FORTH Liaison Office > FORTH technologies available for technology transfer agreements
FORTH technologies available for technology transfer agreements
Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes (ICE-HT)
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Title | Design and construction of a bridge using polymeric composite materials | |
Group | Mechanics of materials lab, ICE-HT | |
Researcher | prof. Dr. C. Galiotis | |
Abstract | The scope of this particular research initiative was from the beginning the design; experimental study, construction and installation of a heavy - duty bridge, which would have been built using fiber - reinforced composite materials. The final product demonstrated was a pioneer for Greek technology, especially in subjects like the production of hollow composite beams using the pultrusion method. As a result the very important keypoint of opening the European market to construction applications produced using new materials and design methods is foreseen. | |
Description |
One of the major problems facing structural engineering worldwide is
the aging and severe deterioration of a very large number of
motorway bridges. Extensive literature and market survey has
revealed that this deterioration has been accelerated by a number of
factors such as:
The project was funded by the Greek Ministry of Development and the General Secretariat of Research and Technology and started at November 1998. Among others the exploitation of this technology is the aim of a spin-off named N.Y.KA, which is under constitution and where the main partners are FORTH-ICE/HT, PANTECHNIKI SA and CHRONIS SA. Among the interests of the new company (N.Y.KA.) is the international collaboration in the field of the expansion of this design methodology concerning its improvement. For example, an improvement could be the replacement of the metallic connectors used in the composite bridge by plastic ones (manufactured using the same materials as the load carrying parts). |
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Current development phase | The bridge has passed successfully all necessary tests and is available for demonstration. Its installation took place at the autumn of 2001 in a specially shaped site at Patras Science Park (PSP). | |
Intellectual property rights: | For the design methodology, FORTH-ICE/HT has been granted a National Patent in Greece. Among the aims of the partners is to grant also an International Patent. | |
Type of collaboration sought | Technical Co-operation, License agreement. |