Supporting the stakeholders
of construction

2016 Activity Report

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The Scientific and Technical Center for Building

A public body for innovation in construction, the CSTB focuses on four key activities: research and expertise, assessment, certification, and dissemination of knowledge, all performed to address the challenges of energy transition in the construction sector.

Editorial Étienne CRÉPON, CSTB President

The building industry has rarely experienced such a transformation, with the environmental transition, the digital revolution and a great wave of innovations to be embraced. These transformations in the industry coincide naturally with the CSTB's key missions. Thanks to its experience and the complementary nature of its Research, Expertise and Assessment activities, the CSTB can accompany these changes.

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1

Scientific and technical excellence, supporting the stakeholders of construction

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To contribute to global efforts against climate change and meet society's expectations for better urban living, the CSTB applies its scientific and technical skills to all of its activities. The CSTB's systemic approach serves to anticipate future challenges and support stakeholders at every stage of their projects in achieving sustainable innovation. The ultimate goal is for buildings and cities to embark on the energy, environmental and digital transitions ahead.

Learn about the strategic priorities of the CSTB in France and internationally, in these three interviews

"The challenges of research for the construction industry in the digital age."
Hervé Charrue

Deputy CEO
in charge of Research and Development

Demography, aging, social inequality, climate change, management of natural resources, as well as quality and comfort of living conditions...

"Priority on innovation and adapting the means to assess it."

Charles Baloche

Deputy CEO
in charge of Technological Activities

Although assessments are meant to inform construction industry stakeholders about the fitness for use of innovative products and systems, they also drive...

"Deploying the activities of the CSTB Group, in France and abroad."

Sylvie Ravalet

Deputy CEO
in charge of Strategy and Finance

The CSTB Group develops international structural partnerships, based on its multidisciplinary activities and skills, to serve the...

Scientific and technical programs

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Organized around five Specialist Areas, the scientific and technical research programs of the CSTB spur advances in knowledge, to make buildings and cities safer, healthier and more efficient. 2016 was the fourth year of a project cycle (2013-2017). This represents an opportunity to share certain advances. Through its research activities, the CSTB responds to society’s expectations for safety and wellbeing, adapted to increasingly diversified lifestyles. Faced with climate change, a key challenge consists of improving the management of natural resources and the quality of construction projects, by exploiting the opportunities of new technologies and integrating the need for economic optimization.

Organization of research & expertise

With its partners, the CSTB is continuing its multidisciplinary research projects in response to calls for tenders from organizations such as the French National Research Agency, ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency) and the European Commission. The CSTB mobilizes its expertise for public authorities, to address national priorities in the areas of energy, the environment, health, safety and digital technologies. The CSTB also guides socioeconomic stakeholders in the development of innovations for the market, through research partnerships and consulting projects.

In 2016, the public research of the CSTB covered:

15

of its own multi-year
research projects

43

doctoral research
theses underway

69

scientific
publications

109

collaborative research projects with public stakeholders,
mainly initiated by the Department for Housing, Urban Planning and Landscape (DHUP); by the National Research Agency, ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency) and the European Commission (FP7 and H2020 programs)

The CSTB guides socioeconomic stakeholders in the development of innovations on the market, through research partnerships and consulting projects.

> Research partnerships of the CSTB

At the level of materials and components

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Dalkia and EDF sign a research partnership agreement with the CSTB
Laboratory measurements and on-site measurements: getting closer
Innovative green roof
for Lascaux IV
Stepped timber frame
with invisible seams
Mobile furnace for fire tests
on tunnels
Toward a standard format for objects in digital models

At the level of building

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Supporting construction stakeholders in the circular economy
3F-CSTB: energy performance and indoor air quality in housing
CarmenCita, acoustic variability for small venues
Resisting hurricanes and improving natural ventilation
Performance-based approach
to Fire Safety Engineering
First step towards BIM
for the medical center in Brest

AT NEIGHBORHOOD AND CITY LEVEL

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BIM-CIM for EPA Bordeaux-Euratlantique
Comfort and energy performance for the EcoCity in Champs-sur-Marne
Assessing interactions between urban systems and biodiversity
EPADESA: from design
to simulation using BIM
La Seine Musicale: architectural feats, innovative solutions

2

Test
facilities

Testing a facade
Test facilities of the CSTB

The testing activities of the CSTB grew significantly in 2016 and the trend continues in 2017. They are structured around multidisciplinary test engineering services for industry stakeholders. CSTB specialists verify that a product or system will properly perform its function for the duration of its life cycle. They also analyze its contribution to the building's overall performance. The full testing procedure designed by the CSTB provides stakeholders with a comprehensive approach that optimizes the organization of the tests.

The tests, accredited by COFRAC, the French accreditation committee, are performed as part of an assessment, certification or CE marking process. They may also be used in the research phase to characterize the performance of new concepts. The CSTB can then develop specific protocols. This provides stakeholders with reliable experiment data to optimize their innovation.

The CSTB uses its state-of-the-art test facilities, test benches and equipment to conduct tests, from very reduced-scale to full-scale. It enriches the test results with digital simulation when a combined approach is relevant.

The testing activities are accredited by COFRAC, the French national accreditation body. The accreditation numbers are: 1-0300, 1-0301, 1-0302, 1-0304, 1-0305, 1-0306, 1-2122 and 1-1542 for tests, and 2-1930 for the calibration of anemometers (availavailable at www.cofrac.fr).

  • Fire safety with Vulcain

    Smoke treatment

    To set the example on environmental issues, the CSTB has reduced the chimney air emissions generated by its fire...

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  • Fire safety with Vulcain

    Smoke treatment

    A cone calorimeter is used for testing the flammability of small samples (10 cm x 10 cm). With this new equipment, the CSTB can test...

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  • Fire safety with Vulcain

    3D image analysis

    The Vulcain modular furnace, for studying the fire resistance of complex or tall structures, has been equipped since 2016 with an innovative metrology system. ...

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  • Energy

    Guarded hot box

    The CSTB installed the guarded hot box in 2016 at its facility in Marne-La-Vallée, in a 290 square-meter space.

    This system assesses the...

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  • Energy

    Semi-virtual laboratory

    Unique in France, this new-generation laboratory assesses a building's energy systems and optimizes the way they...

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  • Water

    Aquasim

    Unique in Europe, Aquasim enables full-scale experimentation and simulation of the water cycle in a system comprising the...

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  • Acoustics and vibration

    EUROPEAN LABORATORY OF BUILDING ACOUSTICS

    The European Laboratory of Building Acoustics of the CSTB, in Champs-sur-Marne, was equipped in 2016 with innovative systems...

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  • Digital Technologies

    Interactive virtual simulation space

    In spring 2017, the CSTB opened a new space for interactive virtual simulation in Paris. Participants, wearing 3D glasses, can discover or present the digital...

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3

Supporting
innovation on the market

INNOVATION IS AT THE CENTEROF CORPORATE STRATEGY

The third Innovation Survey by Ifop-CSTB*, carried out in May 2016, confirmed this, as did the first poll (2015). It shows that building sector companies with less than 500 employees (VSEs and SMEs) place great importance on innovation. The survey also spotlights the special commitment of industry stakeholders to energy and environmental performance and the digital revolution, which are levers of development and differentiation on the market.

The results of the survey demonstrate the need to support the stakeholders to foster their innovation as they mobilize to deal with regulatory changes and other challenges.

  • 88 % OF THE COMPANY HEADS SURVEYED CONFIRMED THEIR INTENTION OF INNOVATING WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
  • 59 % CONSIDERED ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AS AN ADVANTAGE.
  • 21 % SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF THE REGULATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATIONS.

* 3rd Innovation Survey by Ifop-CSTB of VSEs and SMEs in the building sector (under 500 employees), conducted in May 2016.

In responsive to these needs, the CSTB proposes its wide-ranging expertise to guide their projects with services adapted to each stage of innovation, from the idea to the market.

It also provides information and orientation to the stakeholders.

SUPPORT AND ORIENTATION SERVICES

In 2016

750
applications submitted to the CSTB's Ariane service

The National Support Network (RNA) has 11 partners in France's regions

INNOVATION DAY, JUNE 21, 2016 at CSTB Paris
Testimonials by innovative project developers:

Research partnerships

  • PRODUCT, SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT QUALITY

    Stability of industrial buildings

    HEALTH & COMFORT

    Simulation and optimization of the acoustic and airflow characteristics of an inlet

    TRANSPORTATION

    Safety of road and rail station tunnels

    ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

    Heat recovery from greywater

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Wind resistance and comfort

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Urban development in BIM

  • DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Complex buildings in BIM

    HEALTH & COMFORT

    Connected objects for remote medical monitoring

    TRANSPORTATION

    Fire safety engineering for wood-frame parking garages

    ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

    Real energy performance, Indoor air quality of housing

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Aerodynamics studies, Supporting innovations

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    BIM for technical inspections

  • PRODUCT, SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT QUALITY

    Simulation and optimization of the optical characteristics of a smoke detector

    HEALTH & COMFORT

    Behavior in the wind of a patio cover

    TRANSPORTATION

    BIM, energy, environment of building stock

    ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

    Optimization of gas system solutions for buildings

    TRANSPORTATION

    Recreating the soundscape of trains

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Application of the PPBIM standard to a wall model

  • PRODUCT, SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT QUALITY

    Durability and quality of indoor piping

    HEALTH & COMFORT

    Impact study of wood heating stoves on indoor air quality

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Urban development in BIM

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Complex buildings in BIM

    ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

    Energy renovation of housing

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Wind resistance and comfort

  • HEALTH & COMFORT

    BIM for technical inspections

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Urban development in BIM

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Complex buildings in BIM

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Complex buildings in BIM

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Wind resistance and comfort

  • HEALTH & COMFORT

    Impact study of wood heating stoves on indoor air quality

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Supporting innovation

    MAJOR STRUCTURES

    Supporting innovation

    DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

    Urban development in BIM

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF INNOVATIONS

in 2016

131Technical Experimentation
Assessments (ATEx)

40 %

Type A
ATEx

+ 15 %

+ 15 % more ATEx were issued in 2016 than in 2015

175 New Technical Approvals
/ DTAs

779 Technical Approvals and DTAs
published

+ 10 % more ATEc/DTA were issued
in 2016 than in 2015

72 European Technical
Assessments processed

+ 10 %

+ 10 % more ETE
were issued
in 2016
than in 2015

CERTIFICATION SUPPORTING QUALITY

in 2016

60 %of certification standards updated to QB

2000 QB certificates concerned

THEY'VE ADOPTED QB :

Gilles Prévost

CEO of Acodi

« The QB mark, which is easily recognizable,
enables us to differentiate the know-how of our SME on the market. »

Cédric Charton

Quality, Safety and Environment Manager at Balsan

« With QB UPEC, we are enhancing the visibility of our product. QB is a general mark of the CSTB, whose renown reflects positively on our business. »

DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE FOR STAKEHOLDERS

in 2016

131publications available

20 calculation and simulation programs available
(French version)

83
training modules (including 30new modules)

13
certifying training modules and programs

Software focus: the range is evolving

ACOURAD

Keep informed

Keep skills up to date: new features

4

International agreements,
meetings and partnerships

International openness promotes exchange between researchers within a network of excellence, contributing to advances in the covered fields of interest. The CSTB, a scientific and technical contributor in Europe and worldwide, continues to develop partnerships with similar organizations in Europe, French-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries, USA, Canada, Asia and Australia. The priority areas are energy and environmental performance, construction quality in the face of global warming, public health issues, quality of life in cities, adaptation of housing to aging populations, and digital technologies.

In addition, cooperation between the CSTB and its international partners concentrates on aligning scientific and technical methods of assessment and testing. Strengthening exchanges has already proven beneficial to the quality of products, while boosting exports by industrial companies. New milestones were achieved in 2016, notably in North America, Europe, Morocco and China. Environmental certification for cities also moved forward in 2016: Cerway issued HQETM development certification to an eco-city in Morocco and embarked on a sustainable urban project in China.

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North America

Greater cooperation in product assessment in the United States, Canada and Europe

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Marocco

International Exhibition of Building (SIB) 2016 in Casablanca

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Marocco

Environmental certification in cities of Morocco, China and Colombia

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Australia

Adaptation of the built environment to climate change in Australia

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Japan

24th French-Japanese Symposium on Buildings

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Latin America

Tecnalia and the CSTB join forces in Spain and Latin America

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China

The CSTB is accelerating the development of its activities in China

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South Korea

Agreement between the CSTB and the Korea Land and Housing Institute (LHI)

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Middle East

The Big 5 Dubai 2016

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Sweden

2nd International Conference on Fire Safety of Facades

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Spain

Tecnalia and the CSTB join forces in Spain and Latin America

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Nantes

8th International Conference on Snow Engineering

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Europe

Collaborative Research Across Europe

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5

The CSTB in 2016

Governance

The missions and the legal organization of the Scientific and Technical Center for Building, a public organization of an industrial and commercial nature, are defined in Articles L142-1, L142-2 and R142-1 to R142-14 of the French Building Code. The president is appointed by governmental decree.

Ethics

The Ethics Charter of the CSTB defines the common values and code of conduct embodied in six fundamental principles that apply to all CSTB activities:

1

Impartiality of judgment

2

Social responsibility

3

Transparency

4

Sharing and confidentiality

5

Duty to alert

6

Scientific and technical quality

Organization and Teams

The teams and specialties of the CSTB are structured to fulfill the institution's public interest mission and to meet customer and partner needs. As of December 31st 2016, the total headcount was 906.

See the organization chart of the CSTB

THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

Robert Baroux / Stéphanie Buisson / Ali Chenouna / Michel Cossavella / Béatrice Cromières / Tony Gane / Cristina Garcez / Julien Hans / Yann Holly / Séverine Kirchner / Hubert Lagier / Jacques Martin / Bruno Mesureur / Patrick Morand / Sophie Moreau / Christophe Morel / Stéphane Munier / Dominique Naert / Katy Narcy / Patrick Nossent / Philippe Pied / Maxime Roger / Souheil Soubra / Jean-Christophe Visier / Anne Voeltzel-Lévêque

2016Key figures

0
2016
Employees
0
2016 Operating income
(excluding subsidiaries)

Social responsibility

Committed to sustainable development, the CSTB is mobilized around the social, environmental and economic challenges relating to its activities. It has been working for several years to reduce the energy consumption and environmental footprint of its sites thanks to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions of its buildings. Another commitment centers on optimizing the organization to continually improve the services provided to clients and partners.

Subsidiaries

Participation in other entities