Affordable, Adaptable and Self-Centering Anti-Seismic Device for Safeguarding Structures.

Project Information

DampSpring

Grant agreement ID: 836415

DOI

10.3030/836415

Project closed

EC signature date 18 January 2019

Start date 1 November 2018

End date 28 February 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

VE CAM SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DampSpring (Affordable, Adaptable and Self-Centering Anti-Seismic Device for Safeguarding Structures.)

Reporting period: 2018-11-01 to 2019-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

VE.CAM is an innovative company operating in the Italian construction sector. Our goal is to contribute to the smart building revolution by bringing our solutions for seismic resilience.
DampSpring is our is a combined friction-pendulum and horizontal-damper device that is integrated under the pillars of a building, absorbing up to 40% of the energy released from earthquakes, protecting lives, the building structure and the owners’ properties. Our goal is to certify and demonstrate DampSpring as a suitable and cost-efficient device for earthquake protection of small to medium size residential buildings. Our innovative installation method allows seismic-retrofitting of buildings at a low cost and minimizing perturbance to building users.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We developed a Feasibility Study that checks on the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of DampSpring. We analyzed technical developments ahead and prepared an execution plan to implement, test and validate the new DampSpring system and reach our technical goals. We evaluated project needs in terms of resources, costs and timing. We performed a technical risk assessment and defined a plan for mitigation and contingency.
We performed an analysis of the construction market in Europe focusing on the niche of seismic mitigation solutions for small and medium size buildings. We developed our go-to-market strategy and devised a plan for commercialization which considers market opportunities, threats, barriers and risks. We analyzed competitor activity and secured freedom-to-operate. We designed our IPR protection strategy and defined a roadmap for product certification.
We created a business plan which includes a 5-year sales forecast, evaluation of costs and investments. We performed an analysis of cash-flow and estimated project financial indicators such as payback and ROI. We estimated project budget and potential sources of funding. Overall, we considered the project is feasible and decided to prepare a proposal for SME Instrument Phase 2 funding.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Most earthquake-related deaths are caused by the collapse of manmade building structures. Hence, proper building engineering practices and seismic mitigation solutions can make a huge difference in earthquake prone regions saving deaths and making society more resilience to natural disasters. Across Europe, the most vulnerable countries include Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Balkans, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Iceland.

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