ASSET: Application of smart structures in engineering technology

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 99.0020-1

Key words (English)

Smart Structures; Sensors; Actuators; Structures; Fiber Optic Sensors

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: BRRT-CT98-5067

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 2.1 Industrial and materials technologies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: University of Strathclyde (UK)

Abstract (English)

The ASSET network aims to facilitate the exploitation of smart structures technology in European industry by creating technology pathways via integrated hardware and software packages derived from current expertise in contributed disciplines and via interaction between and within technology and user communities.
In engineering terms, smart structure technologies facilitate the integration of advanced mechanical engineering, materials science, sensor and actuator technology and information processing. The objective of this integration process is to elevate mechanical structures from passive entities which can only be monitored through external observation and are incapable of reacting adaptively to external stimuli into active entities with integrated condition monitoring facilities and adaptive structural functionality. The industrial users of such techniques range from civil engineers and aerospace corporations to precision instrument designers such as near field microscopists.
The basic function of ASSET is to facilitate communication amongst representatives from most of the multiplicity of disciplines which come under the smart structures banner. From the technology perspective sensors, actuators, mechanical engineering, materials science and applied signal processing are the principal enablers. The major users include the aerospace industry, civil engineering, ground transportation and marine systems. Representatives of all these disciplines are embraced within the ASSET consortium.
During the period mentioned two full Consortium meetings were held, one in Berlin (December 2000) and one in Florence (May 2001). They focused on topics such as biomimetics, actuators, damage detection in composites, vibration transmission control, laser generated ultrasound for material evaluation, and signal processing, including some application examples. Reports on actuators and smart structures applications have been compiled. A web site (http://www.assetnet.org) has been set up and preliminary discussions on an education program based on a virtual university concept and offering smart structures related courses were held.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 99.0020-1