Expected Outcome:

• Extension of the service life of civil engineering infrastructure, which reduces the need to replace infrastructure, and ultimately in an overall lower CO-2 footprint for such infrastructure
• Faster and more accurate detection and analysis of maintenance and repair needs in existing infrastructure
• Reduction in time between the occurrence of infrastructure maintenance and repair-related problems and the on-site intervention
• Reduced risks to health and safety of workers in carrying out tasks linked to infrastructure maintenance and repair
• Cost savings in terms of both operational costs and deferred or avoided capital investment costs

Scope:

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.

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.

Specific Topic Conditions:

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

This call for proposals follows a two-stage submission scheme:

1. submission of a 10 page short proposal until 07 Feb 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time
2. selected proposals are invited to submit a full proposal until 24 Sept 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time