INSPIRE aims to foster a new generation of highly qualified researchers and engineers, which will create a critical mass kernel, able to implement a holistic and novel soil-foundation-structure concept for the efficient protection of structures from all ground induced hazards, including earthquakes and all other sources of low-frequency noise and vibration excitations.

INSPIRATION

INSPIRE mainly relies on recent innovative scientific and technological concepts, developed within the broad concept of meta-materials. The notion of “meta-materials” refers to natural or artificial materials or structures which exhibit extraordinary properties for inhibiting or conditioning wave propagation in all spatial directions over broad frequency bands and are already finding successful technological applications for high frequency waves (electromagnetic, optical, thermal, ultra-sound), and for wavelengths limited at micro-/meso-scopic scales. Quite recently, the feasibility of the application of meta-material concepts has been also demonstrated for seismic and infrasound waves.

INNOVATION

These general developments of metamaterials will be further enriched and advanced through novel absorption and isolation concepts, such as negative effective mass and stiffness moduli media and structures, or novel friction and vibro-impact rocking motion based non-linear mechanisms. In this way, the limitations of the existing seismic and low-frequency isolation technologies can be overcome, leading to highly-damped, low maintenance and easily implemented designs. The concepts to be developed are expected to offer a drastic breakthrough to existing approaches. They will:

  • expand wave inhibition capabilities over broadband low-frequency excitation in all three spatial directions. Of special importance is the vertical direction, where no efficient protection measures currently exist.
  • provide protection over a broad classes of structures and infrastructure systems. Of special importance is the ability of retrofitting or shielding existing critical structures and infrastructures, including historical buildings and cultural heritage.
  • promote simple, reliable and resilient design, leading to easy and low-cost implementation and maintenance. Of special importance is the applicability potential in poor areas and countries with high seismic risk.

PROJECT STRUCTURE

INSPIRE foresees synergies of three different layers with complementary and overlapping functionalities aimed at protecting the structures from ground and airborne excitations.

The first layer (“Meta-Soil”) foresees measures for treating the soils which circumscribe the structures, rendering the structures fully or partially isolated from the effect of the incident ground waves from all directions. “Meta-Soil” includes a spectrum of wave mitigation measures based on extended meta-material concepts, such as cloaks or properly designed pile arrays/”artificial forests”, which enable diversion of seismic and other low frequency waves, or advanced energy dissipation mechanisms, such as “rainbow traps”. Finally, they include approaches for seismic protection at a global community level (“Meta-Cities”).

The next layer (“Meta-Bases”) foresees novel structure support and foundation concepts, which are not just able to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional seismic base isolation, but also offer enhanced broadband isolation in all three spatial directions, due to the exploitation of meta-material properties and the other mentioned concepts.

The final layer (“Meta-Structures”) includes novel integrated design concepts for innovative high impact applications, such as “Meta-Pipes”, “Meta-Gravel”, “Meta-Bridges” or “Meta-Rails”. In addition, it includes modular general purpose novel elements, such as “Meta-Plants” or acoustic “Meta-Panels” or to protect building interiors from low-frequency noise and vibration excitations.