SGS INTRON INVESTS in the Measurement of the HEAT
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 14 | June 2013 | Number 18 IN T LLE INTRON U SGS B FORENSIC INVESTIGATION REVEALS CONCRETE SECRETS COLLABORATION WITH ZUYD UNIVERSITY SGSINTRON BULLETIN 1 In these difficult economic times, companies which in the past invested in innovation are often in a better competitive position and are even showing growth despite the strong headwind. Over the past decade, the Netherlands only invested moderately in R&D – less than 2% of GDP. This is considerably less than countries such COLLABORATION WITH as Germany and the US which have devoted 3% or more of GDP in R&D. The differences are even greater in the construction industry. A typical example is nano concrete. This offers unprecedented ZUYD UNIVERSITY opportunities to give (far too) inexpensive concrete (only 3 eurocents per kg!) exceptional performance and wider applications, and there- FOR MORE INFORMATION: GERT VAN DER WEGEN [email protected] fore added value. The US has been conducting a major strategic and practical programme in this area for several years, with several commercial applications as a result. With regard to nano concrete Europe has, as far as we know, only one significant activity: the Nanocem project, where scientific research is conducted on the usinesses benefit from For instance, SGS INTRON will nano structure and properties of hydrated cement. The Netherlands quality vocational training teach the subject of concrete tech- only plays an indirect role in this. since it provides them with no logy in the materials science part B future qualified employees. of the Chemistry and Chemical This is not self-evident. Businesses Engineering course. It is a surprise Austerity policies are currently still have a responsibility and therefore for most students to discover that threatening the leading positions (in an active role to play here. A good concrete technology contains so some areas) of our construction-related example from Limburg is the many chemical aspects and that so universities. There are still government Chemelot Innovation and Learn- much more development is possible (co-)funded programmes for some ing Labs (CHILL) initiative, where in this area. “Grey” concrete has specific topics and we must continue chemistry studies (MBO/HBO/WO) become much more colourful to them, IN to nurture these. However, this is are more practical, professional especially when the versatility of the too narrow a basis for maintaining and innovative. There is scope material and its special applications our international position and thus for the development of top talent are illustrated. RE our competitiveness. This type of (tailor-made), and research facilities research is often carried out by foreign are made easily available for start- A guest lecture of over an hour can students who, in many cases, return U up companies/SMEs. This initiative be regarded as a “teaser”. A better to their homeland at the end of their will also contribute to achieving view of the world of concrete (tech- training. This means that the present T the ambitions of Brainport 2020. nology) can only be obtained through shortage of qualified researchers and an internship of several months at technicians will increase in coming U SGS INTRON also benefits from a SGS INTRON. Each year our company years, a growing problem not only for vocational training that matches its takes on about 10 interns from differ- Dutch construction companies, but also need for qualified employees. That is ent disciplines (chemistry, construc- for attracting foreign investors. They why we have a seat on the Advisory tion, engineering, etc.) and different will favour companies in countries/ Board of Zuyd University, which has levels (MBO, HBO and WO). An intern- regions where there is a good supply the task of better aligning the various ship involves carrying out or partici- of researchers and technicians, as well courses at the university to the needs pating in a specific (internship) project as high-quality universities and other of businesses and further education. and gaining a detailed view of one of educational institutions. With regards This includes both regular education the activities of SGS INTRON (labora- INVESTING THE F to the former aspect, the Netherlands and specific part-time training and tory research, inspection, consultancy, already had an average score but it is courses. quality assurance). These students now also losing its leading position learn how a company such as SGS with regards to the latter. Obviously, the One specific collaboration with Zuyd INTRON is organised and operates. parties involved, including SGS INTRON, University and other parties concerns Special attention is also given to the are trying to guide these developments BIHTS: Building Integrated High-Tech development of skills, the interpre- into a positive direction in various areas. Systems. It is a good example of tation of research results, the clear One (regional) example of this is the synergy in training, expertise and writing of reports and subsequently collaboration between SGS INTRON innovation. You can find additional the oral presentation before a larger and Zuyd University (see article in this information of this public/private audience. bulletin). However, if we are to regain collaboration in the previous issue our leading position, even more efforts of the SGS INTRON bulletin. Guest As shown, SGS INTRON is engaged in will be required. We must make this lectures will be given to bring specific a multifaceted collaboration with Zuyd commitment – after all, it is our own knowledge from a particular discipline University. We place great store in this future that is at stake. to the attention of students. collaboration and it contributes to an even better alignment of education GERT van DER WEGEN and market needs. SGSINTRON BULLETIN 3 RADAR INVESTIGATION KNOWLEDGE IN TRANSITION OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES BY JACK DE LEEUW GENERAL MANAGER SBRCURNET We talk about the crisis every day plines we regarded as our network for – how long it has been going on years. We built a good name for our- and how long it will continue. After selves and plucked the fruits of appre- previous crises, you normally got ciation for traditional products such as back on track once the economy SBR reference details and CUR recom- picked up. But this time there mendations. Like everyone of us, we seems to be more to it. There called ourselves the research organi- is an increasing realisation that sation; not exactly very distinctive. things will never again be the way With the merger, we join together the they were. We just do not know B&U and civil engineering sectors, but In many cases, after a concrete structure is finished, it is advisable what will happen. We are in the we do not want to limit ourselves to assurance in the future? Just a little to check if the work has been performed as agreed. It may be neces- middle of a transition. It is obvious the simple arithmetic. We are looking teaser: would you organise the world sary to check whether the correct amount of reinforcement has been this will have consequences for for the real connection: how can we of certification as it is now if you could used at the correct location and whether there are any voids present everyone. solve questions of sustainability, how start over and, second question: do in the concrete. In older structures, it may be necessary to determine does climate change affect all levels, you know more than 50 people in the the concrete thickness, the amount of reinforcement or prestressing And that also applies to knowledge and what solutions can we come up construction industry who can ex- used and where it is located. institutes. SBR is 54 years old and with? How can we cooperate cleverly plain how the quality assurance world CUR(NET) 61. They have always ful- and start Bimming more efficiently? works? The answer to both questions Carried out using radar, these analyses result in minimal damage to the filled a function in a sector where a How can we improve developments is always the same: no! Shall we be structure. SGS INTRON has many years of experience in radar examination few things changed but much still re- in sectors technically and process- bold and have a debate about this? of built structures. The combination of radar experience and an extensive mained the same. Since 5 March 2013, wise while looking closely at adminis- Only with other people who think the knowledge of construction methods, constructions and structural damage SBR and CURNET have merged to tration and organisation and taking in glass is half full. And only by looking guarantees a good result. become SBRCURnet. The merger political discussions. There is so much at what is good for the end users of already meant a big change for every- we can learn from each other and so our built environment. And not by say- SGS INTRON uses the latest radar equipment which provides the client with one concerned, and in these times much that is new to incorporate when ing it is the government that should do quick and easily understood images. In addition, we have radar antennae there seem to be even more risks we consider the bigger picture. things differently. No, we will address which display more details and allow for more complex situations to be involved. The glass is half empty from it in our own sector. SBRCURnet would assessed. this point of view. The other way of If you look at it this way, the link with like to have this conversation: to pro- looking at it is that a merger is the SGS INTRON can be seen as an extra mote major improvements and chang- The radar is often used in combination with reinforcement detectors and perfect time to change things around.