FCC Construcción has completed the VITRASO R&D project titled "Diagnosis and prediction of the paths of transmission of noise in building" whose objective was to devise experimental and numerical methods for detecting and quantifying the lines of transmission of noise and vibrations in buildings. The methods developed make it possible on the one hand to identify problems in existing buildings and on the other hand to improve the vibroacoustical predictions during the design phase of buildings that have not yet been constructed.

The main R&D participants in the project included the La Salle Engineering and Architecture Department, the IMAT Construction Technology Centre, the company ICR-Ingeniería para el Control del Ruido S.L and LGAI Technological Center S.A.

The project, with case number RD09-1-0006, was funded by ACC1Ó pursuant to resolution IUE/890/2009 and co-financed by FEDER as part of the 2007-2013 Operating Programme for Cataluña.

Other projects focused on acoustical improvements

The Company is also leading the BALI project (Building Acoustics for Living) focused on researching and developing new high performance acoustical products and systems with direct and specific applications in building design and construction, without overlooking other product requirements.

This is a Singular Strategic Project which is partially financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds.

R+D+i at FCC Construcción

FCC Construcción is making a very concerted effort in innovation to improve productivity and offer our clients more effective and sustainable solutions. Managed according to the criteria of UNE 166002 and led by the Corporate Innovation and Technology area, these R+D+i activities focus on the perceived needs of the construction sector, particulalry in the following areas:

• Rail infrastructure
• Renovation and energy efficiency
• Multimodal integration of transport networks
• Underground construction
• Maritime construction
• Enviromental optimisation of life cycles
• Renewable energies

9.47 million euros were invested in 2011, 60% more than the year before. Some of the most noteworthy projects underway include the Olin Project for more sustainable linear construction; the RS Project for sustainable building renovation; and the Explosives Project, which focuses on the conditions for designing and building parking areas at transport terminals exposed to the risk of terrorist attack. We are also working in collaboration with Cementos Portland Valderrivas on R+D+i projects that are investigating new materials such as CEMESFERAS and NANOMICRO. In the area of occupational risk prevention, the company is working on the SPIA and PRECOIL projects.
Another noteworthy project is the IISIS Project (research of sustainable islands sponsorred by INNPRONTA 2011) in which FCC Construcción is participating along with other group companies:FCC Medio Ambiente and FCC Energía, AQUALIA and Cementos Portland Valderrivas.

There are two main projects at the European level: CETIEB and BUILDSMART, both part of the VII Framework Programme, whose objectives are:

In the case of CETIEB, to develop innovative solutions for monitoring air quality inside buildings, researching active and passive systems to improve air quality.
In the case of Buildsmart, to incorporate innovative and cost-efficient constrution methods and techniques in buildings with very low energy consumption in different climates.

FCC Construcción participates in the leading technology platforms at both the national and European levels: Encord Group, reFINE, E2BA Association, the R+D+i Committee of SEOPAN, the European Construction Technology Platform and the Spanish Construction Technology Platform.
FCC Construcción has signed a collaboration agreement with Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF) to participate in joint research, development, technology and innovation activities. In connection with this, FCC CO has set up an office at ADIF's Rail Technology Centre located in Málaga at the Technology Park of Andalucía.