Consortium

The Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics (CEG) of CUT will act as the coordinator institution (HO).  The CEG department is dedicated to research of the highest international level in fields related to the built and natural environment. Although the department is newly established it is currently participating in several EU FP6 and FP7 projects in the areas of Energy Conscious Buildings, Design and Management of infrastructure systems, Post-Earthquake Assessment of Buildings, Remote Sensing and Smart Buildings. Some of the areas that the Academic and Research staff of the department have established experience are: earthquake vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure systems, seismic performance assessment and rehabilitation of existing buildings, post-earthquake safety assessment of damaged buildings, proactive integrity management of civil infrastructure systems, reliability based whole life maintenance optimization of infrastructure networks, proactive health monitoring of deteriorating structures, and use of GIS, spatial analysis, and remote sensing on environmental and civil engineering. The research team has the required infrastructure and equipment to implement the proposed activities of the project. In particular the Earthquake Engineering and Large Structures Lab has a strong floor (W:5-9m L:13m), a strong wall (H:5.45m W:5m), two actuators 500 kN with ± 125 mm stroke and two actuators 250 kN with ± 250 mm stroke. Also there is a data acquisition system with 64 channels expandable. In addition there is a variety of sensors for monitoring the structural behaviour, which include strain gages, LVDTs and accelerometers.

Websites:
https://www.cut.ac.cy/
https://www.cut.ac.cy/faculties/fet/ceg/

Research Team

• Professor Christis Z. Chrysostomou, Project Coordinator, CUT Vice Rector for Economic Planning and Development. Research focus: structural dynamics, seismic design, performance-based design, retrofitting of existing structures, protection of monuments from earthquakes with innovative methods, computational mechanics, computer-aided design.
• Dr Nicholas Kyriakides, Project Technical Manager, Lecturer. Research focus: , seismic design, performance-based design, retrofitting of existing structures, assessment of existing RC buildings, probabilistic vulnerability assessment, numerical analysis.
• Dr Elia A. Tantele, Assistant Professor. Research Focus: techniques of risk and reliability, multi-criteria optimization of maintenance, corrosion of reinforced concrete, life-cycle performance, structural health monitoring, and use of artificial intelligence algorithms-genetic algorithms.
• Dr Renos A. Votsis, Research Fellow. Research Focus: Dynamic analysis/testing, FE modelling, Damage and condition assessment and structural health monitoring (SHM).
• Dr Polyvios Eleftheriou, Assistant Professor. Research Interest: Thermal and Environmental Systems, nZeb Buildings, improving energy performance.
• Mr Fayu Wang, PhD student. Research Focus: Energy and structural upgrading.

The FRC is a leading research non-profit organization in Cyprus. It was established in 1997 in order to create a solid foundation for the development of scientific research activities of Cypriot and foreign scientists. FRC engages highly qualified academic/research staff with long experience in implementing independent and high calibre research and with rich publications record in peer-reviewed scientific journals. FRC encourages the “Bottom-up” approach for development of ideas and therefore the projects implemented under FRC cover a broad range of research interests. Numerous R&D projects (~ 80 externally funded national and EU projects) have been carried out through FRC and part of their results has been presented in international scientific conferences, contributing to their dissemination and technology transfer. The Center has been involved in R&D projects relevant to Applied Sciences and Engineering, Environment, Education, Management & Economics and Social Sciences. To facilitate this, FRC has contemporary facilities and access to Frederick University’s infrastructure, equipment and software tools through a special collaboration agreement.  Furthermore, FRC staff has developed closed collaborations with several public authorities, enterprises, non-profit organizations and universities in Cyprus and abroad.

Website:
http://www.frederick.ac.cy/research-at-frederick/the-frederick-research-center

Research Team

• Dr Petros Christou, Associate Professor. Research Focus: structural analysis and design, nonlinear analysis, maintenance, design and restoration of masonry buildings.
• Dr Paris A. Fokaides, Assistant Professor, academic supervisor of the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) at the FRC. Research Focus: experimental and computational building physics as well as building integrated renewable energy technologies.

Tsircon established in 1979 and it is the leading Company in Cyprus in the manufacturing of specialized Building Materials. The Company was originated as a Trading Company for Building Chemicals but shortly after, it started undertaking work in the field of its expertise, which is Waterproofing, Concrete Repairs and Industrial Flooring.

In 1983, Tsircon Co. Ltd. turned to manufacturing and by the end of 1991 the Company established its own new premises under its proposal for quality products. In 1993, a subsidiary Company Tsircon Constructions Co. Ltd. was founded as part of the Group. This Company undertakes Local and International contracts in General Construction but emphasizes more in the fields of Concrete Repairs and General Renovation & Strengthening of structures, Industrial Floors, Waterproofing and other specialized works. Tsircon Co. Ltd. has 20 employees. The company invests a high proportion of its income for training its personnel in the Production, Quality Control and Management.

Website:
https://www.tsircon.com/

Research Team

• Mr Angelos Tsirides, Director. Research Interest: specialized building materials, restoration and repairs of buildings.
• Ms Emily Tsirides, Technical Manager. Research Interest: specialized building materials, restoration and repairs of buildings.

Geoinvest Ltd established in January 1986 and operates both in Cyprus and abroad. Geoinvest Ltd is a consulting and contracting engineering firm specializing in building materials testing, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering and applied geology.

The firm was involved in several large-scale projects related with both onshore and offshore drilling for ground investigation for ports, airports, motorways, high rise buildings, sewerage systems, sports halls, stadiums etc. In addition to that, the firm performed several environmental studies for all the quarries of Cyprus and the Government. Furthermore, the firm is also being involved in several research projects financed by the European Union in cooperation with various organizations from various European and third Countries. The firm has almost 600 square meters of office and laboratory space conveniently located in Aglantzias Light Industrial Area in Nicosia. The laboratory is fully equipped with up to date equipment and machinery. The primary fields of testing are in mortar/plaster, soils, rocks, water, concrete, aggregates, earthworks materials, asphalt, masonry, concrete products, cement, ceramic tiles, terrazzo tiles, natural stones and steel.  In addition to our staff being certified, our equipment and machinery are calibrated regularly to ensure our clients error free testing results. Geoinvest is accredited since 2006 for testing aggregates (used for earthworks, asphalt, concrete, plaster and mortar), fresh concrete, hardened concrete, concrete products, clay bricks, aggregate masonry units, mortar and plaster according to CYS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by CYSAB/ESYD.

Website:
http://www.geoinvest.com.cy/

Research Team

• Mr Christos Shiathas, Technical & Quality Assurance Manager. Research Interest: assessment of existing structures conditions, restoration material testing

It is the leading cartographic company based in Cyprus. Meeting the needs of the Cyprus, the European Union and the Middle East market, for a more geographical oriented aspect of management and development, Geomatic implements innovative managing tools and provides solutions of technological cutting edge, combining the Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) and the Geographical Information System (G.I.S.) technologies.

Aiming always in innovation, efficiency and effectiveness Geomatic field of expertise cover a vast range of G.I.S. (geographical data acquisition, processing, analysis and mapping) and navigation services and solutions, like 3D Mapping using stereo and panoramic cameras, Aerial photography, Remote Sensing, DTM-DSM Terrain Creation, Rural Surveying Studies, Cadastral Studies, Cartographical Studies, Web Map (G.I.S.) Platform  – Geomatic Maps™ and mobile map applications, In-car navigation, Mobile navigation for iOS, Android and Blackberry devices and much more.

Through the Research & Development and IT Department, Geomatic develops software for Database Management and/or Geographical Database Management, GIS tools and map applications, always customizing our services to the demands and needs of the market. In addition, the Geomatic Maps ™ API (Application Programming Interface), that Geomatic has developed, provides users with a variety of web based tools to view and manage digital cartographic data. Finally, Geomatic participates in European research programs, in research programs of the Research Promotion Foundation or by other organizations, either as concessionaire either as the contractor.

Website:
http://www.geomatic.com

Research Team

• Mr Loizos Tofas, General Manager /Head of the Cartographic & Rural Department. Research Interest: G.I.S. application, Digitization and programming.

For the implementation of projects two main sections of the Municipality are normally involved: the Administrative Department with the European Affairs Office and the Technical Department. Sustainable plans and the creation of a friendly environment, which guarantees the improvement of the quality of living in the town was always a major topic for the local authorities. The municipality participated the past 12 years in several European projects of more than 50 million Euros concerning the sustainable development.  Since the entrance of Cyprus in the European Union in 2004, many projects have been developed in the city of Limassol both by the public and private sector and PPP’s in urban and tourism infrastructure, including the redevelopment of the city centre, the construction of Limassol marina and a number of renovation, reconstruction and regeneration projects most of which were co-funded by EU structural funds and other EU initiatives. The city of Limassol is planning for ‘smart’ and sustainable development and change, and progressing towards Europe 2020 objectives, through cooperation with the countries of Europe and the broader Mediterranean region.

Website:
https://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/

Research Team

• Mr Marios Aristidou, Techniciam. Research Interest: Sustainability and assessment of urban buildings

The Technical Services of Ministry of Interior, provide support to the Minister of Interior and the Director General for policy formulation, coordination and control of building development. The Technical Services shall manage operational issues of the Ministry, civil protection issues and overall management of technical issues, such as policy development for management of disaster losses. Also they prepare proposals for revision of building legislation and adopting technical specifications and requirements (structural strength and stability – Eurocodes, requirements for construction products). Also they coordinate the work of building authorities and they are monitoring the implementation of the legislation on construction products implementing through documentary checks and testing.

Websites:
http://www.moi.gov.cy
http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/moi.nsf/page31_en/page31_en?OpenDocument

Research Team

• Mr Kyriacos I. Kouros, Head (Acting) of Technical Services at Ministry of Interior HQ. Research Interest: concrete structures, Market Surveillance for Construction Products.
• Dr Miltiades Elliotis, Research Interest: Retrofit methods, numerical analysis.

The Energy Service of  Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry has the overall responsibility of Energy in Cyprus and specifically for:

• Monitoring and coordinating the supply and availability of sufficient energy capacity for domestic needs.
• Monitoring and participating in the formation of the European Policy for energy issues.
• Suggesting ways for the implementation of the European Acquis, assists in the preparation of Laws, Regulations, Rules etc and implements programmes for their promotion.
• Preparing and implementing programmes for energy conservation, the promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) and the developing of technologies for the utilization of RES
• Assisting the Government in the formation of the national energy policy for Cyprus in coordination with all other bodies involved.

Websites:
http://www.mcit.gov.cy/mcit/mcit.nsf/index_el/index_el?OpenDocument
http://www.mcit.gov.cy/mcit/EnergySe.nsf/index_en/index_en?OpenDocument

Research Team
• Mr Nicos Hadjinicolaou, Industrial Extension Officer. Research Interest: energy efficiency and performance of buildings.

ETEK was established in 1990 as a Legal Entity of Public Law to regulate the Engineering Profession in Cyprus. The practice of the Engineering Profession in Cyprus and the use of the relevant titles are limited to people who register with ETEK. ETEK is the statutory Technical Advisor to the State and to the Citizen and it is the organisation for all Cypriot Engineers. ETEK’ s objective is “To promote science in the various sectors related to the fields of specialisation of its members, engineering and technology in general, and to develop them with a view to the self-sufficient economic, social and cultural development of the Republic of Cyprus”. ETEK has a service of 16 permanent staff of which 5 are competent engineers and an annual budget of circa 1,5 million euros arising mainly from engineers’ membership fees. ETEK has expertise on policy and regulatory matters on the subject of energy performance of buildings and on technical legislations e.g. Eurocodes, building control etc. ETEK exercises any task and authority necessary and has jurisdiction to exercise any necessary action for the promotion of its scope. More specifically, among others ETEK it: 1) Participates in international organizations, chamber associations and international unions of engineers, develops affiliations with similar organizations of other countries, organizes scientific conferences, exhibitions and other activities for the promotion of its scope, 2) Informs the public with announcements, publications or any other suitable way, on engineering related issues and promotes the broader understanding from the public of the relevant issues and problems and 3) Studies any scientific, technical, techno economic or development issues, relevant to any of the fields of the engineering science and expresses its opinion.

Website:
https://www.etek.org.cy/

Research Team

• Mr Christos Maxoulis, Senior scientific officer. Research Interest: energy performance of buildings, improvement of building codes.

The FRO, the University of Patras, was founded in the city of Patras in 1964 and it began functioning in the Academic year 1966-67. The academic personnel of the Structures Laboratory (STRULAB) of the Dept. of Civil Engineering of the University of Patras have an intense RTD activity in earthquake engineering since the 1980s, including over 40 EC (e.g. as partner PREC8, ICONS, SAFERR, CASCADE, NODISASTR, LESSLOSS, SYNERG, EXCHANGE-SSI and coordinating institute SPEAR, ACES, SERIES) or national RTD projects in the last 35 years. Lab Director, Prof. S. Bousias, has more than 23 years experience in experimental testing and research covering the seismic response of reinforced concrete structures, the design of new and the assessment of existing RC structures, the effectiveness of traditional/innovative systems for repair/retrofitting of substandard buildings and the behaviour of bridges. New experimental techniques have been employed and further developed at STRULAB: it is one of the few facilities having performed distributed (intercontinental) hybrid simulation tests.

Website:
http://www.upatras.gr/en
http://www.strulab.civil.upatras.gr/

Research Team

• Professor Stathis Bousias, Research Interests: experimental testing of structures and development of testing techniques, the design/retrofitting of reinforced concrete structures and the resilience of industrial plants under accidental actions.
• Elias Strepelias, Research Interests: seismic assessment and retrofitting of reinforced concrete structures and experimental structural testing.