Project description
Wire arc additive manufacturing for a sustainable infrastructure sector
Infrastructure construction plays a key role in reducing emissions and advancing sustainability, in line with the EU’s green transition. As a sector, however, it still struggles to identify cost-effective and resource-efficient solutions for maintaining and upgrading ageing assets. Stainless steel offers high durability, corrosion resistance, and strength, but its cost and limited adaptability for strengthening existing structures are major barriers. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WAAMSSIB project will develop a comprehensive design-by-analysis framework for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) that can strengthen stainless steel beams, enabling more efficient use of materials while reducing waste, cost and environmental impact.
Objective
The project “Advanced Design Framework for WAAM-Strengthened Stainless Steel Structural Elements” tackles the growing need for sustainable and economical infrastructure solutions. Stainless steel offers high strength, corrosion resistance and durability, but its high initial cost and the aging of existing assets demand efficient strengthening strategies. Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), a large-scale 3D printing method, enables targeted deposition of material only where required, reducing waste and cost while enhancing performance. Despite its potential, the structural use of WAAM for stainless steel elements remains largely unexplored, with no established tests, validated models or design guidance.
This project will deliver the first comprehensive design-by-analysis framework for WAAM-strengthened stainless steel beams (SSIBs). Work Package 1 will deliver the first large-scale experimental database on the residual stress and flexural behaviour of WAAM-strengthened SSIBs, providing fundamental insights and openly accessible benchmark data. Work Package 2 will establish a robust thermo-mechanical modelling framework for WAAM-induced residual stresses, integrating secondary Python development in ABAQUS. Work Package 3 will establish FE models of WAAM-strengthened SSIBs, using GMNIA method. Existing design methods will be evaluated and refined, leading to a practical design framework.
Expected impacts are scientific, by filling a key research gap and advancing WAAM in structural engineering; economic, by demonstrating efficient strengthening strategies that maximise strength-to-cost and durability-to-cost ratios; and societal, by extending infrastructure service life, reducing waste and emissions, and supporting the European Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Collaboration with Imperial College London and MX3D ensures strong academic–industrial links and equips the researcher to become a future contributor to Eurocode development.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.