Experimental Analysis of the Shear Transfer Mechanism in a Composite Bridge Beam Manufactured from Advanced Polymer Composites

In this report we examine the structural interaction between advanced composite materials and reinforced concrete when combined to construct so-called, composite-action structural elements.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Impact of Structural Damage on Network Accessibility Following a Disaster: the Case of the Seismically Damaged Port Au Prince Urban Road Network

The catastrophic seismic event that struck Haiti in January 2010 led to an unprecedented effort in collecting and providing geographical information in support of the humanitarian aid. Although most of the compiled datasets and generated maps try to provide specific and detailed information on the location of damage and road interruptions, little or no information was available in terms of accessibility of the urban space. Here we try to offer an alternative method in defining the urban aftermath damage, coupling graph theory and GIS-based spatial analysis to assess how the urban space accessibility decreases when the road network is damaged. We believe there could be important lessons to be learnt from this exercise in the event of the physical failure of critical elements of European infrastructure.JRC.DG.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

GIS-based method to assess seismic vulnerability of interconnected infrastructure: A case of EU gas and electricity networks

Our study concerns the interconnected European Electricity and Gas transmission grid where we address two important issues of these interdependent critical infrastructures. First we assessed the response under seismic hazard for each independent network; then we analysed the increased vulnerability due to coupling between these two heterogeneous networks. We developed a probability reliability model that encompasses the spatial distribution of the network structures using a Geographic Information System (GIS). We applied the seismic risk assessment of individual network facilities and presented the results in the form of the system fragility curves of the (independent and dependant) networks in terms of various performance measures - connectivity loss, power loss, and impact on the population. We characterized the coupling behaviour between the two networks as a physical dependency: here the electricity grid, in part, depends on the gas network due to the generation capacity of gas-fired power plants. The dependence of one network on the other is modelled with an interoperability matrix, which is defined in terms of the strength of coupling; additionally we consider how the mechanical-structural fragility of the pipelines of the gas-source supply stream contributes to this dependence. In addition to network-wide assessment, damage was also evaluated at a local level by examining the performance status of each and every electricity distribution substation in the electricity grid. Finally, the comprehensive geographical distributions of performance loss at the European level can be visualized on a GIS tool; showing, as expected, that the highest direct damage in southeast Europe.JRC.DG.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Purpose and Justification for New Design Standards Regarding the Use of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites in Civil Engineering

The scope of this document concerns the purpose and justification for a new Eurocode for fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials, outlining the specific aims and reasons for standardization in this area, and the main interested parties (industry, consumers, trade, standardisation authorities and distributors) who will benefit from it.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Analysis of Intermittent Distributed Connectivity in Urban Areas

Analysis of hypothetical connectivity of wirelessly interconnected networks and infrastructures deployed over a one-square kilometre of the Brussels Metropolitan area is presented. Upper and lower margins of wireless transceiver range are considered with a view to characterise representative interconnectivity profiles. Graph and percolation analyses of intermittent connectivity and its implications for resilience and vulnerability of the network are discussed. Based on these findings the report presents a proposal for the dimensioning of connectivity profiles for generic areas based on intrinsic algebraic network properties.JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building

An overview of research programmes and prospective technology in the development of more secure supply chains: The Case of Shipping Containers

The development of new, more secure, container systems should consider the main techno-economic items and devise a solution that, not only provides increased tamper-resistance, but also contains economically beneficial buy-in features that will motivate the adoption of new container models by the shipping trade. This report provides an overview of these aspects within the context of EU policy and R&D programmes in this area.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

Objective 2: Conduct Experimental Activities on Performance of Sensor‐Equipped Composite Elements

In this report we present the basic principles of our exploratory research for embedding sensors and energy-harvesting devices in sandwich composite structures. A range of piezopolymer sensors where used, varying in their dimensions, their capacitance and the electrode coating material. Sensors were tested in the surface-attached and embedded formats on composite sandwich laminates. Specimens were tested under three-point bending configuration to measure both the sensor voltages and the generated laminate strains. The electromechanical sensitivity performance with respect to frequency and strain amplitude were the key performance parameters investigated. Primary conclusions, of a practical nature, were extracted concerning the appropriate type of sensor for embedding applications as well as the parameters affecting the sensitivity and efficiency of the devices to perform as energy both strain gauges and energy-harvesting devices.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

From Complex Networks to Time Series Analysis and Viceversa: Application to Metabolic Networks

In this work we present a simple and fast approach to generate network structures based on time series recurrence plots and viceversa. In addition, we discuss the application of the different analysis techniques developed in both fields, i.e. complex networks and time series analysis. Concerning the transformation from time series to networks, we propose a deterministic growth procedure which produces a new types of complex network structures that have some interesting features. This simple and fast approach is able to generate deterministic network structures based on time series recurrence plots. The generated networks contain several properties of the original time series. In this case, networks generated from chaotic attractors display interesting features from the point of view of robustness which could help in designing systems with high tolerance against errors and transfer of information. Chaotic networks based on the Lorenz attractor show that they are highly tolerant against attacks and they have a high ability for the transfer of information or on the contrary they are able to transmit infections faster. It is still necessary to investigate if such chaotic networks exist already in natural or man-made systems or, if possible, to construct such networks and test their properties. On the other hand, the transformation from networks to time series presents some problems concerning the selection of the initial time or in our case the initial node and the way in which the nodes are visited. If a network has been generated following a certain growth law it seems logical to choose the first node as the origin and then proceed following the network growth pattern. However, the situation is not so clear for example with metabolic networks, where it is difficult to select which is the first metabolite. Similar concerns would apply to other types of biological networks. In this case several alternatives could be considered, e.g. ordering using the number of connections. However, we have still to find if there are some invariant/preserved properties in the generated time series from the same network. We have found that rescaled range analysis does not preserve the fractal structure in the time series. In any case, if time series parameters would be invariant against the initial node selection, then they could be used to analyze the networks that have generated said time series. Our future work will continue along these lines.JRC.I.6-Systems toxicolog

Purpose and Justification for New Design Standards Regarding the Use of Glass Products in Civil Engineering Works

This document describes the rationale and justification for a European code for the design of glass structures, its parts or kits for use in civil engineering works, outlining the specific aims and reasons for standardisation in this area, and the main interested parties (industry, consumers, National Authorities, Standards Organisations and distributors) who will benefit from the new standard. The timeliness of the Eurocode is made evident both by the perceived demand for a design standard pertinent to the use of glass products in construction works and by the available technology. In view of the importance of the construction industry in the European market, this proposal examines the benefits of the new Eurocode, or conversely, the detriments were it not to be implemented. Moreover, given the number of construction works currently using glass products both as primary and secondary elements in the absence of a European design standard, this proposal considers the urgency with which it is required. The need for the standard is examined also in consideration of the position of European glass producers and construction industry in the global market. Finally, this document provides a tentative proposal for the consultation and initiation strategiesJRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

The Equivalence between Feedback and Dissipation in Impact Oscillators

We analyze an important class of engineering systems characterized by the discontinuous motion of a spring-mass constrained by the motion of a feedbackassisted actuator. We show that the combined effects of mechanical restitution coefficient and displacement feedback can be exactly represented by a single equivalent dissipation coefficient.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen