SIMoNET : Structural Integrity Monitoring Network

Press Release

Word version : simonet2press.doc

Structural Integrity Monitoring Network - SIMoNET Phase 2

SIMoNET, the Structural Integrity Monitoring Network, originally an EPSRC-funded network, set up 3 years ago to facilitate communication between industrial participants, researchers and all those interested in Structural Integrity Monitoring (SIM), is now commencing a second phase to be totally funded by industry and government organisations. The steering committee already includes members from industry (ABS, Arup, BNFL, BP, Fugro, HSE, Railtrack, TSC Inspection Systems, and W S Atkins,) and is managed by University College London. Its aims are to bring together those involved and interested in SIM, whether users, providers or consultants, for the dissemination and exchange of information on the most up-to-date methods and developments in this field.

Aims and Objectives

Applications

Oil and Gas platforms, Floating Offshore Structures, Jack-ups, Industrial Process Plants, Bridges, Transport (Rail, Road Vehicles, Aircraft and Ships) and Power generation.

Recent Work in SIMoNET

The network is focussed on the internet site, www.simonet.org, which contains information on equipment, suppliers, technical review papers, reviews of previous workshops, structural monitoring activities and links to other bodies involved. This web-site has become a central information point for the network and, for example, has been used to advertise the seminars and to report on these and other events and published papers.

Since the launch in January 2002, SIMoNET Phase 2 has held one seminar in May when nine papers were presented with interests in offshore, rail, bridges, power plant and rock bolts for mines. A second workshop is planned for November 2002.

Industry as well as academia have been able to present widely varying, topical papers on subjects such as the Millennium Footbridge, monitoring in the Channel Tunnel and bridge bashing as well as methods such as optical fibre strain gauging, acoustic emission and electromagnetic techniques.

All events have been well attended and network members, who make up the audience, have been keen to participate and make new contacts.

This collaboration with industry has significantly widened the network capabilities and appeal, enabling an understanding in industry, which, through greater transparency, may improve companies' competitiveness. Plans are in hand to extend the activities to Europe, via other existing networks.

A regular web-published newsletter is aimed at retaining the multi-disciplinary role of the network in disseminating information on all matters concerned with SIM, in different industrial applications. It will regularly cover the owner's view of monitoring, papers on new technologies and research projects and keep members informed about the network activities.

SIMoNET will be holding its next seminar on 20th November 2002. Further information can be obtained from the web pages at www.simonet.org or from UCL on 020 7679 7184.

Chairman of Network: Professor Dover, NDE Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UCL.
Newsletter Editor: Dr John Sharp, Visiting Professor at Cranfield University.

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