Papers

Num agradável jogo urbano do pormenor é fundamental a participação, extremamente diversificada, das relações com a natureza e, especificamente, dos variadíssimos elementos de verde urbano. Realmente o verde urbano é fundamental e incontornável numa perspectiva de amenização do meio urbano, de melhoria das condições de conforto ambiental na cidade (temperatura, humidade) e é responsável por uma significativa parcela da fixação do CO2.

This study reports the development of a new spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (SMCDA) software tool for selecting suitable sites for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems. The new SMCDA software tool functions based on the combination of existing multi-criteria evaluation methods with modern decision analysis techniques. More specifically, non-compensatory screening, criteria standardizationand weighting, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) have been combined with Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) and Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA). This SMCDA tool may be implemented with a wide range of decision maker

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The paper presents a new semi-destructive method for obtaining a prediction of the tension parallel to the grain properties of clear wood of structural timber members. This method is less intrusive than otherexisting methods and consists in extracting four small specimens along the length of the timber members. The tension strength and stiffness obtained is intended to be used as input data for the assessment of timber members in situ. Since the method only provides information regarding clear wood, it will have to be used together with other non- or semi-destructive methods that could accommodate the effect of defects on the loss of clear wood properties. The validation of the method was carried out by a comparison with results obtained from a standard method used for determination of clear wood properties. The results show a good agreement between stiffness values but a medium agreement in the case of tensionstrength.

This paper presents the new boundary condition implemented in the LNEC SPH numerical model based on theSPHysics model and on a standard Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic formulation: the piston-type wave maker includesnow dynamic wave absorption and allows simulating a semi-infinite flume. Verification of the active wave makerabsorption is carried out through the simulation of the interaction between a regular incident wave and an impermeablevertical breakwater. Results show that the active wave-maker allows outgoing waves to be absorbed and reflection at thewave-maker to be avoided

Bridge falsework systems are frequently used during the construction, rehabilitation and retrofit works of bridgestructures. These structures have a significant impact on the cost, construction rate and construction safety of thesupported permanent structures. However, the relevant stakeholders often do not consider them to be as importantas permanent structures, and in recent years a high number of accidents involving bridge falsework systems havebeen reported, particularly in the developing world. In order to increase the safety and the efficiency of these systemsit is certainly beneficial to learn from past failures. In this paper, a survey of the failures of bridge falsework systemssince 1970 is presented. The data will provide useful statistics for risk assessments when considering the potentialconsequences associated with failures of bridge falsework systems.

Microtextures in quartz attributed to aeolian transport, principally bulbous edges and abrasion fatigue haveseldom been tested in the laboratory under controlled conditions. A wind tunnel experiment was conducted,using glass spheres (>70% SiO2) as a proxy for quartz, with the objective of determining the extent of mechanicaldamage to silica/glass transported in a mixture with quartz beach sand.

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