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Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing for monitoring the degradation of infill masonry walls and access their impact on the durability of the envelope of buildings with reinforced concrete structure
Buildings with reinforced concrete structure (RCS buildings), including unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls, can be negatively affected by anomalies in their envelope, such as cracking and water penetration, which worsen the aesthetic aspect and reduce the safety and level of comfort of those buildings. To access the relevance of these anomalies and their evolution along service life, a corresponding survey and monitoring during service life are essential. Non-destructive test methods (NDT), in particular ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) testing, are currently used in that survey and monitoring. In the context of monitoring the degradation of the URM infill walls and access their impact on the durability of the RCS building envelope, UPV testing can be a type of NDT method to be used, considering that it can contribute to the evaluation of the state of conservation of the construction elements, such as masonry and concrete. It is intended here to access the potential use of UPV testing in the monitoring of anomalies related to the degradation of building facades due, particularly, to cracking and to water penetration associated with WDR (wind driven-rain). The preliminary assessment of the use of UPV testing is made through the previous analysis of the results of the application of UPV testing for the detection of sub-surface and surface cracking in compression tests of masonry specimens. Following that analysis, an evaluation is made of the conditioning aspects of the use of UPV testing to access durability problems of the building envelope. Particularly, the main characteristics of cracking with interest for the assessment of the potential use of UPV testing are generally discussed. And, finally, an evaluation is made of the risk of water penetration through the cracks, for potential use of UPV testing in monitoring the presence of humidity in the cracks.
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
917-943pp..
Author(s): Miranda Dias, J.
: WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development (artigo disponível no link: https://wseas.com/journals/articles.php?id=8274)
Editor: WSEAS TRANSACTIONS
Volume:
Volume 19, Art. #87.
Keywords: Durability; Service life; Buildings; Infill masonry walls; Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing
Info
Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing for monitoring the degradation of infill masonry walls and access their impact on the durability of the envelope of buildings with reinforced concrete structure
Buildings with reinforced concrete structure (RCS buildings), including unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls, can be negatively affected by anomalies in their envelope, such as cracking and water penetration, which worsen the aesthetic aspect and reduce the safety and level of comfort of those buildings. Toaccess the relevance of these anomalies and their evolution along service life, a corresponding survey andmonitoring during service life are essential. Non-destructive test methods (NDT), in particular ultrasonic pulsevelocity (UPV) testing, are currently used in that survey and monitoring. In the context of monitoring thedegradation of the URM infill walls and access their impact on the durability of the RCS building envelope,UPV testing can be a type of NDT method to be used, considering that it can contribute to the evaluation of the state of conservation of the construction elements, such as masonry and concrete.It is intended here to access the potential use of UPV testing in the monitoring of anomalies related to thedegradation of building facades due, particularly, to cracking and to water penetration associated with WDR(wind driven-rain). The preliminary assessment of the use of UPV testing is made through the previous analysis of the results of the application of UPV testing for the detection of sub-surface and surface cracking in compression tests of masonry specimens. Following that analysis, an evaluation is made of the conditioning aspects of the use of UPV testing to access durability problems of the building envelope. Particularly, the main characteristics of cracking with interest for the assessment of the potential use of UPV testing are generally discussed. And, finally, an evaluation is made of the risk of water penetration through the cracks, for potential use of UPV testing in monitoring the presence of humidity in the cracks.
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
917-943pp..
Author(s): Miranda Dias, J.
: WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Editor: WSEAS
Volume:
Vol. 19, Art.#87.
Keywords: Durability; Service life; Buildings; Infill masonry walls; Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing
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Uma abordagem transdisciplinar do papel da água como pilar da natureza, da saúde e do bem-estar
Mais de 50% da população vive em cidades e enfrenta fatores de estresseque afetam a saúde, tais como elevados níveis de poluição e ruído, tendocomo consequências comuns problemas cardiovasculares e circulatórios,obesidade, estresse, entre outros. O acesso a zonas verdes e azuis
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
39-47pp..
Author(s): Rebelo, M.; Barbosa, A. E.
: Cadernos Técnicos Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental
Editor: Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental
Volume:
Volume 2, número 2.
Keywords: soluções integradas; soluções de base natural; saúde e bem-estar; população;; cidades sustentáveis
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Uma habitação muito adequada para pessoas idosas
No presente artigo e baseando-nos, apenas, numa única e excelente fonte bibliográfica ligada à incontornável iniciativa, desenvolvida no Reino Unido e globalmente intitulada Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI), desenvolvemos um conjunto de reflexões sobre a natureza que devem ter soluções de habitar que, realmente, sejam muito adequadas a pessoas envelhecidas e frequentemente fragilizadas, tendo-se em conta, evidentemente, qua cada pessoa será um caso e que cada contexto será sempre específico, mas que há, realmente, aspetos que devem marcar a promoção habitacional se a quisermos mais amiga dos idosos; um objetivo que deve estar na agenda urgente da promoção habitacional tendo-se presente a realidade crítica associada à atual
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
13p..
Author(s): Baptista Coelho, A.
: Infohabitar
Editor: Associação Portuguesa para a Promoção da Qualidade Habitacional - GHabitar APPQH
Volume:
Ano XIX, n.º 860.
Keywords: Intergeracionalidade; Habitação para idosos; Habitação intergeracional; Habitação
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Water mixing in rectangular storage tanks: small-scale versus field tests
Mixing and renewal processes are crucial for maintaining adequate drinking water quality in storage tanks. This paper studies the influence of baffle structures and of fill-and-draw cycles on water mixing and renewal in rectangular cross-section tanks through laboratory tracer tests carried out in two small-scale tanks (with and without baffles) and compares with results from a full-scale test. This study shows that the use of baffles inhibits water mixing and keeps older water pockets in small recirculation zones, though baffles allow faster water renewal than in open tanks for lower flow rates. High water volume variation in fill-and-draw cycles (between 50% to 80%) promotes water renewal, independently of the tank configuration (i.e. cross-section and the existence of baffles). Despite the existing baffle structure in the full-scale rectangular tank with 20% water volume variation, the high flow rates allowed a rapid renewal of the stored water
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
17p..
Author(s): Covas, D.; Almeida, M. C.; Monteiro, L.; Pinheiro, A.
: Journal of Hydraulic Research
Editor: Taylor&Francis
Volume:
Vol 61, nº2.
Keywords: Water storage tank; Turnover; Residence time distribution; Mixing; renewal
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Habitação Senior ? versão de trabalho e base documental Infohabitar # 853
Em mais um artigo dedicado à reflexão sobre a habitação para as pessoas mais idosas numa perspetiva integrada e intergeracional, abordamos, especificamente e em primeiro lugar a questão do interesse e da oportunidade da abordagem da ideia de
Year: 2023
Number Pages:
24p..
Author(s): Baptista Coelho, A.
: Infohabitar
Editor: Associação Portuguesa para a Promoção da Qualidade Habitacional - GHabitar APPQH
Volume:
Ano XIX, N.º 853.
Keywords: Intergeracionalidade; Habitação para idosos; Habitação intergeracional; Habitação
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A comprehensive derivation and application of reference values for benchmarking the energy performance of activated sludge wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing challenges concerning the services effectiveness and reliability, as well as the efficiency and sustainability of resource utilization, where energy represents one of the higher costs in activated sludge (AS) treatment. This paper presents the latest developments in the new energy performance indices (PXs) we have been developing for benchmarking, i.e., assessing and improving the performance of this widely used treatment. PXs compare the energy consumption with the energy requirements for the carbon and nitrogen removals needed for the plants compliance with the discharge consents (the closer they are, the better the performance). PXs are computed by applying to the state variables a performance function that is defined by the reference values for excellent, acceptable, and unsatisfactory performance. This paper shows the rationale for selecting the state variables for the AS energy performance and the comprehensive derivation of the equations to determine the reference values for energy consumption, which incorporate the effect of key parameters (flows, concentrations, and operating conditions). Reference values for the operating conditions affecting the energy performance are also proposed. A sensitivity analysis identified the key parameters for improving the aeration performance: ?, F, and SOTE for air diffusers, and ? and N0 for mechanical aerators. Fourteen Portuguese urban WWTPs (very diverse in size and inflows) were analyzed, and aeration (0.081.03 kWh/m3) represented 2580% of total energy consumption (0.231.30 kWh/m3). The reference values for excellent performance were 0.230.39 kWh/m3 (P25P75) for AS systems with air diffusers and 0.330.80 kWh/m3 for those with mechanical aerators. A comprehensive application in one WWTP (1618 d solids retention time) showed the systems ability at identifying which operating conditions to adjust (to F/M ratio lower than 0.09 d?1 and decreasing aeration during the low season) to improve the energy performance/savings while maintaining the treatments effectiveness and reliability.
Year: 2022
Number Pages:
26 pp..
Author(s): Silva, C.; Rosa, M. J.
: Water 2022
Editor: MDPI
Volume:
14.
Keywords: Wastewater treatment plants; Mechanical aerators; Energy performance; Air diffusers; Activated sludge treatment
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A decision-making approach to assess and prioritise intervention solutions in water distribution systems.
The present paper aims at proposing and demonstrating the application of a decision-making approach that allows the identification, assessment, comparison and prioritisation of different intervention solutions. Infrastructural, financial, performance and economic perspectives are taking into consideration in the study. The proposed approach is composed of three main modules: 1) Analysis planning and database construction; 2) Infrastructure, asset or component diagnosis and prioritisation; and 3) Study of intervention solutions for the assets or components priority for intervention. Three assessment levels
Year: 2022
Number Pages:
4p..
Author(s): Covas, D.; Loureiro, D.; Cabral , M.
Editor: WDSA / CCWI
Keywords: Water distribution systems; Prioritisation process; Intervention solutions; Decision-making approach
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A Discussion on Winter Indoor Hygrothermal Conditions and Hygroscopic Behaviour of Plasters in Southern Europe
In Southern European countries, due to the specific climate, economy and culture, a permanent heating practice during winter is not widely adopted. This may have a significant effect on the performance of indoor coating materials, typically tested considering hygrothermal conditions in the range of 33
Year: 2022
Author(s): Faria, P.; Veiga, M. R.; Posani, M.; Ranesi, A.
: Infrastructures
Editor: MDPI
Volume:
2022, 7.
Keywords: hygrometric regulation; southern Mediterranean countries; hygroscopic behaviour; moisture buffering; indoor climate; hygrothermal comfort
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A distress-based condition assessment approach of urban water assets using novel deterioration indices
This paper aims at proposing and demonstrating the application of a novel distress-based condition assessment approach to evaluate the physical condition of inspectable urban water assets based on the classification of anomalies in terms of severity, intensity and extension using three new deterioration indices. These indices are, firstly, calculated at the asset component level and, then, aggregated at the asset level and at the infrastructure level by weighing the component indices with the respective replacement cost or criticality. A condition grading classification associated with the deterioration indices is proposed. The novel distress-based condition assessment approach is applied to 22 drinking water storage tanks and 17 wastewater pumping stations located in Portugal, that have been specifically inspected for this purpose. Results of deterioration indices are compared with those obtained by the value-based condition assessment approach. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach allows a more reliable assessment of the assets condition and a more robust establishment of priority rehabilitation or maintenance interventions
Year: 2022
Number Pages:
18 pp..
Author(s): Cabral , M.; Loureiro, D.; Flores-Colen, I.; Covas, D.
: Water Resources Management
Editor: Springer Link
Volume:
Volume 36, 2022.
Keywords: Urban water assets; Deterioration index; Visual inspection; Distress-based approach; Condition assessment
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