roma (Italy), Universidad de Castilla – La Mancha, (Spain), Universidade do Porto (Portugal), Università di Pisa (Italy), IFSTTAR (France), Aiviewgroup srl (Italy), Sixense systems (France), Ecisa compania general de construcciones sa (Spain), Università di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale (Italy), Universidad de Alicante (Spain), Inria (France).

• Inria contact: J. Dumoulin and L. Mevel

• Website: http://www.desdemonaproject.eu//

• Abstract: DESDEMONA objective is the development of novel design methods, systems, procedure and technical solution, to integrate sensing and automation technologies for the purpose of self-inspection and self-monitoring of steel structures. The approach will lead to an increment of the service life of existing and new steel civil and industrial infrastructure and to a decrease in the cost associated to inspections, improving human activities performed in difficult conditions, safety and workers’ potential by the use of advanced tools. The research aims to expand beyond the current state-of-the-art new high-quality standard and practices for steel structure inspection and maintenance through the interrelated development of the following actions: i) steel structure geometry and condition virtualization through data fusion of image processing, thermography and vibration measurements; ii) developing a procedure for steel defect detection by robotic and automatic systems such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and ground mobile robots iii) embedding sensor systems to revalorize and transform steel elements and structures into self-diagnostic (smart) elements and materials even through nanotechnologies, iv) realizing an experimental lab-based apparatus and a series of case studies inspected by intelligent and robotic systems. The project outcome will have an impact on the reduction of the cost of steel structures inspection and maintenance and on the increase of user safety and comfort in industrial and civil environment. The proposal with a multidisciplinary approach fulfils the objectives of the Strategic Research Agenda of the European Steel Technology Platform.

• Type: COST

• Objective: Quantifying the value of structural health monitoring

• Duration: 11/2014 - 4/2019

• Coordinator: S. Thoens (DTU Denmark)

• Partner: 29 countries, see https://www.cost.eu/actions/TU1402

• Inria contact: Laurent Mevel

• Abstract: Since 2014, until 2018, the COST Action has altogether around 120 participants from over 25 countries. This Action aims to develop and describe a theoretical framework, together with methods, tools, guidelines, examples and educational activities, for the quantification of the value of SHM.

• Type: PHC PROCOPE

• Objective: Statistical damage localization for civil structures

• Duration: 01/2017 - 12/2018

• Coordinator: M. Doehler

• Partner: BAM German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing

• Inria contact: M. Doehler

• Abstract: Our main objective is the development of a theoretically solid damage localization method that does not only work in simulations and lab experiments, but on structures in the field under real operational conditions. This German-French mobility grant is in support of Eva Viefhues' PhD thesis.

• Type: Danish Innovation Fund

• Objective: Methods for mode shape uncertainty quantification

• Duration: 2017 - 2018

• Coordinator: M. Doehler

• Partner: Structural Vibration Solutions A/S, Denmark

• Inria contact: M. Doehler

• Abstract: With this grant for industrial research and transfer, methods for uncertainty quantification of mode shapes are developed with the objective of producing a prototype for transfer to SVS' ARTeMIS software.