Objectives
A Focal Point of Reference
The network's main aim was to become a focal point of reference for industries,
consultants and other organizations needing the transfer of knowledge
and technology in the field of assessment, monitoring and control of structures
of relevant civil and industrial interest, in particular the transportation
infrastructure.
Support for Innovative Developments
The network was established to concentrate the knowledge and to
stimulate further development in the field. It was focused on technology
management and the sucessful market introduction of new and innovative
developments.
Strengthen the European Research Area
The european research community had to be connected. The needs for
further research and development as well as the enhancement of
optimal consortia and solutions targeted on the next framework programme
shall be defined.
Addressing End Users
The end users needs are of particular relevance to the network. End users
shall profit from the transfer of novel technologies and know how, as
well as from reference and demonstration projects.
Strategies
The network was constituted
to create
a centre of knowledge and reference at JRC in Ispra, Italy.
to carry
out benchmark tests and distribute the raw data freely from a database
established at JRC.
to work
out a recommendation as a basis for a code for monitoring, assessment
and control of structures.
to define
necessary steps for a better handling of earthquake loads and the related
structural response.
to provide
information about the experimental testing capabilities and allow a big
audience to see the tests, use the capacities and learn from it.
to disseminate
the idea of a whole system - whole life approach in structural engineering.
to address
the specific situation of the transportation sector, particular the railways,
where huge investments are foreseen in Europe.
to generate
an environment where reference projects can be developed and exploited.
to organise
summer academies for improvement of the education situation.
to define
the needs for further research and development as well as the enhancement
of optimal consortia and solutions targeted on the next framework program.
to convince
conservative owners by demonstration projects and material.
to create
a certification agency to help to overcome duplication and costly parallel
development.
to compare
the European knowledge, standards, technologies and testing techniques
with non-European countries.
to improve
the existing bridge management in Europe.
to offer
newest monitoring and assessment technologies to bridge management.
to create
a feedback from bridge management to the structural engineers
Learn more about the workpackages
Our Philosophy
Dissemination and Exchange of Information and Data
Information is provided in a most understandable way to support the research community with the necessary raw data. For us it is understood that by giving away raw data, gained in outstanding
projects and benchmark tests, for free, a better environment
to carry out our work can be achieved. We therefore encourage everyone to use our material
and to help in further dissemination. Any contribution is welcome and
will be considered.
Recognizing R&D
End users desire trivial solutions and demand everything working perfectly.
Teachers, mechanics, and doctors provide answers to open questions and
trivialise our world. This cannot yet be said from researchers, which
are often misunderstood. They often stand for another reality, which has
nothing to do with our daily environment. Therefore Public relation work
is required to close this gap between end users and researchers.
Transfer of Know How
Furthermore researchers are encountered in their golden cage, and
their solutions are very often not understood because they use a wording,
which does not exist in every day's language. Therfore it makes sense
to invest in all means of dissemination of results in an understandable
way. The end users shall be made aware of the important work done
and the consequences from new development. For the field of structural
assessment monitoring and control our SAMCO Network shall be a platform
for these activities.
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