Section: Partnerships and Cooperations

European Initiatives

FP7 & H2020 Projects

INFRASTAR(Innovation and Networking for Fatigue and Reliability Analysis of Structures – Training for Assessment of Risk)

Participants : Xavier Chapeleau, Antoine Bassil.

• 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: This thesis work aims to develop and validate a method for monitoring crack openings using distributed fiber optics strain measurements. First, the various existing theories on strain transfer from the host material to the optical fiber are presented, with their validity domain. The problem of perfect interfacial bonding is then studied and a three-layer analytical model capable of handling imperfect bonding case is proposed. This model is then generalized to multi-layer systems. Experimental studies validating this new model are presented. They show that it is possible to monitor crack openings up to 1 mm with an error of less than 10$\%$ for a fiber optic cable glued on the surface. Cables embedded in concrete show less accurate results. The type of cable, the bonding length and the hardening of the concrete material also influence the accuracy of the estimated crack openings. Finally, the results of case studies on laboratory-size reinforced concrete samples are presented. They show the optical fibers capacity to detect cracks as early as ultrasonic sensors and to monitor the opening of multiple micro cracks.

DESDEMONA(DEtection of Steel Defects by Enhanced MONitoring and Automated procedure for self-inspection and maintenance)

Participants : Jean Dumoulin, Laurent Mevel, Michael Doehler, Xavier Chapeleau.

• 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.

Collaborations in European Programs, Except FP7 & H2020

COST Action TU 1402

Participants : Michael Doehler, Laurent Mevel.

L. Mevel is member of the management committee of the COST Action.

M. Doehler is co-leader of working group 2 “SHM strategies and structural performance” and member of the steering committee.

• 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.