Project description DEENESFRITPL New tools to monitor buildings and bridges Structural changes caused by natural ageing or extreme events can seriously impact the condition of buildings, bridges and other constructions, even causing collapse, as in the case of the Morandi bridge in Genova where 43 people were killed. Unfortunately, current solutions for monitoring of structures are expensive and unreliable. This EU-funded VG360 project aims to bring to the market the novel non-contact, full-field VG360 digital system, a patented product from Imetrum. The system uses a digital camera connected to a commercial Robotic Total Station and incorporates intelligent field software algorithms for pattern recognition and digital imaging correlation. Using this equipment, the integrity of any type of structure can be monitored at low cost, remotely and continuously, and with great precision. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The monitoring of structures is one of the ultimate challenges to engineering companies today. Ageing and increasing number of extreme events (e.g. earthquakes or strong wind) are degrading the long-term performance of the structures. A collapse or closure of structure can lead to chaos, significant financial losses, and, in some cases, heavy casualties. The recent collapse of the Morandi bridge (Genoa, Italy) due to ageing structures and poor maintenance led to 43 deaths and €600 million loss. Whereas, a single-lane closure of the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland due to the safety risk caused a €734k loss daily. Unfortunately, the current solutions are expensive, slow and unreliable, leading to ineffective monitoring and reduced number of analysis. The currently adopted techniques request the installation of permanent devices on the structure to be monitored, implying: high installation and monitoring costs, time-consuming monitoring and low versatility. To address these problems, Imetrum has developed VG360, a non-contact, full field digital measurement system for remote structural health monitoring of any type of structure, 24×7×365. It is composed of a digital camera connected to a commercial Robotic Total Station (RTS), computer, and intelligent field software. The software is based on Imetrum’s proprietary algorithms for pattern recognition and Digital Imaging Correlation (DIC) for robust image tracking.Within the overall innovation project, Imetrum aims to upgrade VG360 core technology with new intrinsic features and integrate it within the Topcon RTS series; perform a long-term pilot demonstration and validation of the VG360 system at different site locations and develop a sound commercialization and market strategy. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologycivil engineeringstructural engineeringstructural health monitoringengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyseismologynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencepattern recognition Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020-3 Funding Scheme SME-2b - SME Instrument (grant only and blended finance) Coordinator IMETRUM LTD Net EU contribution € 1 071 473,00 Address The courtyard wraxall hill BS48 1NA Bristol United Kingdom See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 459 202,78
