The project aims at developing new computational methods for the analysis of large and complex structures. The challenge is to investigate local areas, with potential severe influence on the overall strength, but embedded in large structures with geometrical complexity. Usually, when addressing global and local modeling, a set of models, discretizations, behavior laws and numerical tools with increasing complexity are used. Whereas standard software are used for global analysis (ABAQUS, NASTRAN…), with topological idealization (plate theory, geometrical simplification), behavior idealization (homogenization), statistical idealization (deterministic models), local analysis demand for specialized software (routines, dedicated software) when handling faithful models of the geometry and the physics (contact, heterogeneity, damage, uncertainty). Though computational methods exist that can connect different models, there still remains heavy constraints that make it unaffordable for industry ; indeed, bridging models of different natures demands for significant efforts when designing these models : a geometry of the connection area should be prepared, its discretization also, then quantities of interest should be computed in this area, and finally a special post-processing of these quantities should be needed (when dealing with shell to solid couplings for instance). Non-intrusive coupling is a scientific breakthrough that will enable a brand new way of connecting the models together, with characteristics as follows: • Constraints on topology and meshes of global models will be minimized: transfer towards industry will be made easy, since the global model will not need any specific processing ; • Quantities of data exchanged will be minimized (thus CPU times will be optimized) ; • Specific developments of standard software will be minimized; global and local software remain independent, particularly as for meshes and solvers are concerned. As a consequence, a major outcome of ICARE will be to accelerate the dissemination of R&D production towards industry: once made easy, coupling generic models with specialized ones will become compatible with an industrial framework. With EADS and EDF carrying the most critical needs regarding simulation, the consortium groups three academic partners, specialists of computational mechanics (GeM, LMT, UTO) and one SME DISTENE, acknowledged by major finite element method software editors: DISTENE has for long being acting as a key player in integrating CAD, analysis and post-processing into one unified numerical suite.

Context Today’s theoretical and political trends call for a new sustainable development path in order to make economic growth compliant with environmental and social challenges. The Building sector must feel concerned especially. On the one hand, the building sector stands for around 40% of final energy consumption in Europe and the building owner will have to take that into account in the frame of Social Responsibility and on the other hand they generate economic activities and local employment. Unfortunately, existing assessment tools of energy-related building projects (construction or retrofit) focus mainly on the first cost (investment), or sometimes on a “first overall cost” calculated from first cost and discounted operations and maintenance costs. These methods fail to give a right valuation to solutions which can be compliant with the oncoming energy and social challenges. Principles and objectives This DECADIESE project aims to design a building investment (construction and refurbishment) economic assessment tool which could encompass on one hand the main features related to sustainable development or social responsibility (social and environmental impact...) and on the other hand the “use value” of the building. The considered DECADIESE method relies on the “Service Economy model”. This theory deals with business models which are designed in the supply of a service in response to a functional need. This functional offer is made of an integrated and compliant set of products and services and it is implemented by both the service provider and the client in the frame of a co-construction process. The economic agreement deals with an assessable performance rather than with the supply of disjoined products and services. Interactions with territories are fully involved in this functional offer. In this project, we consider a building as a system designed to host activities or business. In this purpose, the building provides seven main functions with an achieved performance after the construction/renovation works: providing space, providing comfort (e.g. temperature), providing weatherproof protection, providing suitable goods and tools for hosted activities, managing the relationship with outside people, beneficiating from the site in a harmless way, carrying a message and an image. This building sight underlines that far more than a set of components, it is a use value producing system during its designed life.. Expected results The project first aims to develop a strong extended economic assessment of a building project relying on an accepted and legitimated theoretical basis. This would reinforce its acknowledgement by building stakeholders and decision-makers. The DECADIESE method will be applied to several building project alternatives with respect to building owner’s, client’s, occupant’s and other stakeholder’s expectations. It will support the initial dialogue stage between building’s stakeholders, which is expected in the frame of an eco-conception approach. The DECADIESE method will underline how ambitious and performing buildings stand for an economic optimum although they are not seen so when applying a traditional overall cost approach. This project aims secondly to contribute to the emergence of a new sustainable economic model giving energy efficiency investment their real value. Such economic model asks for such innovative assessment tools. DECADIESE will help identify the ways of economic transfer between impacted stakeholders. Partners EDF (energy supplier) acts as project leader. DECADIESE partners are Bouygues Construction, Vinci construction (building sector major companies), Foncière des Régions (real-estate major player), ATEMIS (territory economy specialist), Ladyss/Paris 7 (Service Economy Specialist), Centrale Paris LGI (Value engineering), CGS Mines Paristech (change sociology and management). The project will be supported by a scientific council.