WP1 End User Forum
WP2 Database
WP3 Codes & Standards
WP4 Certification
WP5 Benchmark Tests
WP6 Thematic Groups
WP7 Dissemination of Information
WP8 Coordination
WP9 Bridge Management
These Workpackages are connected in many different ways.
To see the kind of interaction between the WPs look at the flowchart
of the network organization.
WP 1 started with the identification of potential end users
who were contacted and invited to join the activities of the network.
They were introduced to the available knowledge in the European market
and are able to use the data base. The information dissemination
center was constituted to answer questions and provide comments handed in by the end
users who were invited to attend the workshops where they were asked to hold a vote on the future of the network and on priorities to be set. Finally successful
examples were demonstrated in this forum.
The huge amount of available data had to be collected, sorted
and properly stored in the database installed at JRC. It mainly contains
information on already finished projects or workshops.
Furthermore information on the relevant literature and exemplary projects
is provided. The main innovation is in the free access to dynamic
data gained from the benchmark tests together with the detailed description.
WP3 concentrated on Recommendations, Codes and Guidelines.
To remove the major obstacle in the application of the already existing
methods, guidelines on monitoring and assessment were drafted to form a basis for a public order
of such services. Starting point was the guideline existing in Germany
drafted in 1999. Negotiations with CEN had to be started for the implementation
of the guidelines into a European code system.
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The main aim of WP4 was the certification of methods. Tests have shown that
the applied methods differ extremely. To enable a comparable result and
a calibration of tools and methods a certification had to be introduced
that serves as a calibration institution. This had to be developed further
on the commercial basis after the termination of the Network. Calibration
methods had to be worked out to be implemented in every nation later on.
The main innovation is in the free access to dynamic data
gained from the benchmark tests together with the detailed description.
The benchmark tests were disposed by the steering committee to
provide uninterrupted data over a period of 2 years. A couple of major
structures had to be instrumented and monitored. The highest building in Europe (Commerzbank, Frankfurt), one of the
highest steel bridges in Austria ( Europabridge), a cable-stayed bridge
in France as well as other objects of interest were amongst the proposed structures
. The possibility to gain these
data was proven to be the most attractive feature of the network.
WP 6 is the Scientific Knowledge Management. The 5
Thematic Groups comprise:
Monitoring and Assessment
Structural Control
Whole Life Costs and Risk Management
Micro Zonation and Soil Damping
Environmental Loads
Each thematic group was coordinated by one of the major players in
Europe. They selected members able to contribute properly to the
development of the subject. Furthermore there was is an unlimited number of
participants who can use the developed methods and tools.
This workpackage pursued the ambitious
objective of establishing a node of interface between
the industrial needs and the already activated research networks (CONVIB
within ESF - European Science Foundation, ACS - European Association
for the Control of Structures as well as the several ongoing research
projects on SAMCO related topics funded by the European Union ) within the network.
WP 7 Dissemination of Information
This WP comprised the database, where information
can actively be sent out to stimulate its use. Furthermore the right
connection to the relevant information can be provided on request. An
electronic journal, the SAMCO newsletter has been developed within this workpackage and is distributed
about every second month among all former SAMCO partners, members, observers and the new SAMCO Association members . It reports on the activities of the network, on current European research projects, on companies involved in SAMCO and on past and coming events. The activities within this WP are aimed at international collaboration. This comprises a representation
of the network in international conferences and coordination meetings
on major activities outside Europe, in particular the
large NSF projects and ongoing activities in Asia.
This WP dealt with coordination of the activities of all
workpackages and organised stricktly all
contributions to the network. Furthermore the organisation of the steering
committee meetings and the end users' forum were main tasks. Annual workshops were planned to gather all members and participants for demonstration of their work
and for discussion. The final SAMCO Workshop taking place in March 2006 in Switzerland presented a conclusion on the works
carried out within the working periods and provided a framework for the foundation of the SAMCO Association. Regular steering committee meetings ensured that
adequate project steering was provided.
This workpackage was thought to interface the other WPs with the aim to finalize and organize the knowledge and the specific tools available
in the SAMCO network. Filtered by the end-users' points
of view the knowledge and the tools resulted in practical guidelines and criteria to serve
the purposes and needs of the management of bridges. It is of utmost
importance to take into account the end-users' demands as they represent
the final decision makers' control of both, the financial aspects as well as the operation of the road. Moreover, to guarantee the applicability of
the proposed solutions and the technical approach to bridge management activities,
the point of view (in design, assessment, construction,
monitoring issues etc.) of companies involved in the bridge domain at different levels,
is taken into account.