SAMCO Structural Assessment Monitoring and Control

has taken the challenging task to define an ambitious yet realistic vision of an improved integrated intelligent system for 2010 and beyond. One of SAMCO's main missions is to elaborate a strategic research agenda defining priorities and roadmaps with the ambition that it will serve as a reference for the definition of future research plans. SAMCO in combination with I-SAMCO has brought around the table all stakeholders involved in structural assessment monitoring and control to define the necessary research activities for a better future. The future is characterised by  Intelligent embedded systems invisible but most helpful for the user  Complex decision support routines that relieves the user of routine work  Diagnostic methodologies that allow a quick assessment of any structure after unusual events  Information on the lifecycle management of structures in order to enable future planning and budgeting  Considerable increase of usability and user safety  A major contribution to security and extraordinary event awareness  Increasing of the user comfort while reducing the user costs  Useful Codes and Standards for general application The competitiveness and sustainability of Europe's industry, transport systems, energy supply and security management will be focused. This process will support the Lisbon criteria and contribute the Union's goal to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. This initial SAMCO publication reflects the consensus on the vision 2010 – 2020 – and beyond of the SAMCO community as it stands today. This strategic research agenda will be elaborated in more detail and regularly maintained with increasing knowledge. The latest status can be downloaded under Monitoring has successfully conquered the laboratory work, then the production facilities and is now progressing into every aspect of human life. The management of the infrastructure is one of the young fields of monitoring, assessment and structural control. Today's monitoring technology supports science and development and subsequently conquers practical applications. Never the less any new technology raises further questions and enables practical solutions for given problems. Technology Management in the field of construction is a precondition for the successful market introduction of new and innovative developments. The long way from the idea to the commercial