We are delighted to inform you all that the application for transnational access funding has been officially accepted.
This funding opportunity is a pivotal part of the prestigious Horizon European project called “Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies” (ERIES). ERIES stands as one of the most renowned initiatives in our field, scheduled to make waves from 2022 to 2026. ERIES opens the door to cutting-edge research infrastructures, enabling us to push the boundaries of knowledge in seismic, wind, and geotechnical hazards.
The project, led by Dr Juan Bernal-Sanchez, with the collaboration of the Geomechanics Micro-to-Macro Research Group (GM2M) at Edinburgh Napier University, has a clear focus – to develop a Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) system using Rubber-soil mixtures (RSm). This innovative system is designed to bolster the earthquake resistance of existing civil structures in vulnerable areas. The exciting plan involves conducting extensive testing of the GSI through a field-scale foundation-structure at the EUROPROTEAS facility in Thessaloniki, Greece. This milestone marks the first large-scale implementation of trench fills for earthquake risk mitigation.
The potential impact of this technology is significant, offering a universal, cost-effective, and sustainable solution with the potential to save lives in both developed and developing countries.
The project is set to bridge a critical research gap, thanks to the collaboration of three esteemed academic institutions: Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) in the UK, Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) in Australia, and the host institution, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). These institutions have dedicated the past decade to advancing the understanding in this field.
The team includes renowned researchers who will lend their expertise to this endeavour: Hing-Ho Tsang (SUT), John McDougall (ENU), Daniel Barreto (ENU), Vasiliki Dimitriadi (ENU), and James Leak (ENU).
The project is set to commence in November 2023 and will run for a duration of one year. Watch the space for more news regarding this investigation.
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