Project description
Innovative preservation of concrete-based landmarks
Concrete-based monuments constitute a substantial proportion of the most significant and culturally important historical landmarks from the 20th century. However, as time passes, the necessity for efficient maintenance methods becomes increasingly critical. The EU-funded InnovaConcrete project aims to develop various innovative technologies to effectively preserve these monuments in the long term. To accomplish this objective, a team of specialists in fields such as simulations and nanomaterials synthesis has been assembled. They will explore multiple solutions, including novel manufacturing methods for Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) gel and biotechnology-based self-healing options. Lastly, extensive assessment and enhancement of the products will be conducted.
Objective
InnovaConcrete is an innovative and ambitious proposal that aims at preserving concrete-based monuments, the most significant tangible Cultural Heritage (CH) in the 20th Century. To achieve this goal, we have recruited an interdisciplinary team presenting a strong scientific background in simulation techniques and nanomaterials synthesis, combined with a wide knowledge of CH conservation from Humanities disciplines and, a sound industrial perspective. Specifically, a completely innovative approach based on producing C-S-H gel, responsible for the engineering properties of cement paste in cracks of decayed concrete monument, in situ, will be developed. Complementary, other innovative solutions giving rise to superhydrophobicity and corrosion inhibition will be also investigated. In addition, InnovaConcrete will explore an approach based on biotechnology: enzyme-assisted self-healing of damaged surfaces. The optimization of the solutions proposed will be carried out by the use of theoretical tools (multi-scale modelling approaches) together with experimental tools (laboratory and in situ validation). Significant 20th century monuments, such as the spectacular building, Centennial Hall, the open-air sculptures of Eduardo Chillida, War Memorial Towers and concrete shell structures, typical construction in communist period will be used as case studies to validate the performance of the solutions proposed. These monuments, a clear representation of European CH, will be employed to study economic and other societal effects of the proposal and to promote citizens' awareness of 20th century European heritage. Finally, the activities required for the future commercialization of the InnovaConcrete products, including standardization, certification, life cycle assessment, scaling up and exploitation strategies will be carried out.
Fields of science
- humanitiesartsvisual arts
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metals
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
11003 Cadiz
Spain
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Participants (32)
731 00 Chania
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55131 Mainz
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00185 Roma
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50019 Firenze
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20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
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64289 Darmstadt
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1160 Bruxelles / Brussel
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157 80 ATHINA
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2628 CN Delft
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28006 Madrid
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38500 VOLOS
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51 618 WROCLAW
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20120 HERNANI
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00186 Roma
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28006 MADRID
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
28002 MADRID
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
90-136 LODZ
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94220 Charenton-Le-Pont
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08002 BARCELONA
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195 00 LAVRIO
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
55218 INGELHEIM AM RHEIN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00040 Pomezia (Rm)
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6340 Baar
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
28108 ALCOBENDAS
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16129 Genova
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69190 Walldorf
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
20154 Milano
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
28027 Madrid
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1060 Bruxelles / Brussel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
42015 Correggio Re
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
60062 NORTHBROOK
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