Enhanced assessment, intervention and repair of civil engineering infrastructure (RIA)

Closed

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

Programme Description

Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-CL4-2024-TWIN-TRANSITION-01-12

Call

Enhanced assessment, intervention and repair of civil engineering infrastructure (RIA)

Summary

Regular maintenance and repair of civil engineering infrastructure extends their service life, which in turn reduces the need for their demolition and replacement and the related negative economic, environmental and climate impacts. However, it can be difficult and cumbersome to identify and address maintenance or repair needs, especially in locations that are difficult to access such as large or tall structures, deep shafts, or where elements are hidden from view. Intervention for maintenance and repair can also involve unnecessary risks to health and safety of workers.

This topic is focused on enhanced assessment, intervention and repair of civil engineering infrastructure.

Detailed Call Description

Proposals should:

  • Develop new technologies and solutions that facilitate timely identification of maintenance and repair issues in existing civil engineering infrastructure. Examples may include structural weaknesses, unacceptable deformation and fatigue, issues related to moisture including mould growth and corrosion, the effects of weathering and of weather-related events, faults in technical systems, leaks of water or chemicals, or other issues.
  • Develop new solutions to monitor and to quickly and accurately analyse and assess the need for intervention, for example via digital twin and simulation technology
  • Develop solutions that would intelligently recommend and prioritise relevant and timely action to address the identified maintenance and repair issues. This should include a risk assessment and application of state-of-the-art quality controls and documentation.
  • Develop solutions that would carry out rapid, cost effective and safe intervention for maintenance and repair of infrastructure, for example using automated or remotely operated tools, or next generation egocentric AR solutions
  • Address ways to reduce the risks involved with maintenance and repair, including the health and safety of workers
  • Address ways to digitally record and continually update the maintenance and repair status of infrastructure assets and their component parts
  • Build on existing standards or contribute to standardisation. Interoperability for data sharing should be addressed.
  • Present a strategy for skills development, associating social partners where relevant, integrating SSH aspects and including relevant tools such as MOOCs (massive open online courses).
  • Build on or seek collaboration with existing projects or solutions and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes and platforms, such as the New European Bauhaus.
  • Seek to integrate insights from social sciences and humanities to maximise economic and social impact, including considering how workers carry out tasks and respond to safety issues.

Call Total Budget

€12 000 000

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

100%

Expected EU contribution per project: between €5.00 and €6.00 million

Thematic Categories

  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation

Eligibility for Participation

  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions

Eligibility For Participation Notes

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

Call Opening Date

19/09/2023

Call Closing Date

07/02/2024

National Contact Point(s)

Research and Innovation Foundation

29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Websitehttps://www.research.org.cy/en/

Contact Persons:
Dr Angelos Ntantos
Scientific Officer
Telephone: +357 22 205 033
Email: antantos@research.org.cy

Mr George Christou
Scientific Officer
Telephone: +357 22 205 030
Email: gchristou@research.org.cy