fip company profile

7/25/2019 Fip Company Profile

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COMPANY PROFILE

Back in 1945 Commendatore Attilio Daciano Colbachini founded F.I.P.S.r.l, a company, which until 1962 carried out a commercial activitygeared towards the distribution of technical products for the building,hydroelectric and highway sectors.n 1956 Dr. Romeo

Chiarotto joined the

company establishinghimself as a promoter ofnnovation and expansion ofhe company by creating itsndustrial division, whichirst specialised in the designand manufacture ofechnical products for the

arge-scale constructionector and thereafter, in the

development of protectionand strengthening of civilengineering structures ingeneral.

Today, FIP Industriale S.p.A. under the leadership of Chairman Donatella

Chiarotto have intensified their expansion to the overseas markets andoperate with vanguard products and technology for civil engineering,especially in the following sectors: highways, railways, tramways,offshore platforms, port structures, dams, buildings and industrial plants.Their headquarters at Selvazzano Dentro, in the province of Padua,occupy an area of approximately 51,000 square meters and otheroperative units are located in Milan, Rome, Paris, Cambridge and SaoPaulo in addition to agents almost all around the world.Our organisation has all the necessary skills to transform even the mostophisticated and challenging ideas into projects. This know-how

develops along a path that goes from the preliminary study to the finalproject, supported by laboratory testing on prototypes, and terminateswith the manufacture, the installation and, possibly, the monitoring ofdevices.Design activities are carried out by a staff of engineers and specialisedechnicians who have access to modern electronic tools such as computer

programmes for the dimensioning of devices, dynamic analysis of

tructures and finite element programmes.


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FIPs premises comprise of a functional testand earthquake simulation laboratoryequipped with numerous sophisticatednstruments among which a 8,000 ton testig, one of the biggest in Europe.

For this reason, besides in-house purposeesting, it is also used for performing testor third parties including our mainEuropean competitors. In addition to theunctional test laboratory, FIP have alsoaboratories for the development ofchemical and cementituous products.Most of FIPs products are the result of the research activity performed inour laboratories: as a matter of fact, more than 30% of personnel arehighly qualified and every year the company invests about 10 % of itsurnover in research programmes.

This activity mainly focuses on seismic protection, with the first studiesand applications dated back to 1974 for the Savio and Somplagoviaducts, as well as on environmental protection concerning safeguard ofVenice and its monuments in 1972, an activity which has been continuedover the last years with the reconstruction of the morphologicalequilibrium of its lagoon through their sister company Mantovani.

The precise strategy of pursuing continuous innovation has allowed FIP togain remarkable experience also in implementing research projects

approved by the European Commission in partnership with leadingEuropean companies, universities and research institutes.These projects, together with the continuous in-house studies carried outhave enabled FIP to develop new design and construction methods byusing the most innovative materials: a typical example of this strategywas the development of shape memory alloy devices designed for theprotection of historical monuments and buildings, the first of which werenstalled in the framework of the recent rehabilitation of the Basilica of St

Francis of Assisi. The creativity of FIPs specialists has made it possible toile about 150 patents to date.


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R&D activity is also expressed in the design ofpecial construction equipment and in the

manufacturing process, through constant innovationand improvement of means and processes: ourworkshop is equipped with modern machinery thatguarantee a cycle of production at the highestquality control and reliability levels and an annualproduction capacity of 20,000 pieces of bridgebearings and seismic devices.Furthermore, we are proud to affirm that from 1945o date, FIP have designed, manufactured andnstalled more than 800,000 metres of expansionoints and, during the last 20 years, with equipmentof their own design have hydrodemolished about1,000,000 square metres of concrete.

FIP distinguish themselves in their field for the ample range of productsand services they can offer and their special feature is that they canoffer their devices in a great variety of types.

FIP can boast long experience in project specifications and technicalstandards of various countries (from China to Venezuela, from theUnited States to Australia) and, consequently, manifold competencies foradapting the basic products to the different standards: they have a longist of approvals and certifications.

Quality has always been the primary target and in 1992 FIP obtained theCISQ-ICIM Quality System certification according to the criteriaestablished by the international ISO 9001 standard.

The importance FIP attribute to the evolution of technology is alsoconfirmed in their participation in the activity of working groups whoprepare the relevant sectorial standards both at the national (UNI,ANIDIS-GLIS) and international (CEN, EOTA, ISO) level, in addition to

their membership in associations involved in structural engineering(AICAP, IABSE, ACI, AIPCR,) as well as relevant business associations.


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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D)

From the early Seventies, when they were issued the first patent, FIPndustriale have always considered the activities of the Research &

Development Department as being of fundamental importance.Products and equipment currently proposed and used for civil engineeringpurposes were developed and perfected in our in-house researchaboratories, by our highly qualified technical staff.

The Research & Development Department works out innovative solutions,n close co-operation with the Technical Department and the TestLaboratory, and for projects of a wider scope, also with Italian andoreign universities, research centres, laboratories and industries.

n progress or recently completed R & D projects involve, among other,he following technologies:

fluid viscous dampers;

semi-active seismic devices;

isolation matsand other vibration control devices;

tunnel products;

special bearings;

special expansion jointsfor railway applications.


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Among the numerous research projects followed by FIP Industriale overhe last years we highlight the following three ones, which were mainly

geared to the development of devices for the seismic protection ofvarious types of structures. These projects were co-funded by theEuropean Commission within the IV Framework Programme for Researchand Technological Development and implemented in co-operation withprestigious partners from all over Europe.

1 Development of Innovative Techniques for the Improvement ofStability of Cultural Heritage, in particular seismic protection -ISTECH

1/3/1996 - 30/6/1999Environment and Climate Programme;

2 Highly Adaptable Rubber Isolating System - HARIS

1/1/1996 - 31/12/1998

Brite-EuRam III Programme (Industrial & Materials Technologies);3 Optimization of Energy Dissipation Devices, Rolling-Systems and

Hydraulic Couplers for Reducing Seismic Risk to Structures andIndustrial Facilities - REEDS

1/7/1996 - 30/6/1999Brite-EuRam III Programme (Industrial & Materials Technologies);

ISTECH Project

Development of Innovative Techniques for the Improvement of Stabilityof Cultural Heritage, in particular Seismic Protection

This project was co-ordinated by FIP Industriale and implemented in co-operation with partners from the European countries subject to the mostevere seismic risk:

ENEA (National Agency for Energy and Environment), Bologna -

Italy Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Lisbon - Portugal

JRC/EC - Joint Research Centre, Ispra - European Commission

University of Rome "La Sapienza" - Italy

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Greece


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The objective of this project was the development of innovativeechnologies for the structural repair and seismic strengthening of

historical structures and monuments based on the use of shape memoryalloys.

The study of the properties of these high-tech materials as well as of the

eismic vulnerability of the European architectural heritage has lead todentify the super-elasticity of shape memory alloys as their most usefulcharacteristic for the purpose of seismic protection of monumentaltructures.

ndeed, it allows for creating shape memory alloy devicesproviding

effective joining of various structural elements (as a replacement of - orn series with - traditional steel tendons) while acting as force limitators.

Shortly after completion, the results of the ISTECH Project have lead toome significant application of the newly developed seismic devices,among which the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.

HARIS Project

Highly Adaptable Rubber Isolating SystemThis project was conducted by FIP Industriale together with the followingpartners:

Vienna Consulting Engineers (Project co-ordinator) - Austria; Danish Maritime Institute - Denmark;

Vienna University of Agricultural Sciences;Institute for Structural Engineering - Austria;

Vorspann-Technik G.m.b.H. - Germany.

The main project goal was the development of special rubber isolatorswith performance characteristics variable over a wide range by acting on

a limited number of design parameters. In particular, isolators weredeveloped which are characterised by their different horizontal stiffnessalong the two perpendicular axes, and are especially useful forapplications in bridges and viaducts.


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This orthotropic behaviour was achieved by suitably shaping thesolators steel reinforcement.Numerous static and dynamic tests were performed on isolatorprototypes and earthquake simulation testing on a shaking table was

carried out on a bridge mock-up.

REEDS Project

Optimization of Energy Dissipation Devices, Rolling-Systems andHydraulic Couplers for Reducing Seismic Risk to Structures and IndustrialFacilities.The 11 project partners with whom this project was conducted, included,among others:

ENEL S.p.A. (National Italian Electricity company) - Co-ordinator -Italy

BOUYGUES SA - France

ENEA (National Agency for Energy and Environment), Bologna -Italy

GEC Alsthom T&D SA - France

Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Lisbon - Portugal

JRC/EC - Joint Research Centre, Ispra - European Commission MRPRA (Malaysian Rubber Producers Research Association, now

Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre) - United Kingdom

The project was aimed at the optimisation of various types of seismicdevices for use both in civil and industrial structures.FIP Industriales main contribution was the development of torsional

steel hysteretic dampers and the study of seismic isolation of LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas) storage tanks.


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Among the great number of experimental tests carried out during thecourse of the project, special mention shall be made of earthquakeimulation tests:

shaking table testing on a LNG tank mock-up, respectivelyperformed with and without the seismic isolation system that hadyielded the best result, the latter made up of a combination ofelastomeric isolators and dampers;

pseudo-dynamic testing on a full-scale mock-up of a reinforcedconcrete framed building, braced with elastomeric viscoelasticdampers.


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QUALITY

FIP Industriale have always endeavoured to give tangible proof of theirhigh quality standards and today they are the only manufacturer in thefield who can boast such a wide range of products and services coveredby prestigious national and international certifications, technicalapprovals and qualifications.

The validity of the acknowledgements listed below always remainsupdated by the ongoing internal and external surveillance activitiescarried out by FIP Industriales Quality Control as well as by the issuingbodies. The latter activities, performed by independent third parties,guarantee that the established quality standards are constantlymaintained.

The experience gathered in contracts all around the world has enabledFIP Industriale to design and manufacture devices conforming to themajor national and international technical specifications, like EN,AASHTO, BS, DIN, CNR. Nevertheless FIP are prepared to adopt designand execution criteria established by any other standard.

COMPANY CERTIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

In 1992 FIP Industriale was the first Italianmanufacturer in the field to secure the CISQ-ICIM certification for the Quality Systemconforming to the International Standard ISO9001.This certificate covers the design, productionand installation of: special structural devices(bridge bearings, seismic devices, expansion

joints); special structural works(environment protection technologies);pavings and special coverings(waterproofing); acoustic systems forrailways and motorways (noise barriers);steel work. Retrofitting of bridges andviaducts.


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A further certification of the quality systemwas issued by CISQ-ICIM relevant to qualityrequirements for the welding of bridgebearings, seismic devices, expansion joints,steelwork in compliance with the standardUNI EN 729-2.

Following the new Italian legislation forPublic Works (Law of 11 February 1994, no.109 and subsequent emendments), FIPIndustriale has secured the attestation ofqualification released by EURO SOA for eightcategories of general and special contracts.This attestation of qualification proves thefulfilment of requirements in terms of

technical and financial capacity for the awardof public works.

PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS

FIP Industriale have in their possession the

certificate issued by the GermanInstitut desDeutschen Verbandes fr Schweisstechnik e.V.conforming to standard DIN 18 800/7(DIN 15 018, DIN 18 809, DS 804), coveringthe design, execution and control of weldingperformed on steel road and railway bridgestructures and their components.

The German MPA StaatlicheMaterialprfungsanstalt Universitt Stuttgarthas released certificates of conformity forbridge bearings conforming to the TechnicalApprovals Zulassungen issued by DIBt(Deutsches Institut fr Bautechnik) to FIPIndustriale as well as for restraint bearingsaccording to DIN V 4141 Part 13.


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Furthermore FIP Industriale is able to designand supply elastomeric bearings inaccordance with DIN 4141-14, with the markof and periodic surveillance by TUM,Technische Universitt Mnchen.

In the framework of the enforcement of theEuropean Construction Products Directive,FIP Industriale have all prerequisites for theCEmarking of bearings conforming to theharmonised standards EN 1337.

TECHNICAL APPROVALS

Pursuant to Art. 8 of Decree DPR 246/93 thePresidenza del Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori

Pubblici Italiana ( Superior Council of PublicWorks) has issued a product certification forFIP Industriales structural restraints,antiseismic devices, spherical bearings andexpansion joints.

The GermanDeutsches Institut frBautechnik, Berlinhas issued three

Zulassungen(= Technical Approvals) to FIPIndustriale, for spherical bearings, potbearings and sliding elements.

In Poland, FIP Industriale has obtained theTechnical Approval from the governmentalbody Instytut Badawczy Drg i MostwforVASOFLON pot bearings.

In Hungary,llami Kzti Muszaki sInformcis Khthas approved FIP Industrialeas qualified supplier of VASOFLON potbearings.


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The French institute SETRA (Service dEtudesTechniques des Routes et Autoroutes) hasreleased an Avis Technique (TechnicalApproval) for FIP Industriales expansionjoints, RAN P series for movements from 300mm to 800 mm and for GPE series formovements from 80 mm to 250 mm.

In Romania, la Comisia de Agrement Tehnicin Constructiihas issued its technicalapproval for road expansion joints of theRAN 50 series.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Italian Railways Ferrovie Italiane FShave approved FIP Industriale as qualifiedsupplier of railway expansion joints of theBETA series and of railway bearings in theSferoflon series in accordance withIstruzione FS 44e

The French Railways SNCF (Dpartement desouvrages dart, Division des tudes,mthodes et contrle des grands ouvragesmtalliques et mixtes)have approved FIPIndustriale as qualified supplier of potbearings in accordance with Livrets S.N.C.F.2.00 - 2.32 - 2.59.

In England, the Highways Agency of DTLR,Department for Transport, Local Governmentand the Regionshas issued, in favour of FIPIndustrial (UK) Ltd, a type approval ofvarious types of reinforced rubber joints ofthe RAN, SIN, GPE and RAN P series listingthem in the Approved Products Register.


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The Government Secretariat, Works Branchof Hong Kong has approved FIP Industrialeas a qualified supplier of mechanical bearings(category Class I), of elastomeric bearings(category Class II) and of expansion joints.

Within the US initiative for accelerating theevaluation process for innovativetechnologies for which no specifications orstandards exist, FIP have successfullycompleted the real-scale tests conducted onsliders with steel hysteretic dissipatingelements as requested by the testprogramme jointly established by the FederalHighway Administration, Caltrans (CaliforniaDepartment of Transportation) and HITEC

(Highway Innovative Evaluation Center)

FIP Industriale, as the only Europeanmanufacturer, is listed among the supplierspre-qualified by Caltrans for the supply offluid viscous dampers, after havingsuccessfully performedthe tests establishedby the HITEC protocol at the BOEING

laboratory, Canoga Park, California USA.

FIP Industriale, after successful pre-qualification testing at the laboratories of theEarthquake Engineering Research Center University of California at Berkeley is listedamong the suppliers pre-qualified by theGolden Gate Bridge Highway and

Transportation Districtfor the supply of fluidviscous dampers for the seismic retrofit ofthe Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

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