Steel-fibre-reinforcement and increasing the load-bearing capacity of concrete pavements.

Elastic theories form the basic concept used in most of the existing design codes for industrial or transportation plain and conventionally reinforced concrete ground slabs. The post-cracking load bearing capacity of slabs-on-ground is not taken into account in most of these codes. Therefore, these codes (e.g. PCA, ACI) cannot be used directly for steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC). Guidelines for SFRC (e.g. Concrete Society) use the ultimate limit state concept for fibre reinforced ground floors, but only partially, since cracking is only allowed to occur on the bottom surface of the slab. The highly repetitive nature of the loads which may cause considerable degradation in the mechanical properties of the pavement and foundation also is not considered in this method. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of SFRC pavements through numerical simulations, and to assess the accuracy of the analytical methods used in different design codes

D7.1 Report on the ECoE research clusters and research groups: management, function and technical capacity

This deliverable focuses on the formation of the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence thematic research clusters of Environment & Climate, the Resilient Society and Big Earth Data Analytics in terms of the operations, research collaborations, tools to facilitate research, agreeing internal structures and allocating staff responsibilities. This deliverable will focus on the integration of recruited research personnel, research equipment and the Strategic Partners’ expertise to meet the needs of the research groups

D6.2 Workplan for transfer of knowledge and experience

This document represents the ‘Workplan for transfer of knowledge and experience’ (deliverable D.6.2) for the EXCELSIOR project. It focuses on the scope and activities of WP6 ”Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building”. The main objective of WP6 is to coordinate and manage the knowledge transfer and capacity building that will take place during the EXCELSIOR project with Strategic Partners. The document will provide a workplan of how knowledge transfer and capacity building will take place between the Strategic Partners via workshops, seminars and secondments. This plan relies heavily on the extensive work done at the preparation of the project in defining the seminars, workshops and secondments that will take place between the Strategic Partners. This deliverable focuses on the initial workplan developed for Capacity Building Scheme A, which runs from M26 to M44. The deliverable includes the capacity building and knowledge transfer activities that will be conducted by the Strategic Partners DLR, NOA and TROPOS. The course description and program for selected trainings can be found in the appendices. The present document constitutes the ‘Workplan for transfer of knowledge and experience’ for Capacity Building Scheme period ‘A’ in the framework of the EXCELSIOR project, dedicated to Task T6.1 ‘Personnel Mobility Scheme’ under work package WP6 ‘Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building’. D6.2 focuses on the trainings that will take place during the Capacity Building Scheme A of the project. This document provides a guideline of the knowledge transfer activities, but it is not limited to the activities that will take place during Capacity Building Scheme A. The Strategic Partners suggested that a flexible workplan is needed in order to identify the gaps and needs of the researchers of the ECoE, especially during the first Capacity Building Scheme and adjust the workplan as needed in order to facilitate more effective knowledge transfer and capacity building. The secondments will be selected by the Strategic Partners as needed, during the knowledge transfer activities, parallel to the demonstration projects in WP7. Selected descriptions of knowledge transfer activities are featured in Appendix A and Appendix B

D10.1 Report on the dissemination activities and Conference organisation

This deliverable provides an extensive analysis of the dissemination activities and workshops organisation of the EXCELSIOR H2020 Teaming Project. The analysis starts with the report on our participation in conferences (11) and how the project was promoted through it. Then, we explain about the participation of our team members in talks (17), workshops (7) and seminars (12) as invited speakers. The deliverable continues with a thorough presentation of the lectures by invited speakers (8), the webinar (1) and the workshops (2) organized by our team. Additionally, we document about our participation in other events (i.e., European Researcher’s Night 2021 and SpaceUPCyprus 2021 Live). The last chapter provides the publications, journal papers, conference papers, and book sections for the reporting time period. The deliverable concludes by providing information on the outcome of the reported activities and how they have contributed to the progress of the EXCELSIOR H2020 Teaming Project. It is concluded that there is a strong need to establish links in the EMMENA region and connect with them. This has not been achieved yet, but a strategy was prepared to raise awareness about the EXCELSIOR Project in the EMMENA region and establish partnerships, starting with targeted stakeholders’ workshop in autumn 2021, where selected stakeholders from the region will be invited to be informed them about the project and provide them the space to discuss their needs and identify common scientific interests and ways of collaboration

D5.1 Leaflets

The specific deliverable is a collection of the special leaflets that were designed to inform stakeholders and other possible interested parties regarding the activities of the Remote Sensing lab within the framework of ATHENA project. For this purpose, 14 special leaflets were designed and uploaded on the project’s website. Additional information will be provided to all interested parties via the WP6 deliverables of the project

D6.6: 7 conference papers

The Deliverable 6.6 with the title “7 conference papers”, is part of WP6 “Dissemination and Exploitation” of Athena project with a basic aim to knowledge sharing, network development and exposure to an international environment. Three conference attendances were foreseen (e.g. CAA; SPIE; EARSeL) within the project duration whereas more than 30 posters and oral presentations were presented during the project in the conferences such as: SPIE 2016, SPIE 2018, EUROMED 2016, EUROMED 2018, EGU 2016, EGU 2017, EGU 2018, RSCy2016, RSCy 2017, RSCy 2018, etc

Earth Observation for Forestry Applications in Cyprus

This paper presents an overview of how space-based and earth observation techniques can be used for forestry applications in Cyprus. Indeed, an example of how the Department of Forests in Cyprus can further promote the importance of using remote sensing techniques in Cyprus. Examples are shown of how mapping of burned areas is performed using remote sensing data (Landsat ETM, Sentinel) as well of how post-fire management is implemented. Examples of the Solea fire event occurred in Cyprus is presented. Finally, remote sensing is also used for risk assessment study for developing fire hazard index. Ground spectro-radiometric measurements are also used in combination with remote sensing imagery and burned severity measures to develop a simple, fast, accurate and reliable methodology for the assessment of the burn severity levels on a forest fire scar in Cyprus forests. The need to develop a national observatory of forests using earth observation and GIS is highlighted

Cyprus enters the space arena with "Excelsior " H2020 Teaming project and the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence: Why Cyprus? Why Excelsior? What are the needs and opportunities?

Cyprus enters the space arena with the ‘EXCELSIOR’ project. ‘EXCELSIOR’ is expected to bring change in many aspects, including new opportunities for researchers, enhanced skills development for future experts in the Earth Observation and Geoinformation sector on a local, national, European and global level. Due to its geographical proximity, ‘EXCELSIOR’ can become a hub for partners in Middle Eastern and Northern African countries. Cyprus’s unique geostrategic position can support Earth Observation from satellites programmes in three continents and provide valuable services in the processes of satellite calibration and validation. The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE), with its expertise and infrastructure, could further complement the existing network of international ground stations. Cyprus is ideally located to host the ECoE, due to its climate, which is characterized by 300 days of sunshine a year, providing excellent weather conditions for cloud free satellite images. There are some distinct needs and opportunities that motivate the establishment of an Earth Observation Centre of Excellence in Cyprus. The needs include: i) to establish a Supersite for aerosol and cloud monitoring in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa (EMMENA): strong demand for EO monitoring to provide data to evaluate the extent of pollution and climate change, especially in the EMMENA region; ii) to observe droughts and water shortages in the EMMENA region; iii) to adopt Rehabilitation programmes in EMMENA; iv) to reduce Disaster Risk and v) to create a Regional Digital Innovation Hub for Earth Observation in Cyprus. The foreseen opportunities include: i) the ECoE has the potential to become a catalyst for facilitating and enabling Regional, European and International cooperation; ii) the Eco E can capitalise on the favourable environmental, weather and climatic conditions of Cyprus to conduct cutting-edge research with impact in various sectors, including climate change, marine, solar energy, etc.; iii) the development of the Cyprus Space Strategy, which can be exploited for further Earth observation research and applications; iv) create a unique European capacity in Cyprus by mobilizing internal national assets and consolidating European EO capabilities in Cyprus to serve EMMENA. The ECoE will procure and develop the European Satellite Ground Stations covering the EMMENA region; v) accessing funding instruments for Earth Observation at the national and European Level and vi) the development of Big Data management and analytics. The EXCELSIOR project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 857510 and from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development

The "Excelsior" H2020 Widespread Teaming Phase 2 Project: ERATOSTHENES: EXcellence Research Centre for Earth SurveiLlance and Space-Based MonItoring Of the EnviRonment

The EXCELSIOR project aims to upgrade the existing ERATOSTHENES Research Centre established within the Cyprus University of Technology into a sustainable, viable and autonomous ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment. The ECoE for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment will provide the highest quality of related services both on the National, European and International levels through the ‘EXCELSIOR’ Project under H2020 WIDESPREAD TEAMING. The vision of the ECoE is to become a world-class Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) for Earth observation and Geospatial Information becoming the reference Centre in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa (EMMENA) within the next 7 years. The ECoE will lead multidisciplinary Earth observation research towards a better understanding, monitoring and sustainable exploitation and protection of the physical, built and human environment, in line with International policy frameworks. Indeed, the scientific potential of the new upgraded ECoE focusing on the integration of novel Earth observation, space and ground based integrated technologies for the efficient systematic monitoring of the environment. Furthermore, ECoE aims to excel in five domains: i) Access to energy; ii) Disaster Risk Reduction; iii) Water Resource Management; iv) Climate Change Monitoring and v) Big Earth observation Data Analytics. This will be achieved through research and innovation excellence in the respective scientific and technological disciplines and working together with other Earth observation industries, whereby the ECoE will develop a pool of scientific expertise and engineering capability as well as technical facilities. The partners of the EXCELSIOR consortium include the Cyprus University of Technology as the Coordinator, the German Airspace Center (DLR), the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and the Department of Electronic Communications, of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus