SINTEF Building and Infrastructure Annual Report 2006 Organisation of SINTEF Building and Infrastructure

Board

President Staff

Materials and Infrastructure Knowledge Systems Structures Buildings and Certification http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk This is SINTEF Building and Infrastructure

Materials and Structures Buildings Infrastructure Knowledge Systems and The objective of SINTEF Building and Infra- is room for both major research efforts and for We cover the areas of We possess expertise in This department deals with Certification structure is to promote environmentally friend- close follow-up of the numerous small com- materials technology, architecture and building areas that we all encounter We produce the Byggforsk ly, cost-effective products and solutions in the panies that make up this sector. Our aim is to concrete technology, buil- techniques, building pro- in our everyday life. These Series, SINTEF Building construction industry. In cooperation with the improve the productivity of the industry and ding techniques, building cesses, housing, the built include roads, railways, and Infrastructure’s regu- industry, we meet the challenges offered by the quality in the built environment. physics, construction environment and society. harbours, tunnels, water lar series of publications the whole building process – from the planning technology, sanitary sys- We also work on install- supply and soil conditions and various other publica- stage to the completed building. Our division SINTEF Building and Infrastructure is Norway’s tems and wet-rooms. We ations, energy and indoor where we build or travel. In tions. We also write profes- can point to a high level of competence in fields leading provider of research-based knowledge offer specialist consulting climate, with focus on addition to our scientific sional information pro- ranging from water treatment and materials in the construction sector. Through our activity services such as condition buildings of all types. range, we also possess ducts on a contract basis; technolog to energy conservation and more in research and development, we have estab- analyses of buildings and detailed knowledge of each these include construction efficient management, operation and main- lished a unique platform for disseminating plant, damage assess- of these disciplines. drawings, installation tenance of buildings and infrastructure. knowledge throughout a large part of the Nor- ments and preventive pro- instructions, compendia, wegian construction industry. Our close dialo- ject surveys of planned teaching materials, etc. We Norway’s construction industry is as large as gue with the industry has given us an excellent buildings. We have well- issue SINTEF Building and the country’s petroleum sector, but the research understanding of the current and future needs equipped laboratories that Infrastructure Technical carried out in this sector bears no relation to of our clients. meet the service require- Approvals and SINTEF its importance for society. We wish to act in ments of the sector. Building and Infrastructure concert with the building industry and the At the turn of the year, SINTEF Building and Product Certificates. authorities to function as a driving force for Infrastructure had 227 employees, who sup- greater effort in research and innovation. There plied know-how worth NOK 220 millions in 2006. 1

3 http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk

4 Bjørn Svensvik Executive Vice President SINTEF Building and Infrastructure

5 Society‘s challenges are our opportunities

The establishment of SINTEF Building and establishment of the secretariat of the Norwe- 7 Infrastructure is a major national effort in gian Construction Technology Platform (NCTP) research, development and innovation. On and of cooperation with the European Construc- 8 January 1, 2007, the former Norwegian Building tion Technology Platform (ECTP). SINTEF Building Research Institute (NBI) and a number of and Infrastructure is operating the secretariat on

9 SINTEF departments merged to create our new behalf of BNL, and several of its members are division, which will be active in both Oslo and already active in the activities of the platform. It

10 Trondheim. In 2006, we were already operating is now important to transform this positive invol- as a combined unit, while we waited for the vement into specific project proposals for the formal dissolution of the NBI Foundation. EU’s new 7th Framework Research Programme. 11 Our aim is to involve the construction industry Construction is Norway’s largest onshore in Norway’s success in EU-financed research. In industry. It is vital to the development of our 12 this, we can draw on the SINTEF Group’s consi- modern society through its capacity to shape derable experience in other areas of research. the physical environment and create an effici- 13 ent infrastructure. It is of decisive importance We have also been successful with important for our economy and for employment, and not projects such as “Climate 2000”, which is now 14 least, it is a significant factor in our potential coming to an end after seven years. Together to realise society’s goal of sustainable deve- with the building industry and NTNU, we have 15 lopment. The construction industry consumes developed new construction techniques adap- 40 percent of all the materials, and our buil- ted to more severe climatic impacts. We are 16 dings nearly 40 percent of all the energy, used also proud of having been awarded COIN, one in Norway. Given that the sector has an annual of the 14 new Centres for Research-based Inno-

17 turnover of NOK 350 billion, even small impro- vation. This Centre is described elsewhere in vements will have important effects. this Annual Report and it is a recognition of Norway’s international leading position in con - 18 In collaboration with SINTEF Building and Infra- crete technology. We are also international structure, the Federation of Norwegian Con- leaders in underground technology, where our 19 struction Industries (BNL) has revealed and know-how is in demand in such important natio- quantified the potential for greater value- nal markets as China and the USA. 20 adding through research and development, aimed at central challenges to the industry and SINTEF Building and Infrastructure is involved society as a whole. In 2006, we concretised and in a large number of exciting fields of research, 21 prioritised the challenges in 14 areas that range some of which we describe in this report. They from efficiency improvements and energy con- range from children’s use of space, where we 22 servation to better exploitation of results and look at how architecture and the physical en- new products and solutions. vironment affect educational activities in kin- 23 dergartens, to water treatment, where we are These challenges will require the whole value solving the problem of lack of smolt and deve- chain to help identify solutions. For this reason, 24 loping tools that are being used in the rehabi- the members of the construction industry are litation of Las Vegas’ water supply. becoming involved, both individually and in 25 concert. We at SINTEF Building and Infrastruc- Besides their good contact with the construc- ture will assume our responsibility by concret- tion sector, our staff possesses a high level of 26 ising, initiating and carrying out development expertise, wide experience and a strong sense tasks in collaboration with the construction of involvement with their work. I am quite certain

27 industry, with the aim of meeting the needs of that by working together, we will contribute to industry and society as a whole. sustainable development and create “Techno- logy for a better society”. 28 One successful measure last year was the

32 1

6 http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk

Lisbeth Alnæs Research Manager Materials and Structures 7

The phantom of the opera 8

On the roof of Oslo’s Opera House, the public als. This is what she enjoys doing. She also 10 can mix – as they tread on interdisciplinary loves to participate in interdisciplinary pro- know-how to which this lady has made a con- jects. 11 tribution. “I like to meet new people and to collaborate By the time the singers come to the critically with others on interesting research topics,” she 12 acclaimed high-status building with its excel- says. lent acoustics, the ensemble of SINTEF scien- 13 Given that SINTEF Building and Infrastructure tist Lisbeth Alnæs will long since have finished was asked for help in building the Opera House, its job – which dealt with the interaction of 14 it was precisely an interdisciplinary approach natural stone and concrete. that was needed. Lisbeth Alnæs became the The new Opera House, which literally rises out leader of a project in which SINTEF’s materials 15 of the fjord at the entrance to the capital, is experts were given the chance to give their itself a symbol of the millennium in Norwegian best. Points of focus were the interaction be- 16 architecture. The building has a huge sloping tween natural stone and concrete, and the roof, clad in white marble, which will also be the choice of insulation and sealing materials. 17 area where audiences can mix between acts. Alnæs and company know that the mortar Lisbeth Alnæs, research manager and specia- beneath the marble on the inclined roof needs 18 list in natural stone, was responsible for the to be strong and frost-resistant, and to have technical trials of the different types of stone good drainage. With this in mind, they are de- 19 that were being considered for this unique roof veloping a special mortar recipe. The SINTEF surface. Since the choice of stone was made, researchers are also studying the choice of 20 she has led a project in which SINTEF helped jointing compound and protection for the buil- Opera House owner Statsbygg to develop the ding’s marble and granite. They are working on 21 underlay on which the marble rests. details of how the granite will be fastened to the façade of the building. The marble flooring But the previous millennium also had its beau- in the interior of the building also forms part of 22 tiful high-status buildings, and it was in one of their project. these that Lisbeth Alnæs’ feeling for natural 23 stone was awakened. In the early nineties, the The Opera House will open in 2008. A piece of young Alnæs was climbing along narrow white, shining nature in the middle of Oslo’s cornices and up high towers of soapstone in grey harbour. 24 Nidaros Cathedral, the largest medieval church “The range of variation is what is most fascina- in Norway. Her pilgrimage there was as a doc- 25 ting about natural stone,” says Lisbeth Alnæs. toral student and a pioneer: as the first person She herself grew up in Kristiansund, surroun- ever to systematically investigate the quality 26 ded by sea-washed rocks and pebbles on the and durability of Norwegian natural stone. shoreline. In the course of her doctoral studies, she also 27 “Gneiss is what particularly fascinates me, travelled around the country checking samples because it encapsulates exciting geological of natural stone that had been standing in the 28 processes, that we find again in buildings: like open air for decades. Then she became a con- Oslo’s beautiful Opera House.” tract researcher. At SINTEF, Alnæs was given 29 the opportunity to work at the interface When you listen to Lisbeth Alnæs, you begin to

between suppliers and users of stone materi- understand: stone is more than just stone. 30

32 1

6 http://www.sintef.no/arkitekturogbygg 7 Inger Andresen Senior Scientist Buildings 8 High sun factor

10 In professional terms, she used to belong to a Six years later, she was a SINTEF researcher tiny community of believers. But today, no-one making a significant contribution to the low- 11 laughs when Inger Andresen proselytises for energy houses that were being built in Hamar low-energy buildings with solar-heated radia- for the Winter Olympics – the first houses in 12 tors. Norway to be capable of supplying solar energy to the national grid. Inger Andresen designs In the summer of 1990, a young student tra- 13 solar cell systems, and she is still the only velled from Norway to the fine-weather state person in Norway who can do so. of Colorado. At the university of Boulder, with 14 its 300 days of sun a year, construction en- She is a keen supporter of the use of solar gineer Andresen studied the extra building heating and solar cells, and points out that 15 courses missing from the curriculum at home; Norway has only five to ten percent less heat one such subject was solar energy. input from the sun than Germany, the pioneer 16 solar power nation. However, she is no single- Back home, with her Master’s in energy use in vision solar power fanatic. buildings, she found a job in SINTEF’s low- 17 energy buildings research group. In the Nor- Inger Andresen’s hobby horse, and the subject wegian construction industry, however, there of her doctoral thesis, is the interaction be- 18 was little interest in the field at the time. tween different building technologies; an interaction that can reduce a building’s energy “International research programmes kept us 19 consumption (e.g. through more efficient insu- going. Luckily, this field is taking off here now,” lation and heat recovery), while offering its claims Andresen. 20 users a good indoor climate. It should also With its roots in her doctoral work, a green ensure that what little energy is needed will checklist for Norwegian developers is now also come from renewable sources. 21 available on the Internet – a guide to sensible She has already been responsible for this choices for people who want an environmen- interaction in the planning phase of several 22 tally friendly building with low energy con- buildings, cooperating with architects, ventila- sumption. The handy aid is being used more tion and heating engineers and electricity con- 23 and more frequently, and positive feedback sultants, not to mention users. has been coming in from both architects and

24 planners. “I have a lot of use for interdisciplinary collaboration. For example, we work together with However, “low-energy” is hardly the word that SINTEF researchers in social science, who 25 you would use to describe the girl who grew up show us how building users do not always be- outside Kristiansand. Little Inger was often to have just how the energy text-books say that 26 be seen in the treetops of her village. We can- they will,” she says. not say whether she climbed up there to enjoy

27 the view, but she certainly came to develop a If the country can become smarter in her sub- love of nature, joining conservation move- ject, the irresponsible use of energy in buil- ments such as Bellona, Friends of the Earth dings could become a thing of the past. 28 and The Future in Our Hands. “I believe that all Norwegian buildings will

29 Andresen is also a practical person, so no sur- become self-sufficient in renewable energy prise she became a building student at the within 30 years,” says Inger Andresen.

30 Norwegian Institute of Technology (now NTNU).

32 A comeback for concrete This bunch of people wants to bring Norwegian concrete research back to its world-leading position. They are the leaders of the Concrete Innovation Centre (COIN) and will develop new types of concrete, new construction techniques and building methods for this plastic material. Concrete can be used as a reservoir of both heat and cold, and could thus help to bring us closer to the vision of zero-energy houses.

COIN is one of 14 Centres for Research-based Innovation (CRIs). The underlying idea is to strengthen Norwegian research groups that cooperate closely with heavily innovative groups. Being awarded CRI status by the Research Council of Norway means having passed through the eye of the needle. The applicants were very strictly judged in terms of their scientific quality, industrial relevance and potential for innovation.

SINTEF is a member of eight CRIs, and hosts three of them. We are grateful for the confidence shown in us. http://www.sintef.com/cri

From the left: Professor Terje Kanstad, NTNU, Dept. of Structural Engineering; Technical Manager, Dr.ing. Berit Lanke, Unicon AS; Centre Manager, Senior Scientist Tor Arne Hammer, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure; Research Scientist Dr.ing. Hedda Vikan, SINTEF Buildi ng and Infrastructure; Chief Scientist, Professor Harald Justnes, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure. 1

http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk 9 Birgit Risholt Certification Manager Knowledge Systems and Certification

10 Hello there

12 “Machines and buildings have more in common stantly changing, and new, stricter regulations than you might think. The difference is that that specify how they should be in a modern 13 machines have moving parts, while buildings building have recently been issued. stand still,” says Birgit Risholt, who finished her 14 “At the moment, there is only one Norwegian studies in machinery at NTH in the mid-nineties company that is capable of meeting these and is now in full activity at SINTEF Building requirements,” she says. 15 and Infrastructure. This is why the whole industry has joined “After a few years with the Patent Office and a 16 forces to finance a major project that aims to machinery and corrosion company, I joined the develop the “modern timber window”. The pro- Norwegian Building Research Institute, where ject will focus on alternative combinations of 17 I was supposed to work on metals and corro- materials, and on whether it will be possible to sion – and a little bit with doors and windows, insert insulation in the laminated part of the 18 but ended up with just the latter,” she smiles. frame and casement. One of the challenges Since the basic aspects of heat transport, produced by such a solution is that this is also 19 strength, stability and mechanics are identical where fastenings for hinges and screws are for machines and buildings, the transfer went found. With a generouse funding over three just fine. 20 years, SINTEF and its project partners are sure At SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, doors that they will be able to identify good solutions. 21 and windows are a large and important field. At the same time as she leads the windows There are more than 100 window manufactu- project, Birgit Risholt is also certification rers in Norway, and the industry is responsible 22 manager at SINTEF Building and Infrastructure. for a number of local keystone companies all When a building product is to be sold – whether over the country. 23 it is a window or a complete bathroom module “These small companies often lack certain – its manufacturer has to be able to document aspects of technical expertise, so we support what the product is capable of. Certification 24 them with know-how, testing in our own labo- and approvals of building products is an area of ratories and quality control in their production special effort in SINTEF, which has its own unit 25 plants,” says Risholt. for the issue of certificates and approvals on the basis of laboratory tests and factory 26 She really enjoys working with physical objects inspections. The documentation is used to while being able to travel around and help com- market product quality. panies improve their products. 27 Birgit Risholt thinks that it is fine to have two “I am in contact with a lot of nice people in this jobs. “It is not a good idea to work only as an 28 sector. And when I am visiting them I am prima- administrator. You also need to work at your rily a partner in a dialogue, not a policewoman,” subject if you want to keep up-to-date with she emphasises. 29 what is happening in your branch of industry,”

Requirements for windows and doors are con- she believes. 30

32 1

10 http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk

11 Ming Lu Chief Scientist Infrastructure

12 Door-opener to the East

14 “He is familiar with Asian culture, has networks guest professor at universities in Singapore over there and enjoys a high level of professio- and China. In Trondheim, his colleagues give 15 nal respect. Ming Lu has therefore managed to him the credit for the fact that SINTEF Building open up valuable markets for us in the Far East”. and Infrastructure is one of the project mana- 16 gers in the construction of a gigantic oil stor- The highly experienced SINTEF chief scientist age cavern in Singapore. in rock mechanics is given this very positive 17 testimonial by his colleagues. SINTEF participated in the pilot studies that decided where the storage caverns would be Ming Lu was born in Beijing and is an expert on 18 located and how large they could be. Together rock technology. He began his studies in 1961 with the Norwegian company Multiconsult and at Tsinghua University, China’s leading univer- 19 the local Tritech consulting company, SINTEF sity of technology. But before he had finished is now a member of the consortium that will his education, the Cultural Revolution had tur- manage the project throughout the construc- 20 ned his country upside down. tion phase, technical consulting and control of The universities were closed, and Ming Lu was final plans. The project will last for five years. 21 sent to a village. After a year working as a farm “Such recognition of Norwegian expertise is labourer, he got a job in his own subject – hydro- almost as important as the size of the fee,” 22 power – together with Shaofen Li, his wife. says Ming Lu with yet another broad smile. It was ten years after the doors of the univer- “This provides us with fertile ground for growth 23 sities had been closed that he got the chance in China.” to return and finish his Master’s degree. Ming 24 Together with his wife, he travels regularly to Lu belongs to the first group of people who his mother country, where one of their two child- were able to take such a degree in China. He ren has settled down. They find that China is 25 later gained his doctorate at the prestigious changing rapidly. Imperial College London. The subject of his the- 26 sis was “Unlined Pressure Tunnels”, a central “In 1984, there were 200 private cars in Beijing. concept in the hydropower sector. Today, there are two million. You can no longer see the blue sky because of all the pollution.” 27 Now he has lived in Norway for nearly 20 years and sees no need to hide the fact that he is There are likely to be more frequent business 28 happy here. trips to China for Ming Lu in the future too. In his own country, he has led a market study that “Norwegians are pleasant people,” he asserts, could bring SINTEF contracts for subsea road 29 with one of his frequent smiles. tunnels and for gas and oil storage caverns in

30 Ming Lu is an adjunct professor at NTNU and a that gigantic land.

32 cybernetics logistics health sensor technology

architecture concrete communication systems natural stone

Choosing an education and a career means making a choice for life. For many years, SINTEF has been one of the first choices of students when they are looking for their first job. Perhaps because we offer our people challenging tasks, the freedom to develop projects and solutions that cut across scientific boundaries – and enough room to balance work and leisure interests. Every second, millions of choices are being made; some of them small, others big. This has made us one of Europe’s most exciting research centres.

http://www.sintef.com/job

Together, we are creating technology for a better society. 1

http://www.sintef.no/byggforsk 7

Vivian Meløysund Research Manager Materials and Structures 8 Snow in her sights 9

In the course of her working life, Vivian Meløy- sured in Western Norway. In January 1989, it 11 sund has moved from designing the founda - was 1190 mm in the County of Sogn og Fjordane, tions of huge offshore structures to something while in some parts of the north there is actu- rather more earth-bound – doing research on ally very little snow. During the winter of 1942 12 how Norwegian buildings should be designed – 43, only 23 mm were recorded from November to withstand the forces of wind and snow. to March. One example of wide local variation is 13 Rana, where a difference of no less than 1.7 m “Why are snow loads on roofs so interesting?” was measured between two meteorological 14 “Because snow loads on roofs vary so widely, stations that are only 6 km apart – and both of depending on the local climate and the terrain. them well sheltered from wind.” 15 Today, the weight of snow on roofs is estima- “What about Norwegian buildings; can they ted as a percentage of the depth of the snow withstand large amounts of snow?” 16 on the ground nearby. But we need more accu- rate methods of measurement. I am going to “It is not often that a roof collapses purely as a improve current design standards by studying result of snow. The usual cause is a combina- 17 local differences. My aim is to finish my docto- tion of a lot of snow, poor construction or faulty rate on this topic this summer. My work is part calculations. Light roof structures with large 18 of the major research programme “Climate spans are the most likely to suffer. Typical hou-

2000” and will be useful if we wish to measure ses are not in the danger zone.” 19 the effects of the climate changes that are on “When you are not working on your doctorate, the way. For example, we can expect to see you are a research manager. What does that 20 more precipitation and higher temperatures, job title imply?” and more extreme weather can lead to heavier 21 loads of snow on our roofs.” “I lead a scientific group that performs a wide range of tasks in the field of building construc- “How can you estimate things like that?” tion. As special advisers to the building indus- 22 “By looking at the world of the meteorologists. try, we examine large, complex building At the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in projects before the start of the construction 23 Ås, Professor Emeritus Høibø has been mea- phase. Other tasks include major research pro- suring snow loads on agricultural buildings for jects such as “Climate 2000”, helping with the 24 20 years. Now I have gathered meteorological Byggforsk series of publications, and providing data from the same period. In simple terms, we technical approvals of products and construc- 25 can say that I calculate the local climate with tion systems.” respect to other buildings, the terrain and roof “Why did you choose building construction as 26 geometry. When I study these factors together your field of work?” with Høibø’s measurements, I can work out how much of a snow load a building in a given loca- “I grew up with a father who is a joiner and I am 27 tion will need to be able to withstand.” a bit practically oriented myself. I enjoy watch - ing ideas turning into something concrete 28 “Exactly how wide are the differences in snow- – and helping to create them. So it was natural fall in Norway?” for me to go in for building construction as a 29 “They are huge! Some of the highest levels of subject when I started at the Norwegian Insti- precipitation in Western Europe have been mea- tute of Technology.” 30

32 1

3 the 2006 work environment survey. Our staff find that Building and Infrastructure in 2006, 38 percent were per- SINTEF Building and Infrastructure: Annual Report 2006 their work is stimulating and leaves them “in surplus”. formed by women. The chair of the Board is a woman, as 4 The work environment survey serves to ensure and de- are 50 percent of its members. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure was established as journals, 13 reports in our own report series, and 248 velop SINTEF’s qualities as an attractive work-place. Both the Board and management are aware of the need 5 a division of SINTEF on January 1, 2006, as the result of popular science articles and lectures. Thorough analyses are performed to determine the for measures to promote equal opportunities. a merger with the Norwegian Building Research Insti- qualities that are worth fostering, and to identify where In 2006, the Research Council of Norway established a 6 tute (NBI). In 2006, NBI continued to be operated as a there is room of improvement. Good management is Health, safety and the environment (HSE) number of Centres for Research-based Innovation. separate foundation, while SINTEF’s activities in this important in this connection. SINTEF makes systematic In SINTEF, HSE is our first priority, and our aim is to elimi- These centres are intended to develop or strengthen area were operated by SINTEF Building and Infrastruc- efforts to develop its management resources, including nate all injuries. SINTEF wishes to have a work environment 7 Norwegian research groups that work closely with inno- ture. In autumn 2006, the Norwegian Gaming and Foun- individual managers and management teams. that our employees regard as good. SINTEF will not pollute vative sectors of industry. SINTEF Building and Infra- dation Authority formally approved a merger of the two the physical environment. SINTEF’s HSE policy and HSE 8 structure is the host institution of COIN (Concrete SINTEF Building and Infrastructure performed 206 per- organisations, and on January 1, 2007, they came to- goals apply to all our activities, national and international. Innovation Centre). The award of CRI status is a recog- son-years of work in 2006. Twenty-one employees left the gether as part of the SINTEF Foundation. 9 nition of the high scientific quality of the department Institute in the course of the year, while 13 joined us. Fifty- We are putting continuous efforts into implanting a SINTEF’s vision is that of “Technology for a better soci- involved, and the scientific committee gave COIN its three members of our research staff hold doctorates. realisation of the importance of HSE in all parts of the ety”. Through first-class solution-oriented research and highest score for scientific quality. COIN will develop organisation. In 2006, we suffered two injuries that led to 10 Financial freedom of action knowledge generation, SINTEF creates significant new types of concrete, construction techniques and sick leave, giving an H1 value of 5.82. A total of four per In its first year of operation as a division of SINTEF, amounts of value for its Norwegian and international cus- building solutions for this formable material. Concrete sonal injuries produced an H2 value of 11.63. Reporting 11 SINTEF Building and Infrastructure generated gross tomers, for the public sector and for society as a whole. can be used to store both heat and cold, thus bringing of undesirable occurrences is still too low. All in all, revenues of NOK 219.8 million. Our operating result was us closer to the vision of zero-energy homes. these figures show that the level of risk is too high. 12 Technology for a better society MNOK 3.48 and the financial result was MNOK -0.64, pro- SINTEF Building and Infrastructure is primarily intended Strategic cooperation with our universities is a vital ducing a net annual result of MNOK 2.85. Close atten- Sick leave lay at a level of 4.7 percent. This figure is too to be a research and development partner for private in- aspect of SINTEF’s scientific quality. In 2006, SINTEF tion will have to be paid to good operating practices if high, and active efforts are being made to reduce it. 13 dustry and the public sector, acting through the genera- and NTNU agreed on a joint strategy which aims to we are to continue to obtain good results. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure did not suffer any tion and dissemination of new knowledge. We will develop locate the two institutions together at the international 14 Equal opportunities accidents that led to damage to the physical environ- and contribute to environmentally friendly, cost-effec- leading edge. At the level of scientific groups, our colla- Of the 206 person-years of work performed by SINTEF ment in 2006. tive solutions in the construction industry. boration manifests itself in the shape of the Gemini 15 Centres. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure is a member Trondheim, February 19, 2007 SINTEF Building and Infrastructure covers fields that of three Gemini Centres: “Sustainable architecture and range from building-waste recovery and improved in- 16 property”, “Underground technology” and “Roads and door climate, to energy conservation and more efficient traffic”. management, operation and maintenance of buildings 17 and infrastructure. Climate change will affect buildings in various ways. Through “Climate 2000”, SINTEF Building and Infra- Satisfied clients 18 structure has put the impact of climate change on the SINTEF aims to contribute to the creation of value by built environment on the map. Methods for assessing offering new possibilities to its clients. This means that 19 the functional performance of buildings under various our relationship with our clients and our understanding climatic conditions have been developed. The results of their needs is of great importance. We participate in have contributed to the growing awareness in the con- Unni Steinsmo 20 SINTEF’s systematic measurements of client satisfac- Chairman struction industry of the need for, and the benefits of, tion with our services. It is a matter for satisfaction to adapting to local climatic conditions. These methods 21 observe that the results of these measurements are have been disseminated via Byggforskserien (Building consistently positive, although they also show that Research Series) – the most widely utilised knowledge certain areas have improvement potential. 22 tool used by the construction industry. In 2006, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure carried out SINTEF Building and Infrastructure lies at the leading edge 23 more than 2 000 projects. in several facets of drinking water supply. In 2006, for Scientific quality example, we signed a contract with the City of Las Vegas 24 SINTEF’s ambition is to become the most highly respec- concerning the introduction of a decision-support system ted research group in Europe, which will enable us to at- for rehabilitation of the water supply network (Care-W). Per Ola Ulseth Anne Grete Hestnes Frøydis Sjøvold Trine D. Pettersen 25 tract the most interesting and demanding clients. To do In the field of highway and road technology, SINTEF Buil- so, we must be capable of offering a high level of scien- ding and Infrastructure has purchased laboratory 26 tific quality in everything that we do and to be at the equipment for studies of permanent deformations in leading edge in global terms in a number of disciplines. asphalt. This equipment is unique in Scandinavia, where This requires the systematic, long-term development of 27 it is the only equipment capable of performing certain research groups and individual research personnel, and important types of study required by new standards. that our research is published and brought to the 28 attention of international research groups. Attractive work-place

29 In 2006, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure published An important and explicitly stated strategic aim of ten ISSN titles, three academic/textbooks, 47 chapters SINTEF is that it should be an attractive workplace. That Ola Skjølsvold Ole Molnes Sverre A. Larssen Bjørn Svensvik

30 or articles in academic/textbooks, proceedings and it is already regarded as such has been documented by Executive Vice President

32 bioenergy water and environment natural stone behaviour in traffic

environmental analyses solar energy design of highways and streets foundations

Sustainable development demands changes. At SINTEF, we want to find solutions that can make a difference. This requires both courage and wide-ranging knowledge, which is why we work within disciplines ranging from health to energy supply, road planning and materials technology. The courage to change. The knowledge needed to do so. Because holistic solutions bring the world a step ahead.

Together, we are creating technology for a better society. 1

3 Accounts Projects in the SINTEF Group 2006 (Size of project and share of operating revenue) 4 Proportion of projects Share of total operating revenue

5 Key financial figures for SINTEF Building and Infrastructure 80%

6 MNOK 2006 7 Result 70% Gross operating income 219.8 8 Net operating income 176.1 60% Salaries and social costs 133.0 9 Depreciations 6.7

10 Other costs 33.0 50% Operating result 3.5 11 Annual result 2.8 40% Balance sheet 12 Fixed assets 83.9 Liquid assets 60.9 30% 13 Total assets 144.8

14 Equity capital 51.8 20% Current liabilities 51.1 15 Long-term liabilities 41.9 Total liabilities 93.0 10% 16 Sum of equity capital and debt 144.8 Profitability 17 0% Operating margin 2.0 % 0 - 100,001 - 500,001 - 2,000,001≥ Project size 18 in NOK 100,000 500,000 2,000,000 For complete accounts, please see the separate accounts of: – SINTEF Building and Infrastructure 19 – The Norwegian Building Research Institute

20 Gross operating revenue of SINTEF Building and Infrastructure 2006 21

22 Publications and information dissemination SINTEF Building and Infrastructure 2006

23 Research Council of Norway basic grant 4.3% Public sector 17.1% International contract research 12.7%

Research Council of Industry 38.3% Other revenues 21.5% 24 Norway strategic programmes 2.7% Scientific articles in periodicals or series (ISSN titles) 10 Research Council of Norway 25 project funding 3.3% Academic titles, textbooks or other independent publications 3

26 Chapters or articles in academic titles or textbooks, proceedings, and academic journals 47 Employees in SINTEF Building and Infrastructure 27 Reports in SINTEF Building and Infrastructure’s own report series 13

Reports to project clients (confidential final reports) 1710 28 Lectures, papers and posters 11

29 Administrative personnel 36 Management Research staff (including Research Directors) 155 Popular articles and talks 248 (staff and line directors) 3 Of whom 53 hold doctorates

30 Engineers Leading articles, comments, reviews, chronicles, etc., in magazines and the daily press 23 Technical experts 12

32 1

4 Our laboratories – a national resource Knowledge is without value unless it is shared 5 SINTEF Building and Infrastructure operates several laboratories of great national value. Up-to-date, well- run laboratories are essential for the important research that we do, as well as for product development SINTEF Building and Infrastructure is Norway’s lishes the Construction Industry’s Norms for 6 and documentation for industry. Several of our laboratories are operated in collaboration with NTNU, and leading provider of research-based knowledge Wet Rooms. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure these also play a central role in the University’s teaching and research. in the construction sector. Via our research and has a long, solid tradition of publishing fact- 7 In these laboratories, we carry out testing and documentation procedures in accordance with relevant development, we have established a unique books, hand-books and practical guides for the standards for the construction industry. We meet all the documentation requirements of manufacturers, platform for disseminating knowledge through- construction industry. 8 suppliers and building owners. We provide documentation and testing in connection with large projects, out a large part of the Norwegian construction Whether you manufacture or purchase pro- such as the testing of different types of stone for Oslo’s new Opera House in Bjørvika, tests of Spanish industry. ducts, our product documentation is a guaran- 9 concrete for the construction of storage facilities for liquid natural gas in the Adriatic Sea and the docu- In the course of almost 50 years, the Byggforsk- tee of quality, satisfying the documentation mentation of bedrock characteristics in connection with a new water-supply system for New York. serien (Building Research Series) quality norm requirements of the regulations and providing 10 Our laboratories: has grown to become a national knowledge guidelines for correct use. In conjunction with base. The main point of the series is to make our subsidiary company SINTEF NBL, we have 11 Construction Materials test structural elements in reinforced concrete and research results, know-how and working prac- started to improve and further develop our We have laboratory and field equipment for testing perform the type testing and quality control of natu- tices available in a form capable of being used approval and certification schemes. a wide range of types of material, including equip- ral stone products that is required for CE marking, directly by everyone in the construction indus- 12 One of the major challenges facing the sector is ment and premises for durability tests of con- and which cover such properties as strength, den- try. New energy standards for buildings will that of adopting existing knowledge. Commu- struction materials (frost, porosity, permeability, sity, durability and petrographic rock description. make this series even more useful, as practical 13 nication, documentation and good knowledge etc.), for the mechanical testing of building materi- solutions will be incorporated into the material. Rock Mechanics transfer systems are therefore key aspects of als and construction elements and for documen- 14 This laboratory has been making in situ measure- SINTEF Building and Infrastructure also pub - developing good, efficient building processes. ting the composition of materials. ments of rock tension since 1964. We have partici-

15 Acoustics pated in a large number of projects in the fields of Our acoustics laboratories satisfy all the construc- hydropower, mining, quarrying, storage caverns, tion requirements of NS-EN ISO 140-1 for measure- underground sports halls and road and railway tun- 16 ments of sound transmission through building nels, both in Norway and abroad. components, step sound damping, acoustic power Geotechnology 17 measurements and measurements of sound This laboratory comprises equipment for routine absorption in structures, materials and components. studies, special equipment for strength, deforma- 18 Heating and Ventilation tion and permeability tests and Norway’s most mo- A well-equipped laboratory for calibrating air- dern and best equipped laboratory for testing ice 19 quality instrumentation; it offers full-scale tests of and frozen soil, as well as facilities for performing Timber house handbook since 1952 ventilation systems, capacity measurements of model trials on various scales. 20 components and systems, field measurement of in- Engineering Geology Few countries can point to such a high propor- door thermal climate, ventilation, air changes and This laboratory performs boreability studies that tion of timber houses in their housing stock as 21 buildings’ heat insulation and airtightness, as well determine a wide range of indices as measures of Norway. Timber house-building plays an as a climate chamber for tests of emissions from the boreability of rocks, and provide important fac- important role in Norwegian culture, and such building materials. 22 tors in connection with the construction of tunnels houses are a prominent feature of the built Sanitation and rock caverns. environment all over the country. “Timber 23 We have one of Europe’s most modern sanitary Houses“ is the only Norwegian book that offers Highway Technology laboratories, which is capable of performing tests a complete presentation of building techniques A laboratory for research and development as well 24 in accordance with all international requirements and the theoretical basis of timber buildings. as studies of materials used in road construction for sanitary components. The laboratory is accre- The book was originally published in 1952, and and highway technology; its research is based on dited, as a test site for water taps. its ninth edition appeared in 2006. Although the 25 measurements and analyses of the behaviour of basic techniques of construction in timber are Water Chemistry materials in the laboratory and the field. little altered, major changes in general con- 26 A well-equipped laboratory with instruments for Coast and Harbour Laboratory ditions and choice of products have taken physical, chemical and microbial analyses. In 2003, In this laboratory, we test, document and develop place, and new knowledge has been generated the laboratory was further equipped to measure 27 structures and products that are in contact with as a result of research. The book has been hygienic water quality, as a supporting technique water. Our services range from small-scale testing completely updated with respect to new con- for our research on the rapid detection of bacteria 28 of flow in pipelines to large-scale modelling of rivers struction, loading and product standards. This and disinfection using membrane technology. and harbours. We also perform studies of waves, has led to a large number of changes in

29 Concrete and natural stone currents, sedimentation and interactions between recommendations and to the presentation of We test fresh and hardened concrete, as well as all of water and structures. new alternative structures, especially for roofs. energy-efficient solutions that also provide a

30 the materials used in concrete production. We also Emphasis has been placed on illustrating good indoor climate.

32 bioenergy hydrogen research environmental technology energy saving

CO2 capture wind power solar cell technology CO2 storage

Here are some of the things you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Use low-energy bulbs • Lower indoor temperatures a couple of degrees • Use a thermostat • Buy energy-labelled products • Use a water-saving shower • Use a washing line rather than a tumble drier • Turn off the lights in rooms you are not using, and switch off electrical equipment that is not in use • Insulate your house • Recycle your rubbish • Plant a tree, or several • Buy green electricity • Buy locally produced food • Cycle or use public transport whenever possible • Start a We are working to provide you with new alternatives. It is up to you to use them. car-sharing club – or join one • Check the tyre pressure on your car; with the correct tyre pressure you use less fuel • If you are going to buy a car, choose an environmentally friendly model.

Small contributions can lead to major changes, if enough people make them.

Together, we are creating technology for a better society. 1

3 This is SINTEF Our organisation 4

7 The SINTEF Group is the largest research organisation in Scandinavia. Our vision is “Technology for a better society”, and our aim is to contribute to increased value creation, improved quality of SINTEF‘s Council 8 life and sustainable development. SINTEF sells research-based knowledge and associated servi- SINTEF‘s Board ces based on deep insight into technology, the natural sciences, medicine and the social sciences. 9 Our basic values are honesty, generosity, courage and solidarity. SINTEF’s aim is to become the President of 10 most respected research institution in Europe. the SINTEF Group Group staff Vice-President of The SINTEF Group comprises the SINTEF Foundation, plus four limited companies and SINTEF the SINTEF Group 11 Holding. We are a competitive research group with a significant potential to make a positive contribution to the development of society at regional, national and international level. 12 We contribute to the development of existing knowledge-based employment and to the creation of new workplaces. Our business concept is that of promoting the closer interaction of business 13 and research cultures.

14 Key figures SINTEF SINTEF SINTEF SINTEF ICT Health Research Technology and Society Materials and Chemistry 15 At the turn of the year, the SINTEF Group had 1901 employees, who generated new knowledge worth NOK 2 billion in 2006.

16 Contracts for industry and the private sector and project funding provided by the Research Coun- cil of Norway account for more than 90% of our income. Around seven percent takes the form of SINTEF Marine SINTEF SINTEF

Research Divisions Petroleum and Energy 17 basic grants from the Research Council. Building and Marintek SINTEF Holding Infrastructure SINTEF Fisheries and SINTEF Petroleum Research Aquaculture SINTEF Energy Research 18 Partners in cooperation SINTEF cooperates closely with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and 19 the University of Oslo. NTNU personnel work on SINTEF projects, while many SINTEF staff teach at NTNU. Our collaboration involves widespread common use of laboratories and equipment, and 20 more than 500 people are jointly employed by NTNU and SINTEF. SINTEF Health Research SINTEF Technology and SINTEF ICT SINTEF Materials and Chemistry is one of the largest health Society offers integrated research- possesses top-level expertise in 21 International activity research organisations in offers R & D in the fields of based knowledge via access to the fields of materials science, Norway. We have wide-ranging technology management, a broad platform of technology applied chemistry and applied bio-

22 In 2006, 12 percent of our turnover derived from international contracts. About one third of our solidly-based knowledge of working life and transport. The and competence in ICT. logy. We work closely with industry international turnover comes from the EU’s research programmes. We give these high priority, both medical subjects and division also has a subsidiary in the development of advanced because we believe that it is important to participate in multinational knowledge-generation ef- 23 methods, and are capable of company; SINTEF MRB AS. materials, products, processes forts, and because such projects give us access to interesting networks. analysing and solving pro- and tools. The division also has blems in an integrated manner. two subsidiary companies; SINTEF 24 The rest of our international turnover comes from contract research projects performed on behalf of overseas clients. Our ambition is to grow in other countries, and for this reason we are inves- RTIM AS and Molab AS.

25 ting in areas in which we are particularly strong: oil and gas, energy and the environment, materials technology and marine technology. SINTEF Building SINTEF Marine SINTEF Petroleum and SINTEF Holding

26 and Infrastructure consists of MARINTEK Energy was established with the aim Commercial spin-offs is the third largest building and SINTEF Fisheries and comprises SINTEF Petroleum of separating out SINTEF’s research institute in Europe. Aquaculture, and it deals with Research and SINTEF Energy activities at the interface 27 SINTEF also acts as an incubator for new industrial companies. In 2006, we were involved in the com- It was established in 2006 exploitation of the marine Research, and operates within between commercial activitiy mercialisation of 12 SINTEF technologies, through licensing agreements and the establishment of following the merger with the environment. the whole of the value chain and research from our core 28 new companies. We are active owners of our start-up companies, and we help them to continue to de- Norwegian Building Research for petroleum products and activities. SINTEF Holding is a velop. Selling our shareholdings in successful spin-offs realises liquid assets that we subsequently Institute (NBI). The division sustainable energy systems. taxable entity, which compri- 29 invest in the generation of new knowledge. Nevertheless, the most important part of our work is the also includes the subsidiary ses strategic ownership and development of existing industrial companies. Every year, SINTEF supports the ongoing develop- company SINTEF NBL as. newly established companies.

30 ment of some 2000 Norwegian and foreign companies via its research and development activities.

32 SINTEF Building and Infrastructure

Oslo Forskningsveien 3b PO box 124 Blindern NO-0314 Oslo Phone: +47 22 96 55 55 Fax: +47 22 69 94 38

Trondheim Høgskoleringen 7b NO-7465 Trondheim Phone: +47 73 59 30 00 Fax: +47 73 59 33 80

e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN: 978-82-14-04260-3

WWW.SINTEF.NO/BYGGFORSK

IC ECOL D AB R E O L N

241 148