Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R84566/01
Title:	Sustainable Masonry Arch Technologies (SMART) Network
Principal Investigator:	Melbourne, Professor C
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Res Inst for the Built and Human Env
Organisation:	University of Salford
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 July 2002	Ends:	30 June 2005	Value (£):	63,689
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Civil Engineering Materials Eng. Dynamics & Tribology Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This is a proosal to set up a network to promote, disseminate and apply research into the assessment, maintenance and construction of arch structures. A large number of individual research projects into arch structures have been undertaken by many institutes around Europe to date. The proposed network is aiming at pooling the accumulated knowledge and information and producing a well defined framework for a code of practise to serve as 'best practice' guideline for the industry. There are various assessment techniques currently available for masonry arches, however most of these techniques highly simplify the structure and provide conservative results, often leading to unnecessary replacement of the structure. It is intended that the network will produce a guideline regarding assessment techniques that woud enable assessing the safety of the large stock of arch bridges in the UK as well as internationally. Maintenance and strengthening of arch structures are highly pressing issues for local authorities and the industry. Exchange of experience and the potential benefits on newly developed technologies in and outside of the UK can provide more cost and time effective solutions. Testing and monitoring arch structures are vital elements for improving assessment techniques and developing new technologies. By establishing closer links with research institutes around europe, the work can be better coordinated and more efficient to address the real need of the industry.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.salford.ac.uk