GEOLAB – Science enhancing Europe’s Critical Infrastructure
Ton Peters (Deltares)
Suzanne van Eekelen (Deltares)
Alexandru Marin (ETH Zürich)
Ioannis Anastasopoulos (ETH Zürich)
Joaquin Liaudat (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Hauke Zachert (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Sam Stanier (University of Cambridge)
Giulia Viggiani (University of Cambridge)
William Ovalle Villamil (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Miguel Cabrera (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Stefano Muraro (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Borut Macuh (University of Maribor)
Bojan Žlender (University of Maribor)
Stanislav Lenart (Zavod za gradbeništvo Slovenije)
María Santana (CEDEX)
José Estaire (CEDEX)
Luc Thorel (Université Gustave Eiffel)
Matthieu Blanc (Université Gustave Eiffel)
Emir Ahmet Oguz (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute)
Jean-Sébastien L'Heureux (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute)
Mallika Singh (KPMG Future Analytics, Dublin, Ireland)
Wiliam Hynes (KPMG Future Analytics, Dublin, Ireland)
John Sheils (KPMG Future Analytics, Dublin, Ireland)
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Abstract
Critical Infrastructure (CI) plays a fundamental role in supporting economic activity, enhancing quality of life, and safeguarding communities. However, infrastructure systems, whether they are roads, bridges, utilities, or communication networks, are increasingly being confronted with numerous challenges. These challenges compel CI owners and policymakers to adopt new strategies and solutions to reach desired levels of reliability. From ageing and climate-induced hazards to the necessity for sustainability and accessibility, infrastructure must evolve to meet societal needs while balancing economic, environmental, and technological pressures. GEOLAB emerged in 2021 from the European Large Geotechnical Institutes Platform (ELGIP) under the lead of Deltares to integrate top European research facilities into a one-stop-shop for performing excellent physical modelling research and innovation in the area of CI. The GEOLAB Research Infrastructure (RI) comprises 12 unique facilities in Europe for studying ground response and its interaction with structural components and the environment. It includes six Geo-Centrifuges of different sizes and capabilities, a Geo-Model Container, a Static Liquefaction Tank, a Geotechnical Test Pit, a Large-scale Triaxial Apparatus, a Railway Track Simulator and a set of five Field Test Sites. They represent the leading geotechnical experimental facilities available in Europe today. The GEOLAB RI realized 44 projects supporting research and innovation that address CI challenges. New technologies were implemented in these projects to increase the set-up and observation of the experiments. Beyond its overarching aim, GEOLAB’s essential goal is to assess whether the experimental and numerical tools available will be able to address societal needs and demands of CI resilience in the future. The need of new or alternative methodologies, knowledge and development of the RI is explored. By doing so, GEOLAB evolved into an advanced community with an impact in critical areas such as sustainable development, digital transformation and scientific excellence.