Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

An Innovative Method for Improving the Structural Integrity using SMA Revolutionary Technology

Objective

The project proposes to develop a revolutionary coating that will be able to alter and control the mechanical properties of materials by external stimuli. This novel coating will be able to contribute to the stiffness and rigidity of an elastic metallic structure, to withstand the expected loading conditions safely, to enhance the integrity of a damaged structure and at the same time to protect it from corrosion. Such coating can bring multiple breakthroughs from the design level to the maintenance and repair level of the structure. The innovative compounds of the proposed coating are elements of smart materials - Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). SMA elements are designed materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli. They can sense temperatures or stress as a function of change in damping, stiffness, electrical resistivity and deflection. It is specifically the latter aspect, which makes SMAs highly interesting for the particular application, since it is the actuation function built into the material. The innovative concept of the coating is described briefly as follows: upon mechanical loading the structure and hence the coating are deformed together as a system. However, by heating the coating, the SMA elements tend to recover their experienced deformations and return to their original shape. At this point, shear forces will be developed to the interface between coating and structure. The developed shear forces are expected to mitigate the deformation of the structure and reduce the level of the stress field. The latter is a great benefit for the regions, where cracks exist, since the local reduction of the stress field will delay the crack propagation and hence the structural failure. Finally, the coating will be also followed by a system that will ensure a satisfactory cover of the metallic surface, as well as a module for assessing the effect of any structural defects that may exist.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

RIA - Research and Innovation action

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 603 113,00
Address
College Road
MK43 0AL Cranfield - Bedfordshire
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
East of England Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Central Bedfordshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 603 113,00

Participants (3)

My booklet 0 0